Home About Us Services Shipping Tools Request a Quote Contact Blog Reefer Containers-Protecting Your Financial Interests January 15, 2020/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos The following is very important information, in order to protect you right to file a bona fide claim. It is very important to have a cargo survey from a competent authority at origin, attesting to the cargo integrity, at shipper’s expense. The supplier at the load point MUST place temperature monitor devices into the containers, at time of loading. This is important – this device should never be discarded by the receiver of the cargo, as sometimes they do and this would work against us, in case of a claim. If discarded, claims can be declined for insufficient evidence of reefer malfunction. In other words, we need to be empowered with this data for any possible claims. Also needed is vent setting for each container. Paper seal should be affixed to the vent by the shipper at origin, so that the vents stay as set!!! France Strikes: Ports Status January 8, 2020/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos Hapag-Lloyd released the following update on the current strikes in France. “Following our last communication dated December 19, 2019 we regret to report that the strike situation at French ports havent changed. We are still facing sporadic strikes in Le Havre and Fos sur Mer generating terminal and vessel congestion. The work stoppages at French ports will be as follows: Fos sur Mer: 72 hours-from January 8-20.00hrs, until January 11 – 20.00hrs Le Havre: 72 hours-from January 9-06.00hrs, until January 12 – 06.00hrs This situation is creating vessel omissions and consequently a roll over situation for all export cargo. Import cargoes are also heavily affected by vessel omissions and the affected cargoes have been discharged in alternative ports. We take all necessary steps to dispatch export cargo/repatriate import cargo. Our teams will keep you closely informed about future developments.” Low Water Surcharge January 8, 2020/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos S & R (Marine Services) has announced the following statement: “Dear Valued Customer, As a result of the St. Lawrence River water levels, carriers decided to implement the Low Water Surcharge for all cargo moving via the port of Montreal. Charges of multiple carriers as per below: OOCL: $100 /20’ and $200/40’ and 45’ per 10/01. (gate in) HAPAG: 100$/20’ and 150$/40’ per 15/01. (gate in) Hope to have informed you sufficiently. We expect other carriers to follow shortly; our team will keep you posted on any further developments.” Chinese New Year: January 25, 2020 December 20, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos Chinese New Year 2020 will be on Saturday, January 25th, but for most of the country, the festivities begin from the previous week! The celebration falls a bit earlier than in the past few years, so it’s vital to plan ahead and ensure that you have made appropriate arrangements for your cargo! The exact closure dates vary greatly, however, you should expect to see widespread closure dates from 1/18-1/25. Contact your specific providers to determine their exact closures, as needed. The week before and the week after will show very tight capacity for both ocean and air bookings. Planning ahead and booking early, ensuring your cargo will depart on time to meet your need-by dates, is of the essence! What to expect! Directly impacted countries: China Anticipate widespread closures for shipping, trucking, flight departures, sailings and customs Indirectly impacted countries: Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong Flight and sailing schedules may be adjusted or cancelled, due to closures in China Predicted dates of impact: 1/11-1/31 1/11-1/17 – Tight capacity, as many importers pull cargo ahead before the closures 1/18-1/25 – Widespread closures (blackout dates for flights, cancelled sailings) 1/26-1/31 – Tight capacity, as China catches up from the closures Therefore, follow up with your suppliers to ascertain their exact closure dates, informing them to pull ahead cargo, if required. If you have planned shipments out of China or the indirectly impacted surrounding countries for 1/11/20-1/31/20, it’s best to remind your suppliers to book early, in order to secure space! Warehouse Space on the Rise December 18, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos In northern Virginia, there has been a recent increase in demand for warehouse space and this development is anticipated to grow in the future. The increase is due to the rise of online/e-commerce sales, which do not require merchants to lease or buy traditional retail space that is usually very costly. Warehouses have become reasonable entry-level investments, creating a condition where there is a higher demand and lower supply in Manassas, Lorton, Fairfax and other nearby suburbs, thus, providing an excellent opportunity for investors to lease or buy these facilities. Source: Virginia’s Warehouses France Strikes: Transportation Chaos December 11, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos France has entered its sixth day of a nationwide strike over proposed plans to change the pension system. Last week’s protests witnessed 800,000 people who objected over pension reform, low salaries and the current state of public services. Throughout the country, transport disruptions continued with trains at a virtual halt, numerous flights grounded, ten Paris metro lines closed and many traffic jams occurring on roads around the capital. The government standoff with unions is ongoing, as transport workers continue to march in other planned French cities and provincial towns, severely disrupting services on trams, buses and suburban trains! Source: French Demonstrations CN Rail Strike Ends November 27, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos Last week, about 3,200 conductors and railyard workers began to strike over issues on working conditions and drug benefits. The strike halted shipments of oil, grains and potash across Canada! The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union has now reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian National Railway Company. Normal operations resumed today. However, the deal must be ratified by the Teamsters members, which is expected to take eight weeks. Source: CN Rail and Union Deal Additional US Tariffs October 16, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos “The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that the European Union (EU) and certain member States have denied U.S. rights under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement and have failed to implement WTO Dispute Settlement Body recommendations concerning certain subsidies to the EU large civil aircraft industry. The U.S. Trade Representative has determined to take action in the form of additional duties on products of certain member States of the EU. The additional duties are applicable with respect to products that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after October 18, 2019.” Use the link to view the notice published in the Federal Register that contains the lists of items impacted by the additional tariffs. Source: Federal Taxes 301 Tariff Increase Begins on October 15th September 19, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos President Trump announced that the next 301 tariff increase will occur on October 15th, two weeks later than the previously reported date (October 1st). Per his Twitter statement: “…we have agreed, as a gesture of good will, to move the increased Tariffs on 250 Billion Dollars worth of goods (25% to 30%), from October 1st to October 15th”! Source: 301 Tariff Immigration Policy September 12, 2019/in Joe C's Blog /by Konstantina Papadakos During a congressional hearing regarding immigration-related policies, Thomas Homan, former ICE Director, explained to Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez that one of his official recommendations pursues prosecution of all illegal adults, plus those with families. It’s considered a zero tolerance initiative, which includes family separation, in order to secure the nation’s border and save lives. Entering illegally violates 8 United States Code 13:25. Legitimate migrants seeking asylum should legally cross the border by accessing the appropriate ports of entry! Source: Illegal Immigrants Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 › » CATEGORIES All About Shipping Company News General Updates Joe C's Blog North American Logistics Russia Updates Security Notices Shipping News SOLAS Trans Pacific Updates Vendor Spotlight Video Work Disruptions RECENT POSTS Shipping Delays on the West Coast September 20, 2021 Port Authority NY & NJ: Support Harbor Deepening to 55′ November 9, 2020 RCL Agencies Reaches 10 Year BBB Accredited Milestone August 19, 2020 RCL Business Continuity Plan March 31, 2020 Intertek awarded contract by the COSQC in Iraq for Standardization March 6, 2020 RCL Agencies, Inc. is the general agent for the carrier services of Charter Container Line. FMC License #6002N Home About Us Services Shipping Tools Request a Quote RCL Agencies Inc 842 Clifton Ave Clifton, NJ 07013-1848 Tel: 1-973-779-5900 Fax: 1-973-779-6842 Contact us via email Click To View our BBB Certificate © 1996 - 2020 RCL Agencies Inc