LOGISTICS
Carriers must pursue cheating shippers
NVOs want bigger Washington voice
Customs to bring NVOs into AES
Duty-payment program gets upgrade
Three Internet portals vie for shippers
Transpacific lines settle 'opt-out' case
Too many hands to move cargoes?
Michelin warns about feeder problems
Customs module to track empty boxes
IMO to implement new stowaway rules
Customs tests paperless air manifests
NextJet links with American, United
TRANSPORT/INLAND
STB faces challenge with merger rules
ISC to offer U.S./Mexico rail-ferry link
IMCs' 3rd-quarter results mixed
CN, BNSF sign interline agreement
BNSF looks at new pricing model
PORTS
Maersk Sealand sets up Panama hub
New York-New Jersey looks inland
Report predicts port traffic boom
Antwerp prepares for expansion
SSA, Hanjin sign deals with Oakland
DEPARTMENTS
The World Customs Organization, the Group of Seven, the International Chamber of Commerce and other international forums are trying to break down the centuries-old trench war between customs and shippers. Customs agencies and shippers are beginning to study ways to improve trade facilitation without sacrificing their basic mission: Customs’ war against illegal drugs and contraband, and shippers’ goal to make money.
What lies ahead? How about palm-held superchip data lodes, an electronic currency for trade, three-axle trucks on interstates, marketers instead of salespersons, cheap, rentable e-software, vendor-run supply chains, one-day inventories and Wall Street will rule. These predictions from the musings of Robert E. Sabath, of Deloitte & Touche; Joseph C. Andraski, of OMI International; and Donald F. Schneider, of Schneider National Inc.
Farid Dibachi, founder and chief executive officer of Arzoon, caused a stir in the industry last summer when his company acquired as investors Canadian Pacific, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. Arzoon’s collaborative product commerce software — as well as its management team — has drawn considerable interest and capital. But they face coming hurdles, including a chaotic software market.
Surface transportation veteran Ted Prince will become a monthly columnist for American Shipper, starting with the February issue. For now, Prince kicks off a three-part series examining drayage issues. In this issue, he reviews the problems and offers solutions for easing the critical rail gridlock in Chicago.