International News Notes

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 8/1/1999

Services--P&O Ports has agreed to acquire International Terminal Operating Co. Inc. (I.T.O.), a stevedoring company operating in 17 U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. Insurance giant CNA has combined its two marine insurance subsidiaries, MOAC and London-based Maritime Insurance Co. Ltd., under the name CNA Maritime. The Chubb Group's Cargo Certificate Insurance System is now available through the Internet. The system, which lets users generate cargo insurance certificates online, is located at www.chubb.com.

Ports--The Port of Vancouver, Wash., has begun a $10 million project to build a new port entrance that will improve road and rail access. The Port of Long Beach, Calif., hosted 10 vessels making their maiden calls at the port in the month of June. Three ocean carriers--Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), Zim Container Service, and Compagnie Maritime d'Affrétement (CMA)--recently added the Port of Oakland, Calif. to their U.S. West Coast-Asia services.

Airfreight--Consolidated Freightways has introduced single-source international air service to destinations worldwide. The LTL carrier has become a certified IATA agent, allowing it to book cargo through 263 member airlines. Emirates Skycargo finished 1998 with higher profits and tonnage than it did in 1997. The Dubai-based carrier will focus on implementing value-added services in 1999. Aeronet Worldwide has launched time-definite, guaranteed service within the United States. The urgent-shipment specialist is offering both door-to-door and counter-to-counter guarantees. BAX Global now offers twice-weekly, direct freighter service between its Toledo, Ohio, hub and São Paulo, Brazil. The new service provides same-day departures and arrivals every Wednesday and Sunday.

Ocean Carriers--Crowley Logistics and American Freightways have teamed up to offer weekly, fixed-day LCL service between the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Crowley will coordinate the international logistics, with American Freightways performing the domestic transportation. Mediterranean Shipping Co. has opened new offices in Detroit, Dallas, Seattle, and Irvine and Walnut Creek, Calif. Signet Maritime Corp. has acquired an interest in Marítima SeaFreight Venezolana. The two companies have entered into reciprocal connecting carrier, agency, and sales agreements. Columbia Coastal Transport has launched weekly, fixed-day barge service with a capacity of 450 TEUs between the ports of Wilmington, N.C.; Charleston, N.C.; and Savannah, Ga. Hamburg Süd will purchase the assets of San Francisco-based South Pacific Container Lines, which serves the U.S. West Coast, Tahiti, and Samoa.