Global Food Collaborative

This is the time of year that most fresh buyers, harvesters and shippers are looking at their transportation requirements for summer season.     The summer of 2010 may be the most challenging year, yet - with an abundance of changing regulations.      Therefore, we asked Global Food Collaborative member and Alaska Station Manager of Commodity Forwarders, Inc., PJ Cranmer some questions that had been passed our way over the past month.  

CI:  Our readers are already writing about all of the new regulations that will be impacting their domestic and international shipments during 2010.     There is a lot new.   Can you give us a quick run-down of what suppliers and buyers should be aware of? 

PJ:  TSA was mandated by Congress to increase security on passenger airplanes.  In response they have a timeline for August 2010, all passenger aircrafts cargo must be 100% screened.  This means each box must be screened prior to departure. Also new, EU shipments are now required to have a Catch Certificate, in addition to their standard Health Certificates.

CI:  How will this impact their shipments?

PJ: Regarding TSA, this will increase wait times at airlines and enforce an earlier cutoff.  In some cases freight won’t make booked flights.

CI:   If you had once piece of advice to offer shippers, what would it be?

PJ: Become a CCSF (Certified Cargo Screening Facility) or deliver to forwarders that are CCSF.

CI:  One of the things that I think suppliers often miss is not having a good understanding of what a freight-forwarder offers over other options.    Can you give us a simple explanation in your own words?

PJ:   Freight-forwarders are travel agents for freight.  We have allocated space, tracking, web access to all documents (packing list, tracking, invoices, summary reports), QC, freight screening and coolers at multiple temperatures to accommodate different commodities.  All carriers have one temperature for all perishables like fish and produce - 40 degrees.  Forwarders like us have multiple temperatures for optimal storage.   Beyond taking care of a company's freight, we have out of necessity, become proactive about regular information sharing with our customers.  Like a travel agent, we want to make our customers experience as smooth as possible, so we provide regular updates to customers on ways to avoid delays with new regulations or how to comply so as not to delay future business.   

CI:   One thing that often bothers us about transportation-related questions, is the ever present request for a price quote.      We have often advised shippers to discuss their strategic objective and let the transportation professional use the tools they have to provide options that may not even be considered by the shipper.    It seems now more then ever important for shippers to get the best solution, not necessarily the best price for one link in their supply chain.       Do you see this and what is your approach with a business calling for a quote only?  

PJ: We see this as the most important part of a quote.  When dealing with perishable product, service and protection is most important.  Anyone can give a quote, but having a solution for product to arrive within temperature, correct packaging and service is more important.  You don’t want the cheapest price with your product arriving damaged or hot, this doesn’t help anyone.

About Commodity Forwarders, Inc.

Commodity Forwarders specializes in the transportation & distribution of perishable products worldwide. They handle freight of all kinds from frozen fish & meats, fruits, vegetables & flowers, to chilled fish, organic produce and dry cargo. CFI has offices in Anchorage, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Hilo & Kauai; Hawaii. CFI also handles temperature sensitive cargo through perishable network relationships from other cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Latin America, South Pacific, Asia and the Middle East.

Commodity Forwarders has over 160 employees who specialize in the handling of temperature sensitive products.

Since 1974, CFI has established themselves as a major force with both domestic and international air carriers along with many steamship lines. Contracts and space commitments with over 40 major carriers allow CFI to ship asparagus, strawberries, cherries, fresh fish and a wide variety of other perishable products worldwide. CFI was the first company in the industry to offer 24 hours, 7 days a week coverage along with a full line of inbound, high humidity forced-air cooling, inventory / temperature control and distribution services software including web access remote printing of all documents.

PJ Cranmer 

Alaska Station Manager

Commodity Forwarders Inc

www.cfi-lax.com
4000 West 50th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99502-1039
(907) 243-1144

More Information On Health Certificate Applications and EU Catch Certificates:

NOAA Seafood Inspection Service Website