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The high cost of truck cargo theft
Truck cargo theft is costing the Canadian economy about $5 billion per year. Most at risk are high value loads of commodities such as food and beverages, clothing, shoes, home and garden supplies, electronics and auto parts. Nuts, in particular, are targeted because of their high value and minimal security.
Cargo theft is on the rise because thieves see it as a low-risk crime with a high reward and full truckload thefts are particularly prevalent. Almost 90% of all large-scale cargo thefts happen in unsecured parking areas. The next most popular targets are warehouse/distribution locations.
In the U.S., California ranked as the top state for cargo theft with 21% of total thefts, followed by Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Georgia.
With increased collaboration and communication between trucking companies, insurance providers and law enforcement, it is hoped that this cooperation will help create more awareness around the risks of cargo theft.
For more information, contact William Sanchez, Manager – Truck Services.
Sixty years of container shipping
It has been sixty years since the first cargo shipment was loaded into a container and shipped across the ocean. The inventor was Malcolm McLean, a trucking business owner, who created the container by adapting a truck tanker. Within a few years, container shipping was offered by two major shipping companies: Sea-Land and Overseas Container Lines.
Container shipping made cargo shipping faster and more economical by allowing the standardization of port handling and reducing the time required to move freight. Container use continues to increase year over year and is expected to exceed 180 million TEU this year.
For more information, contact David Lychek, Manager – Ocean & Air Services.
Mutual endorsement of food safety systems
Canada and the U.S. have formally endorsed each other’s food safety systems by agreeing that each country offers a similar level of protection. The agreement benefits both signees by allowing them to place a higher priority on inspection of foods from countries with less stringent food safety standards.
Importers in both countries will benefit as well because they will know that a product approved in one country will likely be approved in the other. Imports into Canada must continue to meet Canadian requirements, and imports into the U.S. must continue to meet all applicable U.S. requirements.
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, General Manager – Customs Consulting Services.
World’s longest tunnel opens in Switzerland
With the recent opening of the record-breaking Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, there will be a major shift in European cargo shipping from truck to rail. Cutting through the Alps, the tunnel will reduce transit times on one of Euorpe’s busiest transport corridors, connecting the northern European ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam to southern Europe.
The 57-kilometre tunnel is the world’s longest, eclipsing Japan’s 33.4 mile Seikan tunnel. It will be able to handle up to 260 freight trains a day, travelling at a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour across two single tracks. The project cost $12.3 billion and took 17 years to complete.
Providing a "ray of hope" for victims of recent
earthquake in Ecuador
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Victims of the Ecuador earthquake receive much needed amenities from Oswaldo Arteaga (center, red shirt), a Universal Logistics employee and native of Ecuador.
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Oswaldo Arteaga, our Office Manager – Toronto Airport and a native of Ecuador, rushed home after an earthquake devastated his homeland on April 16. More than 500 people lost their lives, including Oswaldo’s aunt and her husband, who perished when their house collapsed.
Oswaldo, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, helped out by distributing food, water and other amenities to those who needed immediate aid. He said it was "a great honour to help the many souls that were in desperate need of personal aid."
Oswaldo also thanked the employees of Universal Logistics for making financial donations that allowed him to go far beyond what he initially hoped to achieve. "My relatives back home and my immediate family here in Canada will forever hold immense gratitude toward the entire Universal team," he said.
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A high point in the city provides this view.
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What container port is closest to North America’s industrial heartland?
Hint: It is not New York. See if you can name it after looking over the following clues.
- In 2015, this port handled a record 32 million tonnes of cargo, a 5.2% increase versus the previous year
- The closest international container port to North America’s industrial heartland.
- Directly connected to two Class 1 North American railway companies, with daily departures to Toronto, Chicago and Detroit
- Recognized as North America’s number one host city for international events
- Organized ice hockey, as we know it today, has its true origins in this city
- John Lennon wrote the song “Give Peace of Chance" in this city while holding a “bed-in”
- Highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada and second in North America (after NewYork)
- The main park in this city was designed by the same person who designed New York’s CentralPark
 Click here to see the answer
For more information about freight to/from this city, contact Debbie McGuire, Manager – FreightSolutions.
Show compliance with wood packaging regulations
Making your compliance with wood packaging regulations highly visible on all documentation reduces your chances of being inspected, especially now that enforcement is becoming increasingly stringent.
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Daniela Barron –
Customs Operations |
At Your Service: Daniela Barron – Customs Operations
Daniela joined Universal’s Head Office Customs Operations team in 2013, processing courier low value shipments. She added high value truck shipment clearances to her list of responsibilities in2014.
Later in 2014, Daniela was promoted to her current position, handling LCL and FCL ocean clearances. She completed the Certified Customs Specialist course (CCS) in 2014.
Daniela can be reached by phone (905) 882-4880 or byemail.
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