PortMiami traffic with Asia rises 11%

Bolstered by an increase of container traffic as a result of infrastructure improvements at PortMiami (See our previous article on Big Ship Ready) as well as traffic that continued with the port following resolution of West Coast labor disputes, PortMiami reported an 11% volume growth with Asia in 2016. As reported in MiamiToday, PortMiami has benefited from the larger PostPanamax ships that now move through the expanded Panama Canal and PortMiami now sees 35% of its trade volume with Asia.

One interesting future limitation brought up in the article concerns planned construction to bridges in New York. Limits to the height of the vessels New York can receive could adversely affect PortMiami, as many of the vessels that call Miami also call New York.

To read more from the April 18, 2017 article in the Miami Today by Camila Cepero “PortMiami traffic with Asia rises 11%” click here.

WTDC Chairman, Ralph L. Gazitua, commemorates 30th anniversary of Ordination

On May 2, 1987, Saint John Neumann parishioner Ralph Luis Gazitua was ordained a deacon at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy. Archbishop McCarthy assigned Deacon Gazitua to assist Fr. Michael Hickey, founding pastor of SJN, with the sacraments and ministry of the parish and to serve as Chaplain for detention ministry. For the past 30 years, Deacon Gazitua has balanced his spiritual responsibilities as a deacon with his commitments to his family and his career.

May 2nd, 2017, Deacon Gazitua proudly celebrates his 30th year as the Deacon of the Archdiocese of Miami. Congratulations on your WTDC family, Ralph!

Please click here to read the full article

WTDC Welcomes Rose Marie Diaz, Customer Service Representative, to the team!

Rose Marie Diaz started with WTDC late March and has been working in WTDC Operations and Customer service. Keep up the good work!

WTDC Attends Netherlands Logistics Seminar

WTDC attended the Netherlands Logistics Seminar Luncheon on April 27th aboard the Stad Amsterdam, a clipper harkening back to the Dutch legacy as shippers of tea and spices.

The Stad Amsterdam was modeled after a 19th-century clipper but with all the amenities of a modern ship. The vessel was launched in 2000 and circumnavigated the globe in 2009. To read more about the Stad Amsterdam, click here.

After a welcome by Mrs. Nathalie Olijslager, Consul General of the Netherlands, a logistics introduction was given by Vice Mayor Adam Elzakalai of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Joseph Marino and Robert Rozek, KLM Cargo on Pharma Gateway then demonstrated their cold-chain capabilities for pharmaceuticals using Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. Another presentation by Rene de Koning of OneLogistics highlighted how the Dutch-designed an affordable, agile, compliant, and scalable F-35 / Joint Strike Fighter sustainment supply chain for the European region.

L to R: Vice Mayor Adam Elzakalai of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Mrs. Nathalie Olijslager, Consul General of the Netherlands,  and Moritz Kuhlenbäumer, Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam.

Buzz Drink of the Week:
the Mint Julep!

While the forecast for this weekend’s Kentucky Derby calls for thundersnow (yikes!), it inevitably also calls for plenty of the Kentucky Derby’s signature drink: the Mint Julep. The Mint Julep is a simple recipe of bourbon whiskey (from Kentucky of course!), and muddled mint, sugar, and water over ice, preferably in a frosted metal cup.

Here’s a great article from Thumbtack Editors posted on April 27th, 2017; “Patio Party Pleasers: The Mint Julep.”

Celebrate Florida trade opportunities during Florida World Trade Month 2017

Each May, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center Miami, and Enterprise Florida host a month-long series of educational seminars and business networking events to display Florida’s participation in World Trade Month.

The events kick off with tours of PortMiami on Wednesday and then Friday’s  WorldCity ‘World Trade Month Annual Kick-off Luncheon’ presented by World City in which all 3 port directors will share the stage. May 3rd is the last day to register for Friday’s event. Expect to see WTDC there!