Water Donation for His House Children’s Home

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WTDC Newsletter

 

August 28, 2023

President’s Corner

The Florida Gulf Coast is preparing for Tropical Storm Idalia that may become a Hurricane when it makes landfall. Please be advised that even though this storm may affect Florida, WTDC is far from the projected impact. Like every hurricane season, we will prepare and keep an eye on the tropics. Hoping our friends on the West Coast of Florida are not greatly impacted.
Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Send a message to WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua

Water Donation for His House

His House Children’s Home is fully stocked with water in preparation for hurricane season! WTDC donated over 2600 gallons of bottled water and a water filtration system. Thank you to our employees, families, customers, and vendors for truly making an impact with your donations. Way to go Ginger Diez, WTDC Logistics Manager, on organizing this water drive!
Adrienne Cerra Simeon, His House Children’s Home Development and Marketing Manager, pictured below with Sean Gazitua, WTDC President and CEO, and Ginger Diez, WTDC Logistics Manager. Contact Adrienne for more ways to support His House, such as their Imagine Gala on October 7th at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami.

South Florida Cruise Industry on the rise

The Cruise industry is back and better than ever as passenger demand is higher than it was prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported record revenues of 2.2 billion in the second quarter, up 33% over the same period in 2019.
South Florida ports have felt the resurgence as Port Everglades’ number of passengers has increased 77% since 2022. PortMiami has already reached $100 million in cruise passenger revenue for the year.
Due to the high demand, Port Everglades is in the process of renovating a dedicated Disney Cruise terminal set to finish before the Winter Cruise season.

MIA on pace for record passengers in 2023

26.2 million passengers passed through Miami International Airport in the first 6 months of 2023, a 2.6% increase from the same period in 2022.
“On the heels of last year’s full recovery from the pandemic downturn,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava observed, “MIA continues to lead the way for our local tourism industry and the nation in terms of passenger growth and economic impact.”

 

 

Miami-Dade County to invest millions into PortMiami

Miami-Dade County is selling $499.2 million worth of bonds to support new projects and infrastructure changes at PortMiami. An expansion for Royal Caribbean will be funded by the County, which will include redeveloping cruise terminal G for parking improvements and a new building.

 

 

School Supplies for Lotus House

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WTDC Newsletter

August 3, 2023

Lotus House – School Supplies

The children of Lotus House Women’s Shelter will be ready for the school year! WTDC dropped off 2 carloads full of school supplies yesterday. Thank you to all who donated including our employees and our corporate partners from ASCI, Amerijet International, DFASS Group, First Choice CHB, LAS Worldwide, MVC Transportation, and Uniworld Trucking. Elizabeth Blake, Lotus House Community Outreach Coordinator, pictured with WTDC. Great work WTDC Transportation Manager Castell Chavez on organizing this drive!

Lotus House – Get Involved

Lotus House and WTDC display school supplies donations.

Elizabeth Blake, Lotus House Community Outreach Coordinator, pictured with WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua, Transportation Manager Castell Chavez, Office Manager Daniel Fajardo, and Sales & Marketing Manager Sean Powers.

President’s Corner

I had a fun morning today shooting the new promo video for FIU’s Roar Lounge with my friend, colleague, and FIU Alumni Board President JC Alexander. I currently serve as the Vice President and will assume the President duties after JC’s term ends. Together we are energizing our students and alumni through events like Block Party to support the ongoing mission of FIU. Go Panthers!
Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO

 

Annual Panther Block Party

Join your FIU Alumni waterside at the 2023 Panther Block Party! Meet us at Monty’s in Coconut Grove on August 12th for an afternoon of music, food, drinks, giveaways, special appearances and so much more. Bring your friends and family! (children ages 12 and under are free). The Panther Block Party is open to the public, and proceeds support FIU Alumni.

MDPD assisted Fire Drill

Thank you to Miami-Dade Police Department’s Neighborhood Resource Unit for supervising our Fire Drill today. WTDC conducts two fire drills on a yearly basis to ensure the safety of our tenants and employees.

Safety:19 years and counting

This week we celebrated a safety milestone: 19 years without an injury accident! Each morning our staff are reminded of forklift safety best practices to protect themselves and their fellow employees.

WTDC provides air, ocean, and over the road transportation services worldwide.

MIA – Modernization in Action

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MIA – Modernization in Action

WTDC Newsletter – June 6, 2023

 

President’s Corner

With Memorial Weekend in the rearview and schools out for summer, finally we are now in the full swing of rainy season in South Florida. Furthermore, WTDC is built above dock height and not in a flood plain. Lastly, WTDC is not located near bodies of water that may swell with the storms.

