Going, Going, Green!

United Cargo Relocates to New State-of-the-Art Green Facility in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

United Cargo is now operating out of its new 250,000-square-foot facility in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The state-of-the-art space boasts 53 dock doors and over 213,000 square feet of warehouse space, with three positions to accommodate freighter aircrafts, and a fourth position scheduled to be added by the end of the year.

United’s new digs are also capable of supporting special commodities with purpose-built environments for pets, high value items and human remains, and they’ve installed plenty of infrastructure for temperature-controlled storage. The company has also built a fully-automated mail sorting system capable of sorting “3,000 packages per hour to as many as 68 different flights simultaneously.”

Don’t plan on breaking in. The building’s security system has over 100 HD cameras recording and linked to United’s Skypoint system—plus they’re open 24-hours.

The new facility is eco-friendly from top to bottom. Measuring in at 109,000-square-feet, the building sports one of the largest vegetative roofs in North America. The warehouse also features high-efficiency lighting, plumbing and temperature control systems, many of which source recycled fixtures and components. The building takes care to keep low emissions with its ground equipment as well, using electric-powered forklifts and similar equipment.

“All of us at United Cargo at ORD are proud to work at the airport’s safest and most modern cargo facility,” says Rod Zimmerman, United’s Senior Manager of Cargo Operations at ORD.It’s gratifying that our new warehouse was built and is operated with not just the future of United Cargo in mind, but the future of the planet as well”

Shipping Safari

CaroTrans Starts Direct Charleston to South Africa LCL Services

Promising “Fast transits, competitive pricing, and superior support,” freight-forwarder CaroTrans has announced expanded LCL (less-than container load) service direct from Charleston to South Africa. The additional routes were initiated February 20th and offer coverage to all South African ports in addition to neighboring countries. The service is provided weekly.

“With this new Charleston to South Africa LCL service, we eliminate the long inland trip to New York providing a faster overall transit for our customers in the U.S. Southeast and Southwest,” says Mark Stowell, CaroTrans, Charleston Branch Manager.

The company says its transit time from Charleston will span 25 days to Durban, 30 days to Johannesburg, and 32 days to Cape Town. According to CaroTrans, their new LCL service to Cape Town is the only such service available anywhere today.

CaroTrans will once again team with their 20-year partner World Cargo Services, the first NVOCC (non-vessel operating cargo carrier) in South Africa to service the U.S. – South Africa trade lane. “By teaming up with World Cargo Services in South Africa, we are able to deliver the quality service our customers expect at origin and destination,” says Greg Howard, Global CEO, CaroTrans.

Cargo bound for South Africa will be routed from CaroTrans’ receiving stations in Dallas, Houston, Miami, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and Savannah to their Charleston gateway and consolidated before export. World Cargo Services will also offer expedited, secure unpacking services from their CFS (container freight station) facilities at all major South African ports.

Hey, Nice App

Encompass Launches First Mobile App for Greater Cargo Control

Encompass Global Logistics recently announced the launch of a free mobile application available for Apple devices and other major mobile platforms. The company, self-described as “a fast-growing 3PL that is ranked among the top 20 operators in the Transpacific trade,” becomes one of only a handful of logistics companies to provide the specialized service.

The new app is designed to give both importers and exporters greater control and flexibility over their shipments. “Shippers now can take charge of their own decisions, in the palm of their hand, to plan ahead, schedule the fastest transits and reduce any unnecessary shipping costs” says company CEO, Asa Cheng. “We are thrilled to be among the first international 3PL providers to offer a robust and content-rich, cross-platform mobile app that works with
any smartphone,”

Among the listed capabilities allowing shippers better control of their cargo are the options to track and trace shipments using Encompass’ proprietary information management services (IMS), known as Globe Trak; see the status of every shipment and create customized reports, such as exceptions to supply-chain milestones; and view a company’s background and look-up information about professional services such as transportation, consolidation and brokerage.

“We work in a business where product demand can change at a moment’s notice,” says Cheng. “Instead of being tied down to a computer, our customers now have the freedom and flexibility to access and track their shipments from anywhere in the world using this new mobile app.”

Sea Huggers

Horizon Lines Releases Green Initiative Progress Report

In March, Horizon Lines released a report on its “Green Initiatives,” detailing the progress of the company’s various efforts to lessen the environmental impact of its shipping and intermodal operations.

The report provides status updates of measures undertaken in the following areas: Fuel Conservation & Emissions, Low Sulfur Fuel, Clean Trucks, Biodegradable Oils, Oily Water Separator Upgrade Program, Cargo Hold Water Pumping, Ballast Water Management Program, and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

“Ensuring sustained environmental protection has always been a mission at Horizon Lines,” says Stephen H. Fraser, president and chief executive officer. “Our approach emphasizes environmental excellence through conservation techniques, waste stream management, system upgrades and voluntary compliance.”

Over the past six years Horizon Lines has reduced overall fleet fuel consumption by 3.5 percent. The company estimates emissions have been reduced by 231,000 tons of CO2 during this period. Horizon Lines has also sought out fuels with lower sulfur content. Since 1999, Horizon has used fuels with less than 2.5 percent sulfur content for diesel and steam plants. The company is currently working to ensure it has an adequate supply of 1 percent sulfur content fuel oil in 2012, in order to meet the new requirements of North American ECA (Emission Control Area) which state such fuel must be used within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. coastline.

Various efforts are underway on land, as well. The company is a member of the EPA’s SmartWay initiative to reduce intermodal fuel consumption, and their California-based tractors have been compliant since 2008 with 2012 CARB clean truck rules. Additionally, the report says, “Horizon Lines has adopted a program to utilize biodegradable oils in select deck hydraulic equipment and vessel stern tubes to minimize the risk of pollution, should a leak occur.”

The full report is available at the company’s website, www.horizonlines.com.

To Russia With Parts

Senior Commerce Official Leads Automotive Parts And Components Trade Mission To Russia

Recognizing excellent growth in Russia’s auto sales, U.S. Commerce Department Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, Michelle O’Neill, led an automotive parts and components trade mission to the country in April.

“Russia is the fastest-growing automotive market in Europe,” O’Neill said. “This important trading partner offers lucrative opportunities for U.S. auto parts and components manufacturers.”

Vehicle sales grew 30 percent in Russia in 2010, with the trend expected to continue at approximately 15 percent per year through 2015. In response to the increasing sales and growth potential, both Ford and General motors have set up assembly plants to meet demand.

Joined by representatives from 13 U.S. automotive manufacturing and service companies that supply parts such as fenders, gaskets and induction heating systems among many others, the group met with potential buyers in Moscow, Samara and St. Petersburg with the stated goal of helping to increase U.S. exports.

The mission offered an opportunity for participating firms to gain market insights, make industry contacts and advance specific projects. Additionally, the U.S. auto parts manufacturers were afforded one-on-one appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners, a chance to meet with regional government officials, and other networking events.

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