Sean Gazitua

Maersk and MSC terminate 2M Alliance

February 2, 2023 by Sean Powers

WTDC Newsletter – February 2, 2023

President’s Corner
Last week was my first meeting as a Board Member of the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust. One mission of the Board is to expand programs in the Arts for the youth of Miami-Dade County. AileyCamp Miami is a six week full-scholarship summer program where over 1400 students have learned West African, jazz, modern, and ballet dance classes while also learning about nutrition, conflict resolution, drug prevention, and critical thinking. I’m honored to be a part of this Board giving back to our community and look forward to sharing the Arsht initiatives throughout my term.

Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Maersk and MSC terminate 2M Alliance
Maersk and MSC announced on January 25th that they will dissolve the 2M Alliance. Beginning in 2015, the 2M Alliance was scheduled for a period of 10 years, with a two year notice period for termination. The two companies cited changes in their company strategy as the main reason for the split. Since the pandemic, MSC has been focused on expanding its fleet and service destinations while Maersk has built out its end-to-end services for customers.

SeaTrade Maritime – Maersk and MSC to disband the 2M alliance in 2025
FreightWaves – Container shipping shake-up: Maersk, MSC terminating 2M in 2025

Hamburg Süd among historic brand names retired by Maersk
Maersk’s announcement last week that it would retire the brand names Hamburg Süd, Sealand, and Twill sent ripples through the shipping industry. While Maersk has owned many of these brands for years, the companies continued to operate under their own flag. Maersk has assured customers that this will not cause a disruption in service, while competitors may anticipate an opportunity to move in. The Hamburg Süd brand had a good run, lasting over 150 years.

Arsht Center – First Board Meeting
On Thursday, January 27th, WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua attended his first meeting as a member of the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Board of Directors.

Health and Wellness
On Friday, January 20th, Andrea De La Madriz visited WTDC staff for a sound meditation session as part of the company’s Health and Wellness Program.
WTDC’s Health and Wellness Program encourages staff to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which improves overall mental and physical wellness.

Port Everglades Rebranding
On January 25th, Port Everglades revealed their new logo as part of a rebranding campaign. The new logo represents the three main business sectors of the port – cruise, cargo, and energy – as well as it’s three core values, which are strength, resilience, and sustainability.
The new logo has been revealed just in time for the Sea Trade Cruise Global 2023. Port Everglades will host the event from March 27-30, 2023.
The Maritime Executive – Port Everglades Rebrands with Mighty Approach

Nassau Port records busiest day
In the span of just one week, Nassau Port has broken its record for one-day visitors on three occasions, reaching 26,396 passengers in one day.
The record reflects a great rebound in the cruise industry after the pandemic hiatus.
CruiseHive – Multiple Record-Breaking Days at Major Cruise Port

CBP Modernizes Custom Broker Regulations

November 2, 2022 by Sean Powers

WTDC Newsletter – November 2, 2022

- - CBP modernizes Custom Broker regulations
  - Virgin Voyages adds 2nd ship in Miami
  - Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home,
  - FIU Religious Studies
  - Breast Cancer awareness
  - Halloween photos

President’s Corner
Can you believe it’s November already? Our employees are preparing for annual inventories and processing peak-season orders. Holiday gift baskets are ordered and our annual Pajama Drive and Thanksgiving Food Drive are in full swing. I welcome you to join us in our 8th Annual Pajama Drive for the children of His House. It is a great cause and the children are so appreciative of our annual donation. Additional details below.
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

CBP Publishes Modernized Customs Broker Regulations
On October 18, CBP announced changes in the CFR that will be effective December 19, 2022: “Modernization of the Customs Broker Regulations” and “Elimination of Customs Broker District Permit Fee.”

The Final Rules include the acceptance of electronic forms of payment as well as an increase to license application fees. The new national framework eliminates district permits and the associated fees. Licensed customs brokers will be transitioned into the new national framework by CBP if they were operating with only a district permit and those already with a national permit will not be affected.

CBP’s Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie R. Highsmith: “Customs brokers are an integral part of the U.S. and international trade communities. CBP collaborated with the trade community on key recommendations, including a single, national permit for brokers and enhanced electronic processing capabilities, which have been addressed in the modernized customs broker regulations,” Highsmith said. “The updated regulations highlight CBP’s efforts to provide customs brokers with the tools they need to effectively operate in the current business environment while preserving robust U.S. trade operations.”

Article: CBP Publishes Modernized Customs Broker Regulations

Pajama Drive for His House
Join WTDC in donating new pajamas for the children of His House Children’s Home in our 8th Annual Pajama Drive. Donations can be dropped off or addressed to WTDC. Thank you for your years of support!

