 A thank you letter from the Gazitua family – WTDC President & CEO Sean P. Gazitua In the midst of running a company and raising a family during a pandemic, our family met a challenge that we knew was a possibility but certainly did not expect: my father, my mother, and I all tested positive for COVID-19. My father Ralph, by the grace of God and with the attentive care of the doctors and nurses at Baptist Hospital in the COVID-19 wing, was discharged on August 5th after battling the coronavirus for two weeks. He is now recovering at home with my mother Cookie; she and I had only minor symptoms and are now testing negatively. We took all the necessary precautions to limit the spread, such as offering coronavirus testing for all our employees and tenants, quarantining, disinfecting home and office, and keeping social distance. We know that not all families have fared as well during this trying time and our hearts and prayers go out to all those who have been adversely affected. The Gazitua family would like to thank the logistics community and our professional colleagues for their kind words and prayers, the generosity of plasma donors, the performance of the remdesivir, and the professionals at Baptist Hospital. Sean P. Gazitua WTDC President & CEO Send your well wishes U.S. places tariffs on Canadian aluminum, Canada responds On August 6, President Trump issued a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum, just weeks after the USMCA trade deal was signed into effect. The proclamation from the White House takes note of a surge of non-alloyed unwrought aluminum imports from Canada from June 2019 to May 2020 as the reason for the tariff. Canada responded by placing $2.7 billion in tariffs on U.S. products. Fox News: Trump re-implementing 10% tariff on aluminum from Canada BBC: Canada slaps retaliatory tariffs on US aluminium goods  Photo credit: Travel Weekly MSC cruises from Genoa again On Sunday, the MSC Grandiosa departed Genoa, Italy, with 2500 passengers in the first major cruise line sailing since the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. The ship will be operating at 70% capacity for safety purposes, is only open to people residing in Europe’s Schengen area, and all staff and crew were required to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding. MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato was onboard the Grandiosa’s sailing, saying it was a pleasure to be on the ship and to welcome back guests. MSC Cruises has not announced plans yet to resume sailing in North America. BBC: MSC Grandiosa: First Mediterranean cruise launches after five-month pause Travel Weekly: MSC Cruises sails again in Europe  Photo credit: Bloomberg Pharma supply chains link for common cause On August 7, Gilead Sciences announced that it is teaming up with 40 companies, including pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer Inc., to ramp up production of the drug remdesivir, an effective treatment for infections caused by the coronavirus, to treat at least 2 million treatment course by the end of the year. 9 additional generic manufacturers will produce the drug for middle and lower income countries. Bloomberg: Pharma rivals join to fight a common foe Barron’s: Pfizer Will Help Gilead Sciences Make Its Covid-19 Treatment, Remdesivir |
Archives for August 2020
C-TPAT – WTDC Statement of Support
CTPAT stands for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Implemented in November 2001, CTPAT is a voluntary joint government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships
that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requests that businesses ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their
security guidelines to their business partners within the supply chain. CTPAT offers businesses an opportunity to play a major role in the war against terrorism and ensure a more secure supply chain for their employees, suppliers, and customers.
WTDC, its executives, management, and other policy-makers commit to participate in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism “CTPAT” program, and to implement, follow, and maintain procedures, and practices consistent with the CTPAT Importer Security Criteria enforced by Customs and Border Protection (“Customs”.) As participants in the CTPAT program, it is the policy of WTDC to:
• Implement, follow, and maintain procedures and practices that are consistent with the
CTPAT Importer Security Criteria.
• Cooperate with Customs in its efforts to ensure the security of the supply chain.
• Meet the recommended business and security practices.
• Assist in the worldwide campaign to stop terrorism.
• Provide security guidelines and training for WTDC employees, contractors, service
providers, and others associated with the company.
• Provide a safe environment for our employees, customers, vendors, and other visitors.
• Investigate any situation or significant event which may be related to a breach in cargo
security or any CTPAT criteria and notify the proper authorities.
• Review, revise, and update security practices and procedures on a regular basis, or as
needed.
CTPAT impacts nearly every department within our organization as well as outside entities such as carriers and foreign suppliers. Security is everyone’s responsibility.
All WTDC employees,contractors, service providers, visitors, and others are expected to comply with the CTPAT Importer Security Criteria as well as any policies, procedures, and instructions issued by WTDC.