Gemini-News

Shanghai Fog Update

By | Gemini News, Industry News | No Comments

Members
As reported in the news, heavy fog which blanketed Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta area since March 27 has severely affected vessel schedules and  and operations at both Waigaoqiao & Yangshan terminals in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration implemented traffic control measures over the Yangtze River waterway and Shanghai port, and have advised that there are more than 1550 barges and ships delayed along the Yangtze River channel.

As a result of the berth congestion and temporary port closure caused by the dense fog, sailing schedules have been affected, with vessel arrivals and departures occurring off schedule.  We have received reports of delays of up to:

Waigaoqiao terminal     3 to 7 days
Yangshan terminal        2 to 3 days

The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration has advised that it may take two to three weeks for operations to return to normal in Shanghai.

We will update members as we get specific service updates, but please plan your shipping windows with these delays in mind.

Best Regards
Gemini Shippers Group

Gemini Shippers Group joins 100 association in letter on tariffs

By | Gemini News, Washington Newsline | No Comments

Gemini Shippers Group joined 1oo trade association in a letter to leaders of the House and Ways Committee writing to express  concern on the potential impact of the Administration’s decision to use tariffs to address China’s unfair trade practices and its trade and investment relationship with the United States.

You can read a copy of the letter here.

Last night the Wall Street Journal provided coverage of the letter in an article outlining some of the issues. You can refer to the letter below

 

More Than 100 Trade Groups Oppose China Tariff Plans

Business coalition’s latest lobbying effort is a letter addressed to House Ways and Means Committee

By Bob Davis

April 11, 2018 7:02 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—The business coalition opposing White House plans to levy tariffs against Chinese goods has doubled to 107 trade groups, ranging from such Washington, D.C. heavyweights as the National Retail Federation and the Security Industry Association to such smaller local groups as the San Diego Customs Brokers Association.

The group’s latest lobbying effort is a letter addressed to the chairman and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee warning that “the impact of a trade war and tariffs would be felt by businesses, workers, farmers, consumers throughout the U.S. and across industry sectors.”

 

The group wants the Trump administration to drop its plans to levy tariffs on as much as $150 billion of imports from China to force Beijing to end what the administration alleges are violations of U.S. intellectual property rights. Instead, the group urged the U.S. to lead an international coalition opposed to Chinese practices that would include “clearly defined objectives, deadlines and immediate negotiations with China.”

 

The administration has said tariffs are necessary to get China to make meaningful change, but it hasn’t publicly stated what actions Beijing could take for the U.S. to drop the tariff threat.

According to the letter, organized by the National Retail Federation, which hosts periodic meetings of the group, tariffs “will not effectively advance our shared goal” of changing objectionable Chinese practices, including forced technology transfers and improper government subsidies. Tariffs, the letter argues, are “hidden, regressive taxes that will be paid by U.S. businesses and consumers in the form of higher product prices.”

The coalition, which was put together about a month ago, has had some success. A mid-March letter from the coalition, then amounting to 45 trade groups, asked the administration not to use tariffs in what was then a brewing fight with China. The administration turned that down. But it did agree to the group’s request that it set up a period for industry to comment on proposed tariffs.

 

That comment period, on the first $50 billion of goods facing tariffs, ends May 22. The United States Trade Representative plans a second round of comments after it publishes “in the near future” a list of an additional $100 billion of Chinese goods that may be hit with tariffs, said a USTR official.

The administration had hoped that U.S. business would back its effort to get China to change its trade behavior. Instead, White House tactics have become the focus of business groups.

The coalition is becoming so broad that the few big groups that aren’t involved stand out. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which signed the first letter, didn’t sign this one. The National Association of Manufacturers didn’t sign either one. Both, though, have clearly opposed tariffs.

The Semiconductor Industry Association hasn’t been a part of either letter and has been milder in its criticism, saying in one statement that it hopes “to work with the administration to avoid tariffs.” The administration has said that it is trying to help defend the interests of semiconductor makers and other high-tech firms.

 

Gemini Shippers Group – Transpacific Ocean Contracting Outlook

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During the current cycle, beneficial cargo owners  and their carrier partners must deal with multiple factors in designing their contracts. These include the state of the global economy, projected market conditions, the supply-demand imbalance, potential carrier capacity issues, shipment seasonality, shifting manufacturing origins, and long-term carrier stability. Additionally, this year, the full impact of evolving carrier alliances hits the performance curve. Deliberations are further complicated by the perception among many shippers of a lack of collaboration and declining carrier performance.

