Shipping Challenges, Show Appointments & Looking Back At 25 Years

IN THIS ISSUE:

25 Years Strong

Shipping Challenges

To Start 2021

Show Appointments

Company News

Phoenix Projects

Giving Back To Lacawac

RECENT SHOW APPOINTMENTS

These shows recently appointed PIBL as official freight forwarder and U.S. Customs Broker:

Glassbuild America 2021 September 13-15, 2021 in Atlanta, GA

The largest glass, window, and door trade show in North America

International Converting Exhibition and Conference (ICEC)

October 19-21, 2021 in Orlando, FL

Leading exhibition for paper, film and foil converting held every two years

Salon du Chocolat New York November 20-21, 2021 in New York, NY

(reappointed under new show management) Connects U.S. and international exhibitors and the chocolate-loving public at Pier 36

OTHER SHOWS PRESENTLY SCHEDULED

Due to Covid-19, these dates may change, so please check show sites for updates. Exhibitors may contact PIBL for shipping estimates at this time.

Coverings July 7-9, 2021 in Orlando, FL

HD Expo Aug 24-25, 2021 Las Vegas, NV

SFA Summer Fancy Food Show September 27-29, 2021 New York, NY (NEW DATES)

For a complete list of the shows that PIBL serves as official freight forwarder and U.S. Customs broker, please email: [email protected]

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Phil Hobson, President of PIBL, was recently appointed to a three-year term as a member of the Board of Governors of the NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association, Inc. NY/NJ FFF & BA was founded in 1917 and is considered one of the oldest transportation-related organizations in the U.S. It serves as the voice of the freight forwarding, Customs brokerage and Ocean Transportation Intermediaries communities in policy and regulation decision making.

As a member of the organization’s Import Committee, Phil meets quarterly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Phil also continues his leadership as a founding member of The Safe Food Network for Trade Shows and Retail Supply Chains and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events – New York Area Chapter where he is Vice Chair of the Finance Committee (and previously led the chapter as Chairman).

COMMUNITY

Giving Back to

Biological Field Stations

We’re living through one of the most isolating periods of the past century. This year, as we quarantined or observed stay-at-home orders, we were reminded about just how joyful it is to be outdoors. Many of us reconnected with the glorious abundance of nature in our own towns, or in canyons, parks, and shores elsewhere.

PIBL supports efforts to protect our country’s natural resources, and among them, the Lacawac Sanctuary in the Northern Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Lacawac Sanctuary preserves the natural beauty of Lake Lacawac, its watershed and surrounding lands, and conducts long-term research on natural systems. Lake Lacawac, a 52-acre pristine lake designated a National Natural Landmark, is regarded as the southernmost unpolluted glacial lake in the U.S.

The Sanctuary is a biological field station, a 550-acre living laboratory, that not only aids field scientists and university students who at times reside there while researching, but also provides experiential learning opportunities for students of all ages. Its programs educate environmental stewards by communicating the core values of environmental responsibility, citizenship, inclusiveness, and pursuit of knowledge. There are about 400 biological field stations in the U.S. and 1,200 worldwide - informal learning institutions that are under-recognized for their value to communities.

Phil Hobson, a Trustee of Lacawac Sanctuary, expresses, “The Sanctuary has a long and vital history as a resource for research scientists and conservationists, as a refuge for wildlife, and as a cherished place where we enjoy experiences with nature. We hope you’ll join us in supporting and protecting our environment which brings us much-needed tranquility and exploration now and for the generations that follow.”

Learn More About Lacawac at lacawac.org

Visit a Biological Field Station near you at obfs.org

25 YEARS STRONG

In an age where we measure time in nanoseconds, 25 years is a long run. In 1995 I launched Phoenix International Business Logistics in Port Newark, next to the U.S. Customs headquarters in New Jersey and the Elizabeth Marine Terminal, the principal container ship facility in the New York metro area. As the world’s first container port in 1962, it led to Elizabeth becoming known as America’s Container Capital. The Port, the largest in the eastern U.S. and third largest in the nation, experienced record-breaking volume in 2020.

We’ve Helped Terrorism, Chemical & Biohazard Initiatives

Over the years, the world of general cargo and trade show logistics has transformed into a higher-tech, highly governed industry where we, as Customs Brokers and freight forwarders, share in helping to combat terrorism through secure supply chains, protecting our country from chemical hazards caused by emissions from certain cargo, and being among the gatekeepers ensuring safe food entry.

