Industry Insights

  Beginning April 1, 2017, liner-wide consolidation has entered its third generation with three new alliances: the Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance, and 2M Alliance. The first vessel-sharing consolidation of ocean carrier vessels took place back in the 1980s and 1990s and then again in 2011. The goal of these alliances is for carriers to pool their resources together to address overcapacity and underutilization of their vessels and save money. The carrier runs under their name, with their name also on the Ocean Bill of Lading, however the vessel carrying the cargo is not theirs. They are in essence sharing vessel […]

The May 31st renewal deadline for the new Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Ocean Transportation Intermediary licensing program is fast approaching. As you probably know, on November 4, 2015, the FMC issued a Final Rule involving various aspects of its regulations affecting Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTIs). As a result, OTIs are now required to renew their license every three (3) years. Many of you have questions regarding this new policy, so we put together some answers to some commonly asked questions. Q: How do you complete the renewal? A: All license renewals must be completed online via the FMC’s portal. Q: […]

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc. and the FCBF HOF Scholarship Foundation have selected Roanoke’s Iliana Alvarez to be inducted into the FCBF Hall of Fame. Those that receive this honor must meet criteria set by association including the number of established years in the industry, commitment to the continued advancement of the trade and logistics business and an overall clean and clear reputation and operating record. Iliana’s accomplishments will be recognized at the FCBF 58th Annual Installation Gala Celebration on April 29, 2017 at the Doubletree Miami Mart Airport Hotel. […]

    There are several disruptive areas set to impact the future of the logistics industry, according to a report released by consulting company PwC called Shifting Patterns: The Future of the Logistics Industry. Evolving customer expectations, technology breakthroughs, new entrants into the industry, and new ways to compete and collaborate are reshaping the industry.  Following is an overview of what’s happening, according to the report, as well as what’s to come: Changing Customer Expectations: Individuals and businesses are demanding that goods be delivered faster and at lower costs while also expecting greater flexibility. For example, the manufacturing sector faces […]

As a leading provider of insurance solutions for freight forwards, customs brokers and other logistics service providers, one of the key components in helping our clients mitigate and prevent losses is through the implementation of strong risk management strategies, practices, and tools. To this end, Roanoke Trade has developed a complimentary Risk Management Webinar Series for 2017 to help clients enhance their awareness of potential risks in day-to-day operations and provide solutions to help manage these risks. Our first webinar, “The ABCs of Ts and Cs: An Overview of Terms and Conditions,” took place last month on February 1, and […]

As a logistics service provider, you’re contracting with truckers to move your client’s goods and depending on reputable carriers to get your cargo to its final destination intact. You also depend on your carriers to take the measures necessary to prevent loss and minimize risk to the cargo, including from cyber threats. But the reality is that cargo theft continues to be costly for the industry, with estimated losses between $15 billion to $30 billion a year, according to the FBI. Cargo theft includes misdirected loads, identity theft, straight theft, fictitious pickups, broker scams, use of legitimate companies unbeknownst to […]