Total freight volume down in April but up 0.4% in 2020 overall

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ALEX STEWART INTERNATIONAL would like to update our Customers that we are continuing to provide Internationally recognized services in these difficult times, for both Cargo Supervision, Inspections and Analysis.

We are fortunate to be able operate without significant interruption in most Countries and we are well positioned to advise, help and coordinate on behalf of any Companies and Clients that are looking to get their business restarted and ease out of lock down by letting us take care of the Inspection, Weighing and Sampling of your cargoes and shipments whilst the Metals and Mining Industry comes to terms with its new circumstances and repositions itself in the Global Economy.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any Inspection, Weighing, Sampling and Analysis enquiry, our laboratories and Customer Services are fully operational and we are working to deliver your reports in a timely fashion. You can rest assured that we will do everything possible to take good care of all your requirements. Inspection Operations are working safely and mainly at normal service levels, our Inspections Teams are able to co-ordinate any new nominations as we all look positively to the future and head towards a return to a more familiar business and trading environment.  We remain contingent with all Alex Stewart International Offices in communication with Mining Sector, Governmental, Regional and Local Authorities to monitor and advise on new developments at all Global Ports, Warehouses and Refineries in Countries wherever you may need representation.

For any new inspection or analysis business enquiries, please contact our Country Managers, all of our key people will be pleased to help and support your needs as and when you head Back to Business…

We sincerely appreciate all the continued support that we have been receiving in these challenging times, and we, in turn, will continue to work as hard as we possibly can to provide you with first class inspection and analysis services.

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Magdragon II is a floating transfer station – operating close to Cape Preston in the Pilbara Region of West-Australia – with two 3000B series E-Cranes designed to unload magnetite from ocean going barges into hoppers, which feed a conveyor system and ship loader. The transfer station mainly loads Mini Cape vessels destined for China. Magdragon II handled close to 1.5 million tons of magnetite iron ore in March 2020. E-Crane would like to congratulate all at Citic Pacific Mining with this record throughout, especially considering the challenging working conditions during this Covid-19 pandemic.

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Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. announced updates on the status of all main production bases on 6 April 2020.

If you have not already viewed the press release from HCM communicating this news, please see this below for your information.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. today announced the current status of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group’s main production bases due to the spread of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The spread of COVID-19 has affected Hitachi Construction Machinery Group’s production activities globally. Especially, the prolonged tightening of restrictions by governments in each countries and regions, such as bans on going outside, has made it difficult to continue production activities as usual.

Under these circumstances, the impact on people’s lives around the world has been affected. The entire Hitachi Construction Machinery Group will cooperate in order to successfully implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to resolve the confusion as soon as possible.

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The Port of South Louisiana supports the interim Covid-19 directives for vessels from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and United States Coast Guard (USCG); that non-passenger commercial vessels, with no sick crewmembers, will be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations, with restrictions. Crewmembers on these vessels will be required under COTP authority to remain aboard the vessel except to conduct specific activities directly related to vessel cargo or provisioning operations.

Vessels shall continue to receive provisions and supplies through their agents via supply boats and placed on board by crane.

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On April 5^th, seaports of the Americas will commemorate Western Hemisphere Ports Day for the fifth consecutive year. Typically slated to recognize the maritime industry’s role in job creation and economic prosperity, this year’s event will focus on the role of ports in the current COVID-19 global pandemic response and recovery.

The 2020 event recognizes the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of the port industry workforce in their collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus while ensuring a steady flow of vital goods and services. In the U.S., more than 652,000 maritime-industry professionals work every day to ensure that cargo and cruise and ferry travelers move efficiently through the nation’s ports. By passenger and crew screenings, vessel quarantines and other measures, seaports are committed to ‘flattening the curve,’ both domestically and among our critical trading partners around the world.

Led by the American Association of Port Authorities –and united in our common goal of keeping the supply chain up and running throughout the hemisphere– the Port of South Louisiana is proud to join hundreds of ports in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, to highlight the value of seaports.

Like ports worldwide, we have an ongoing commitment to remind our community and its leaders about the important role we play in the River Region and as a vital link to the global economy.

