Missionary Expediters, Inc.

Thank you all for your prayers and emails. The majority of our staff evacuated. We are all safe and working remotely, so please feel free to email your account lead for any information.

As always, keep calm and ship on!

For over a decade now Missionary Expediters procurement division has handled cargo for Christian and Missionary Alliance. This is a special project where we purchase, warehouse, and consolidate all their personal effects then load them in a container.

We recently shipped a container for families in Senegal, which was unloaded today. This is the true meaning of Serving those who serve Him!

We are happy to officially announce the return of the annual MX Logistics Forum. Due to popular demand, and given the uncertainty of the times, we will once again be hosting the conference virtually this year. It will take place on October 7th, 2021, so be sure to mark your calendars and register as soon as possible!

https://missionaryexpediters.com/2021forum/

As of July 1, 2021, FEMA has announced "The TFR is now expired. All previous export restrictions announced under the TFR are no longer in place."

You may find more information at the following link:
https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/allocation-rule-personal-protective-equipment-exports

As always, Missionary Expediters is here to help you navigate through the ever-changing logistics world. Please reach out to your project lead with any questions or rates you may need.

Information Update about the Export Allocation Rule on Medical Supplies and Equipment for COVID-19 FEMA published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) in the Federal Register on Dec. 31, 2020 which allocates certain scarce critical health and medical resources for domestic use to ensure needs are met for the American public during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an extension and modification of a previous...

MX FORUM RESULTS ARE IN!

Thank you to everyone who answered our survey. We are proud to announce that the 2021 Missionary Expediters Forum will once again be going virtual!

Save the date - October 7, 2021, no matter where you're physically located, you'll be attending the MX Logistics Forum! Be on the lookout as we will continue to post updates.

https://www.npr.org/2021/03/29/982174644/ever-given-partially-afloat-as-salvage-teams-race-to-reopen-suez-canal

'She's Free': Giant Container Ship Blocking Suez Canal Underway After Days The Ever Given had been wedged at an angle across the Suez Canal since Tuesday, preventing other shipping vessels from traveling through the waterway.

Dear Partners,

Regarding FEMA's restrictions on exporting personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rule has been modified and extended through June 30, 2021

As a reminder, shippers must file for an exemption and approval prior to shipping restricted PPE (further details can be found in the below URL from FEMA).

Full text: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/allocation-rule-personal-protective-equipment-exports

Please notify us before booking if you plan to ship regulated items. We can assist you through the compliance process, to ensure that your shipment is exported lawfully. Failure to declare restricted PPE before loading may result in seizure and hefty fines by US customs.

Allocation Rule on Exports of Personal Protective Equipment | FEMA.gov A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites..

May you be blessed, healthy, and prosperous in all that you do!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From your friends at

Missionary Expediters & Navigation Network

5620 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70115, USA,

T:+1504 891 6300

Dear Partners,

We at Missionary Expediters wanted to check-in and remind you that as the calendar year is coming to a close, many shippers will be vying for vessel and air space. If you have shipments planned, please let us know now so we can ensure you get booked in time.

It should also be mentioned that we are so immensely proud to have partnered with you all (or y'all, as we say down in New Orleans) during this uniquely challenging year. So many of you overcame obstacles to packing or distributing your cargoes, and we've seen incredibly innovative solutions that kept your mission work going! Let this be the year we grew stronger in our faith and our adaptability.

As borders and economies around the world have been opening back up, we too are gearing up and ready to take on more of your shipments. We are finding new efficiencies and bringing on new staff to keep offering the service you need to get your life-saving commodities delivered to the most vulnerable.

Thank you for the opportunity to be even a small part of your inspiring projects.

Please stay in touch with your Lead Expediter on your plans to ship now, or in the future, and we will rise to meet and exceed your expectations.

Keep Calm and Ship On!

Another great MX Logistics forum!! Thank you to all our partners that made it possible! We are blessed to have you!

Don't miss it!!!

The Importance of a Compliant Bolt Seal

Recently, we have been noticing more and more problems at destination ports with containers arriving with a wrong seal, no seal, or a non-compliant seal. In such occasions, there are penalties from multiple sources (steamship line, port authorities, customs officials). Those fees can range from $300 to $3000 including late fees while the situation is mitigated.

We'd like to use this opportunity and remind you of the following:

* The use of ISO compliant High Security Seals (bolt seal) on all full containers is mandatory to prevent pilferage, terrorist devices, and other contraband from entering the global supply chain.

