Evergreen Line to Enhance Cooperation with CKYH on Asia-Europe and Mediterranean Trade (December 27, 2011).

Although Evergreen Line will not formally join CKYH-the Green Alliance and will maintain existing cooperation with China Shipping in Asia/Europe trade, the carriers will coordinate with each other to provide more intensive sailings—to the level of eight service loops from Asian ports to Northern European base ports and four service loops from Asian ports to Mediterranean ports every week. The majority of the fleet operated will range from 8,000 TEU to 13,000 TEU size.

Through this cooperation, Evergreen Line and CKYH-the Green Alliance will be able to provide the highest quality services to their customers with shortest transit time from major origin ports to European and Mediterranean destinations.

EAST MOVES WEST

Kerry Logistics Invests in Central China Expansion (January 9, 2012). Kerry Logistics is expanding its presence in Central China, building a new logistics center in Zhengzhou in Henan Province. Construction of the facility will begin in the second quarter of 2012 with a scheduled completion date in the first quarter of 2013.

The logistics center will be built on 70,000 sq. m of land acquired by Kerry Logistics to further expand its logistics network across the fast growing economies of Central China. The company will target the electronics and technology, automobile, industrial and material science sectors. The facility will meet demand from customers for new warehousing space and a broad range of logistics services.

The logistics facility is located at the Singapore International Logistics Industrial Park in Zhengzhou, adjacent to the national highway to the east and to the Longhai Railway in the north and is 20km to the southeast of the city center.

Zhengzhou is located at the center of China and is a traffic and communication hub for road and rail as well as air transport.

CANADA (6) BEATS OUT U.S. (10)

Hong Kong Ranked as Freest Economy in the World for 18th Consecutive Year (January 12, 2012). Hong Kong has been ranked the world’s freest economy by the Heritage Foundation for the 18th consecutive year since the index was first published in 1995.

The Financial Secretary, John C. Tsang, said, “We welcome the Heritage Foundation’s high regard of Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy, a ranking we have held for 18 consecutive years. We are determined to uphold economic freedom in Hong Kong, which is the cornerstone of sustained economic stability, growth and prosperity.

According to the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom, Hong Kong scores 89.9 (on a scale from 0 to 100), well above the world average of 59.5.

Among the 10 economic freedom factors assessed, Hong Kong ranks first in financial and trade freedom, second in investment freedom and property rights, and third in business freedom.

The Heritage Foundation commended Hong Kong’s tax system as simple and efficient. It also considered monetary stability well maintained in Hong Kong.

The Heritage Foundation further complimented Hong Kong’s high-quality legal framework, which provides effective protection of property rights and strong support for the rule of law. In addition, Hong Kong’s regulatory efficiency and openness to global commerce strongly support entrepreneurial dynamism, while overall macroeconomic stability minimizes uncertainty. Moreover, there is little tolerance of corruption in Hong Kong.

The Heritage Foundation also noted that Hong Kong’s economic interaction with the Mainland has become more intense and sophisticated, chiefly through strengthened financial linkages, and financial markets that are extremely well capitalized.

The study ranks the degree of economic freedom of 179 economies around the world. The 10 factors assessed are business freedom, trade freedom, fiscal freedom, government spending, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights, freedom from corruption and labor freedom.

Singapore and Australia remain second and third respectively according to the Index of Economic Freedom.

Of the other economies in Greater China, the Mainland ranks 138th, Macau ranks 19th and Taiwan ranks 18th.

ON, DASCHER

Dachser Adds Offices in South Africa January 13, 2012. Dachser Transport of America Inc. (Dachser USA), the U.S. division of one of the world’s leading global logistics service providers, has announced another expansion of Dachser’s global network with branch offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Effective immediately, Jonen Freight will operate under the name Dachser South Africa (Pty.) Ltd. Dachser and Jonen Freight formed a joint venture last year.

“The new name reflects full integration of the company into the Dachser network, through which we link South Africa with the world’s major economic centers,” says Thomas Reuter, managing director of Dachser Air & Sea Logistics.

The first operating year of the joint venture demonstrated the need for global shippers to have better market access in South Africa. “Revenue has grown by over 10 percent,” says Detlev Duve, managing director of Dachser South Africa and son of Jonen’s founder. Jonen Freight has been active in South Africa for more than 30 years and currently employs a staff of 157 people, which is 35 more than a year ago, according to Duve.

As well as air and sea freight services, the company offers shippers a wide range of supplementary services such as customs clearance, warehousing and distribution.

