This month, Gemini Shippers Group was proudly showcased in our partner ACS USA’s monthly newsletter, ACS Insights May 2019. To learn more about ACS and our partnership with them please contact the Gemini Shippers Group team.
Gemini Shippers Group joined 72 other associations to promote World Intellectual Property Day.
World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to “raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life” and “to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe”. Please see attached or click here to view our latest add on raising awareness for the need to protect Intellectual Property rights.
For Immediate Release
LONG BEACH, California – March 3, 2019
Gemini Shippers Group and Seabury Capital’s Maritime Subsidiary Releases a Report with Insights for Carriers and Shippers on How to Navigate the New IMO 2020 Regulation
Gemini Shippers Group , today released a whitepaper, produced in cooperation with Seabury Maritime LLC (“Seabury Maritime”), the global maritime and transportation investment & merchant banking and industry advisory firm, a division of Seabury Capital Group LLC, providing insight and a general overview of the issues related to the implementation of the International Maritime Organization 2020 (“IMO 2020”) regulation on sulfur oxide emission.
With less than ten months before the IMO 2020 regulation on sulfur oxide emission goes into effect Jan 1, 2020 carriers and shippers alike are facing an uncomfortable uncertainty over its potential effects on costs and freight rates as they enter the 2019-2020 trans-Pacific contracting period. The IMO 2020 regulation mandates the reduction of sulfur oxide emission from 3.5 percent m/m to 0.5 percent m/m.
“The 2020 deadline to reduce sulfur oxide emissions is one of the most significant regulations impacting liner shipping in recent memory,” commented Seabury Maritime Vice President Nikos Petrakakos. “With fuel costs already representing more than 50 percent of total operating expenses, the IMO 2020 poses an increase too significant for carriers to absorb and stay operational.”
The whitepaper details that the lack of industry standard for fuel-surcharges computation or a clear picture of the underlying costs for low-sulfur fuel allows participants to only roughly estimate its economic impact. Several factors affecting a carrier’s calculation of the fuel surcharges add complexity, making transparency ever so paramount to building trust on both sides.
Kenneth O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer of Gemini Shippers Group, commented: “Through our collaboration with our partners at Seabury Maritime, we have identified the inherent risks and cost drivers represented by the IMO 2020 regulation. Our desire to add transparency to the issues will help shippers and carriers alike navigate the 2019-2020 contracting season.”
The whitepaper will be presented during The Journal of Commerce’s Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference held March 3-6 in Long Beach, CA. Access the complete document here. For further information on the study or to speak with the team at Gemini Shippers Group or Seabury Maritime to discuss fuel strategies please contact the team at Gemini Shippers Group.
The following terminals will be closed Monday 3/4/2019 due to inclement weather, APMT, Maher Terminal, PNCT, GCT Bayonne, GCT New York, and RHTC Terminal
Congrats to our partners at ACS USA for being named by Supply & Demand Chain magazines Executive’s 2019 Pros to Know
you can read more about their success here.
Part of the value of Gemini Shippers Group is our partnership programs with some of Americas leading Supply Chain companies. To learn more about any of our partner programs and companies please contact the Gemini team
Gemini Shippers Group ( Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA), Gemini Shippers Association (GSA) and the Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association (FJATA), as a member of the Americans for Free Trade Coalition joined in sending the following letter to the President today advocating for continues progress in sensible tariff reform.
February 27, 2019
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of the Americans for Free Trade coalition, we are writing to commend your
commitment to achieving a fair trade deal with China and for recent progress that has been made
during negotiations. We are encouraged by your decision to avoid a tariff increase on March 2
and allow negotiations to continue ahead of a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
We urge you to publish a Federal Register notice immediately confirming and detailing your
decision in order to provide certainty to the business community, making clear to all stakeholders
that tariffs do not automatically increase on March 2. Further, it is our hope that this momentum
will build in the weeks ahead and lead to a final deal that addresses structural issues in China,
removes tariffs on both sides, and eliminates trade uncertainty facing American businesses and
farmers.
Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy, including manufacturers,
farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and
oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we
support tens of millions of American jobs through our vast supply chains. We agree that China
and other trading partners must be held accountable for trade violations. However, broadly
applied tariffs do more harm than good and force American companies to foot the bill for
China’s misbehavior.
According to data released by our coalition, American businesses paid an additional $2.7
billion in tariffs in November 2018 alone, the most recent month data is available from the U.S.
Census Bureau. This represents a $2.7 billion tax increase and a massive year-over-year increase
from $375 million in tariffs on the same products in November 2017. The data also shows that
U.S. export growth hit its lowest level of 2018, thanks in part to a 37 percent decline in exports
of products facing China’s retaliatory tariffs. This data highlights that tariffs as a negotiating
tactic will always be a losing proposition because Americans — not foreign countries — are the
ones paying the price.
Due to these costs, American employers are eager to see trade negotiations conclude as
soon as possible and for all tariffs to be lifted. Although we are encouraged by the latest signs of
progress, it is important to note that existing tariffs and shifting deadlines are hanging over
American businesses and farmers and undermining their ability to grow, invest, and plan for the
future.
Mr. President, we applaud the hard work of your administration to achieve better trade
deals for the American people, and we are encouraged by the progress that has been made. As
negotiations continue, we urge you to continue to listen to the concerns of American businesses
faced with significant uncertainty. We are eager to see a trade deal with China that addresses
structural issues such as intellectual property theft and technology transfer while removing
existing tariffs and the threat of tariffs in the future. Millions of American farmers, businesses,
workers, and families are counting on you to achieve a positive resolution that keeps America
competitive on the global stage while growing our economy and protecting the millions of U.S.
jobs supported by trade.
