The World Trade Center Miami welcomes you to SeaCargo Americas Newsletter, offering you updates from the industry and useful information on the fourth year of the SeaCargo Americas Conference and Exhibition.

SAVE THE DATE
NEWS IN THE AMERICAS

• Jacksonville, Port Everglades and Port of Miami Seek 'National Cargo Hub' Designation
• Honduras Crisis Hits Regional Trade
• Panama Canal Extends Reduced Tolls
• Port of Palm Beach Adds New Shipping Service to South America
• Rails, Ports Go to China to Market West Coast Over East Coast Ports
• Longshore Workers Tout Cooperation with Employers
• Cuba Modernizes Ports To Admit Larger Ships
• Alfonso heads Jacksonville Port Trade Development
• Port Canaveral, Port of Miami Win AAPA Awards

MEET OUR EXHIBITORS

SAVE THE DATE……November 4-6, 2009

NEWS IN THE AMERICAS

Jacksonville, Port Everglades and Port of Miami Seek 'National Cargo Hub' Designation
Three Florida ports could be designated a “national cargo hub” in the Florida Department of Transportation’s first statewide seaport system plan.

If that occurs, it would become one of the selling points used by Chamber of Commerce and city officials to make the case for the federal government deepening Jacksonville’s harbor for massive cargo ships and providing other infrastructure improvements at Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

According to a draft proposal, Jacksonville and the two South Florida ports would be classified as national cargo gateways for in-state and out-of-state shipments of products. They would be the ports Florida primarily looks to when competing with neighboring states for a bigger piece of global trade.

Other ports in Florida would either be classified as cargo hubs for Florida goods, or they would be regional cargo ports.The Port of Fernandina would be a regional cargo port.

The designation of the ports would not necessarily correlate to how much state transportation funding goes to any particular port, said Department of Transportation spokesman Dick Kane. “We look at it through a statewide lens,” he said.

He said creating a classification system for ports is a way to stimulate discussion of how Florida can get maximum economic benefit from its ports. He said the study is ongoing and there has not been a vote yet by the Seaport System Plan Working Group, whose members are drawn from ports, transportation planners, and the maritime industry.

The state has done similar studies over the years through the Florida Ports Council, but the state Department of Transportation hasn’t had its own plan for seaports as it does for highways, rail, aviation and mass transit. The transportation department will use its seaport plan to guide future state spending.

The Jacksonville International Business Coalition plans to use the designation of Jacksonville as a national cargo hub to support deepening the harbor. Jacksonville Port Authority officials have said it would cost around $500 million to get the harbor deep enough to handle massive cargo ships that would vault Jacksonville into the top tier of East Coast ports.
http://jacksonville.com/business/2009-10-13/story/jacksonville_port_pushing_to_be_national_cargo_hub

Honduras Crisis Hits Regional Trade
The political crisis in Honduras is having a crippling effect on trade in Central America, with Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica losing millions of dollars of trade every day.

Because of its geographical position, practically all goods traded in the region have to pass through Honduran territory. But their flow has been hampered, especially since the return to Honduras last week of ousted President Manuel Zelaya and the imposition of a nationwide curfew, which still has not been completely lifted.

At the height of the political turmoil last week, the interim government of Roberto Micheletti also closed the country's borders and shut airports. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8281260.stm

Panama Canal Extends Reduced Tolls
The Panama Canal Authority said recently it will extend the discount program introduced in June to provide short-term cost reductions and greater flexibility to its reservation system through the end of April 2010.

The program, which consists of temporary measures designed to help mitigate the impact of the economic crisis on the shipping lines that use the canal, was the result of consultations with customers and was initially introduced June 1 for four months ending Sept. 30. The canal authority said it agreed to extend the program at the request of its customers and of the Round Table of International Shipping Associations.

“The ACP is committed to keeping an open dialogue with its customers through these uncertain economic times,” said Alberto Aleman Zubieta, the authority’s CEO. Our customers find value in the temporary measures, and for this reason we are extending them,” Aleman said.

The two primary components of the temporary measures are:

• A redefinition of ballast (ships without passengers and cargo) for full container vessels transiting the Canal; and,
• modifications to the reservation system to increase flexibility and reduce fees.

The temporary redefinition of the ballast charge for full container vessels allows a ship that carries 30 percent or less of its capacity to be charged the ballast rate of $57.60 per 20-foot container, which is $14.40 less than the rate of $72 per TEU for laden ships.

The reductions in the base reservation price for all segments that use the canal’s reservation system will continue. As an example, the base reservation price for a super vessel, with a beam greater than or equal to 100 feet and a length greater than or equal to 900 feet, is $5,000 less per transit than the rate that was in effect last May.
http://www.joc.com/node/413723

Port of Palm Beach Adds New Shipping Service to South America
The Port of Palm Beach is offering a new shipping service starting November, helping to stem a decline in business.