* All the letters and digits of the Seal number shall be manifested properly and accurately on any and all documentation. (UL-123456, not just 123456)

As a best practice, it is recommended Shippers take clear photographs of the following when preparing shipments for transit:

1. Their shipments inside the container before closing the doors.
2. Containers door closed, with the container number clearly visible.
3. A legible close-up of the seal and the seal number before affixing it to the container; and lastly,
4. Seal properly affixed to the right door locking rod or lower right locking rod cam.

Please share this with your warehouse managers and partners' warehouses. This will keep your cargo protected, and your interests safe from destination penalties.

🛳We will continue Keeping Calm and Shipping On. Let us know how we can help.

As we continue to pray for our brothers affected by the tragic explosion in Beirut that occurred on August 4th. We do want to take this time to provide you with the current update provided to us by the various carriers that service this region.

The Port of Beirut had been impacted by the explosion and repairs are ongoing. Currently, computer systems, email, and booking systems continue to function normally. Phone lines were diverted to personal fixed lines or mobiles.

Terminal re-opening

Beirut Container Terminal has now partially reopened to gradually resume operations and the port is connected to inland transportation networks.

Cargo to/from Beirut will be delivered with minimal disruption. We ask for your understanding given that the terminal is not yet fully operational, and given the possibility of congestion and delays in customs clearance at the port.

Feeder services are expected to resume berthing at the terminal, and cargo operations will take place wherever possible within the confines of the current limited capabilities of the terminal.

Don't forget to register!

MX Forum is Going Virtual!

As we are all facing uncertainty, one thing will never change - our commitment to navigating our partners through the ever-changing logistics world. Our first-ever virtual Forum will bring together more of our global partners for education, collaboration, and inspiration - in a whole new way! We are still ironing out the details and will share more information very soon.

We cannot wait to see you in New Orleans in October 2021, but until then, we can't wait to see you...virtually, on October 8, 2020!

Please visit missionaryexpediters.com to register.

A poem for this Friday afternoon:

Our Invisible Seafarers

When we go to the shops with all the food on the shelves,
We buy what we want, in sixes and twelves.

For the strawberries and others, we buy out of season,
We expect them to be there, on the shelves without reason.
Anchor butter from New Zealand, via the Panama Canal,
After a month at sea, arrives with us, somehow.

There is our fish caught at sea, in treacherous storms,
By fishermen, whose risks they consider the norm.
Or the meat and the wheat, from Argentina,
And, tinned tomatoes via the Straits of Messina.

Working months at sea for the global supply chain,
Our invisible seafarers through the wind and the rain,
Keep our supermarkets supplied and fulfill our needs.
Ensuring our children their regular feeds.

Surrounded by water here on the British Isles,
It’s the seafarers’ efforts, that support our lifestyles.
Locked down by the virus, stuck at sea,
Missed at home by friends and family,
Their efforts unrecognised by you and me.

So next time you applaud all our front-line staff,
Who work so hard on our behalf,
Please try to make it just a little bit fairer,
And give recognition for the British Seafarer.

Stephen Cameron AFNI
Liveryman, Hon. Company of Master Mariners
Freeman City of London.
CMR www.cmrsupport.copm

www.cmrsupport.co

UPDATE TO EXPORTING OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE), FROM THE USA:

Based on the current update from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there are some exemptions to exports of PPE. As we all know, changes are happening frequently and we are doing our best to keep up with all of them, but we also ask that you please do the necessary on your part to make sure you are in compliance with the US law prior to shipping.

EXPORTING OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE), FROM THE USA

Dear Partners,

Many have asked regarding exporting of PPE from the USA. The below was just published by THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing a temporary rule to allocate certain scarce or threatened materials for domestic use, so that these materials may not be exported from the United States without explicit approval by FEMA. The rule covers five types of personal protective equipment (PPE), outlined below. While this rule remains in effect, and subject to certain exemptions stated below, no shipments of such designated materials may leave the United States without explicit approval by FEMA. DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective from April 7, 2020 until August 10, 2020.

The rule covers five types of personal protective equipment (PPE):

• N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators, including devices that are disposable half-face-piece non-powered air-purifying particulate respirators intended for use to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer to help reduce wearer exposure to pathogenic biological airborne particulates;

• Other Filtering Facepiece Respirators (e.g., those designated as N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, or P95, P99, P100), including single-use, disposable half-mask respiratory protective devices that cover the user’s airway (nose and mouth) and offer protection from particulate materials at an N95 filtration efficiency level per 42 CFR 84.181;

• Elastomeric, air-purifying respirators and appropriate particulate filters/cartridges;

• PPE surgical masks, including masks that cover the user’s nose and mouth and provide a physical barrier to fluids and particulate materials;

• PPE gloves or surgical gloves, including those defined at 21 CFR 880.6250 (exam gloves) and 878.4460 (surgical gloves) and such gloves intended for the same purposes. Pursuant to this Memorandum,

The temporary final rule is available on the Federal Register.https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-04-10/pdf/2020-07659.pdf

www.govinfo.gov

Missionary Expediters, Inc. updated their business hours.