Preparing our homes and businesses for tropical storms is a way of life here. Consequently over the years we have learned how we can better communicate with our customers and employees to ensure business continuity. As a result we look forward to any questions you may have.

Thank you to our colleagues and customers who reached out to wish me a Happy Birthday on Sunday!

Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Send a message to WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua

 

Hurricane Season

June 1st marked the official start to the 2023 hurricane season. Soon thereafter Tropical Storm Arlene popped up in the Gulf last weekend but fizzled soon thereafter.

WTDC follows the guidelines of Miami-Dade County Hurricane Preparedness as to when it will stay open or closed in the event of a storm emergency. Therefore, please find our updated 2023 WTDC Hurricane Preparation Guide here.

In the event of an impending storm, keep an eye out for WTDC emails and check out our Twitter @WTDC for the latest news.
WTDC Hurricane Preparedness

 

FCBF GMM - May 25, 2023

Executive Committee sworn in at Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association General Membership Meeting FCBF GMM on May 25, 2023 at Miami International Airport MIA.

MIA – Modernization In Action

On Thursday, May 25th, WTDC attended the General Membership Meeting of the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF) at Miami International Airport (MIA). For the first time, an all female executive board was sworn into office. Congratulations to the new team led by President Jenette Prince!

Before this, the keynote presentation from Emir Pineda, Director Marketing & Air Service Development, Miami-Dade Aviation Department, was very insightful. Mr. Pineda highlighted new airlines at MIA, marketing of the Modernization In Action campaign underway to fully rebuild and/or replace most of the 616 conveyances at MIA – 312 elevators, 206 escalators, and 98 moving walkways, construction of a new hotel and new concourses, and the VICC for air cargo.

Logistics Manager Ginger Diez and Sales and Marketing Manager Sean Powers attended from WTDC.

MIA: Modernization in Action

World Environment Day

June 5th was World Environment Day. United Nations organizers urge everyone to be more conscious of how they use and dispose of plastics. The theme this year is #BeatPlasticPollution.

Furthermore, PortMiami is making an environmental impact through shore power and electric rubber-tired gantry cranes (ERTGs). The shore power plan will enable cruise ships to turn off their engines when docked. This will greatly reduce their carbon footprint. Six new ERTGs have recently been added to South Florida Container Terminals for a total of twelve.

Finally, WTDC is taking steps to reduce its own carbon footprint. We recently upgraded our electric forklift fleet, replaced all lighting to LED, replaced old A/C units for newer efficient models, grew our recycling program, reduced paper printing for US Customs documentation, and work with our supply chain partners to minimize environmental impact while still providing timely and cost-effective service.
World Environment Day

 

Transloading or Crossdocking in Miami then door to door delivery in USA, Mexico, Canada.

Contact WTDC to transload cargo arriving at PortMiami or Port Everglades then truck to your final destination anywhere in the USA, Canada, or Mexico.

Immediate capacity available at

Port Miami (Miami,Florida)

Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

  • Palm Beach (Riviera Beach, Florida)
  • JAXPort (Jacksonville, Florida)
  • Canaveral (Cape Canaveral, Florida)
  • Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee, Port St. Pete (Greater Tampa, Florida)
  • NY/NJ ( Maher/PNCT/ Red Hook (Brooklyn/NJ), NYCT)
  • LA/LB
  • Oakland
  • Savannah
  • Charleston (Wando Welch)
  • SeaTac (Seattle/Tacoma, Terminal 18)
  • HOUSTON

WTDC can haul overweight containers, reefers, and standard containers.
(Drop & pick / Live loading/unloading / Transloading)

Panama Canal drought forces shipping vessels to cut weight

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WTDC Newsletter – May 24, 2023

Panama Canal drought forces shipping vessels to cut weight
Beginning today, May 24th, vessels crossing the Panama Canal will be subject to additional transit fees and be required to reduce their drafts by carrying less or reducing the weight of their loads due to a drought affecting the region. Only half the usual amount of rain fell from February to April this year, leading to an expected historic low in July of Lake Gatun – one of the two main lakes on the Panama Canal.

Bloomberg: Panama Canal Imposes Shipping Restrictions to Cope With Worsening Drought

President’s Corner

Last week was one for the record books at WTDC. It was a week that saw our family and business values tie together so well. In fantastic sales meetings and then again to a delegation of students and everyone that gathered for my father’s birthday, we had the opportunity to tell our Gazitua family and WTDC company story. Our company core values of God and Family, Health and Education, Community, and WTDC were emphatically on full display.

