Happy Holidays From MTS Logistics As we approach the end of 2012, we want to extend my sincere best wishes to our cherished readers, customers, business partners, vendors, team members and your loved ones Happy Holidays From MTS Logistics As we approach the end of 2011, I want to extend my sincere best wishes to our cherished readers, customers, business partners, vendors, team members and your loved ones. May your holidays be happy and joyous. Vietnam: New Trade Agreement's Potential Apparel Winner U.S. clothing companies are eagerly watching how a new free-trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership plays out, betting it could give Vietnam a distinct advantage in apparel production. The free-trade pact, which encompasses the United States and eight other countries around the Asia-Pacific region, would throw open the door for more trade because tariffs would be eliminated for most products sold among the member countries Hong Kong Box Volume Flat in First Quarter After rapid growth in 2010, the world's third-largest port gets off to a slow start in 2011 LA-LB to Increase Daytime Traffic Mitigation Fee Terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach will increase the traffic mitigation fee charged during daytime hours to $60 per TEU from $50 beginning July 4. West Coast Port Container Volume Up 7 Percent Container volume moving through West Coast ports increased 7 percent in April compared to April 2010, with export growth outpacing import growth. World's First Solar-Power-Assisted Vessel Further Developed Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha , Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. , the Monohakobi Technology Institute and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai are to begin in June shipboard tests to verify the effects of a jointly developed hybrid power supply system for vessels. The innovative system will be installed on NYK Line’s solar-power-assisted car carrier Auriga Leader (60,213 gross tons), which will also be fitted with a ballast-water management system and adapted to use low-sulfur fuel to further strengthen environmental measures. Containerized Imports Rose 8.7 Percent in April April’s increase to 1.4 million 20-foot equivalent units followed a 3 percent year-over-year decline in March , and imports forecast to grow 4.6 percent this year. U.S. Container Exports Up 11.6 Percent U.S. containerized exports have risen 11.6 % in just the first quarter of 2011, bringing a total of 3,006,592 TEUs exported. Overseas market that have aided this quarter’s growth includes China, Japan, and Brazil. While much of the growth was led by fabrics, rise in lumber and auto parts shipments have also contributed to the rise in exports. Container Supplies To Remain Tight, WSC Says ‎Shippers and carriers can expect container supplies to remain tight this year as the industry tries to catch up from box manufacturers’ lost year of 2009, the World Shipping Council said. China, U.S. to Collaborate on Trade, Security Global supply chain security and trade law enforcement advanced this week with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and two government ministries of China agreeing on collaborative actions to enhance trade security and facilitation between the two countries. Port of LA Plans $3 Billion for Expansion Port of Los Angeles in the coming decade will spend more than $3 billion to deepen its access channel, expand marine terminals, add on-dock rail capacity and improve traffic flow through street and bridge improvements in the harbor area. US Container Imports Drop 2.5 Percent in March U.S. containerized imports fell 2.5 percent in March, the first year-to-year decline in 16 months, as a weak housing market contributed to a drop in imports from Asia. GO GREEN WITH SHIPPING Shipping is the least environmentally damaging form of commercial transport and, compared with land based industry, is a comparatively minor contributor to marine pollution from human activities. Maritime Industry Seeks Chassis Business Model Who will provide chassis as ocean carriers stop making them available? Japanese Ports, Airports Operating, Some Ships Damaged Delays expected due to lack of power, inland transportation Deadly Japan Tsunami Triggers Pacific Warnings The massive earthquake that struck Japan on Friday closed all ports and airports there, and coastal regions across the entire Pacific Ocean were blanketed with tsunami warnings and bracing for the impact. Port of New York & New Jersey Containers Increased 16 Percent in 2010 Total container volume moving through the Port of New York and New Jersey climbed 16 percent in 2010, reaching 5,292,020 loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units, compared to 4,561,527 TEUs in 2009, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Capacity Crunch Looms Over Transpacific Trades Shippers could face space shortages on transpacific services at times this year, a new analysis is forecasting, but exactly when capacity pressures will occur remains uncertain. LIBYAN PORTS CLOSED DUE TO VIOLENCE All Libyan cargo port operations have shut down due to increasing violence sweeping the country Manufacturing Exports Rose 20 Percent in 2010 Top 10 markets accounted for more than two-thirds of the increase Egypt Protests Raise Concerns Shipping companies have been watching the situation in Egypt since January 25 closely for any impact on the huge business that moves through the Suez Canal. During these times The Suez Canal remained open, and ships are transiting on schedule. Shipping companies have re-opened offices despite escalating violence in Cairo on February 3. European Advanced Cargo Declaration European Advanced Cargo Declaration MTS Logistics Inc. 10th year anniversary party. MTS Logistics Inc. celebrated the successful completion of our 10th year anniversary in the business. 30 hours training completed by MTS Logistics team members MTS Logistics employees successfully completed 30 hours training program given by Taylor Performance Solutions. Container Volume Grows at California Ports Empties increased by 62 percent at Port of LA Is Your Company Ready for ISF 10+2? U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require a "Security Filing" for all containerized or break bulk ocean borne cargo entering the United States...