The World Trade Center Miami welcomes you to SeaCargo Americas News, offering you updates from the industry and useful information on the fourth year of the SeaCargo Americas Conference and Exhibition.

SAVE THE DATE
MEET OUR HOST
NEWS IN THE AMERICAS
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SAVE THE DATE……November 4-6, 2009

Historic Cargo Event Scheduled for November 4-6, 2009 in Miami
Thousands of air cargo and sea cargo industry leaders and experts will gather in Miami for the first time in history for a concurrent conference and exhibition November 4-6, 2009 with the added excitement of a potential address from President Barack Obama.

Executives from the major air and sea cargo corporations serving the Western Hemisphere are already lining up for the 10th Biennial Air Cargo Americas and the 4th SeaCargo Americas conference and exhibition sponsored by the Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami and the World Trade Center Miami.

The Obama administration has yet to fill dozens of key positions at the World Bank and US Customs, but the organizers of the conferences expect that many top US government officials will join dozens of leaders from Central America, South America, U.S. and the Caribbean to discuss trade, transport, security and logistics issues facing the industry. Charlotte Gallogly, President of the World Trade Center Miami said, “If past is precedent, President Obama will have the rare opportunity to speak to leaders of the hemisphere in trade and transport in one place at one time.” www.seacargoamericas.com www.aircargoamericas.com

MEET OUR HOST

The Port of Miami will again host SeaCargo Americas. The port, under the leadership of Bill Johnson, has supported the event since its inception. Johnson believes that the event will increase two-way cargo growth for the Americas by providing a world class forum on international maritime and logistics issues and showcasing the latest maritime and security products, e commerce solutions, technologies and services.

NEWS IN THE AMERICAS

Port Everglades Expands Brazil Link-up
A second ocean shipping service now directly connects Brazil with Florida’s leading container port. Direct shipments from South America’s east coast are arriving through Port Everglades via a renewed service from CSAV/LIBRA’s Usatlan service – the second ocean shipping service to begin direct service between the port and Brazil.

CSAV/LIBRA’s Usatlan service includes shipping operators “K”Line, Hanjin, Yang Ming and Hamburg Süd, according to a press release from Port Everglades, while Bringer Lines, which also partners with “K” Line, began service in January. Florida International Terminal, LLC provides stevedoring and cargo handling for both services at Port Everglades. http://www.fruitnet.com/content.aspx?cid=2922&ttid=6&sid=3322

Caribbean Development Bank to Provide US$4.2 Billion to Caribbean and Latin American Countries
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Barbados Nation newspaper reported that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is expected to provide US$4.2 billion as part of a US$90 billion support package over the next two years for Caribbean and Latin American countries by leading multilateral development banks to spur economic growth.

The Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB/IIC), the World Bank Group (IBRD), IFC and MIGA, Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF), the Bridgetown-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABE) are working together to identify partnerships to increase their collective impact and explore new opportunities to protect the economic and social gains achieved in the region during the last five years.

Representatives from the World Bank, IDB and IFC are expected to participate in the IV Sea Cargo Americas Conferences and Exhibition to present their analysis of world trade opportunities this November in Miami. The IDB/IIC is expected to provide $29.5 billion of the total and the World Bank Group $35.6 billion over the next two years.

World Bank President, Robert B Zoellick in a statement said, "Latin America and the Caribbean have achieved substantial economic and social progress over the last five years, and we must ensure that this is not lost because of the external shock of the global crisis. We need to avoid a social and human crisis." http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/business/business.php?news_id=16041&start=0&category_id=14

US Trade Rep. Kirk: “Colombia, Panama Trade Deals Important to Economy”
U.S. Trade Representative Ronald Kirk said recently his office is looking to resolve issues
with pending trade agreements as it aims to boost exports in an effort to spur domestic growth.

"To get our economy back on track we need to increase exports," he said in a speech at Georgetown University's law school. "An aggressive effort to keep trade flowing and open more markets to American goods and services absolutely must be a big part of our economic recovery here at home."

He said there are efforts underway to resolve issues with free trade agreements that are pending with South Korea and Panama.Also, he is planning to review the more controversial Colombian Free Trade Agreement. "Jobs do come when trade policy is done right," he said. Kirk has been invited to provide a keynote luncheon address at SeaCargo Americas. http://ictsd.net/i/news/bridgesweekly/

US to probe DR-CAFTA textile preference program
The U.S. International Trade Commission has started an investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of a new program under the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).