The Ocean Contracting Outlook white paper is a primer for 2018, detailing best practices for contract design and negotiation, projected rate levels for the balance of the year, and BCO and carrier expectations and strategies for collaboration. These conclusions are based upon a series of interviews with industry thought leaders and the results of a recently completed survey conducted by JOC.com/IHS Markit and Gemini Shippers Group. The paper is sponsored by Gemini.

TP Whitepaper 

Letter to Congressional Leadership Urging the Advancement of an Infrastructure Investment Package

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Gemini Shippers Group joined fellow assocations in the Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) in l a joint letter urging Congressional leadership to develop and advance an infrastructure investment package that will improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of our nation’s infrastructure.

 

January 3, 2018

 

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate 
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives 
The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader
U.S. Senate 
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives 

 

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan and Minority Leaders Schumer and Pelosi:

 

We are a broad collection of associations and organizations working with all levels of government to address our nation’s infrastructure deficit. We encourage you to develop and advance an infrastructure investment package that will improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of our nation’s infrastructure.

 

Substantial and long-term investments in all kinds of infrastructure are needed to expand our economy, grow jobs and compete globally. We appreciate strong bipartisan support for various infrastructure initiatives over the years and hope that past momentum can sustain a more substantial commitment to meet the needs of our economy.

 

We believe that infrastructure must continue to be a leading priority of the 115th Congress and address the following goals:

 

  • Increases direct federal investments, in a broad range of infrastructure sectors over 10 years to achieve a $1 trillion investment,
  • Complements and strengthens existing tools, such as municipal bonds, that successfully deliver infrastructure investments at the federal, state and local levels,
  • Facilitates opportunities for private investment in U.S. infrastructure,
  • Creates efficiencies such as accelerating the federal permitting process,
  • Fixes chronic challenges and addresses reoccurring shortages in key federal infrastructure accounts such as the Highway Trust Fund, and;
  • Encourages active participation among all levels of government and between the public and private sectors without shifting federal responsibilities because no single partner can deliver a well-functioning, national U.S. infrastructure network driven by a long-term vision and funding stability.

 

Passing a comprehensive package that transforms U.S. infrastructure systems beyond the status quo is necessary to maintain U.S. economic competitiveness. We urge you to work across the aisle to develop a proposal that ensures U.S. infrastructure is second to none.

 

Sincerely,

 

Airports Council International – North America

American Apparel and Footwear Association

American Association of Port Authorities

American Association of State Highway and

Transportation Officials

American Bakers Association

American Coatings Association

American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute

American Composites Manufacturers

Association

American Concrete Pipe Association

American Council of Engineering Companies

American Farm Bureau Federation

American Forest & Paper Association

American Gas Association

American Highway Users Alliance

American Home Furnishings Alliance

American Institute of Architects

American Investment Council

American Iron and Steel Institute

American Petroleum Institute

American Planning Association

American Public Transportation Association

American Public Works Association (APWA)

American Road & Transportation Builders

Association

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Supply Association

American Traffic Safety Services Association

American Wind Energy Association

American Wire Producers Association

American Wood Council

AMT – The Association for Manufacturing

Technology

Associated Equipment Distributors

Associated General Contractors of America

Association for the Improvement of American

Infrastructure (AIAI)

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Association of Home Appliance

Manufacturers

Association of Metropolitan Planning

Organizations

Bakery Equipment Manufacturers & Allieds

Bond Dealers of America

Brick Industry Association

Building America’s Future

Coalition for America’s Gateways & Trade

Corridors

Common Good

Composite Panel Association

Construction Management Association of

America

Consumer Specialty Products Association

Copper & Brass Fabricators Council

Fabricators and Manufacturers Association,

International

Fashion Accessories Shippers Association

(FASA)

Gemini Shippers Association

Hydraulic Institute

INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven

Fabrics Industry

Industrial Minerals Association – North

America

Institute of Makers of Explosives

Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute

International Bottled Water Association

International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike

Association (IBTTA)

 

International Housewares Association

International Union of Operating Engineers

Irrigation Association

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

Laborers Int. Union of North America (LIUNA)

League of American Bicyclists

Metals Service Center Institute

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers

Association

MPIF

National Asphalt Pavement Association

National Association of Clean Water

Agencies (NACWA)

National Association of Counties

National Association of Manufacturers

National Association of Regional Councils

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers

National Corn Growers Association

National Electrical Contractors Association

National Grain and Feed Association

National Ground Water Association

National Hispanic Construction Association

National Industrial Sand Association

National League of Cities

National Lime Association

National Lumber and Building Material

Dealers Association

National Marine Manufacturers Association

National Oilseed Processors Association

National Precast Concrete Association

National Railroad Construction &

Maintenance Association (NRC)

