The Logistics Plus Europe team completed the successful delivery of four bioreactors for the Steelanol project of ArcelorMittal in Gent, Belgium. The four bioreactors each measured 34.2 x 8.34 x 7.85 meters and weighed 218 metric tons. In December, the bioreactors were loaded to a barge in Nanjing, China, for their transport to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, the bioreactors were then loaded to the Baltic Harmony vessel to sail to Westdorpe, Netherlands.
Under supervision from the Logistics Plus Europe team, the bioreactors were discharged directly to the pontoon that would bring them to the final destination in Gent (a few kilometers up the canal). Due to high winds, the discharge ended up being suspended for half a day. The Europe team worked with the captain and crew to find a method to continue the discharge safely. The four bioreactors and their parts were then successfully delivered to the final site. They will be a key part of the facility that turns exhaust gas into biofuel and useful chemicals.
This project was a key step in ArcelorMittal’s commitment to becoming the first fully carbon-neutral steel mill by 2050. Logistics Plus is proud to have played a small part in helping our client achieve that goal.
Logistics Plus completed the successful delivery of a Slewing Arm Davit (SLAD) from Michigan to Everett, Washington. This delivery hit close to home for Erie, PA-based Logistics Plus. The SLAD delivered to Washington was the single piece of missing equipment keeping the USS Gridley docked at the pier. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the warship is named in honor of Captain Charles Gridley, who was historically stationed in Erie over 150 years ago. Captain Gridley was in charge of the guns that fired the opening salvo at Manila Bay, Philippines (1898) after Admiral Dewey issued his famous words, “You may fire when ready, Gridley!”
Close Ties to Erie, PA
A native of Indiana, Captain Gridley began his military career at a young age. His class graduated a year ahead of schedule so that the young men could serve in the Civil War. He was stationed from 1871 to 1875 on the only United States Navy ship based on the Great Lakes at the time, the Michigan, in Erie, Pennsylvania. While stationed in Erie, he married Harriet. Throughout the city of Erie, PA, there are several references to Captain Gridley. A former elementary school was named after him and a community park (Gridley Park) where a monument still stands in his honor. When Captain Gridley passed away in 1898, services were held in Erie’s Cathedral of St. Paul church. He was then buried in Erie’s Lakeside Cemetary.
A Message From the Commanding Officer
Upon delivery of the SLAD, Bryan Schneider, the Commanding Officer of the USS Gridley, shared the following message with Logistics Plus Founder and CEO Jim Berlin.
Good morning – my name is Bryan Schneider, and I am the Commanding Officer of USS GRIDLEY (DDG 101). I asked to contact the company who provided the transportation and drivers that transported the Slewing Arm Davit (SLAD) from Michigan to Everett, Washington, and was provided this email address.
What Jay and Eric did for the GRIDLEY was nothing short of amazing! For context, the SLAD has been the single piece of equipment keeping GRIDLEY moored to the pier until it is repaired. My team spent over 200-man hours trying to fix it, and it was finally determined to be unserviceable. Hence, it needed to be replaced. Driving through the parts of the country they did, during the time they did, and encountering the weather they did really showed an unwavering commitment to their job and duty!
We are working under a time crunch to get it replaced and tested to allow GRIDLEY to get underway and do what she was built to do; fight!
I gave Jay and Eric a hat and coin to thank them for the dangers they put themselves in to get this piece of equipment to me so my Sailors can continue to serve and protect the country. Still, I wanted to let you know I really appreciate everything they did for me and the GRIDLEY NATION.
With all my gratitude, I want to thank you, the company, and Jay and Eric for supporting GRIDLEY to get us back out to sea and to serve and defend this country!
Mr. Schneider also thanked Logistics Plus by sending autographed pictures of the USS Gridley along with handwritten notes showing his appreciation. The pictures and notes are now framed and hanging in the Logistics Plus Global Headquarters’ main lobby in Erie, PA.
The Logistics Plus (LP) Chicago warehouse had a few (unusual) visitors last week. In conjunction with MSA Security, the LP Chicago team volunteered to allow K9 units into our new 190,000 square foot warehouse facility as a part of a training exercise. This training session helped MSA Security get the K9 unit dogs out of their typical outdoor environment and into an actual warehouse for real training scenarios. These K9 units are utilized for the police force and TSA in the Chicago area.
Logistics Plus Midwest Manager Christian Marz got to experience the training session first-hand. “Once the Division for Explosive Detection Canine Unit asked us if we’d be willing to help them with this training, it was a no-brainer.” Christian added, “We responded with a supporting message and told them they are welcome to come in for as many days as they need. We are a proud sponsor and will continue to support the MSA K9 Compliance Unit in any ways that we can.”
Out of respect to the MSA Security team, limited photos were taken during the training sessions.