The program allows apparel manufacturers in the Dominican Republic who use U.S. fabric to produce certain apparel to earn a credit that can be used to ship eligible apparel made with non-U.S.-origin fabric into the United States duty free.

The investigation is required by amendments to the DR-CAFTA that were included by Congress in the Andean Trade Preference Act Extension signed into law in 2008. The legislation directs the U.S. Commerce Department to establish an Earned Import Allowance Program. The ITC is required to review the program annually to evaluate its effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements. The reports will be submitted to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees. The first report is due to the committees by July 28, 2010.

The ITC plans to hold a public hearing related to the investigation at its Washington headquarters on Nov. 18. For more information, access the April 23 notice of investigation on the ITC Web site. http://www.americanshipper.com/FC/FLC_story.asp?news=129850

MSC Starts Two South America Services
The Puma service will link ports in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. Weekly calls will be made in Long Beach; Oakland; Manzanillo, Mexico; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; and Balboa, Panama.

The service will offer fortnightly service to Puerto Quetza in Guatemala and Acajutla in El Salvador, alternating calls in those two ports every other voyage. Likewise it will offer alternating weekly calls to the Mexican ports of Salina Cruz and Mazatlan. MSC Peru, the first ship in the service, will sail from Balboa on April 29, Long Beach on May 5, and Oakland May 6. Ships of about 1,500-1,600 TEUs will be employed. The Condor service will link Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama. Weekly service will be offered to the ports of Balboa, Callao, Palta, Guayaquil and Buenaventura. http://www.americanshipper.com/FC/FLC_story.asp?news=128574

FedEx Express Integrates Caribbean Transportation Services in June
FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation and global logistics solutions provider, announced that the operations of Caribbean Transportation Services, Inc. (CTS) will be integrated into FedEx Express effective June 1. The company explained that the purpose of this integration is to leverage synergies and gain cost efficiencies, while providing CTS customers with enhanced service for their shipments between Puerto Rico, the U.S. and select Caribbean islands. CTS will continue operating in Puerto Rico under the same name.

“FedEx has long been a significant service provider in the Puerto Rico market, with unmatched services meeting the shipping needs of Puerto Rican and Caribbean customers. With this integration, we strengthen that commitment and raise the bar for the industry,” said Juan N. Cento, president of FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean.

“This integration reinforces the FedEx business and our commitment to providing customers with a one-stop shop for a wide range of flexible, highly reliable services, and connection to the FedEx global network serving 220 countries and territories,” Cento added.

Effective May 15, three FedEx Express aircraft will replace the current CTS air transportation arrangement and will be dedicated to accommodate all current CTS shipments. Regular flights will operate between Puerto Rico and Miami, Indianapolis, and Greensboro, N.C.

With the integration of CTS, FedEx Express will operate six daily flights to and from Puerto Rico; providing continuity to the three daily flights that FedEx currently operates, and the three daily flights that CTS has been operating. http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=29671&ct_id=1&ct_name=1

Aruba Preps for Cargo Recovery
Despite currently depressed cargo volumes, ground will be broken on the new $35M container facility at Barcadera later this year.

Located just 5km from the existing port in Oranjestad, Barcadera has been the site of rehabilitation over the past decade. Petroleum, breakbulk and ro-ro cargoes have already been transferred, with $6M spent on upgrades.

The next step is to shift container ships to Barcadera, leaving the main terminals in the island capital of Oranjestad for the exclusive use of the cruise sector.

“We are moving ahead quite steadily,” port managing director Alfonso Boekhoudt told the British magazine Fairplay. “Our plans for the facility are fully in place. “

“We expect to begin dredging by year’s end,” Boekhoudt continued, noting that the bottom at Barcadera is sand and that dredging should not be a challenge. Once the container ships are relocated, plans call for the razing of the old warehouses on the central Oranjestad port property to present a better view for calling cruisers. “We want to build a cultural museum and a new cruise facility,” explained Boekhoudt. Aruba’s container volumes actually increased last year by 8.5%, to 28,609teu from 26,360 teu in 2007.Fairplay International Shipping Weekly - Feature 30 Apr 2009

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SeaCargo Americas provides an outstanding opportunity for you company to showcase its products and services to a targeted group of potential new customers. Sponsorship range from banners ($1,000), luncheons ($10,000), coffee breaks ($3,000 - $6000) and receptions ($10,000). To receive further information, please call Charlotte Gallogly at 305-871-7910 or email: info@worldtrade.org. Visit: www.seacargoamericas.com