LONG HEADLINE

Rep. Bentley Proposes Remedy as More Nations Divert U.S.-Bound Imports to Avoid Paying Taxes: Modified Tacoma Harbor Maintenance Tax Would be Applied to All Cargoes Entering U.S., Not Just Ocean-Borne Freight (January 17, 2012). Changing the Harbor Maintenance Tax from being collected only on ocean-borne cargoes to being collected on all freight from foreign sources entering the United States was proposed in a speech here tonight by former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley.

In remarks to assembled west coast maritime interests, Bentley noted concerns of Washington state shippers that substantial Asian cargo is being diverted via a new port at Prince Rupert in Canada to avoid the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT), which the U.S. instituted in 1986 to pay for dredging ship channels.

Freight entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico by railroad does not pay any tax.

Bentley, also a past chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, said the situation is now under review at the FMC. The study was requested the entire Congressional delegation of the state of Washington–both House and Senate—and members of California’s Congressional delegation. The period for industry comment has closed, and FMC staff is analyzing 70 inputs the agency received.

During a September 2011 speech, FMC Chairman Richard Lidinsky said the agency faces important legal issues, including where water-borne commerce begins and ends, and where the responsibility lies.

PENN MIGHTIER THAN SWORD

Export Growth Benefits Pennsylvania Companies (January 20, 2012). The U.S. Commercial Service of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration announced new data that show Pennsylvania merchandise exports increased 17 percent in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, growing from $26.1 billion to $30.6 billion.

“Many Pennsylvanian businesses are finding that emerging markets around the world offer some of the best opportunities for making new sales, and are adjusting their export strategies accordingly,” said Lyn Doverspike, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Pittsburgh. “One of the most important aspects of exporting is that it helps firms to diversify their portfolios and withstand downturns in the domestic economy, and that’s good for business. We’d like to help all companies to realize your export potential.”

Pennsylvania’s nine-month 2011 merchandise export sales outpaced the 2010 figures for the same period in many top destinations, including United Kingdom (up 46 percent), China (41 percent), Korea (41 percent), Netherlands (38 percent), and Germany (32 percent). Key merchandise export categories include chemicals, machinery manufactures, primary metal manufactures, computer and electronic products, and transportation equipment. For the full year 2010, Pennsylvania merchandise exports totaled $34.9 billion.

“With the help of Pennsylvania export sales, President Obama’s National Export Initiative continues to progress towards the target goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014,” said Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. “Pennsylvania businesses also stand to benefit from the recent congressional passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama. When implemented, these agreements are expected to increase U.S. GDP by about $12 billion and U.S. exports by $13 billion annually, supporting economic and job growth across the country.”

To further expand the reach and availability of export programs to businesses nationwide, the International Trade Administration has signed a Memorandum of Intent with the State International Development Organizations, Inc. (SIDO). SIDO supports state international trade agencies, and the memorandum expands cooperative efforts in the promotion of federal and state export programs such as trade missions and overseas business matchmaking services.

With 108 offices across the United States and in American Embassies and Consulates in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international buyers through export counseling and a variety of export services. To get started, contact the local U.S. Commercial Service in Pittsburgh at 412-644-2800 or visit www.export.gov/Pennsylvania.

A DRY SPOT ON THE SEA

Safmarine Names Second New Vessel (February 10, 2012). The Safmarine Sahara—Safmarine’s second newly-built, owned multi-purpose vessel (MPV)—was officially named today (February 10, 2012) in Savannah, Georgia, USA. The vessel, built at the Wuhu Xinlian Shipyard in China in 2010, is deployed on Safmarine’s MPV trade between North America and West Africa.

Anita Edmondson, Director of International Logistics at M-I SWACO, had the honor of naming the vessel. “I am delighted to be the godmother of this new vessel, which is a symbol of Safmarine’s long-term commitment to the MPV trade and to supporting our business.” Safmarine CEO Grant Daly, former head of Safmarine’s MPV business, said: “MPV is a Safmarine differentiator and our investment in new vessels not only allows us to meet our customer’s requirements and partner more closely with them, but it also tells them we are here to make the difference and that we are prepared to invest in making that difference.”

Edmondson, and Safmariner Pilar Maurial, chose to celebrate the naming of the new vessel by making another kind of difference. Edmondson donated $1,500 USD to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Federation (JDRF) in honor of the occasion. Maurial, 2011 winner of Safmarine’s Customer Recognition Award, donated her $3000 USD prize money to The International Seamen’s House.

Safmariners and customers were present at today’s naming, which was made possible with the assistance and generous support of the Georgia Ports Authority.

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