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GM Using FAST software from TradePoint

MARCH 29 -- In late 2002 the US-Canadian Free and Secure Trade (FAST) initiative was first implemented to expedite the movement of trucks through FAST lanes at commercial northern border crossings. General Motors, the world's #1 maker of cars and trucks, was among the initiative's groundbreaking participants. In December 2003 Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge announced that the FAST program was being extended to the US-Mexico border as well. General Motors was once again at the forefront expediting FAST shipments at the southern border using the FASTPoint software solution developed by TradePoint Systems.

Gilbert S. Duhn Jr., Customs Manager for General Motors Corporation (GM) made the following statement: "We are currently clearing over 7,000 shipments each week using this process in Detroit and Port Huron, Buffalo, and Laredo. The carriers for these types of loads would typically spend 2-4 hours at the border having their paperwork processed. With FAST there is no paper, only the electronic transaction data and the pre-approved account data. The cities of Windsor and Sarnia, Ontario have agreed to allow FAST trucks to utilize traffic lanes normally prohibited to truck traffic to move to the front of the line. This is accomplished utilizing a special placard placed in the window to the truck to identify it as FAST. Trucks without the placard will be ticketed. This gives carriers one more incentive to be on FAST. In Nuevo Laredo there is a special lane used for empty trucks and cabs only. FAST shipments can now use this lane to move to the front of the line.

The FAST software GM uses was developed by TradePoint Systems and has allowed GM's carriers to improve their productivity by providing electronic manifest data in advance to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Pre-approval by CBP of the shippers, carriers, importer, broker, consignees and tariff classification of the goods gives CBP advanced information for their enforcement responsibilities. We can clear up to seventy shipments on one truck using a bar code containing the Trip number or with the transponder in less than 30 seconds! Our carriers are better able to utilize their equipment and drivers by reducing the border wait time by several hours. CBP is able to process the shipments much faster with a higher level of confidence on these FAST loads. This allows CBP to spend their time saved looking at the more risky shipments. We were also able to take the release message from CBP which includes the ship from DUNS and SID (Shipment ID number) to import our Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) from the shipper, append purchase order price, tariff classifications, weight, country of origin, and NAFTA eligibility to populate the CBP Entry. The entire process has been automated using the TradePoint FASTPoint solution.

Every other expedited release option (i.e. BRASS, PAPS) is bar code supported, and only 5 bar codes will be scanned at primary. More than five bar codes and the driver has to park and get into CBP for a stand in line for scanning. These delays cost money. Additionally, if there is ever a code RED issued by Homeland Security, only the FAST shipments will get through the border. They will be prioritized by the CBP and the Bridge and Port Authorities. FAST shipments will have a special placard indicating they are FAST and the Bridge will pull the carriers out of line and move to the front of the line for processing. This is to encourage all carriers to participate with their clients. The day will come if you are not FAST you will be VERY SLOW."

Ken Halle, Executive COO at TradePoint Systems added, "We were the first to offer carriers and importers our commercially available FASTPoint software application. We will continue to work every step of the way with CBP to ensure that our customers are ready in advance with any mandated changes. TradePoint is at the forefront of all new and future programs associated with ACE, AES and C-TPAT."

Panama Canal dredge breaks 88-year record

PANAMA CITY, Panama, March 30 -- On February 19, 2004, the dipper dredge "Rialto M. Christensen" excavated a record 7,800 cubic yards of material in a single eight-hour watch from the bottom of the Panama Canal, working on the Gatun Lake deepening project. The original record was set nearly a century ago, when, in February of 1916, the dipper dredge "Cascadas" excavated 7,770 cubic yards of material. Steam-powered, the Cascadas arrived to Panama in 1915 from Camden, New Jersey, beginning dredging operations that year on October 31, including removal of material in the Gaillard Cut. The record set by the Cascadas had not been broken or matched for 88 years - until this February.

The Christensen arrived in Panama from Hokodate, Japan, in September of 1977.
At 15 cubic-yards, the diesel electric dipper dredge is the largest of its kind in the world.

An essential component to widening the Gaillard Cut, the Christensen has several other important functions, including: maintaining the navigable design depths of the channel and removing shoals and landslides that present hazards to the safe navigation of transiting vessels.