FIU Religious Studies
On Thursday, October 27th, Sean Gazitua spoke to an FIU Religious Studies course about his responsibilities as President and CEO as well as measures WTDC has in place as an ethical and responsible employer. The course entitled “Thou Shalt Not Steal: Wage Theft and Moral Thought” is led by Professor Jeanette Smith. WTDC is working with the FIU Religious Studies program as an extension of its Spirituality in the Workplace committee.

Breast Cancer Awareness
WTDC staff wore pink on October 21st in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Educating women on the impact of breast cancer is a goal each October. Being proactive with exams and detection can save lives. We wish you and your families good health!

Meet our Interns for Fall 2022
Welcome to WTDC’s Interns for the Fall 2022 semester!

Fernando Menendez, pictured right, is currently a student at Florida International University and is an Intern for WTDC’s Operations and Customer Service department. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Finance and is on pace to graduate by 2025.

Leilani Shirvis, pictured left, is a Florida International University student and is an Intern for WTDC’s Sales and Marketing department. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, double majoring in International Business and Marketing. She graduates December 2023.

Happy Halloween from WTDC
On Monday, October 31st, WTDC celebrated Halloween with a Wild Wild West theme. The annual tradition featured a lunch catered by Shorty’s BBQ and a costume contest. Congratulations to WTDC Transportation Manager Castell Chavez and her daughter Sofia for taking the award for best dressed as a ‘bank robber and bag of money’. The western theme was a big hit!

Virgin Voyages adds second ship to PortMiami fleet
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady arrived at its new winter home in PortMiami at the end of October. This second ship from Virgin will sail regularly around the Caribbean this fall and winter before returning to the Mediterranean in spring.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, was present during the ships welcoming to PortMiami. Valiant Lady departed for Bimini on October 30th for it’s ‘Mermaiden Voyage’, where it will try to set a Guinness World Record for “most mermaids in one place”.

WTDC celebrates 45 years

March 8, 2022 by Sean Powers

Family owned logistics business WTDC celebrates its 45th Anniversary on March 8^th, 2022.

President and CEO Sean Gazitua says this 45 year milestone is a testament to the dedication of its employees and the willingness of the company to reinvent itself over the years. The company was founded in 1977 as the first General Order (G.O.) warehouse in Miami, Florida. Today, WTDC is an internationally respected full-service logistics company and Foreign Trade Zone.

“Serving the logistics needs of our customers is not without its challenges in these times,” says Gazitua. “But by building better relationships, planning logistics well ahead, and putting technology at the forefront, we can still help our customers exceed their performance benchmarks.”

Mr. Gazitua is now the third generation of the family to lead the business after becoming President and CEO in 2017, succeeding his father Ralph L. Gazitua in the position. The company prides itself on customer service and providing a safe and healthy working environment for its employees. WTDC specializes in global supply chain management, door to door transportation, and Foreign Trade Zone inventory control for the Duty Free and Travel retail industry and provides logistics for electronics, renewable energy components, and other commodities.

“I am so grateful to our employees and customers who will propel us well past our 45^th Anniversary” says Gazitua.

View services at https://wtdc.com

WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua displays a Proclamation from Miami-Dade County naming Tuesday, March 8, 2022 as “WTDC 45th Anniversary Day.”

5G roll out suspended near US airports

January 19, 2022 by Sean Powers

WTDC Newsletter – January 19, 2022

President’s Corner

In 2022, WTDC will celebrate our 45th anniversary. On a call last week, I was reminded of our family legacy in the logistics industry when my counterpart said that he, his father, and his uncle all worked for my grandfather LR Gazitua, grandmother Mercedes, uncle John, and my father Ralph at Florida International Forwarders (FIF). We consider the history of FIF to be entwined with our Gazitua family history.
We hope to collect more stories like this as we lead into WTDC’s 45th anniversary. If you have a story or photos you would like to share about these times, please reach out. We would love to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Village of Palmetto Bay honors WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on MDPD Chaplain retirement
On January 10, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham honored WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on his retirement as Chaplain of the Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD) after 20 years of service. Mr. Gazitua is a resident of Palmetto Bay, FL.
Joining the recognition ceremony were Palmetto Bay Councilmember Steve Cody, MDPD Major and Commander of Palmetto Bay’s policing unit Maria Guerra, MDPD Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez, and Executive Vice President of South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) David Greenwell.
As an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church for 34 years, Chaplain Gazitua helped meet the spiritual and pastoral requests of MDPD employees and their families, providing counsel in their time of need.