BBC Andino Express Line will begin monthly calls to serve Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile, hauling both break-bulk and containerized freight. Break-bulk cargo includes goods like used earth-moving equipment, often auctioned in Orlando and shipped to Latin America.

Port Contractor will act as BBC's stevedore and port agent, Port of Palm Beach Director Manuel Almira said. The new service will help stem a roughly 15 percent drop in business this year at the seaport, which specializes in trade with the Caribbean.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-palm-beach-port-service-092909,0,1102787.story

Rails, Ports Go to China to Market West Coast Over East Coast Ports
Executives of the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads will join representatives of the six major West Coast container ports to promote the ports as an efficient and environmentally-friendly gateway for Asia's trade with the United States. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Oakland, Los Angeles and Long Beach and the two western railroads will attend the World Shipping Summit in Qingdao, China, on Nov. 11-13. They will highlight advantages such as deep water, extensive intermodal services, a large concentration of distribution facilities and a skilled labor force.

The joint marketing effort of the ports and railroads is significant because West Coast ports are attempting to stem the loss of cargo to ocean carriers serving the eastern region of the United States with all-water services to the East Coast. The West Coast still handles more than 70 percent the U.S. containerized trade with Asia, but the market share has declined the past three years. http://www.joc.com/node/413933

Longshore Workers Tout Cooperation with Employers
Stung by diminishing work and concerned about a further loss of cargo when the Panama Canal is enlarged in 2014, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union is embarking upon a new era of cooperation with others in the transportation industry.

The powerful West Coast longshore union is working with employers, ports and inland carriers to promote their coast as the logical gateway for U.S. trade with Asia. Changing the perception of cargo interests will not be easy, but the ILWU says it is committed to growth.

“We’re perceived as a militant union. I believe we are a progressive union,” Rich Dines, ILWU Local 13 board member, told Wesccon, the Western Cargo Conference of forwarders and customs brokers at their annual meeting in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
http://www.joc.com/node/413911

Cuba Modernizes Ports To Admit Larger Ships
Three of the Cuba’s major ports are being modernized for enhanced collaboration with China and Venezuela. The work seeks to increase depth to allow the operation of larger vessels in the ports of Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, through which more than 80 percent of the island's imports enter the country, the director of the Havana port authority, Miguel Izquierdo, told the weekly Opciones. The financing for the modernizing will be allocated by the deal which was approved between Cuba and China. Puertos del ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America), will also be financing for the promotion of development and modernization of the port terminals of Venezuela and Cuba.
http://www.india-server.com/news/cuba-modernises-ports-to-admit-larger-13757.html

Alfonso Heads Jacksonville Port Trade Development
Jacksonville Port Authority has appointed Raul Alfonso to senior director of trade development and global marketing. Alfonso replaces Roy Schleicher, who was recently promoted to chief commercial officer of the port. The port authority said Alfonso will work with existing and potential customers to expand cargoes and associated business through the port, as well as oversee sales efforts in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Alfonso, a 30-year maritime industry veteran, joined JAXPORT's marketing staff in 2002. Before that he was director of marketing and trade development for the Americas at Hutchison Port Holdings based in Freeport, Bahamas. He also held several senior management positions at the Port of Miami. http://www.americanshipper.com/news/news_regional_story.asp?news=141659

Port Canaveral, Port of Miami Win AAPA Awards
The Canaveral Port Authority, was selected co-winner of the 7th Annual Facilities Engineering Awards competition among the member ports of the American Association of Port Authorities, for its entry, "South Jetty Disposition Basin Entrance Channel Sediment Trap," that features construction of a sediment trap south of the federally-authorized Canaveral Harbor entrance navigation channel that intercepts shoaling sand during hurricanes which would otherwise limit vessel access to the port and cause other significant economic impacts.

The Port of Miami, winner of the 2009 Information Technology Awards competition for its entry, "Integrated Cargo Gate Vehicle Processing System." To increase efficiency of processing cargo trucks in each lane of its marine terminal security gate, the port's security, operations and finance divisions worked with the Miami-Dade Police Department, U.S. Customs, and technology solutions provider SAIC to design the most advanced cargo gate system in the U.S. The result is an integrated system that screens all vehicles and persons entering the port's restricted area, using proximity readers, magnetic-stripe and optical character recognition readers, biometrics, card-imagers, cameras and microphones. Among other new and planned innovations, the Port of Miami's gate system also validates insurance coverage, state registration and port permits, and interfaces with the port's account and tariff control systems to retrieve current balance and apply debits for scale-weight based on the tariff table.