Dipper dredges, equipped with a power-driven ladder structure and operated from a barge-type hull, aided in the original construction of the Canal across the Isthmus of Panama. From removing silt and debris to widening the Canal and to ensuring the safe transit of vessels, dredges have been instrumental to constructing the Canal.

"Our Dredging Division is world-class. Everyday I am impressed with their tenacity, skill and motivation," said Dredge Captain Peter Marotta. "They are largely the reason why the Canal is operating at its safest, fastest and most efficient levels. Our employees are truly the Canal's most valuable resource," added Marotta.

BNSF pledges $250K to KSU grain program

MANHATTAN, Kansas, March 29 -- Kansas State University (K-State) and the nation’s leading grain-hauling railroad today announced a long-term partnership to help educate international grain buyers from around the world about the role rail transportation plays in moving large volumes of U.S. grain for export.

The educational partnership involves significant contributions from both the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation and The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF). The BNSF Foundation has agreed to contribute $250,000.00 over a five-year period for construction of a transportation exhibit at the new International Grains Program (IGP) Executive Conference Center now being constructed at Kansas State. Participating executives of BNSF railroad will deliver the rail transportation portion of the program’s short courses for international grain buyers.

For more than a century, BNSF and its predecessor railroads have played important roles serving agriculture throughout the Great Plains by transporting crops to market. Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BNSF, says this investment of funds and people is a continuation of that historic partnership. “We have long recognized that the more successful we help our customers become, the more successful our railroad will be,” said Rose. “That’s why this investment makes so much sense for us. Kansas State has established itself as a global leader in training international grain export buyers, and this program is helping to attract those buyers to the farmers, elevators and grain export marketers we serve.” Rose said.

IGP is regarded as a national program receiving support funding from U.S. Wheat Associates, American Soybean Association and U.S. Grains Council; from state wheat associations in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas; and from some of the nation’s leading grain export marketers.

“Construction of the new IGP Conference Center represents the culmination of 25 years of dedicated service to grain producers and overseas commodity marketing organizations in providing technical support to enhance market development,” said Brendan Donnelly, head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry at K-State. “The new center will be a showcase for agriculture and an upscale technical training facility. It will allow IGP to host international guests in an environment that reflects well on Kansas, Kansas State University and Great Plains grain producers.”

Kansas grain producers are in strong support of BNSF’s partnership with K-State in this effort. David Frey, administrator of the Kansas Wheat Commission said, “The IGP facility on the Kansas State University campus is a natural site to showcase the critical role that BNSF and the rail industry play in our process of marketing grain internationally. BNSF handled record volumes of grain with the huge 2003 harvest. The U.S. grain industry, especially in the interior of the country, is dependent on the efficiency of rail transport, and BNSF makes U.S. grain attractive to overseas buyers.”

The new IGP Executive Conference Center, which will serve as the host facility for the export grain buyer short courses, is scheduled to be dedicated on May 1, 2004. The 20,000-square-foot facility will house world-class meeting and instructional facilities, including a grain grading laboratory, a tiered auditorium-style classroom, dining and lounge areas, office work space for the visiting participants and the rail transportation education exhibit.

The BNSF Foundation is the principal philanthropic organization for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation.

USF Holland wins Masco award

CHICAGO, March 29 -- USF Holland Inc., an operating company of USF Corporation, was recently honored as Carrier of the Year by Masco Corporation's nearly 60 operating companies. This is the first time the Masco companies have honored a transportation company with this title. The Carrier of the Year award was based on multiple performance criteria.

At a dinner held in conjunction with Masco's National Logistics and Supply Chain Meeting and Trade Show in Taylor, Michigan, Paul Berning, USF Holland Director, Sales, and Jim Mudloff, USF Holland Account Executive, accepted the award.

"We have an excellent program with our LTL carriers," said Rose Minchella, Manager of Logistics Services for Masco Corporation. "Our purpose in giving this award was to recognize the carriers that perform well for us across our network of operating companies."

"We were aware that all of Masco's operating companies had evaluated their LTL carriers," commented Steve Caddy, President and Chief Executive Officer of USF Holland. "But we had no idea that an award would be given, or that USF Holland would win top honors. The hard-working teams in terminals throughout our network can take pride in this terrific accomplishment."