National Retail Federation

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association

National Utility Contractors Association

National Waste & Recycling Association

National Wooden Pallet and Container

Association

Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society

North America’s Building Trades Unions

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association

Plastics Industry Association

Plastics Pipe Institute

Plumbing Manufacturers International

Portland Cement Association

Power Transmission Distributors Association

Rail Passengers Association

Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers

Association (REMSA)

Railway Supply Institute

Resilient Floor Covering Institute

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Security Industry Association

SIFMA

The Adhesive and Sealant Council

The Design-Build Institute of America

The Fertilizer Institute

The United States Conference of Mayors

Travel Goods Association (TGA)

Treated Wood Council

TRSA – The Linen, Uniform and Facility

Services Association

U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association

U.S. Travel Association

US Water Alliance

Vinyl Institute

Waterways Council, Inc.

 

 

 

CC: U.S. Senate
CC: U.S. House of Representatives

FASA/Gemini fights to protect NAFTA’s cross-border Mexican trucking provisions

By | Customs & Trade Updates, Gemini News, Washington Newsline | No Comments

Gemini Shippers Group joined with more than 100 trade associations in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer urging him to maintain NAFTA’s cross-border trucking provisions in any renegotiated agreement. The letter comes in response to reports that the Trump administration was considering new restrictions against Mexican long-haul truckers

Accessories Market Dates for 2018

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FASA, Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (formerly the National Fashion Accessories Association and the National Handbag Association) has been working with industry leaders to establish New York market dates for the accessory industry for more than 30 years.

We are pleased to announce the Accessories Market Dates for 2018

January 8-12, 2018
February 5-9, 2018
March 5-9, 2018
May 7-11, 2018
August 6-10, 2018
November 5-9, 2018

“FASA and key members of the industry will be holding meetings this fall to discuss if six markets are still working for the industry for 2019 and beyond” says Sara Mayes, President of Fashion Accessories Shippers Association. “For 2018, however, it’s still preferable to the retailers, manufacturers and trade show organizers that the industry sticks together for six markets throughout the year, with market dates held on the first full week of the months of February, March, May, August and November. January is the exception, pushed back to accommodate the new year,”

If you would like to contact us, please e-mail info@fasa.nyc.

Gemini Shippers Group – Member Site Maintenance Window

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Members,

On Sunday July 30th the Gemini Member Site will be brought down for planned maintenance upgrades from 10 AM till 12 Noon.

During this time, members will not be able to enter the password protected portions of the member site including; Rate Search, Track and Trace, Audit and the Analytics Dashboard.

Please plan accordingly and sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Please contact the Gemini Team with any questions

Thanks
Gemini Shippers Group IT Services

Gemini Shippers Group Annual Meeting Recap

By | Gemini News, Industry News, Public News | No Comments

On June 6th,  the association hosted our 30th annual members meeting. We were pleased that many of your were able to attend in person. This year we had a group of excellent speakers including:

• Mario O. Moreno, Senior Economist Global Trade, IHS Maritime & Trade
• Steven Rothberg, Partner, Mercator International
• Anthony B. Hatch, Principal, ABH Consulting
• Ronald A. Oleynik, Partner, Holland & Knight
• Patrick McGrath, Senior Vice President – Trade Management, Hapag Lloyd
• Hardy Pearson, Senior Vice-President – Area Midwest and Northeast, Hapag Lloyd
• Michael A. Khouri, Acting Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission
• John Driscoll, Director of Maritime, Port of Oakland
• Thomas Wyville, Regional Manager, Port of Savannah
• Jean JC Chartrand, Strategic Sales, DP World Vancouver / Prince Rupert
• Laura A. Otenti Partner Posternak Blankstein & Lund LLP.

We were especially pleased to be able to host the team from Hapag Lloyd including Chief Commercial Officer Thorsten Haeser and President of Americas Wolfgang Freese. The Gemini meeting was the first official event of the firm following its combination with UASC. Attendees also benefited from an address by Mr. Michael Khouri the Acting Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commision. This is the second year in a row that the top official from the Federal Maritime Commision has addressed our membership on the role of the federal government in ocean shipping regulation.

Members received a strong outline of the economic and policy infrastructure drivers affecting our industry with updates on trade economics, carrier alliances, intermodal and trade policy as well as a detailed look at port infrastructure on both the east and west coast by our ports panelMM

Following our meeting members were treated to a great rooftop cocktail party to socialize and network with fellow members and our speakers.

A number of our presenters have agreed to make their presentation available for members. Presentations can be found on the members page of the Gemini member site under General Association News.

Thanks to all who were able to make it. For those unable to do so, please see the presentations, and we hope to see you at the 2018 meeting

On behalf of the entire Gemini team, thanks as always for your support.

Sara Mayes
President and CEO