When working with a reliable global logistics partner, port-to-port international shipping – transporting cargo from one seaport to another – should be made easy for shippers. An ocean freight forwarder such as Logistics Plus will navigate through different sailing options, complex regulations, customs documentation, and more behind the scenes. As a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), Logistics Plus is an expert at getting your freight on the water and to its destination.
What do I look for when selecting a port-to-port global logistics partner?
Many freight forwarders claim to offer port-to-port international shipping. But buyer beware – not all global logistics companies are the same. Some may be new and inexperienced, some may not handle customs clearance, and some may not offer shippers’ interest cargo insurance. It’s crucial to make sure your cargo is in good hands while it’s on the water. Here are a few questions to ask before selecting a port-to-port international freight forwarder:
Are they large enough to be experienced but small enough to pay attention to detail?
Do they offer a variety of sailings to and from all major ports?
Now that you have asked yourself these important questions, it’s time to choose your global logistics partner and prepare your shipment for the big move. You should start by compiling a detailed packing list and itemizing every piece of the shipment. Simple things such as the size, weight, packaging, and dimensions will all play a factor in getting an accurate rate estimate. Your logistics provider will offer you appropriate shipping lines and sailings to and from the ports of your choosing. Once your shipment is en-route, you should be able to sit back and have the confidence that your logistics provider will frequently update you with the shipment status and final delivery.
Although port-to-port international shipping involves many different steps, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for our customers. If you’re ready to learn more about Logistics Plus and our international shipping services, please email us at quotes@logisticsplus.com or click the button below to receive a risk-free quote on your next ocean shipment.
As this year ends, 2019 is poised to be a banner year for the Logistics Plus Chicago office. Christian Marz has been holding down the fort for LP in Chicagoland for the past few years; but this past July, the LP Chicago office added a new member to its Business Development team … Rob Boissevain. Together, Christian and Rob are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest. Rob has closed new deals in Chicago, and new business for our Los Angeles, New Jersey, North Carolina and New York warehouses.
In this past month, LP Chicago has also been implementing services for one of our new, premiere global clients – a Chicago-based leading financial investments company; and our new Elk Grove Village, IL warehouse (recently expanded to include 175,000 sq. ft.) will serve as its U.S. distribution center.
Christian and Rob are celebrating their new offices and warehouse in Elk Grove Village. Please feel free to connect with them with any referrals or client needs in Chicago or the Midwest. You can reach them at christian.marz@logisticsplus.com or rob.boissevain@logisticsplus.com.
As part of its new FPA Services offering, Logistics Plus will now provide International buyers with a complete Purchase Order Management Program.
ERIE, PA (November 1, 2018) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is pleased to announce that, effective today, it has acquired the international freight forwarding and foreign principal agent (FPA) services of privately-held Red Lion, PA-based H.C. Bennett Company (HCB). The former HCB unit will now operate as the FPA Services department within the Logistics Plus International division and will provide international buyers with a more complete purchase order (PO) management program with the ability to manage the shipment of thousands of POs purchased on a routed transaction.
Current HCB customers can expect a stable transition to Logistics Plus with the ability to access new, expanded complimentary domestic and international services. As part of Logistics Plus, the new FPA Services department can quote highly competitive rates for any worldwide air or ocean shipment to any destination with integrated destination clearance services. Logistics Plus also provides in-house programming expertise to support the HCB cornerstone PO Wizard™ software solution. PO Wizard provides foreign principals and their suppliers the ability to view the progress of each PO line item’s movement across the supply chain.
“We are excited about the synergies we now have as part of Logistics Plus. Becoming part of a much larger organization, we now have a deeper bench and more international transportation resources than ever before,” said David Bennett, president of H.C. Bennett Company. “Operational continuity is extremely important to Logistics Plus, and current HCB customers and vendors can expect the same staff, pricing, and procedures as they have come to expect, but now with a whole lot more through the Logistics Plus network.”
