Beacon - International Despatch Limited

Newsletter Feb2011
Created by John on 2/14/2011

Beacon International Despatch Ltd - Newsletter February 2011

Beacon International - Newsletter

February, 2011

CTSA/CWTSA NOTICE CURRENCY ADJUSTMENT FACTOR MARCH 1, 2011

Major transpacific shipping lines of the Canada Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (CTSA), wish to advise their customers that effective March 1st, 2011, the Currency Adjustment Factor will be at the following level:

8% - Applicable from all origins including Japan and the PRC

Whereas Canada Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (CWTSA), wish to advise their customers that effective March 1st, 2011 the Currency Adjustment Factor will be at the following levels: Origin CAF:

9% - Applicable to all destinations including Japan and the PRC

CP QUEBEC SPRIN THAW RESTRICTIONS - DOMESTIC INTERMODAL
The Quebec Ministry of Transport will implement the annual spring thaw weight restrictions in March 2011.

Effective March 1, 2011, CP will not accept/ingate any overweight containers. Overweight loads will be returned to the Shipper at their own expense.

For Domestic shipments where CP performs the drayage weights must be reduced and evenly distributed in the unit in order to avoid possible charges and fines associated with the Quebec Spring Thaw restrictions. CP will not accept responsibility for any such charges.

Once Quebec Spring Thaw restrictions have been published by the Quebec Ministry of Transport, CP will advise when the restrictions will end. This broadcast is intended for Intermodal customers shipping domestically (excludes International marine traffic). Full details can be found at:
Quebec Spring Thaw restrictions site

RHINE REOPENED AFTER CHEMICAL TANKER ACCIDENT
The River Rhine has re-opened to shipping in both directions for the first time since a motorised barge capsized three weeks ago.

The Waldhof was carrying 2,400 tonnes of sulphuric acid when it capsized. Since the incident, ships have been allowed to sail upstream past the wreck on a controlled basis. Downstream traffic was halted until Wednesday because of fears of acid, or hydrogen, on board the vessel causing an explosion.

The incident is reported to have caused a backlog of more than 400 vessels, including bulk cargo barges and laden inland container vessels bound for ports including Rotterdam, and has resulted in numerous shipping companies switching to alternative transport methods in order to move goods.

WORLD PORTS UPDATE
Australian Ports:
Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the Queensland coast south of Cairns around midnight local time February 2. Whilst there was significant damage to local coastal communities it appears the major centres of Townsville, Cairns and Mackay have not been significantly impacted. At this stage, the ports of Cairns, Townsville, Abbot Point and Mackay remained closed. The Port of Hay Point was open and vessels were able to return to the port. The coal terminals, however, remained closed whilst damage assessments were completed. It was hoped that loading operations would re-commence Friday; however this was still to be confirmed.

Egyptian Ports Get Back to Business:
Egypt’s ports have reopened, but logistics providers were still operating only limited services as protests continued reports IFW. DP World said Friday its Sokhna terminal in the Gulf of Suez was fully-staffed and had resumed all operations. Maersk Line said its terminals were open but only during daylight, with Port Said and Damietta working at reduced capacity. A company statement said: “In Alexandria, the container yard was heavily congested, and vessels loading [cargo] would get priority over those discharging. “In order to keep the Egyptian terminals operational, some cargo has been held back in transhipment or export ports before being loaded to Port Said, while other vessels have been diverted to alternative Mediterranean ports for discharge.”

Indian Port Strike Cripples Hub:
A strike by unionised dockworkers at the Port of Cochin crippled operations at the Indian hub reports the Journal of Commerce. According to local media reports, workers were demanding job protection as the port authority plans to shift all container operations to a new DP World-developed terminal, which is expected to open on February 11, 2011. “All shipping activities are at a standstill and union leaders have called for a total shutdown in the port city Friday to exert pressure on port and state authorities. Currently, about 2,500 export-import containers are stranded in the terminal,” a shipping line agent at Cochin told local media. According to port sources, several vessels were waiting at the outer anchorage for berth.

Danish Ports Strike Action:
A one-day strike in protest of government pension reforms took place at Danish ports on Friday. The national strike, undertaken by port workers, bus drivers and some airport staff is reported to have affected the ports of Aarhus and Copenhagen. The action has also affected the operations of a number of vessels. Danish container feeder operator Unifeeder is reported to have suffered delays at port facilities. The strike was only expected to last for the one day, with services resuming on February 5, 2011

CN OPERATIONS UPDATE
CN operations in the U.S. continued to recover from the effects of last week's major winter storm. Traffic already on their network was being delivered without interruption to local and main line handling.

Some of the inbound traffic from their interchange partners was delayed throughout the Midwestern region. CN was working with the affected rail carriers to reduce any associated traffic backlogs as they progressed towards the weekend. – On Friday, all other portions of the CN network met seasonal norms.

AIR FREIGHT UPDATE - EGYPT
Most airlines have removed embargoes and are resuming flights to and from Egypt. Cargo is now being accepted by most airlines but shipment delays can still be expected as backlogs of freight are cleared up.

INSPECTIONS SLOW NIGERIAN AIR CARGO
A heavy inspection regime at the air cargo section of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos has translated into long delays and high demurrage charges forced on importers.

The enormous influx is adding further delays in clearance as the cargo sheds of the two major ground-handling companies are buckling under pressure. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is facing heavy complaints, but also finds itself under scrutiny.

In addition to NCS inspection teams checking imported cargo a presidential task force must also re-inspect the same cargoes. In early January the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria promised to fix all gaps in the nation’s airports to make them more customer-friendly and to comply with ICAO standards.

Contact Information
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Head Office - Brantford
Tel: (519) 756-6463
Fax: (519) 756-6800

Toronto Office
Tel: (905) 361-5010 or
Tel: (905) 678-7777

Fax: (905) 678-7171

TORONTO OFFICE IS MOVING 7 FEB, 2010
Our Toronto / Mississauga office has moved to our new location at:

Beacon International Despatch Limited
5250 Satellite Drive
Unit 20
Mississauga, Ontario