Port labor deal in British Columbia collapses, strike resumes

The dockworkers union strike that shuttered the container ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, Canada, was supposed to be over. It’s back on again.

The initial strike started July 1 and lasted 13 days. On Thursday, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) announced that a tentative four-year contract agreement had been reached with the International Warehouse and Longshore Union (ILWU) Canada, via a proposed settlement from a federal mediator. The key word here turned out to be “tentative.”

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Maximize Your Time At the Annual Meeting – Check The Updated Conference Agenda

The Annual Meeting will feature a stellar lineup of speakers and panelists to address current and future issues that impact your business. This year, we have circulated a preliminary agenda earlier than usual to give you more time to plan your meetings around sessions you don't want to miss.

See the webcast IAM hosted on this year's agenda

Review the preliminary conference agenda today to select the learning labs and special sessions you wish to attend. Refer back to it often as you plan your business meetings to get the most out of your Annual Meeting experience and stay up to date on any updates to the agenda. Download the Schedule-at-a-Glance as well for easy reference.

Get Your Visa

Visit the Government of Canada website for official information on entry regulations and to check if you need a visa. The visa application process can take months, so don't delay. We strongly recommend applying for your visa as early as possible so you can avoid last-minute complications. If facing issues with the application, please reach out to us for assistance at membership@iamovers.org.
 

Secure Your Spot Today | Exhibitor Floor Plan | Attendee List | Prospectus
*Attendee List Passcode: Toronto61

Please contact IAM's Matthieu Odijk at matthieu.odijk@iamovers.org with questions about the IAM Annual Meeting and Expo.

Top Five News Stories You Might Have Missed

1. Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits See Surge in Maritime Piracy Incidents
2. Indian intra-Asia freight rates tumble, even into negative territory
3. Smart container fleet expected to grow six-fold over the next five years
4. Container vessel sinks in Bangladesh waters
5. Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted

Get more news like this on IAM's LinkedIn page.

Apply Today for an ITP Scholarship - Professional Development is at Your Fingertips

The Industry Training Program just got another $22,500 approved by the AFWSF Board for ITP scholarships. That’s 45 more ITP scholarships ($500 each)! Since the program's start in 2021, we have awarded 110 ITP scholarships. Will you be the next awardee? Learn more and apply today!

Increased MPI costs for shipments to New Zealand

From the New Zealand Overseas Movers Association:

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced an increase in the processing & inspection charges relating to shipments entering New Zealand, effective 1 July 2023.

MPI provided little notice to industry of the new legislated costs, only advising on June 21st, catching NZOMA members off guard. This leaves a very tight timeline for members to engage with industry partners about the impact of the new lodgement & inspection costs.
 

MPI clearance & inspections are predominantly prepaid by customers at origin as part of the relocation costs to New Zealand.
 

Broadly reviewing the increases, Electronic Lodgement costs have increased 100%, and Zone-based Inspection costs have increased between 40 & 65%, depending on the warehouse distance from the MPI offices.
 

Please liaise with your New Zealand industry partner about the impact this may have on the ITF & Inspection costs, and to understand the impact on booked shipments already enroute to New Zealand.

Renewal of the Law for Returning Migrants to Peru

From Door To Door Transports S.A.C.:

We want to inform you that the Returning Migrant Law, which expired in Dec. 2022 and whose purpose was to exempt import taxes on removals, vehicles and equipment for the development of professional activities, owned by Peruvians who have been living abroad for at least 3 years of Peru, has been renewed as of July 12.

Any questions related to the Returned Migrant Law (Law No. 31827) can be communicated to trafico@doortodoor.com.pe.

The No. 1 destination to live and work abroad, according to expats

Expats in Mexico are some of the happiest in the world, according to a new report from Internations, the global community for people who live and work abroad.

Mexico ranks No. 1 as the top destination for expats, with 90% of people saying they’re happy with their lives abroad in the country, compared to 72% globally.

The “Expat Insider” report ranks 53 destinations based on five indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and an “expat essentials” index, which covers housing, administration, language and digital life.