About Logistics Plus Inc. Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur, Jim Berlin, 21 years ago, Logistics Plus is a fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 400+ employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Visalia, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Olean, NY; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Winchester, VA; Madison, WI; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Sudan; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; 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 Project Cargo Team has been busy the past two months. In July and August, and as outlined below, we have managed a variety of projects, including the successful deliveries of transformers, cranes, and bridges (photos included in the video below).
Two double girder bridges were safely delivered from Ukraine to Turkey.
A 54 ton transformer was safely delivered from Turkey to Afghanistan.
LP Turkey safely delivered a crawler crane to China.
Two transformers were safely delivered from Turkey to France.
A 42 ton transformer was safely delivered from Bulgaria to Bahrain.
Two chip storage tanks were safely delivered to Turkey.
Tube bundles were safely delivered from China to Turkey.
Forming machines were safely delivered from Far East to Turkey.
Do you need assistance with your project cargo? Contact our global team of project cargo and break bulk experts.
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) just released its updated “The Year in Trade 2017” report. This report covers all of the global trade trends from 2017. Included in this report are exchange rate trends, trade laws and regulations, global economic trends, regional trade activity, global trade agreements, and new trade relations, among other topics. Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing and important trade trends that occurred in 2017.
Trade Activities With Major Trading Partners
As expected, China was again named the United States largest single-country trading partner based on two-way merchandise trade in 2017. Merchandise trade with China accounts for 16.4 percent of total U.S. trades and amounts to $635.9 billion in trade. Behind China is Canada for the third consecutive year. U.S. and Canada trade rose 7 percent from the previous year and amounted to $582.4 billion in 2017. Following China and Canada is Mexico with a value of $557 billion in 2017 trade. The figure below includes the top 7 single-countries the U.S. trades with, and also the E.U. which includes all countries the U.S. trades with in Europe.
U.S. Exports and Imports
In 2017, transportation equipment was the largest U.S. export sector accounting for 21 percent of all exports. Close behind was electronics (17.3 percent), and chemical related products (14.7 percent). The top individual export product were civilian aircraft, engines, and parts, along with refined petroleum products. The biggest U.S. import in 2017 was electronic products, which totaled for 20.7 percent of U.S. imports. On an individual basis, passenger motor vehicles were the largest U.S. import valued at $186.4 billion. China was once again the leading source of U.S. imports in 2017.
Exchange Rate Trends
Overall, the U.S. dollar depreciated in 2017, falling 6.3 percent on the broad dollar index. This downward trend was mainly driven by the depreciation of the U.S. dollar compared to other major world currencies. The U.S. dollar fell by 12 percent against the euro, 9.4 percent against the pound (UK), 6.8 percent against the Canadian dollar, and 6.1 percent against the Mexican peso. Several major U.S. investment banks noted that the euro and pound were recovering from an early drop due to the uncertainty of the Brexit vote. The figure below shows the U.S. dollar exchange rate compared to other major world currencies.
U.S. GDP in 2017
The United States had a $19.4 trillion economy in 2017, and the economy grew faster in 2017 than it did in 2016. U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 2.3 percent in 2017 compared to the growth rate of 1.5 percent in 2016. The main factors driving this high growth rate were due to four industries- professional and business services; finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing; manufacturing; and retail trade.
To read the full report, The Year in Trade 2017, published by the United States International Trade Commission, click here.
If your company has import or export needs, you should consider working with Logistics Plus. In the U.S. we have more than a dozen locations that can help you with your transportation and logistics needs; and our Customs Broker Solutions staff can also help you clear customs for imports at any port in the United States. Additionally, Logistics Plus now has locations at 50 offices in 22 countries. As always, you can find any of our worldwide employees in our online global directory.
When working with a reliable global logistics partner, port-to-port international shipping – transporting cargo from one seaport to another – should be made easy for shippers. An ocean freight forwarder such as Logistics Plus will navigate through different sailing options, complex regulations, customs documentation, and more behind the scenes. As a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), Logistics Plus is an expert at getting your freight on the water and to its destination.
As this year ends, 2019 is poised to be a banner year for the 
The Logistics Plus Project Cargo Team has been busy the past two months. In July and August, and as outlined below, we have managed a variety of projects, including the successful deliveries of transformers, cranes, and bridges (photos included in the video below).
