Logistics, Trade Administration and Supply Chain

Conventional trucker hauls goods that are in loose form or unitized by pallets but not pre-stowed in containers. Sometimes, the loading and unloading of unpalletized goods on conventional trucks may be carried by the truck driver or his assistant. Types of Goods Any goods can be transported by conventional trucks so long as they are not overweight (more than 12 tonnes per piece), overheight (not specific but to the extent where it does not pose stability problem for the trucks during transportation and is able to pass under structures along its route), overwidth (cargo extend beyond the sides of the vehicle thus causing danger to other road users. Goods are mainly dry and if liquid or in grain form, they should be placed in containers designed for the purpose i.e. drums for liquid or bags for solid grains, conventional goods maybe normal or bonded. Normal goods are transported without special requirements regarding the security and the documentation (customs approval). Bonded goods mus...

As haulage operators, the responsibilities of the company are as follows: To accept the request of transport and to ensure all relevant documents, payments, releases and approvals have been obtained. To collect the container from where it is stored (port or depot) and deliver it to the address or destination according to the time stipulated by the hirer. If no date or time is stipulated, the haulier may have it delivered within 48 hours. To ensure the safety of the cargo and container during custody by haulier, his employee or agent assigned. Responsibilities of hirer, user or cargo owners: Responsibilities of either party is stated in the Conditions of Carriage and Tariff usually issued by a haulage operator, which is made available on request by the user or his agent. To receive the cargo in good order, check, seals and accept. To unstuff the container or unload the cargo as soon as possible and if possible within contractual period of 2 hours. To inform the haulier about the readine...

Container transportation is currently operated by large companies with investment capitals of not less than $10 million. Most companies invest $5 to $20 million more annually on equipment replacement, maintenance and other additions. Because of this, container haulage companies have to be financially strong and they are usually backed by bigger companies and even public funds. Apart from investment on haulage equipment, maintenance, the container haulage companies also have to invest on depots to part their equipment, repair workshops, staging areas and operations and administrative offices. Operations The haulage of containers begins with the request of transport from the cargo owners or their agents to the container haulage operator. The requirements for requests for transport are as follows: Container/goods have been released by customs which mean they have been submitted for customs duty evaluation and have been cleared. The shipping agent on behalf of their principals has also rel...

In Malaysia, container haulier is a regulated service. Only companies obtaining specific approval from the Council of Ministers may operate the container haulage service. The power of the Minister under the Road Transport Act to approve permits and license for container haulage operators are controlled by the Council of Ministers. Today, they are few well known container hauliers namely: Kontena Nasional , MISC Haulage, Diperdana, PKT Logistics, LTS Logistics and Multi Modal. Types of Goods Almost all kinds of cargoes can be transported by containers. These include bulk and liquids. However, consideration on whether to use containers or other forms of transport usually depends on the final cost benefit of the choice. Bulk cargo for example is more economical if transported by specialized bulk carriers. However, the greatest advantage of containerizing goods for transport is in unitizing the goods i.e. instead of transporting loose packages which can be stolen, dropped or damaged, goods...

In a move that was widely anticipated, the European Commission imposed heavy fines on eleven air cargo carriers today for price fixing. This was part of a worldwide investigation into air cargo cartel activities, with airlines pleading guilty and paying fines in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, and ongoing investigations in those countries and others, including South Africa. Meanwhile the U.S. justice department continues its investigation of freight forwarders guilty of price-fixing. Indeed, they are calling upon shippers to share information on any anticompetitive conduct they may be aware of by calling the Antitrust Division’s National Criminal Enforcement Section. Each company is charged with price fixing in violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum fine of $100 million per offense for corporations. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those...

Goods are usually transported in sequence of events as below. Readiness of the goods for transportation by the owner or supplier and a known destination address of the buyer or recipient. The same owner may also transfer the goods to the other locations belonging to him for value added purposes without involving the sales and purchase transactions. In this case, the owner will be the sender or consignor and the buyer will be the recipient or consignee. The consignor may procure the use of a road transport operator by contacting him direct on a spot market basis or a pre-contractual arrangement, or through intermediary of a broker or transport clearing house. A transport provider should be chosen on the basis of his capability to deliver safely ad timely the goods at a quotation acceptable to the cargo owner or to the party having pay for the services. To fulfill his commitments, the transporter should be the one who has the following criteria: He has the transport equipment or vehicle,...

CTPAT offers trade related businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chaim security initiative, companies will ensure more secure and expeditious supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. Beyond these essential security benefits, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will offer benefits to certain CTPAT member categories, including: a reduced number of CBP inspections (reduced border delay times); priority processing for CBP inspections (front line processing for inspections when possible); assignment of a CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS) who will work with the company to validate and enhance security throughout the company's international suply chain; potential eligibility for CBP Importer Self-Assessment program (ISA) with an emphasis on self-policing, not CBP audits; eligibility to attend CTPAT supply chain security training seminars. It is clear that security ...