Up Front

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 10/1/2000

A code of ethics for shippers, receivers, carriers, and drivers

A code of ethics for shippers, receivers, carriers, and drivers has won approval from the governing boards of the National Industrial Transportation League and the Truckload Carriers Association. The code aims to reduce inefficiency at the nation's loading docks and to improve safety. It calls for shippers and receivers to take responsibility for loading and unloading trailers, turn incoming trailers around quickly, and establish transit times that do not promote violations of speed limits or hours-of-service rules. The two groups negotiated the code, called Voluntary Guide to Good Business Relations for Shippers, Receivers, Carriers, and Drivers, during the past two years. Copies of the guide are available from NITL, (703) 524-5011 or www.nitl.org, and from TCA, (703) 838-1950.

Hours-of-service issues are not limited to the trucking industry-the airline industry is struggling with them, too.

Hours-of-service issues are not limited to the trucking industry-the airline industry is struggling with them, too . The Air Transport Association (ATA), an industry association that represents U.S. airlines, has launched the Alertness Management Initiative to combat fatigue and improve safety in the sky. Toward that end, ATA members have pledged to end aircraft ferry flights after a regular shift has ended; establish clear limits on total on-duty time, not just flight time; adopt a voluntary program to educate employees about fatigue and how to combat it; and establish a scientific advisory board that will conduct basic scientific research on fatigue and apply it to airline operational issues. A new Web site, www.AviationAlert.com, operated by the ATA will provide a place for airlines to share fatigue-related information.

Want to hire top logistics graduates?

Want to hire top logistics graduates? Be prepared to spend time and energy in the process. A panel of university professors speaking at the Council of Logistics Management's annual conference in New Orleans last month said the demand for graduates exceeded the supply. Their advice: Establish a relationship with university logistics staffs and students and send logistics professionals to tell the company's story. Says Frances Tucker of Syracuse University, "Come early, come often."

Sometimes the low-tech solution does the job.

Sometimes the low-tech solution does the job. Springfield, Mo.-based Prime Inc., one of the country's largest truckload carriers, has found a simple way to enhance cargo security. The carrier now marks the top of each of its trailers with large identification numbers. The numbers make it easy to identify stolen equipment from elevated positions, including aircraft cockpits. According to Les Hazen, Prime's director of maintenance, the technique has proved successful. Now that military organizations are selling their used equipment to law-enforcement agencies, he says, more and more police departments today are using aircraft to solve crimes.

Is a U.S. Customs audit comparable to a religious experience?

Is a U.S. Customs audit comparable to a religious experience? Not exactly, but it may not be too far off the mark. In a recent interview, Jack Rafferty, vice president of sales and marketing for PBB Global Logistics, suggested that importers who know they have made punishable errors on import documentation should carefully consider "prior disclosure," a procedure that allows importers who' fess up to their mistakes to mitigate penalties. "It's kind of like going to confession with Customs," he says. "It's not absolution, but it does afford some protection from the consequences of your sins."

Existing criteria for granting cargo-preference waivers

Existing criteria for granting cargo-preference waivers are under review by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The agency is accepting public comments until Oct. 26 on if and how it should amend the waiver rules. U.S. cargo-preference laws now require that when government loans are used to foster the export of products, those goods should be carried only on U.S. vessels. Exceptions can be allowed if U.S. vessels aren't available. MARAD agreed to review its criteria for granting waivers at the request of shippers and carriers, who want some changes in the process. For details, go to http://dms.dot.gov/ and look for Docket No. MARAD-2000-7798, "Criteria for Granting Waivers of Requirements for Exclusive U.S.-Flag Vessel Carriage of Certain Export Cargoes."

The newest edition of The Directory of Shippers

The newest edition of The Directory of Shippers is available from Transportation Technical Services. The publication includes information on 15,000 logistics executives, among them 13,500 high- and intermediate-volume shippers. The print copy costs $179. A CD-ROM version is available for $495. For further information, contact TTS at (888) ONLY-TTS or order online at www.ttstrucks.com.

Not sure how to approach people who can help you change your career?

Not sure how to approach people who can help you change your career? Wondering how to get upper management to listen to your ideas? Then you'll want to attend Women in Packaging's popular program "The Art of Networking-It's Who You Know!" The seminar will be offered on Nov. 8 during the PackExpo conference at McCormick Place in Chicago. The facilitated program will help attendees learn these and other communications skills that boost confidence and enhance workplace performance. The cost is $35 for Women in Packaging members and $45 for non-members. Advance registration is required. Register online at www.womeninpackaging.org or call WP at (770) 426-8424.

The Cahners Supply Chain Group,

The Cahners Supply Chain Group, which includes Logistics Management & Distribution Report, is sponsoring the EXsite 2000 international conference for users of EXE Technologies' software. The conference, which will focus on e-commerce fulfillment and supply chain execution, is scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7 at the Downtown Philadelphia Marriott Hotel. The deadline for registration is Oct. 20. For more information, visit www.exe.com/exsite or call (877) 393-8324.

Extensive new hazardous-materials labeling requirements

Extensive new hazardous-materials labeling requirements could result from a proposal before the United Nations, a lawyer specializing in the field told the NASSTRAC conference last month. Lawrence W. Bierlein told the shippers group that the proposed rule would require hazardous-materials placards on all sides of a vehicle carrying 2,000 kilograms or more of regulated dangerous goods. That potentially could extend placarding requirements to thousands of vehicles that are now exempt from those rules. The UN committee will vote on the rule in December. Bierlein estimates that it would take two to three years after they are adopted for the regulations to be imposed in the United States. The UN also is considering a change in the way documents are organized, which could require costly computer reprogramming for shippers.

TPG, a global provider of mail, express, and logistics services,

TPG, a global provider of mail, express, and logistics services, has acquired Jacksonville, Fla.-based third-party logistics provider CTI Logistx from CSX Corp. for $650 million. CTI's key capabilities are transportation management, logistics consulting, and process re-engineering. It has a presence in 26 U.S. states, Canada, South America, and Europe. David Kulik, chairman and CEO, and his management team will remain in charge of CTI under the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition makes TPG, which is the parent of TNT and Royal PTT Post, one of the three largest logistics companies in the world. The company employs more than 116,000 people and offers service to more than 200 countries.