Annual Review and Outlook

The Federal Maritime Commission’s new rules on NVOCC Negotiated Rate Arrangements, which will become effective on April 18, establish a new pricing option for licensed NVOCCs that is sure to be

Employment trends in the transportation industry today are a mixed bag.

[Editorial note: image removed/no longer available] You’re in the middle of an interview and realize all is not going well. “I’m not getting this job,” you think. “But who cares? It wasn’t such a good job anyway. The hiring manager’s a jerk, the office is too far away and I’d probably get a low-ball offer. Who needs their lousy job?” OK, that’s the left side (devil!) in you talking. The right side (angel) is saying, “Was it something I said or did? Should I have answered questions with more or less detail? Was I paying attention?” The problem is, you may never know, because feedback is a rare commodity. There are, however, at least 10 things you can do to avoid a self-imposed disaster. 1. Negative Talk Means You’ll Walk. The minute you complain about a former employer or boss, you have sealed your fate. It’s back to the unemployment line. 2. Money Talks. Yeah, like the loudmouth in the movie theater. Never bring up money first. 3. Me, Me, Me. Interview from the prospective employer’s perspective, not yours. Talk about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. 4. Underdressed. This is not a beach visit. This is a dress rehearsal for your future. Dress for success — yes, that typically means business attire no matter what the position! 5. Talk Too Much/Not Listening. Keep your answers short and on point. Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal feedback or you’ll be answering questions at the state unemployment office. 6. Eye Contact. It’s uncomfortable, maybe, but there’s great strength in this human interaction. Show no fear! 7. Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Lose. Always keep it professional, even if the interviewer doesn’t — no foul language, smoking, burping or chewing gum! 8. Unprepared. Like the Boy Scout motto, always come prepared. Do the company/interviewer research before the interview! 9. Exaggerating on Your Resume. Don’t get caught exaggerating. Make clear the difference between areas of expertise and areas where you only have some knowledge — or risk your credibility. 10. Late Fate. Don’t be late unless you call ahead or you might as well not show up at all — better head back to the unemployment office. The coffee is usually good. Linda Lexo is a licensed Customs broker and executive recruiter at Tyler Search Consultants. She previously was director of brokerage global training for the Customs & Trade Compliance Division of UPS-SCS, and is a former manager in human resources, where she handled recruitment and work force planning. Contact her at llexo@tylersearch.com . Rick Miller is a licensed Customs broker and executive recruiter at Tyler Search Consultants who previously ran the trade compliance programs for Electrolux, Springs Window Fashions and Recoton. He also worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Contact him at rmiller@tylersearch.com .

2011 will be a time to adapt to the new normal. Companies will hesitate to add capital and staff infrastructure and will get by with what they have.

With the 2000s behind us, we are in a new era in terms of our economy and our national security. We have to look outside U.S.

Tough times call for tough decisions, and the turbulent seas of the past two years forced companies to take a hard look at their businesses and make course corrections.

The juggling act between supply chain security and trade facilitation, coupled with today’s economic reality, will evolve in 2011. U.S.

The global economy and U.S. domestic politics will be the keys to understanding and predicting the dynamics of the maritime industry this year.

In 2009, during the peak of the recession, West Coast volumes were down more than 20 percent – and many were concerned about the long-term prospects of the maritime industry.

Just as we saw in 2010, we fully expect 2011 to pose challenges and opportunities for the retail industry. Our hope is for the U.S.

This year will see the beginning of the replacement of retiring baby boomers, a process that will impact logistics and freight transportation companies for 15 years. Over that time, U.S.

In 2011, we expect to see a slow rebound in freight volumes through the port system, although certain flows and systemic changes are irreversible.

As we gradually recover from the economic crisis, globalization of trade will continue to expand – fueled by the ever-changing dynamics of production locations, mixed with the vibrant economics

Among the changes coming this year, there’s one I’d like to see above all others: sustainable funding and support at the federal level for U.S. commercial seaports.

The biggest challenge facing the U.S. maritime industry in 2011 will be to ensure the nearly 100 new members of Congress fully appreciate and understand the importance of the U.S.

The ongoing economic recovery and freight railroads’ ability to reinvest in infrastructure this year will depend on a stable regulatory environment as well as ongoing innovation and efficiency g

With the October revelation of a string of parcel bombs originating from Yemen and Greece and sent on cargo jets, various pundits are focused on cargo security and the threat of terrorists’ use

The coming year may mercifully see the end of what has become an interminable debate over the need for reform of the U.S. regulatory regime governing liner operators.

Product sourcing has evolved from simply finding the best value or shortest lead time.

Traditionally, most third-party logistics companies have focused on creating value for customers by taking over their transportation and warehousing operations, and through economies of scale, systems

Ancient oriental philosophy told us anything that went to extremes would reverse. Container lines’ unexpected recovery in 2010 after a disastrous 2009 is a good example.

Before we look at what truckload capacity might look like in 2011, we need to revisit what has affected the industry to date.

The Comprehensive Safety Analysis of 2010 will have a positive effect on the trucking industry by reducing collisions and fatalities.

One of the most remarkable things about 2011 is that we can’t forecast anything remarkable.

Amid the public buzz surrounding the change in the way ocean carriers operate their chassis fleets in North America, another less publicized but arguably equally significant transition has been taking

A year ago in this space, I mentioned the economic situation of the past few years was a healthy catalyst to rein in some of inefficiencies of large-scale information technology projects.

As analysts of freight trends, we expect 2011 to look somewhat uneventful after the extreme trough for freight-related demand and pricing in late 2008 and 2009, followed by a strong cyclical recovery

A major issue facing the public port industry this year is whether the federal government will move ahead with the important pieces of legislation necessary for us to meet President Obama’s goal

We ended 2010 with the fear that continued weakness in the tanker and dry bulk markets might lead to a rapid series of foreclosures and bankruptcies.

Although several logistics and transportation providers were fortunate enough to celebrate growth trends in 2010 and are reporting positive financial forecasts for 2011, conservative and cautious busi

It’s been a roller-coaster ride for container carriers the past two years, especially those serving the Trans Pacific eastbound trade lane.

Incoterms 2010, the long-awaited revision of the International Chamber of Commerce’s shipping and delivery rules, were formally released Sept. 17.

As we transition from recession to recovery, many companies are shifting from a singular focus on efficiency to a more balanced approach that prepares for accelerating growth, while still preserving t

Transportation leaders face myriad commercial, economic and political challenges. Our task is to figure out which are most important to manage so to enable our organizations and industry to thrive.

Insurance and reinsurance companies are concerned about evolving regulations.

With all the leaps and bounds in technology software, it’s easy to forget the iPhone was only launched in 2007.

As we enter 2011, the container and chassis leasing industry finds itself well positioned to meet equipment lease demands as the world economy stabilizes and grows.

2010 was a good year for carriers, and a much-needed one for the liner industry.

In 2011, we need to put the growth back into our businesses while remembering the painful lessons learned over the past few years.

In 2011, the trans-Pacific trade will remain the dominant market in the U.S.