UPDATE: Keep Calm and Ship On

Dear Partners,

Many of our clients have asked the same question... can you still ship cargo? The simple answer is YES. The transport of people (airlines, borders, etc) is highly restricted - however, we have yet to hear of a single case where goods are being restricted. Right now all ports are open worldwide and all governments have agreed that trade and the flow of materials are necessary. Even local governments have deemed Transportation and Logistics as 'essential business'.

Vulnerable populations are more at risk now than ever - so we are proud to have all of our operations and staff working to keep your life-saving cargo in motion.

That said, you should always have your consignee in-country assess their situation locally and let you know what hurdles they may face. For example - here is a comment we received from Honduras:

For the moment the government said that customs, borders, airports, and ports are open for cargo but in reality, most local transport and customs are only moving items related to food, donations, and medical supplies, also our staff haven’t been able to move accordingly to fulfill our work since we are in quarantine so we have some trouble getting to customs.


While we can still ship cargo like normal - can your consignee get clearance like normal? If they face delays- these delays lead to penalties. Can your consignee pay the penalties?

These are the questions to ask of your overseas partners. If you have any further questions - please reach out to your MX project lead.

Update: Missionary Expediters Preparation for the Coronavirus Threat.

Missionary Expediters wishes to advise our partners that the health and welfare of all our employees, at all locations, is our top priority. As COVID-19 spreads to more communities, we know that you may be concerned about how this impacts how you do business and interact with us.

Missionary Expediters is no stranger to business continuity, and similar to hurricane-related threats that can, from time-to-time, affect our daily activity. Please rest assured that all our staff is working remotely as we would during hurricane season. We are all fully staffed and working our normal hours.

Please reach out to your MX contacts if you have any questions or concerns. Be safe!

Coronavirus outbreak hurts the International Supply Chain. How does that affect you?

As always, Missionary Expediters is here to help you navigate through the ever-changing logistics world.

We have all been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak this year - in our personal and business life. The shipping industry has been hurt significantly, due to reduced production in China, and reduced exports.

It started with a few blank sailings (a vessel schedule skipping a week). Then, the availability of empty containers throughout the country started to dry out, making it harder to schedule inland pickups. Now, the US ports started closing terminals 2-3 days of the week due to low volume.

Vessel space is scarce and fills up fast on the existing rotations. Even after you get a confirmed booking, the steamship line may roll you to a next vessel, even if you have an already loaded container on its way to the terminal.

What can you do? Be extra flexible in these difficult times. Send us your planned loads as early as possible, be prepared for last-minute changes.

We, at Missionary Expediters, can't calm the storm, but we'll navigate your cargo safely and with utmost care.

We have good news and bad news for you.

The good news is that the international community has agreed to work together on reducing pollution in the oceans.

"From 1 January 2020, the new IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 Low Sulphur Regulation will be in effect – all sea-going vessels worldwide will have to comply and reduce their sulphur emissions by 85%.
To comply with the Regulation, sulphur in fuel oil must be reduced from 3.50% to 0.50%, in addition to the 0.10% sulphur limit already effective in the Emission Control Areas (ECA). This aims to reduce the amount of sulphur oxide emissions and should have major health and environmental benefits globally, including improving air quality and reducing risks of acidification of the oceans."

The bad news is that the clean fuel costs much more, and will be recovered by additional fuel surcharges added to the ocean freight. Different steamship lines are calculating it in different ways, and charge it based on the distance. Please expect price increases on December 1st in the range of $100- $400/ 40'HC.

2019 MX Forum was a great hit!!! Thank you to all who attended.

Save the date: Oct. 6-9, 2020!!

We have all been expecting for a while to see how the steamship lines will implement the new worldwide mandate of reducing pollution by the use of cleaner fuel. Here's one of the most comprehensive explanations that can help you understand the plan.

APL_IMO2020

Bahamas Update - September 16

Please see below for the latest updates:

AIR: Flights are operating as normal into NAS. Freeport is only accepting charters - SAAB 340 (max weight 7500 lbs) and Boeing 737F (max weight 35,274 lbs).

OCEAN: Freeport & Nassau Ports - Carriers has announced both direct and transshipment operations have resumed from all US ports. Port Everglades still offers that fastest transit, one day, with weekly sailings. In order to book, the carrier requires full consignee details.