The Air & Sea Magazine from Gebrüder Weiss 03/07

orange globe – editorial
Between 1948 and 2004 global
trade increased by 27 times, while
the production of goods only
increased by about 8 times within
the same period.
Global commerce has been experiencing double-digit
growth since China joined the WTO. Such rapid growth
would not have been possible without having specific
regulations in place that are valid beyond national borders.
With the Incoterms, the International Chamber of
Commerce created a benchmark for the international
movement of goods. In addition to providing these terms,
the organisation also helps to regulate and ensure
con sistency in the processing of documentary credits,
which act as a guarantor for maximum payment security
in foreign trade. Read pages 6 and 7 to learn more about
the types of obstacles that can present them selves in
day-to-day business in connection with commercial terms
and letters of credit. Find out how our staff can assist
you in overcoming these or avoiding them all together.
After the Weiss-Röhlig joint venture had success fully
established itself on the US market, the time was right to
cross the national border to the north. We have dedicated
this edition of orange globe to Canada, the land of two
million lakes.
It all began two years ago with an office in Toronto. In the
meantime, a second one has now been recently opened
in Montreal. With the provinces of Ontario and Quebec
producing nearly two thirds of Canada’s GDP, we have
an excellent strategic position with a third branch in
Vancouver to follow in the medium term.
I am convinced that Canada will play an increasingly
important role within Weiss-Röhlig’s global network. And
not just in international transport, but more and more as a
skilled pro-vider of tailor-made logistics solutions as well.
Neither Christmas nor New Year’s is celebrated the
same way in all cultures. However, as the year comes to
a close, I would like to use the coming holidays as an
opportunity to thank you, on behalf of all of our Air & Sea
staff around the globe, for the trust you have given us
throughout the year. I wish you peaceful holidays and a
happy and successful New Year 2008!
Heinz Senger-Weiss,
Air & Sea Management Board
GW-Air GW Air & Sea–Contact
Sea–Kontakt
Gebrüder Weiss GmbH
Bundesstraße 110, A-6923 Lauterach
T +43.5574.696.207
F +43.5574.70928
air-sea@gw-world.com
www.gw-world.com
orange globe
forwarding abc’s
Country-specific surcharges
AMS Fee/ACI Fee This fee is generally imposed
for goods export into the USA, Canada and Mexico; it is also applied to airfreight
traffic to India. By means of the AMS (automated manifest system) or ACI (advance
customs information), shipment information is sent in advance electronically to the
customs authorities in the respective country.
Heavy Weight Surcharge If cargo volumes
in certain regions or countries are exceptionally high (as is currently the case in China),
shipping companies will pay closer attention to the weight of containers. A weightdependent
surcharge is imposed for heavy loads, which considerably limit the
number of containers ships can carry.
Peak Season Surcharge
Shipping companies impose a surcharge in certain regions when the load volume
increases due to seasonal peaks.
War Risk Surcharge This risk surcharge is applied
to sea freight shipments into war zones or countries with war-like conditions.
A Critical View
Radically Changing Industry
Michael Büchele, Regional
Management Central, talks
about administrative and
operational expenditures that
require increasing amounts of
resources and foresees greater
challenges in the future.
Load – transport – unload. Transporting goods hasn’t
been that simple for a long time. The customer’s requirements
are becoming more and more complex. Total
logistics solutions are in demand. At the same time, the
prevailing conditions in freight traffic are subject to
constant, and at times, sweeping change. Tougher laws,
tightened regulations and new statutes bring about
greater organisational expenditure. The term “security”
has been given a whole new meaning for air traffic in
particular. Rigorous security regulations were introduced
in the aftermath of September 11. Under these provisions,
“regulated agents” such as Gebrüder Weiss became
obligated to adhere to a number of measures affecting
both operative and administrative aspects of airfreight
handling. Among these was the naming of security agents
and the training of employees in the new regulations.
Increased safety standards had to be applied in warehouse
facilities in order to rule out any possible manipu-
lation. Declarations must be obtained from customers so
as to declare them as “known shippers”.
Meanwhile, the surcharge jungle in sea freight is
growing even thicker. From the new low sulphur surcharge
based on the amount of sulphur in a ship’s fuel, to the
peak season, congestion, demurrage and heavy weight
surcharges often applied to shipments to and from China
– and these are just a few of the surcharges imposed by
shipping companies.
Part of our responsibility is also having up-to-date information
on country-specific regulations. For example, the
maximum allowable weight for containers transported on
the road varies from country to country. Likewise, import
regulations for wood packaging vary throughout the world.
What’s more, they are constantly changing. And,
especially with regard to ecology and safety, we will
be facing even greater challenges in the future.