For additional details on the winners in AAPA's 2009 awards programs, click on http://www.aapa-ports.org/Programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=691&navItemNumber=517

MEET OUR EXHIBITORS

A&M Transwild Cia S.A.
AAACESA, Almacenes Fiscalizados S.A. De C.V. A En P
ABSA Cargo
ABX Air, Inc.
Aci Cargo, Inc.
ACL/Airshop
AECOM
Aeroexpress
Aeroexpress Cargo
Aeroservicios USA, Inc.
AEROTERM
Aerounion S.A../Aerotransporte de Carga Union
Air Animal Inc.
Air Cargo Management
Air Cargo News
Air Cargo Week
Air Cargo World
Air Cargo, Inc.
Air Jamaica Cargo
Air Partner Freight
Airdex International, Inc.
Airline Services International Inc.
Airliners Magazine
Alpine Systems Associates, Inc.
America Economia
American Airlines
American Airlines Cargo
AmeriJet International, Inc.
AMX Cargo - Aeromexpress Cargo - Aeroexpress
Ana Aviation Services/Network Airline Services
Animal Transportation Association (AATA)
Antillean Marine Shipping Corp.
APL Limited
Arrow Cargo
Atlas Air, Inc.
Auto and Boat Logistcs
AUTOCLEAR
Aviacargo, Inc.
A-Z Group
Barloworld Handling LLC
BCS Brasil Cargo Service
Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc.
Bernuth Agencies, Inc.
Biscayne Bay Pilots Association
Brick Mountain Logistics
Bringer Corporation
Bureau of Dangerous Goods Ltd.
Cargo Airport Services
Cargo Flash Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
Cargo Services, Inc.
Caribbean Airlines Limited
Centro Logisticos Aeroportuarios, S.A. (CLASA)
Centurion Cargo
Chapman Freeborn Air Chartering
Chennault International Airport Authority
CMS
CNS Cargo Network Services
Copa Airlines
Correo Internacional
Curacao Ports Authority/Curacao Port Services
Department of Export Promotion, Thailand
DGM Support (North America, Inc.)
DHL Aviation Americas, Inc.
E.J. Brooks Company
ELC Security Products
Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso
Evoilution LLC
Expert Delivery Service
Federal Maritime Commission
FedEx Express
First Port International
Flite Line, Equipment, Trepel GmbH, Mafi Transport, Aeronet
Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc.
Florida Trade Consolidators, Inc.
Frankfurt Economic Development GMBH
FreightScan, LLC
Frontcargo Freight Services
Gazprom Marketing and Trading, USA
Global Tranportation Security Compliance Corp./Hazmat Intl. Professional Consultants
Globe Air Cargo, Inc.
Globelink China Logistics, Ltd.
GLT (Ground Logistics Transportation)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Houston Airport Systems
IBC Airways
IFL Group
IMSM, Inc.
Infratil Airports Europe Ltd.
Jacksonville Port Authority
JFK Office Supermarket, Inc.
Katlyn Vehicle Management Systems Inc.
Kelly Tractor Co.
L-3 Communications Security & Detection Systems
Lan Cargo
Laparkan Airways, Inc.
Leader Jet
Legacy Technology Services
Leisure Cargo USA, Inc.
LGSTX Services, Inc.
Liege Airport
Lobraus Free Port/Port of Montevideo
Logisuite Corporation
Magaya Corporation
Maromarint'l FFWDRS. Inc. dba: Maromar Shipping Line
Martinair Cargo
Mas Air Cargo
MCS, Airline Software & GSSA
Miami International Airport
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
Mission Cargo Management, Inc.
National Air Cargo Group, Inc.
NCBFAA
Northern Air Cargo
Ocasa Logistics Solutions
Orion Apparel
Pacific Feeder Services S.A.
Panama Port Authority (ACP)
Paycargo LLC
PBS&J
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Polet Airlines
Port Canaveral
Port Everglades
Port Manatee Commerce Center
Port of Miami
Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC)
Port of New Orleans
Port of Palm Beach District
Port San Antonio
Prams Air
Quality Express
Queretaro International Airport
Quick Caller
Rapiscan Systems Inc.
Regional Cargo
Ring Power Corp.
Rio Grande Do Norte Government - Brazil
Roanoke Trade Services, Inc.
RoboVault
Ruslan International Ltd.
Safe Passage Internationl, Inc.
San Antonio International Airport
Seaboard Marine
SeaFreight Line Ltd.
Seitlin Property & Casualty/Navigators Ins. Co.
Smiths Detection
Solar Cargo
South Florida Container Terminal (SFCT)
Spectrum Group
Starlight Airlines
Starlight Airlines/Houston Office
Sterling Transportation
Strike Aviation LLC
Summit Logistics International
Swissport Cargo Services
Tailwind International Air Charters
TAM Airlines
Tampa Cargo
Terminal Logistics
The Adora Group Ltd publishers of: Freightnet.com
The Boeing Company
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)
The Journal of Commerce
The STAT Trade Times Aviation Tourism Shipping Transport
Totalpack, Inc.
U.S. Customs Border Protection
Vaculex USA LLC
WFS (Worldwide Flight Services)
World Trade Center Miami, Inc.
World Wide Shipping
Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Co., Inc.