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Award Nominations Closing Aug. 1

The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes a member with exceptional leadership qualities who has significantly contributed to the global moving and mobility industry. The award will honor an individual who exhibits strategic thinking, inspires their teams, promotes diversity and inclusion, drives innovation, and contributes to community and social work. This award celebrates leaders who create equitable working environments; embrace constructive conflict; and exemplify the values of trust, respect, and ethical leadership.

The IAM-YP Rising Star Award will honor a YP who has distinguished themself through a commitment to professional development, networking with the young professional community, or engaging in philanthropic activities impacting the global moving and mobility industry.

Submit your nominations by Aug. 1. The recipients will be announced at the IAM 61st Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Join us in celebrating remarkable achievements and inspiring the future of the moving and mobility industry. Nominate deserving professionals today!

LACMA Announces it 2024 Convention

The dates of next year's LACMA Convention will be March 9 - 12, 2024. Mark your Calendars & See you in Aruba!

See IAM's Event List for more upcoming events.

Stand Out from the Rest as an IAMTrusted Moving Company

Stand out with the IAMTrusted Moving Company (ITMC) designation. Backed by a strict adherence to the IAM Code of Ethics and powered by the IAM Issue Resolution System, this innovative program assures prompt and fair resolution of issues raised against any company who has the badge on the IAM Mobility Exchange (IAMX). The first phase of this initiative deals with member-to-member issues and this will build the foundation for a future phase focused on moving customers.

This is needed more than ever as rogue operators continue to scam unsuspecting customers. See the recent articles on moving scams in the US below.

• Moving scams on the rise amid hot housing market
• Looking to Move? Here's What to Know to Avoid Getting Scammed This Summer
• Scams to watch out for: moving, wedding planning: Better Business Bureau
• New Las Vegas resident warns of moving scams
• Moving Scams Are on the Rise, and Florida Is Ground Zero

Portal Magazine

In every issue of the Portal, we invite our authors to share their experiences, success stories, learning experiences, and vision with others in the moving and forwarding industry. In addition to our regular columns, feature articles for each issue are united by a central theme.

The theme: "Think globally, act locally" chosen by the IAM-YP Management Board encourages considering global consequences and making a positive impact in local communities.

Submit your story today for the upcoming edition of the Portal Magazine. Contact Portal Editor Will Kohudic if you have any questions or want to send him your article.

Upcoming Industry Events

Is your calendar up to date? See IAM's Events Calendar to stay abreast of the various conferences and industry meetings. Want to add an event? Contact IAM's Carl Weaver.

IAM Membership Updates

• New Members This Month
• Prospective Members for Next Month
• Alleged Debtor List
• Voluntary Cancellations List
• Companies known to be misusing the IAM logo

Member News

Pasha Hawaii Announces Delivery of Second LNG-Fueled ‘Ohana Class Vessel ‘MV Janet Marie’ at AmFELS

Hawaii-based Pasha Hawaii, together with Texas-based AmFELS (A member of Seatrium Group), today proudly announced the delivery of the MV Janet Marie, the second of two new ‘Ohana Class, 774-foot Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) powered container ships built at AmFELS. The new vessel joins Pasha Hawaii’s fleet serving the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane, as well as the company’s first ‘Ohana Class vessel, MV George III, which began service on August 17, 2022.

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The Armstrong Company meets Terry Bradshaw

The Armstrong Company recently got to move NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Terry Bradshaw in Dallas.

WDP and Gosselin combine forces for a sustainable partnership in Logistics 

Marc Smet, CEO of the Gosselin Group, proudly reveals, "After having acquired the Milcobel site, strategically located near to our existing container terminal, we made the decision to tackle this venture collectively with WDP, recognizing the complementary nature of our operations and our shared vision."

This joint venture represents a fusion of strengths. WDP's expertise in warehouse construction harmonizes seamlessly with Gosselin's excellence in moving and logistics services. "With our shared values of agility, flexibility, and forward-thinking, we are perfectly poised for mutual growth in the future," affirms Andreas Vermost, Development Manager at WDP.
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