C.H. Robinson’s revolutionary new supply chain technology may not have been able to stop this summer’s hurricanes from slamming Texas and Florida, but it would have made it smoother to handle shipping disruptions. On Sept. 12, the leading 3PL introduced Navisphere Vision, a technology providing real-time global visibility across all modes and regions in one platform to make global supply chains more prescriptive, automated and efficient. “This solution provides unique benefits for our customers,” says Chad Lindbloom, chief information officer at C.H. Robinson. “Its ability to serve all global regions across any transportation mode, as well as layering in potential disruptions, provides our customers with powerful data, insights and opportunities to make changes quickly.” The Minneapolis-based company notes that a little C.H. Robinson customer known as Microsoft has been using Navisphere Vision since its alpha release in 2016. “Navisphere Vision helps us understand the things that we couldn’t before,” says Alaina Hawkins, senior manager of global logistics at Microsoft. “It provides visualization that connects data and the real-time events that are happening within our supply chain.” More details about the technology is available at chrobinson.com/NavisphereVision.

ASF Intermodal Deemed Among Best Companies to Work for in Alabama

ASF Intermodal, a leading intermodal drayage provider based in Mobile, was recently named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama in 2017, an honor reserved for 20 companies statewide. Now in its eighth year, the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama survey and awards program was created by Business Alabama and Best Companies Group to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in Alabama, benefiting the economy, workforce, and businesses. Companies from across the state entered a two-part survey process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama. This is the second time ASF has been honored via the program, having also been named to the list in 2015. “We’re so proud to once again be recognized among the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama,” says ASF Intermodal President Michael Smith. “… The strength of our team and positive work environment has led to the company’s growth and expansion from just two locations in 2011 to 14 terminals with more than 550 trucks on the road.”

Oakley Transport becomes first transportation company of its kind to get ISO certifications

In August, Oakley Transport Inc. of Lake Wales, Florida, became the first liquid food grade transportation company in the world to acquire International Standards Organization (ISO) certifications 9001:2015 and 22000:20005. The ISO certifies that a management system or manufacturing process/service meets all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance. Oakley Transport received two derivative certifications of ISO 9000 (QMS), ISO 9001:2015, a standard for superior management systems, and ISO 22000:2005, a standard for food safety management systems.“Achieving ISO certification symbolizes our determination to be the best in the industry,” says Allen Warner, Oakley Transport’s Quality director. “It establishes a baseline performance level that we are all committed towards and sets Oakley apart from our competitors.”

Delta Named Atlanta Cargo Airline of the Year (Again)

For the second consecutive year, Delta Cargo has been awarded Cargo Airline of the Year at the Atlanta Cargo Awards. The annual award is based on the most tonnage handled at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Delta handled a total of 134,000 tons at Atlanta, making it the airport’s top carrier for 2016. October 2016 was the month with the highest tonnage at 13,000 tons. “We are honored to receive this recognition for the hard work of the entire Delta Cargo and ACS teams,” said Eric Wilson, managing director, Delta Cargo Global Sales. “Our strong service performance improvements are also being noted by our customers and are helping to drive this additional recognition of our employees’ efforts.” No doubt helping Delta Cargo was being awarded in July IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma logistics Certification. That in turn led to approval for the carriage of the Envirotainer RAP e2 in Delta’s domestic and international widebody aircraft. This container is ideal for shipments requiring strict temperature control between +0°C and +20°C. Delta Cargo aircraft can also carry CSafe, the entire Envirotainer active container line including the e1&e2 containers, 5 va-q-tec passive containers.

Milaha Launches Regular Reefer Service Between Qatar and Turkey

Milaha, a Qatar-based maritime transport and logistics conglomerate, announced in August the launch of the first direct reefer service between Qatar and Turkey. Departures are every 20-25 days between Hamad Port and Port of Izmir, and transit lasts 11 days. The new service operates with one vessel with a capacity of more than 5,000 tons per voyage and caters mainly to temperature-controlled cargo and breakbulk, with the option of adding containers upon request. “This service perfectly complements our existing services,” says Milaha’s President and CEO Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai, “and will further enhance connectivity and facilitate trade between Qatari, Arabian Gulf and Turkish importers and exporters.”

Allen Lund Co. and Santos International partner on TransKool Solutions

Allen Lund Co. of La Cañada Flintridge, California, and Santos International of McAllen, Texas, teamed up to form TransKool Solutions, which provides continuous supply chain solutions for produce companies. Based in Mission, Texas, TransKool Solutions specializes in less-than-truckload and full truckload services, load consolidations and customs brokerage. Kristi Salinas manages operations. “We are really excited about the joint venture with Santos International,” says Eddie Lund, vice president of Sales and Branch Operations at Allen Lund. “We knew going in that we could both help our customers if we put together a warehouse solution in the (Rio Grande Valley).”