We invited University of Galway students and sales prospects to tour our Miami Foreign Trade Zone Warehouse.  They learned about our company while our employees shared how they impact our community. My mother and I participated in the new FIU President’s Investiture Ceremony. Lastly, my uncle John – a founder and former President of WTDC – tied it all together on Friday. At my father’s birthday celebration he spoke of the importance of spirituality and work ethic that his parents, my grandparents, instilled in the family.  We subsequently instilled these values into the company.

Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

 

PortMiami announces busiest cruise passenger day ever

On May 16, PortMiami announced that a record 67,594 cruise passengers passed through its terminals on Sunday, April 9, 2023. The previous record was 58,984 from February 12th of this year.

 

Sean Gazitua carries Torch of Knowledge at new FIU President Ken Jessell’s Investiture Ceremony

On May 18, Sean Gazitua had the honor of representing all FIU students and alumni at the Investiture Ceremony for new FIU President Dr. Ken Jessell. Sean carried the Torch of Knowledge as the Vice President of FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Sean and his mother Cookie attended the Investiture Ceremony, living our company pillars of Education and Community. Cookie attended in her role as a Senior Board Member of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum at FIU. Proud day for WTDC and the Gazitua family at FIU!

Photo os Sean Gazitua appearing in cap and gown holding torch at investiture FIU President Ken Jessell

On May 18, 2023, Sean Gazitua had the honor of representing all FIU students and alumni at the Investiture Ceremony for new FIU President Dr. Ken Jessell. Sean carried the Torch of Knowledge as the Vice President of FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

 

University of Galway visit

On May 16th, WTDC had the privilege of hosting 57 students from the University of Galway – Master of Science in International Management in conjunction with FIU College of Business. Our management staff and Interns from FIU thereafter shared information about WTDC’s logistics services, corporate initiatives, and company values.

 

Community – PBA Gala

On Saturday, May 20th, WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and his wife Cookie (pictured above) attended the 2023 South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Law Enforcement Awards. The Gazitua family sponsors a table each year to support the organization that has supported our law enforcement officers for 60 years. Mr. Gazitua served as a Police Chaplain for Miami-Dade Police Department and Everglades Correctional Institution for over 20 years until his retirement in 2021.

 

WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua celebrates 76th birthday at WTDC

On Friday, May 19th, WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua celebrated his 76th birthday with family, friends, and employees at WTDC. Thank you to Miami-Dade County Commissioner JC Bermudez, Saint John Neumann’s Father Alfaro, and all of our friends and family who attended.

 

Red Nose Day

Thursday, May 25th, 2023, is Red Nose Day. Each year, WTDC in Miami supports Red Nose Day and its efforts to break the cycle of child poverty as well as to ensure children are healthy, safe, educated, and empowered across the US. Red noses are available for a small donation at any Walgreens location.

 

Looking for South Florida crossdock or transload services for PortMiami or Port Everglades? Contact WTDC today (sales@wtdc.com) for container and flat rack loadings and unloadings in our FTZ bonded 6 acre yard just west of Miami International Airport.

Miami International Airport cargo expansion

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WTDC Newsletter – April 4th, 2023

(WTDC will be closed Friday, April 7th in observance of Good Friday)

  • President’s Corner
  • Port Everglades hosted Seatrade Cruise Global 2023
  • MIA cargo expansion
  • Transportation and FTZ Bonded Warehousing for Duty Free
  • New racks

 

President’s Corner

Feliz Semana Santa, Happy Passover, and Happy Easter!
My wife Emely and I enjoyed an incredible evening at the 17th Annual Arsht Gala. The theme was Labyrinth of Enchantment and the Knight Concert Hall was transformed into a beautiful dreamscape. Love the work we are doing as a Board to foster Arts in the community! Thank you to all the staff of the Arsht Center for creating a memorable experience.

Stay healthy,

Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

 

Port Everglades hosted Seatrade Cruise Global 2023

Last week Port Everglades hosted thousands of cruise professionals at Seatrade Cruise Global. ‘Forward Momentum’ was the theme and participants enjoyed an exhibition hall with 500+ exhibitors, new cruising food and beverage events, well as panels that explored the cruising experience, technology, and sustainability. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that the sector is rebounding after the pandemic with 33 million expected passenger bookings in 2023, using 2019 for comparison with 29.7 million passengers. The same positive outlook for the $2 billion cruise retail sector continued across the week’s events.