Sincerely,
Accessories Council
Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC)
ALMA, International (Association of Loudspeaker
Manufacturing and Acoustics)
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Association of Exporters and Importers
(AAEI)
American Association of Port Authorities
American Bakers Association
American Chemistry Council
American Coatings Association, Inc. (ACA)
American Down and Feather Council
American Home Furnishings Alliance
American Lighting Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Pyrotechnics Association
American Rental Association
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
Arizona Technology Council
Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants
Association
Association For Creative Industries
Association for PRINT Technologies
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Auto Care Association
Beer Institute
BSA | The Software Alliance
Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers
Association (BIFMA)
California Retailers Association
Coalition of New England Companies for Trade
(CONECT)
Coalition of Services Industries (CSI)
Colorado Retail Council
Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.
Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Consumer Technology Association
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
CropLife America
Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Assn. of
Washington State
Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders of Northern
California
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Electronic Transactions Association
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)
Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association
Flexible Packaging Association
Florida Ports Council
Florida Retail Federation
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
Fragrance Creators Association
Game Manufacturers Association
Gemini Shippers Association
Georgia Retailers
Global Chamber®
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Halloween Industry Association
Home Fashion Products Association
Home Furnishings Association
Household and Commercial Products Association
Idaho Retailers Association
Illinois Retail Merchants Association
Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers
Association (IOPFDA)
Indiana Retail Council
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Housewares Association
International Warehouse and Logistics Association
International Wood Products Association
Internet Association
Juice Products Association (JPA)
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight
Forwarders Assn.
Louisiana Retailers Association
Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association
Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association
Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and
Bay
Maryland Retailers Association
Methanol Institute
Michigan Chemistry Council
Minnesota Retailers Association
Missouri Retailers Association
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
Motorcycle Industry Council
NAPIM (National Association of Printing Ink
Manufacturers)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
(NACDS)
National Association of Chemical Distributors
(NACD)
National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones
(NAFTZ)
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of Music Merchants
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers
(NATM)
National Confectioners Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders
Association of America
National Electrical Equipment Manufacturers
Association (NEMA)
National Fisheries Institute
National Foreign Trade Council
National Grocers Association
National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Sporting Goods Association
Natural Products Association
New Jersey Retail Merchants Association
North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers
and Distributors (NAUMD)
North Carolina Retail Merchants Association
Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Organization for International Investment
Outdoor Industry Association
Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and
Freight Forwarders Assns. Inc.
Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association
PeopleforBikes
Personal Care Products Council
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
Petroleum Equipment & Services Association
Plumbing Manufacturers International
Power Tool Institute (PTI)
Precious Metals Association of North America (PMANA)
Promotional Products Association International
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
Retail Association of Maine
Retail Council of New York State
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Retailers Association of Massachusetts
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
RV Industry Association
San Diego Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.
SEMI
Snowsports Industries America
Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates
Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)
South Dakota Retailers Association
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Texas Retailers Association
Texas Water Infrastructure Network
The Airforwarders Association
The Fertilizer Institute
The Hardwood Federation
The Toy Association
The Vinyl Institute
Travel Goods Association
Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)
U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association
United States Council for International Business
United States Fashion Industry Association
US Global Value Chain Coalition
US-China Business Council
Virginia Retail Merchants Association
Virginia-DC District Export Council (VA-DC DEC)
Washington Retail Association
Window and Door Manufacturers Association
World Pet Association, Inc. (WPA)
CC Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative
Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Department of the Treasury
Secretary Wilbur Ross, Department of Commerce
Secretary Sonny Perdue, Department of Agriculture
If your are attending RILA this week come by the Gemini booth # 331 and talk all things supply chain!
Members,
Earlier today President Trump announced that enough progress has been made in the negotiations with the Chinese, so he will be delaying the increase in the List 3 tariffs which was scheduled for March 2. This announcement did not indicate how long the delay will be in effect for.
Americans for Free Trade, of which (Gemini shippers Group is a member) issued a statement regarding the announcement – https://tariffshurt.com/2019/02/statement-on-tariff-deadline-extension/
As with the delay on January 1, USTR will need to issue a Federal Register notice with the details of the delay so that CBP can program its system so that tariffs don’t automatically increase on March 2.
Articles
- Trump to delay China tariff hike due to ‘substantial progress’ – https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/24/trump-china-tariffs-delayed-1182730
- Trump to Delay Tariff Increases on Chinese Imports – https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-delay-tariff-increases-on-chinese-imports-11551050187?mod=hp_lead_pos1
- Trump Extends China Tariff Deadline After ‘Substantial’ Progress – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-24/trump-extends-china-tariff-truce-after-substantial-progress
- Trump delays China tariff hike, announces Xi summit, citing ‘substantial progress’ in trade talks – https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-delays-china-tariff-hike-announces-xi-summit-citing-substantial-progress-in-trade-talks
- Trump puts off new China tariffs again, cites progress in talks with Xi – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-puts-new-china-tariffs-again-cites-progress-talks-xi-n975211
Best Regards
Gemini Shippers Group
Gemini Shippers Group had the opportunity to attend the 2018 SEMA Show this week. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Gemini joined thousands of companies dedicated to the specialty automotive industry. A great opportunity to meet with our automotive members and meet new ones.
www.semashow.com
#SEMA2018
Gemini today joins over 100,000 at #AAPEX18. Come listen to our partners at HCS International and the JOC speak and discuss how ocean contracting impacts the bottom line in the automotive parts industry. AAPEX represents the $395 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket. More than 106,000 professionals from around the globe participate in Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas, Nevada. AAPEX Show – Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
We are excited to meet our many auto parts members and to share our insights on contracting with many more!