The importance of ports in our region is well documented.  According to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere seaports in 2018 totaled nearly 4.2 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.7 trillion in value. Seaports in Central and South America handled 1.86 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.17 trillion, while North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.53 trillion. Regionally, the Port of South Louisiana handled 274.9 million metric tons (303.1 million short tons) valued at over US$69 billion.

However, the economic worth of all this cargo in terms of jobs and business activity is much greater than its market value. According to Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pa., in the U.S. alone, port activity generates 31 million American jobs and accounts for over one quarter of the nation’s economy. Locally, 30,180 jobs in the River Region is related to the Port of South Louisiana; that is 1 out of 25 jobs in the state of Louisiana.

Ports also play a critical role in providing goods that impact our everyday lives. Millions of tons of food, clothing, medicine, fuel and building materials, as well as consumer electronics and toys, valued at more than US$10 billion, move through Western Hemisphere seaports every day.

As families, businesses, and communities begin to recover from the pandemic we’re all facing, AAPA-member ports are ready to deliver the products you need and want, keep your shopping cart filled, and take whatever actions are needed to support a strong and stable economy.

So, please take a moment to consider the role ports play in your life, your community and the economy, then use the hashtags #SeaportsDeliver and #SeaportsUnited to post your thoughts about ports on social media.

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2020 event recognizes value of Western Hemisphere seaports to COVID-19 response and recovery, supply chain continuity and long-term economic stability.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) –the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas– and its entire hemispheric membership, including the Port of South Louisiana, will commemorate Western Hemisphere Ports Day on April 5 again this year. The annual event recognizes the port industry’s role in efficient goods movement, job creation and propelling the economy in nations they serve across the Americas.

This year’s Ports Day theme, On The Front Lines, focuses on the current COVID-19 global pandemic response and recovery. It’s a recognition of the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of the port industry workforce in their collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus while ensuring a steady flow of vital goods and services.

“We appreciate that AAPA is taking the time to pause and recognize this cause,” said Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin. “It is important to take notice of the marine industry and all those who are working on the front lines during these trying times to keep our communities sustained. Our prayers are with all of them and we appreciate their service immensely.”

In the U.S. alone, more than 652,000 maritime-industry professionals work every day to ensure that cargo and cruise and ferry travelers move efficiently through the nation’s ports. Through passenger and crew screenings, vessel quarantines and other measures, seaports are committed to ‘flattening the curve,’ both domestically and among their country’s critical trade partners around the world.

“In this time of uncertainty and fear about what to expect next, port workers and their logistics partners are laboring around the clock to keep vital consumer goods, medical supplies, energy and raw materials moving,” said Chris Connor, AAPA president and CEO. “While taking all necessary precautions against spreading the virus themselves, our maritime workforce continues to deliver vital goods and services, ship exports, and connect farmers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers to the global marketplace.”

Mr. Connor added, “As families, businesses and communities begin to recover from the crisis we’re all facing, our member ports are ready to deliver the products you need and want, keep your shopping cart filled, and take whatever actions are needed to support a strong, stable economy.”

Seaports throughout the hemisphere are honoring the occasion in different ways … from calling out individual port employees for their selfless efforts during the COVID-19 crisis and creating ‘Ports Day’ t-shirts for staff to wear, to posting messages on social media of their crisis response efforts and various  contributions to their communities.

According to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting (previously known as IHS World Trade Service), combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere seaports in 2018 totaled nearly 4.2 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.7 trillion in value. Of that combined total, seaports in Central and South America handled 1.86 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.17 trillion, while North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.53 trillion.

Within North America, U.S. seaports handled 1.01 billion metric tons of international trade valued at US$1.95 trillion, while Canada’s seaports handled 380.53 million metric tons of goods valued at US$266.67 billion, and Mexico’s seaports handled 352.53 million metric tons of cargo valued at US$312.91 billion. Regionally, the Port of South Louisiana handled 274.9 million metric tons (303.1 million short tons) valued at over US$69 billion.

“It doesn’t matter if you live near a seaport or in the middle of the country,” stressed Mr. Connor, “the products you depend on and goods your nation exports primarily move through ports. Quite simply, ports are an indispensable aspect of our lives and livelihoods.

“We encourage you to take a moment to think about the role ports play in your life, your community and the economy, then use the hashtags #SeaportsDeliver and #SeaportsUnited to post your thoughts about ports on social media.”

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