5G roll out suspended near US airports over interference concerns
Last night AT&T and Verizon flipped on the switch for their new 5G technology – just not within 2 miles of US airports. The concern stems from adjacent radio frequencies used by airline altimeters and the radio waves that 5G will inhabit. The altimeter is crucial to pilot navigation in poor weather conditions and the possible interference could have caused equipment malfunctions or outright flight cancellations. Some international flights had already been delayed or canceled flights before yesterday’s announcement at the eleventh hour of changes to the roll out.
NPR: Telecoms delay 5G launch near airports, but some airlines are canceling flights

CDC announces voluntary cruise guidelines for COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that cruise guidelines for COVID-19 will be voluntary after the expiration of the mandates in the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
Starting this week, cruises can opt to follow the CDC guidelines or introduce their own mechanisms for preventing and responding to COVID-19 infections – but either way, cruises will still be regulated by CDC with prevention and reporting expectations.
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced their intentions last week to continue to follow the now voluntary CDC protocols.
USA Today: The CDC’s new COVID mitigation program will be optional for cruises. Here’s what that means.

WTDC attends Wodapalooza
WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and WTDC General Manager Vera Gazitua attended the crossfit competition Wodapalooza in Miami’s Bayside Park this past weekend with a group of WTDC employees to cheer on WTDC Intern Brianna Kource. Ms. Kource, pictured below at right, competed in the Elite Women’s Team Division.
WTDC is committed to providing healthy lifestyle opportunities for its staff such as gym memberships, massages, and healthy lunches in addition to Vera’s yoga class three times per week in our company gym. WTDC is a Florida Drug Free Workplace and all employees passed a random drug test in January.
Miami Celebrates a Decade of Fitness, Community, and Life at Wodapalooza

Transloads at WTDC
WTDC manages project cargo and heavy lift transloads in our fenced FTZ yard. Use WTDC for your next PortMiami or Port Everglades transload. We can load and unload standard containers, open top containers, flat racks, flatbeds, and other special equipment. WTDC has crane services for heavy lift cargo. Common commodities include machinery, HVAC, crated merchandise, renewable energy infrastructure, raw materials, and pipe. WTDC can also coordinate the drayage, inland, air, or ocean transportation for your loads as a full service NVOCC, IAC, and IATA certfied freight forwarder.

PortMiami reports record cargo volumes

December 1, 2020 by Sean Powers

WTDC Newsletter – December 1, 2020

PortMiami set cargo volume records in October 2020
Moderna files for Emergency Use Authorization with FDA for COVID-19 vaccine
FMC will monitor top 3 shipping alliances monthly
Congratulating Empresas Perrot on their 80th Anniversary
President’s Corner: Giving Tuesday

President’s Corner

This Thanksgiving was like none other as many American families limited their holiday gatherings. Retailers rolled out online deals early this year to avoid crowding in stores but online shopping records still shattered on Black Friday and again this week on Cyber Monday. Adobe Analytics reported $10.8 billion in Cyber Monday shopping, an increase of over 15% from last year. Non-profits, schools, and faith based organizations hope that record spending continues today on Giving Tuesday. WTDC welcomes our colleagues to participate in any of our annual giving traditions. We are collecting new pajamas again for the children of His House, see article below, and each year WTDC sponsors Christmas gifts for children of the incarcerated through the Angel Tree Program. Last week, we shared a video of our WTDC employees and my son pitching in for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. We hope the spirit of the holiday season encourages you to give back on Giving Tuesday. From our family to yours, we wish you a Happy Holidays!
-Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua

Please join us in our 6th Annual Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home. Each year, WTDC collects new pajamas for the children of His House, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the lives of children and families. We are already halfway We are collecting Boys and Girls Youth Sizes S to XL, and Boys and Girls Adult Sizes X-Small to XL. Collecting until December 18, 2020. Add our address to your online shopping cart! You can mail or ship to: WTDC attention Ginger Diez/PJ Drive, 2801 NW 74th Ave, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33122. For additional information you can contact WTDC Logistics Manager Ginger Diez below.

Email for additional His House PJ Drive information

Congratulations to our Chilean logistics partner Empresas Perrot on celebrating 80 years in business! We send our warmest wishes to Owner and General Manager Carlos Mauricio Perrot and his team. To celebrate our partner, WTDC posted an Empresas Perrot 80^th Anniversary video created by our talented Intern Kristina Khudiakova, an International Business student at FIU. The video featured celebratory wishes and welcomed Empresas Perrot to the USA. It included cameos from the Mayor of Doral, PortMiami, City National Bank, ProChile, FEBICHAM, Chile-US Chamber, and the Gazitua family. You can see the video by clicking the image of Mr. Gazitua above. For more on WTDC and Empresas Perrot’s door to door logistics services between Chile and the USA, follow the link below.

WTDC: Door to door logistics service between Chile and USA

WTDC Holiday Hours

Christmas – Closed December 25 New Year’s – Closed January 1

October 2020 was the busiest month in cargo activity in PortMiami history. The Port processed 107,088 TEUs (20 foot container equivalent units) in October, a 1.5% increase from the 105,573 TEUs recorded in October 2019.

