EU lifts whiskey tariff in steel and aluminum truce

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WTDC Newsletter – November 1, 2021
– President’s Corner – Supply Chain
– EU to lift whiskey tariff as part of steel and aluminum trade truce with US
– Florida governor calls on carriers to divert to Florida ports
– Bottleneck at California ports
– WTDC celebrates Halloween
– Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home

President’s Corner
Some good news for our spirits clients this weekend as the EU has agreed to lift the 25% whiskey tariff (see article below).
Supply chains have never been so much a topic of popular discussion. From bottle shortages to grocery and department store stocks running low, consumers are taking notice on the disruptions we’ve all been working to avoid for months in the industry. Need to rethink your supply chain in order to have your goods ready for the holidays? Send us a note, we would happy to help.
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

EU to lift whiskey tariff as part of steel and aluminum trade truce with US
“Lifting this tariff burden on American whiskeys not only boosts U.S. distillers and farmers, it also supports the recovery of EU restaurants, bars and distilleries hit hard by the pandemic,” said Chris Swonger, CEO of Distilled Spirits Council.
This weekend the US and EU reached a significant trade accord at the Group of 20 meetings in Berlin. The US and EU agree to remove penalizing tariffs on steel and aluminum in efforts to protect against overcapacity and to instill low-carbon targets for steel and aluminum exports.
After President Trump instituted a 25% tariff on EU steel and aluminum in 2018, the EU retaliated with tariffs on finished US goods such as bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. The 25% tax on American whiskeys was scheduled to reach 50% in December if negotiations were not agreed upon.
Fortune: U.S. and EU settle tariff rift that started with steel and escalated to Kentucky bourbon and motorcycles
AJOT: U.S., EU eye global coalition to fix steel, aluminum markets

Florida governor calls on carriers to divert to Florida ports
Last week Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited JAXPORT to deliver the message that Florida seaports are open and ready to receive cargo diverted from congested seaports. Savannah is now seeing backlog problems similar to those in LA/Long Beach.
“Our ports operate 24/7. … We’re here. We have capacity,” DeSantis said.
“We want to be sure that Americans get the goods they need, particularly as we approach the Christmas season,” DeSantis continued.

Bottleneck at California ports
On October 28, Port Envoy John Porcari announced the Emerging Projects Agreement, a plan to develop and fund supply chain infrastructure projects backed by the federal government and state of California. The plan did not specify the projects but instead lays out the framework to address everything from port congestion to federal funds to update highways, ports, and inland warehousing attached to rail.
“We’re setting the stage for projects that will eliminate bottlenecks and improve the flow of goods,” California State Transportation Agency Secretary David Kim said.
AJOT: Biden Port Envoy vows alliance will help break California logjam

Pajama Drive for His House
Join WTDC in our 7th annual Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home. Until December 17, we will be collecting new boys and girls Youth Size Small to XL and boys and girls adult sizes X-Small to XL. Donations can be dropped off to WTDC Suite 217, WTDC Customer Service office in the warehouse, or list Ginger Diez/PJ Drive with WTDC address for mailed donations.

WTDC wins two awards from The Moodie Davitt Report

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WTDC Newsletter – October 19, 2021

  • President’s Corner
  • WTDC wins two Travel Retail Superstar awards from Moodie Davitt
  • WTDC wears pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • FIU Surfside Memorial – WTDC Chairman and Deacon Ralph L. Gazitua leads prayer
  • 237,000 passengers sailed on Carnival Cruise Line since restart
  • Congestion troubles reach Port of Savannah
  • Florida Ports Council promotes Florida ports as congestion cure

 

President’s Corner

 

Last week we were thrilled to learn WTDC was honored with two awards for our logistics services in the duty free and travel retail industry (article below). We share these awards with our customers who have worked with us over the years to hone our skills and services. As a family owned and operated company we are humbled and grateful for the continued opportunity to service the top performers in the duty free and travel retail industry Congratulations to our Customer Service and Operations staff for their award winning performance. Way to go Team WTDC!

Stay healthy,Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

 

The Travel Retail Superstars Awards – WTDC wins 2 awards
Send an email to WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua

 

On October 15, WTDC received two Travel Retail Superstars Awards from duty free and travel retail publisher The Moodie Davitt Report. Team WTDC won the Star Team Americas: Logistics/ Warehouse Award and WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua won the Humanity, Leadership, & Inspiration Award.The 2021 Travel Retail Superstars Awards were the first edition of an annual awards for travel retail employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors.

 

The Moodie Davitt Report: Breaking News: “A celebration of the human spirit” —The Travel Retail Superstars Awards Winners revealed
237,000 passengers sailed Carnival Cruise Line since restart

 

Since its sailing restart in July 2021 Carnival Cruise Line has welcomed 237,000 guests from US homeports. Half the Carnival fleet is now in service and they plan to have all ships in service by Spring 2022.

 

CruiseHive: 237,000 Carnival Cruise Line Guests Have Sailed Since Resuming Operations
 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Mont
WTDC wears Pink for October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and WTDC wore pink to show our support. Miami Cancer Institute has a wealth of educational resources available and we welcome you to visit their website for more information.
FIU Surfside Memorial

 

On October 13, the FIU community gathered to remember the 98 lives that were lost during the Surfside condominium collapse on June 24, 2021. FIU President Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg invited WTDC Chairman and Deacon Ralph L. Gazitua to lead the prayer for the lives that were lost, all families affected by this tragedy, and the first responders who assisted in the rescue and recovery.WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua leads the prayer at FIU Surfside Memorial on October 13, 2021.

 

 

 

Vessels backed up outside Savannah port

 

The Port of Savannah had 25 container vessels docked off its shores last week waiting for offload, the latest logistical backlog as US ports scramble to process thousands of containers.

 

NewsNation: Supply chain crunch also having an impact on Savannah, Georgia, port

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Ports Council promotes Florida ports as solution to congestion crisis

 

The Florida Ports Council is weighing in on the congestion that has plagued west coast ports for weeks and is now building in Savannah. PortMiami is big ship ready and does not have a container backlog, an ideal destination for bookings that will be offloaded in time for Christmas.“Florida is where your success comes in, and our seaports are the solution to ensure the cargo shipping logjam doesn’t become the grinch that stole Christmas,” said Michael Rubin, President and CEO,
Florida Ports Council.“Florida is open for business, and we are the solution to help resolve the global supply chain crisis,” Rubin added. “Instead of waiting off the coast of California, cargo vessels can offload and move their product to Florida and other discretionary markets in the same time it takes to find space in an increasingly congested California.”

 

Florida Ports Council: Florida’s Answer to the Global Supply Chain Crisis: SAVE TIME & MONEY BY CALLING ON FLORIDA SEAPORTS