Global Shipments for Governments, Corporations, Collectors, Luminaries

During these past 25 years, PIBL’s been entrusted with so many important shipments around the globe. Last year, when the pandemic began plaguing American cities, we secured and shipped life-saving PPE for states and health care facilities. We’ve transported wind turbines and bridges for governments, fire-fighting equipment, solar homes for competitions, and the glass panels that adorn iconic buildings. And among those things precious to connoisseurs everywhere, we’ve moved vintage autos, collectible stamps, Star Wars movie props, and major works of art for princes, celebrities, and financiers, including handling and installing sculptures on the rooftop terrace of a penthouse near Central Park.

Leadership in International Trade Show Logistics – Appointed to Hundreds of Shows

Through our work as appointed Freight Forwarder and U.S. Customs broker for hundreds of trade shows, we’ve supported show management and their international exhibitors whose products are introduced through these events and eventually appear on our store shelves and digital marketplace. Whether it’s yoga mats, textiles, or gourmet delicacies, we’ve managed those shipments to shows near and far, working in concert with our network of international agents whose expertise we appreciate and whose diligence we commend. And despite the cancellations and virtual transitions of many shows throughout 2020 and the first half of 2021, we anticipate the renewed energy and economic contribution that our nations’ trade shows will provide when they resume later this year. As vaccinations escalate, travel expands, and production increases, we look forward to companies once again sending their teams to shows.

Through Natural and Manmade Disasters, PIBL’s Commitment Remains Unwavering

Through the 9/11 attacks, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wars, blackouts, and now the devastating pandemic, our company has navigated these and other disruptions when they’ve emerged, and where travel and trade shows came to a halt. As our 25th year ends, I pledge to continue our company’s commitment to supporting exhibitors, companies and individuals with the determination that’s been a foundational value for PIBL. Our company’s never backed away from a complicated issue involving an exhibitor’s shipment to a show – rather, our instinct is always to tackle those challenges with even more effort and zeal to seal a positive outcome.

I hope you’ll reach out to me to reconnect or to discuss what’s new with your business. To our customers, agents, partners, and employees, I extend a most heartfelt thank you for helping to make PIBL 25 years strong.

Phil Hobson

PIBL shipped Virginia Tech's Lumenhaus, a solar-powered house that won the Solar Decathlon Europe competition

SHIPPING CHALLENGES TO START 2021

Amid the coronavirus pandemic last year, the world experienced shattering shortfalls in cargo capacity. Air carriers curtailed flights. Ocean vessels experienced blank sailings, either skipping ports or suffering entire cancellations of sailings as crews were sickened or quarantined with Covid-19. PPE shipments were prioritized, and even then, were difficult to orchestrate with the limited cargo capacity.

Challenges prevail as we embark on 2021. The issues we face as freight forwarders have surged much as the pandemic rages on infecting our communities. Ports are congested with some reporting record import volume, delaying the unloading of vessels. Truckers and equipment are in short supply. The business landscape is altering as some major freight forwarding companies eliminate or significantly decrease their staffing dedicated to working on trade show logistics.

Here are some of the currents we’re seeing, and how they may affect shipments in the upcoming months and exhibits destined for trade shows occurring in the latter part of this year.

Infection Affects Busiest Ports

As dockworkers become infected with the Covid-19 virus, particularly at highly congested ports such as Los Angeles/Long Beach, concerns are rising that it may be necessary to close ports to protect workers. In a statement to health officials, U.S. Representatives Alan Lowenthal and Nanette Diaz Barragan wrote recently, “Without immediate action, terminals at the largest port complex in America may face the very real danger of terminal shutdowns. This would be disastrous for… the entire nation.” This health crisis is causing some shortages of skilled labor and comes at a time when dockworkers are moving cargo around the clock. The port is described as a parking lot of container ships waiting for berths at Los Angeles/Long Beach. The worker shortages are occurring as import volume has skyrocketed due to a historic cargo surge caused by the pandemic and the start of Chinese New Year in mid-February.

Port congestion issues affect many of the largest ports in the U.S. right now, but will ease as infection rates drop, and we emerge from the peak shipping period and Chinese New Year. However, the backlog will affect shipments for months ahead as ports work to regain normalcy.

