Borderlands: US potato farmers preparing for Mexico opening

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: U.S. potato farmers prepare to export to Mexico; ICTSI invests $230 million to expand at the Port of Manzanillo; a German auto supplier is opening a $17 million plant in Mexico; and Mercado Labs has received series A investments to automate supply chains.

US potato farmers preparing for Mexico opening

After nearly 25 years of export bans, U.S. potato farmers could begin...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-potato-farmers-preparing-for-mexico-opening

ICTSI’s terminal network joins Maersk’s blockchain platform

Global terminal operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has agreed  to connect its terminals to the TradeLens blockchain network, a platform developed by Maersk and IBM.

Connecting to Tradelens allows ICTSI’s 31 terminals permissioned access to accurate information on cargo movements in advance of vessel arrivals, according to an announcement.

Tracking of containers through the networked exchange of data enables efficient asset planning for all entities involved utilising...

https://container-news.com/ictsis-terminal-network-joins-maersks-blockchain-platform/

Westports and ICTSI say Covid-calm will be followed by the storm

Westports Holdings, which runs nine container terminals in Malaysia’s Port Klang, said the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be seen from the second quarter of 2020, as the impact of the lock downs in a number of countries spreads.

The company’s managing director, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, commented in the release of Westports’ Q1 results, which showed only a slight decline in throughput to 2.52 million TEU, from 2.53 million TEU in Q1 2019. However, transhipment volumes fell 8%, to 1.58...

https://container-news.com/westports-and-ictsi-say-covid-calm-will-be-followed-by-the-storm/

ICTSI Ecuador starts servicing larger ships

Contecon Guayaquil, the Ecuadorian subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), set a new operational benchmark after servicing the largest ship to dock in Ecuador – the 10,010-TEU neo-Panamax CMA CGM Cochin that services the Ecuador-Asia route.

The vessel’s arrival highlights the importance of the recent dredging of the 95-kilometer main access channel leading to the country’s primary seaport. With deeper waters, the Port of Guayaquil is the first in Ecuador to...

https://container-news.com/ictsi-ecuador-starts-servicing-larger-ships/

SPICT enjoys equipment surge

South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) received a significant equipment-boost ahead of schedule. Three new hybrid rubber tyred gantries (RTGs) will enhance the subsidiary of ICTSI in Lae, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

According to a statement, the ICTSI Group is developing an ongoing program to strengthen and enhance overall operational efficiency at PNG’s leading container terminal. The delivery of the three new RTGs is a part of the improvement plan.

“The investment will reach PGK15.6...

https://container-news.com/spict-enjoys-equipment-surge/