Pasha wins West Coast safety awards

CORTE MADERA, Calif., March 29 -- For the fourth consecutive year, Pasha Maritime Services LA/LB won first place for the PMA Coast Award for Accident Prevention Award for ZERO Injury Rate in Group C Stevedoring. Pasha Maritime Services - LA/LB took first place and Pasha Maritime Services - San Diego took second place in the Local Award for Reduced and Zero Injury/Illness Incident Rate in Group C Stevedoring. Also at the local level, Pasha Maritime Services - San Diego was acknowledged as Most Improved Safety record for 2003.

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals L.P. (PST) was awarded second place for both Coast Accident Prevention Awards Group C Stevedoring Companies and Local Award: Reduced and Zero Injury/Illness Incident Rate for Group B Stevedoring. Steady ILWU clerks for PST, Dennis Kordich and Lynda Chevalier, received personal awards for 20 and 10 years respectively without a lost time injury or illness.

Ken Keane, maritime safety & security director, acknowledged the dedicated efforts of management and labor, working together as a team for both Pasha Group divisions in the LA/LB and San Diego areas.

“We experienced a 25 percent reduction in reported injuries in 2003,” Keane said. “This is really a remarkable achievement and the credit for such an abrupt decline goes first to the ILWU labor force of longshore, mechanics, and marine clerks, for paying close attention to what is going on all around them at all times and working safely. I especially credit the foremen and superintendents who are the safety managers on site and who ensure the work is done efficiently and safely.”

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals L.P., an ISO 9001:2000 certified company, operates the only omni breakbulk and container terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, Wilmington Berths 174-181, 154-155, San Pedro Berths 87-89, and Outer Harbor Berths 49-53. In addition to stevedore and terminal services for a variety of breakbulk, rail and container customers, PST provides ancillary services such as reefer and chassis M&R, sensitive cargo warehousing, trucking and logistics management.

Pasha Maritime Services, also ISO 9001:2000 certified, specializes in automobile stevedoring services for shipping lines and automobile manufacturers. During the past 30 years, it has stevedored millions of vehicles and serviced more than a dozen Asian, American and European manufacturers and distributors in the ports of Port Hueneme, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area.

Pasha Maritime Services was consolidated into Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals L.P. in 2004 and continues to provide stevedoring services in National City (Port of San Diego) and the Port of Hueneme.

PST is part of The Pasha Group, a diversified international logistics and transportation company, headquartered in Corte Madera, Calif.

BNSF offers rail service updates

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 26 -- Rail customers can now receive detailed, timely, customized information about rail service conditions that affect their shipments. The Customer Notification System, the first of its kind in the rail industry, is offered by The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) through its Customer Subscription Service.

The service advisory notices describe the type of service condition, including the date, time and location where service is being affected, and when normal service will resume. Service conditions about which BNSF customers can receive information include:
· Weather-related interruptions
· Maintenance-of-way information
· Traffic embargoes
· Track outages
· Derailments

Notifications also include a list by car of any of a customer’s shipments potentially impacted by the service condition -- including the equipment numbers and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the destination, as reflected in BNSF's systems at the time of an interruption. Customers will be sent updated ETA information as it becomes available. A sample of the new type of advisory is at http://www.bnsf.com/html_emails/svcadv.html.

“We listened when our customers asked for detailed, timely information about
service conditions,” says Fritz Draper, BNSF’s vice president, Business Development.
“With the new system, customers will receive notices only if their traffic is affected, so the information will be more relevant to their day-to-day operations.”

In addition to the service advisories, the BNSF Customer Subscription Service enables customers to automatically receive, via e-mail, exception notifications on shipments, customer updates on various topics, and public pricing information. Customers can specify what information they want and when they want to receive it.

Customers can sign up to receive information on:
· Shipment Status (Bad-ordered Equipment, Estimated Time of Arrival or Change in Arrival)
· Customer Updates (Marketing News, Facility Updates, iPower News, Customer Letters)
· Pricing Information (Intermodal Public Pricing, Pricing Updates)
Customers can access BNSF’s Customer Subscription Service at https://www.bnsf.com/bnsf.sph/myBNSF. Customers who are not currently iPower users will need to register for iPower at the same website.

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