Travel Markets Insider – Seatrade Cruise releases first Cruise Food & Beverage Trends report

Moodie Davitt – On location at Seatrade Cruise Global: Cruise travel numbers set to reach new high this year

Seatrade-Moodie Davitt conference session highlights upbeat outlook for cruise retail in 2023 and beyond

 

MIA cargo expansion

Miami International Airport (MIA) plans to double its cargo capacity by building a five story public-private cargo hub. The airport will build up because it cannot build out. Modeled after Hong Kong International Airport, the Vertical Integrated Cargo Community (VICC), will expand MIA’s total cargo capacity from 2.5-2.8 million metric tons to 5.5 million metric tons of cargo and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
WTDC is a TSA licensed Independent Air Carrier (IAC) and is IATA approved for cargo on passenger airplanes.

AirFreight News – Miami International Airport set for major expansion

 

 

Transportation and FTZ Bonded Warehousing for Duty Free

WTDC has tailored its operations and customer service to fit the specific requirements of FTZ bonded inventory for the Duty-Free and Travel Retail Industry.
WTDC provides global door to door Transportation on behalf of its clients. On a daily basis, we deliver to cruise lines, create airbills for air cargo shipments, and arrange for ocean transportation from origin to WTDC and WTDC to the final destination.
WTDC organizes U.S. Customs documentation to maintain 100% compliance with CBP, TTB, and the State of Florida. For liquor samples, WTDC maintains licensing with the State of Florida and TTB, and is well versed in the COLA waiver process.
WTDC acts as an extension of the Duty-Free and Travel Retail distribution infrastructure for our customers. We have extensive experience handling inventory of duty-free liquor, tobacco, electronics, jewelry, and fragrances.

WTDC – Duty Free and Travel Retail Logistics

 

 

New racks

WTDC recently invested in new racks for the warehouse. Because safety is our first priority and WTDC handles heavy commodities such as spirits, we require an extra sturdy double post welded frame and wedge anchors to the floor. The set up was completed with new beams, wire decks, and post protectors.

World’s largest container ship – MSC Irina

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WTDC Newsletter – March 15th, 2023

  • President’s Corner
  • Sean Gazitua mentioned in South Florida Business Journal
  • MSC Irina: Largest container ship in the world
  • WTDC’s 46th Anniversary
  • PortMiami 2035 master plan
  • PortMiami welcomes its first LNG cargo vessel
  • Global air passenger industry recovered significantly in 2022

 

President’s Corner

Last week marked WTDC’s 46th business anniversary and today the company also celebrated 6800 days accident-free! From the daily security briefing, to facility and equipment upgrades, to our recent C-TPAT recertification, an emphasis on safety and security is part of WTDC’s company culture.

Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

 

Sean Gazitua mentioned in South Florida Business Journal

Last week WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua was mentioned in two articles covering his recent appointment to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Board of Directors: South Florida Business Journal and the Biscayne Bay Tribune.

South Florida Business Journal – People on the Move

Biscayne Bay Tribune – Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Appoints New Board Members

 

MSC Irina: Largest container ship in the world

This week MSC announced the debut of the world’s largest container ship: MSC Irina. With a capacity of 24,346 TEU, MSC Irina is part of MSC’s largest fleet expansion in history which also includes MSC Tessa. MSC took possession of MSC Tessa on the same day as the Irina and the vessel also boasts over 24,000 TEU capacity.

AJOT – MSC vessel “Irina” is the world’s largest container ship

 

WTDC’s 46th Anniversary

On March 8th, WTDC celebrated 46 years in business! Thank you to our customers and dedicated team for continuously elevating the company to new heights.

 

PortMiami 2035 master plan

Last week, Miami-Dade County Commissioners awarded a total of 17.6 million to four contractors for PortMiami’s 2035 master plan – the Seaport’s Capital Improvements Program. The 2035 master plan calls for better efficiency within the current space occupied by the port.

Miami Today – PortMiami builds team for billions in new projects

 

PortMiami welcomes its first LNG cargo vessel

On Sunday, March 12, PortMiami welcomed its first cargo vessel using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. The vessel was the first container ship in the world to be converted from diesel to LNG.

Miami-Dade County – PortMiami bunkers Seaboard Marine’s first LNG cargo vessel

 

Global air passenger industry recovered significantly in 2022

The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) reported a strong recovery in the global air space, as total traffic increased 64.4% compared to 2021. All regions saw growth in air travel as restrictions eased.
WTDC is IATA certified to send air cargo on passenger airplanes and is a licensed Independent Air Carrier (IAC).

Contact WTDC for your next air shipment!

Travel Markets Insider – IATA: 2022 ends on a strong note for the global air passenger industry