PortMiami Press Release: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reports record cargo activity at PortMiami

Moderna files for Emergency Use Authorization with FDA for COVID-19 vaccine

On Monday, November 30, U.S. drug maker Moderna reported a 94.1% efficacy in its COVID-19 vaccine primary efficacy analysis of 30,000 participants, confirming initial results. The vaccine was 100% effective in preventing serious disease from the coronavirus. Moderna subsequently applied Monday to the U.S. FDA for Emergency Use Authorization as well to the European Medicines Agency for Conditional Marketing Authorization. Americans could begin receiving the vaccine injection as soon as December 21, 2020, if approved.

NY Times: Moderna applies for emergency FDA approval for its Coronavirus vaccine

Moderna Press Release – November 30, 2020

FMC will now monitor top 3 shipping alliances monthly

Last week the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued notice to the top three global carrier alliances – 2M. Ocean Alliance, and THE Alliance – that it will request trade data monthly that had previously been reported quarterly. The Commission’s Bureau of Trade Analysis requested the change based on recent fluctuations in the market and so that they can better . Shipper complaints of high Trans-Pacific rates, demurrage and detention surges, and lack of export container availability spurred the FMC to begin investigating ocean carriers operating in alliances in November 2020.

The Maritime Executive: FMC Increases Reporting Requirements for Major Carrier Alliances

Container Management: Federal Maritime Commission escalates monitoring of global shipping alliances

WTDC and Empresas Perrot launch Chile-US service

November 4, 2020 by Sean Powers

WTDC News – November 4, 2020

President’s Corner – Gazitua family legacy
No Sail Order lifted by CDC
WTDC and Empresas Perrot offer Chile-US service
Mark your calendars – WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua joins logistics panel

My brother Luis Andre and I joined my cousins Carlos and Luis Gazitua on the October 23rd edition of Cafecito Chat with Saif Ishoof, FIU Vice President of Engagement. Special thanks to all our professional colleagues who tuned in to watch us survive a comical round of rapid-fire questions before we settled into our discussion on the Gazitua family’s commitment to service and leadership in our community. Part of the discussion focused on family legacy and it was such a pleasure to hear the stories of my grandparents Mercedes and LR Gazitua who built a logistics enterprise from humble beginnings. We all shared how we take great pride in that legacy and the way they treated their family, friends, and employees. Each of us in the discussion described how the pandemic has affected our businesses and our employees. We’ve all taken steps to protect and serve our employees during these unprecedented times and the good name of our grandparents inspires us to continue treating others like family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors in Central America’s Caribbean coast affected by Hurricane Eta this week. Stay safe, Sean Gazitua WTDC President & CEO Image caption, clockwise from top-left: Sean Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO, Saif Ishoof, FIU Vice President of Engagement, Luis Andre Gazitua, Esq., Gazitua Letelier, PA, Principal, Luis Gazitua, JAG Insurance Principal, and Carlos Gazitua, President & CEO of Sergio’s Family Restaurants.

Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua

WTDC, a Foreign Trade Zone and Freight Forwarder in Miami, Florida, USA, and Empresas Perrot Group Inc., a premier Trucking and Logistics Provider in Santiago, Chile, went “live” this week with their offering of door to door logistics services between the U.S. and Chile including customs documentation, transport via road, air, and ocean, and customs documentation. The two companies will improve the customer experience with a focus on technology and concierge customer service. Do you have U.S. to Chile or Chile to U.S. logistics business that you would like WTDC to review for efficiency and cost-savings? Email us here.

WTDC Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving – Closed November 26 & 27 Christmas – Closed December 25 New Year’s – Closed January 1

On October 30th, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order and did not extend the No Sail Order that has sidelined cruise ships since March 2020. While this order does translate to an instant return to cruising, it does set up the phased parameters for sailings that are safe for passengers and crew with significant emphasis on public health and safety.

CDC: Cruise Ship Guidance

On Friday, October 30, WTDC employees and tenants participated in our annual Halloween festivities by dressing up as “Pandemic Heroes” and decorating office doors.

Mark your calendars – WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua joins logistics panel

We welcome you to join WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua on Thursday, November 12, at 11 a.m. for a logistics town hall meeting. See below from the organizers: As part of CAMACOL’s International Trade outreach efforts, CAMACOL Doral and the City of Doral will host a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 12, 11 a.m.-12 noon. Our topic will be “International Trade & Logistics After COVID”. Doral is the heart of Miami Dade County’s International Trade Sector and home to about approximately 4000 International Trade related companies. We believe it’s important to provide insights the state of this sector including new and innovative business models that have been created as a result of the pandemic.” WTDC will share the login link on its social media channels when available. You can email us here for a reminder.

Meet CAMACOL Doral