About MSA Security MSA provides security, intelligence, training, and investigative services to protect millions of Americans every week. From training Explosive Detection Canines to identifying explosives for X-ray technicians, and much more. MSA Security Training Services offer clients a range of customized training modules tailored to fit their team needs, all taught by expert, certified instructors with backgrounds in areas including:
On January 31st, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) began to operate outside the European Union (EU). Since the UK’s departure, the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement (TCA) governs the economic relationship between the UK and the EU. Last June, a timetable for the phased introduction of regulations on imports from the EU into Great Britain was announced to ensure businesses had enough time to prepare for the changes.
Not long after introducing the phased approach, the UK government realized that the new regulations, amplified by the impact of Covid-19, have been more disruptive than anticipated. Accordingly, the UK Government reviewed the timeframes, and a new timetable for the regulations on imports was introduced. The new regulations are as follows:
Pre-notification requirements for Products of Animal Origin (POAO), certain animal by-products (ABP), and High-Risk Food Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) will not be required until October 1st, 2021. Export health certificate requirements for POAO and ABP will be enforced on the same date.
Customs import declarations will still be required, but the deferred declaration scheme’s option is allowed. This includes submitting supplementary declarations up to six months after goods have been imported, and the deadline has been extended to January 1st, 2022.
Safety and security declarations for imports will not be required until January 1st, 2022.
Physical SPS checks for POAO, ABP, and HRFNAO will not be required until January 1st, 2022.
Physical SPS checks on high-risk plants will occur at Border Control Posts rather than at the place of destination. This goes into effect on January 1st, 2022.
Pre-notification requirements and documentary checks, including phytosanitary certificates, will be required for low-risk plants and plant products. This will be effective starting on January 1st, 2022.
Starting in March of 2022, checks on live animals and low-risk plants and plant products will occur at Border Control Posts.
It’s important to note that exporters moving controlled goods into Great Britain will continue to be ineligible for the deferred customs declaration approach. They are still required to complete a full customs declaration when the goods enter the United Kingdom. Please view the diagram below to see the latest timetable for the new regulations.
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Logistics Plus Europe remains fully operational as we continue to support our clients in and out of the United Kingdom. If you need assistance navigating the post-Brexit logistics era, please contact our team of logistics experts today.
Logistics Plus Supports Oceans by Purchasing Recycled Plastic Pallets
Pallets were made by Restoring Integrity to the Oceans, Inc. (RIO) using plastic waste harvested from the ocean.
ERIE, PA (March 17, 2021) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, continues to support the ocean cleanup initiatives of Restoring Integrity To The Oceans (RIO) by purchasing 1,200 recycled, air freight approved pallets made from plastic waste. Logistics Plus will use the pallets at its Erie, PA-based warehouses and make them available for purchase to local customers requiring durable pallets for storage and shipping.
“For this one purchase order of 1,200 pallets, we removed 13,200 pounds of trash from our oceans,” said Keiran Kelly, CEO of RIO. “Just imagine what we can do if more companies follow suit as Logistics Plus has done.”
In addition to recycled pallets, RIO also manufactures and sells other products out of recycled ocean plastic waste, including straws, kitchen utensils, toilet paper, and tennis shoes. Companies looking to purchase recycled pallets may email sandy@oceansintegrity.com for additional information. Some products may also be purchased online at oceanintegrity.org.
“RIO is an incredibly well-meaning, resourceful organization,” said Jim Berlin, founder & CEO of Logistics Plus. “We know their top guys, and they are a creative group of warriors trying to save the seas by really putting themselves out there. I hope more companies will join Logistics Plus in supporting their cause.”
About Restoring Integrity To The Oceans, Inc.
Restoring Integrity To The Oceans (RIO) primary objective is to mitigate the amount of plastic going into the World’s oceans and significantly reduce and remove the plastic waste in the significant waste collection areas in the World’s oceans. RIO’s primary effort is to prevent the introduction of and reclaim plastic materials from the sea accomplished through innovative techniques that vary based on the size and concentration of the plastic waste material encountered. Furthermore, RIO has long-term plans to develop products directly to help recycle plastic waste material and promote recognition and education for reducing plastic waste in the oceans. Learn more about RIO online at oceansintegrity.org.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. is a 21st-century logistics company that provides freight transportation, Warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded 25 years ago in Erie, PA, by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly regarded, fast-growing, and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices, warehouses, and agents located in Erie, PA; Akron, OH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Chino, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Des Moines, IA; Detroit, MI; Fort Worth, TX; Haslet TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Lexington, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Melbourne, FL; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Olean, NY; San Francisco, CA; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Ukraine; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
The Logistics Plus Europe team completed the successful delivery of four bioreactors for the Steelanol project of ArcelorMittal in Gent, Belgium. The four bioreactors each measured 34.2 x 8.34 x 7.85 meters and weighed 218 metric tons. In December, the bioreactors were loaded to a barge in Nanjing, China, for their transport to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, the bioreactors were then loaded to the Baltic Harmony vessel to sail to Westdorpe, Netherlands.
The Logistics Plus (LP) 
On January 31st, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) began to operate outside the European Union (EU). Since the UK’s departure, the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement (
Logistics Plus Inc. is 