Large Freight Forwarders Discontinue U.S. Trade Show Services – Specialized Players See Opportunities (Trade show transportation specialists like PIBL remain a reliable source serving the industry)

A few of the key players in the freight forwarding industry that had served international exhibitors, have reevaluated their business models and restructured their teams. Some have terminated trade-show related services, and others are drastically reducing the staff that handles their exhibition business. Given the cancellation of shows in 2020, these companies have decided to withdraw or minimize the economic effects on their business by reducing involvement with the trade show industry. However, companies like ours, with 25 years of expertise in trade show logistics, continue to offer a comprehensive array of services to show managers and exhibitors, and are well-positioned to assist with the resumption of live shows anticipated in the second half of 2021.

Exhibitors around the world, while still awaiting vaccine rollouts and government clearance to orchestrate fairs, are beginning to look at shows in the U.S. slated for summer and fall. While confirmation of scheduled shows remains fluid, given the health concerns, we’re seeing an uptick in inquiries from international exhibitors at some of the largest trade shows where securing space can be challenging.

Space and Equipment Shortages

Some of the most active shipping ports in the world are also experiencing shortages of both space on vessels and empty containers, for example, at many origin seaports in China. With consumer demand and Covid-19 spikes, we are seeing limited cargo availability on oceanic vessels, shortages of containers, and here in the U.S., some fees rising or new surcharges, such as railroad congestion fees.

At the current time, there are obstacles to shipping exhibits to trade shows between the lack of space and blank sailings, delays in transport, and port congestion, but PIBL believes this will improve considerably in the second quarter of 2021. Driver and chassis availability is also limited currently, making it harder to pull a container from the port and transport it to a holding yard for storage and then delivery to a convention center. An exhibitor shipping to the U.S. at this time would need to book space at least three weeks earlier than in previous years. However, we’ve found that U.S. Customs Clearance is working effectively and in a timely manner. PIBL hasn’t experienced any delays with the clearance process, and is confident that with the proper advanced planning, we can arrange shipping and clearance of a container from anywhere in the world to any venue in the U.S.

“It’s going to take a lot of coordination between the exhibitor, our overseas agent and PIBL,” according to Phil Hobson, “but we believe many of the issues causing port congestion and shortages will begin to fade as we move into the second quarter of this year and summer.”

PHOENIX FOCUS

Bringing Bridges & Windows to World Destinations Although coronavirus spread created obstacles to shipments around the world this past year, PIBL’s projects included some complex and fascinating deliveries for overseas governments and major buildings in the U.S.

BRIDGES FOR FIJI

The Fiji archipelago boasts 300 islands spread across about 1,000,000 square miles.

In 2020 PIBL transported the components of 10 reinforced steel bridges for the Fiji Roads Authority, sending these massive containers to Suva, the capital and chief port of Fiji, as well as the port in Lautoka. These containers required a recertification process as they had been in storage for a long period, which first involved an evaluation of their condition and subsequent repairs that were performed to ensure they were seaworthy. Nearly 900 packages weighing more than 650 tons were shipped by ocean freight after a process that took approximately six months to complete. Delays due to Covid-19 made the process more arduous, but the containers arrived in excellent condition and the bridges are currently under construction.

GLASS PANELS FOR THE JAVITS CENTER EXPANSION

The Javits Center Expansion will add 1.2 million square feet to the existing facility, which is one of New York City’s iconic buildings and its hub for events and exhibitions. For the last 20 years, PIBL has Customs cleared and transported structural glass systems for W & W Glass, LLC, the area’s largest architectural glass and metal contractor. Their complex, highly engineered curtain wall facade systems and custom all-glass enclosures can be found in many of the country’s most distinguished office buildings, museums, universities, and public spaces. As the construction is underway at the Javits expansion, with an expected opening date in 2021, PIBL has played an essential role in assisting W & W with the shipment of the Pilkington Planar^TM point-supported glass panels for the glass fin wall atrium, roof enclosure, and canopies from the United Kingdom, totaling approximately 35,550 square feet of energy-efficient glass. This transparent structural glass curtain wall area will create a new “window” to view the New York City skyline, while allowing connection with the public to see the busy convention center lobby and multi-story atrium. Using proprietary software that PIBL developed, the company managed the extensive logistics involved with this project which included the transport of 362 tons of glass cargo delivered to the Javits Center on flatbed trucks.