Brokers, forwarders adjust course as market softens

A decline in freight volumes, geopolitical concerns and cost inflation were top of mind for customs brokers and freight forwarders, according to Descartes’ eighth annual benchmark survey.

Of the 272 participants polled by the supply chain software-as-a-service provider, most noted that while overall freight demand has fallen, shipment sizes have continued to increase, albeit at a slower rate than last year.

Twenty-nine percent said shipments were more than 5% larger than last year while 25% said...

Check Call: Importing and exporting not always same thing

Welcome to Check Call, our corner of the internet for all things 3PL, freight broker and supply chain. Check Call the podcast comes out every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. EST. Catch up on previous episodes here. If this was forwarded to you, sign up for Check Call the newsletter here.

Inside this edition: Showdown between freight forwarders and customs brokers; FMCSA’s new regulations; and shiny new purchases for Overhaul and DHL. 

TENOR

Customs brokers vs. freight forwarders. Often these words are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/check-call-importing-and-exporting-not-always-same-thing

Don’t exacerbate delays by overlooking customs side of shipping

Amid the uncertainty permeating global shipping, one thing is certain: Delays at port are inevitable — and will be for quite some time. This leaves importers no time to spare, rendering additional delays unaffordable.

Freight rates have increased dramatically across the board in 2021, with some describing it as shadow inflation. FreightWaves covered the topic extensively, noting that ocean cargo shippers are paying more than they ever have for the worst service they’ve ever experienced.

If the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dont-exacerbate-delays-by-overlooking-customs-side-of-shipping

Shippers, brokers square off over ocean carrier tariff prices

Brokers booking freight on behalf of their customers say they have no choice but to pass through charges assessed by ocean carriers — charges that some shippers claim are unjustified.

That was one of the main takeaways from the only three public comments filed in response to an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in April.

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), the New York New Jersey Foreign Freight...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/shippers-brokers-square-off-over-ocean-carrier-tariff-prices

Manitoulin acquires third US freight forwarder

A tractor-trailer of Manitoulin Transport crossing a bridge. Manitoulin acquired a third US freight forwarder.

Manitoulin Global Forwarding, the freight-forwarding subsidiary of Canada’s Manitoulin Group, has acquired Chicago-based World Wide International Logistics, further growing its presence in the U.S.

Privately held Manitoulin announced the acquisition on Thursday. It did not disclose the price of the customs brokerage and freight forwarder. 

World Wide International Logistics marks the third U.S. acquisition for Ontario-based Manitoulin Global Forwarding. It acquired Miami-based Demark Global...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/manitoulin-acquires-third-us-freight-forwarder

Ransomware hackers claim attack on Texas customs broker

A view of trucks crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas customs broker Daniel B. Hastings was recently targeted by ransomware hackers.

Ransomware hackers have claimed they attacked a Texas customs broker and freight forwarder Daniel B. Hastings, posting files they purportedly stole in an apparent attempt to extort the Laredo-based company. 

The extent of the apparent attack and data breach was not immediately clear. Hastings did not respond to FreightWaves’ requests for comment.

The files posted by the ransomware group Conti on Saturday appear authentic. They include completed U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents for...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/ransomware-hackers-claims-attack-on-texas-customs-broker

US customs brokers, forwarders cautiously trickle back to offices

After several months of stay-at-home orders, America’s customs brokerage and freight forwarding firms are preparing to reopen their offices in the weeks and months ahead. However, these companies do not anticipate a return to pre-coronavirus conditions, industry experts say.

“Our return-to-office plan considers that the future of work, as we have known it for all companies around the world, is shifting,” Marcia Lyssy, chief human resources officer for BDP International, told American Shipper.

Phil...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-customs-brokers-forwarders-cautiously-trickle-back-to-offices

Steering US customs brokers, forwarders through COVID-19

Janet Fields of Savannah, Georgia-based John S. James Co. is no stranger to risk management issues at the corporate level. But Fields, the recently appointed president of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), is seeing those skills put to the test as the industry weathers the dismal effects on trade from the coronavirus pandemic.

Fields was nominated to serve as NCBFAA president in January, following two years as the association’s vice president and decades...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/steering-us-customs-brokers-forwarders-through-covid-19

Container re-export causes issues in Manila

Truckers and customs brokers called on the government to enforce the rules on re-exporting empty containers as an urgent measure to address congestion in the Port of Manila, with stakeholders claiming that port utilization is already at 100%.

The Alliance of Philippine Customs Brokers and Trucking Associations (APBTA) held a news conference on Monday, Feb. 18, over the proposed joint administrative order (JAO) by the Department of Finance (DoF), Department of Transportation (DoTr), and the...

https://container-news.com/container-re-export-causes-issues-manila/

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