Posted on Thu, Sep 02, 2010
Pack n send is posting part of the information posted by MSNBC. While we are in the process of adjusting freight shipments for our customers, and rescheduling when necessary, we are keeping an eye on the storm.
HATTERAS ISLAND, N.C. — Hurricane Earl was barreling toward the Eastern Seaboard Thursday with winds swirling at around 145 mph, as forecasters issued a new warning for New York's Long Island and tried to work out how badly North Carolina would be hit.
With the storm expected to start hitting North Carolina later Thursday, officials expanded mandatory evacuation orders across new areas of the state's low-lying barrier islands.
The orders affect all visitors throughout Dare County as well as residents and visitors to the popular town of Nags Head, county emergency relief officials said.
Mandatory evacuations, similar to those already in effect for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, were also ordered for the beach communities at Morehead City, authorities said.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning early Thursday for the coast of Long Island and a hurricane watch was issued for areas of Massachusetts. A hurricane warning was already in effect for the North Carolina coast.
Canadian officials also put parts of the Nova Scotia coast under a tropical storm watch.
Category 4 storm Earl, which has maximum sustained winds near 145 mph, was located about 410 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and was moving north-northwest near 18 mph.
Forecasters said the storm had strengthened slightly, but expected gradual weakening to start later Thursday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward 90 miles from its center.
Watches and warnings were posted along the Atlantic coast for most of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts, alerting residents that hurricane and tropical storm conditions were possible within 36 to 48 hours.
No storm has threatened such a broad swath of the U.S. shoreline — the densely populated coast from North Carolina to New England — since Hurricane Bob in 1991, National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said.
The last Category 4 to approach the Outer Banks was Helene in 1950, NBC News Meteorologist Bill Karins reported.
'Very significant impact'
Large swells roiled the coastline and experts warned Earl would bring dangerously high seas.
The first winds were expected to reach the North Carolina's barrier islands by Thursday afternoon and gain force during the night, though the hurricane is then expected to start weakening, the NHC said.
Tourists were largely gone from North Carolina's Outer Banks, but those resolute residents who stayed behind said they were prepared to face down the powerful hurricane. The islands jut out into the Atlantic and are frequently smacked by hurricanes and storms.
"There is still concern that this track, the core of the storm, could shift a little farther to the west and have a very significant impact on the immediate coastline. Our present track keeps it offshore, but you never know," Feltgen said.
The storm was forecast to pass just off Cape Hatteras, bringing wind gusts of up to 100 mph and several feet of storm surge both from the Atlantic and the sounds to the west of the islands.
Evacuations continued Thursday with residents and visitors leaving a barrier island in Carteret County, N.C.
Emergency services director Jo Ann Smith, of Carteret County, said she wasn't sure how many people were affected by the order to leave the Bogue Banks areas.
Unlike some of the barrier islands on the Outer Banks who had to take a ferry, Smith said people could simply leave in their cars.
For more information on freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.
Posted on Thu, Aug 26, 2010
The Associated Press has an article about companies selling off art work. While some are using the money to pay off debt others are re evaluating their art colletions.
First it was individuals selling art work, then Universities, now banks and companies. At pack n send we have put on ebay art work for customers.
While it has sold, the customers have asked substantially less than the appraised value. As clients also need cash, they are delving into their art reserves as a way to make quick money.
We have seen companies that are closing put up both their high value art work as well as their framed posters and prints. It has been good for both the sellers and the buyers.
At pack n send we build custom crates for the higher valued pieces, and box the lower priced items. Delicate statues are crated, while the less expensive, less valuable statutes are double bubbled, put in a box with peanuts and then put inside another box for shipping.
For more information about pack n sends crating and art shipping please contact us at 713 266 1450.
Posted on Wed, Aug 18, 2010
Pack n send is publishing this article from Handy Shipping News as a service to our customers.
US - Always keen to promote innovation and education throughout the shipping industry, German heavy lift and oversize project freight specialists Beluga Shipping GmbH is the latest company to support a short course designed to fast-track project cargo management skills that otherwise may take years to acquire.
Beluga will join the sponsors supporting the Certificate of Achievement in Project Cargo Management that will be offered during the education component of the 21st Annual JoC Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from 12th to 15th October.
Port Corpus Christi is also a sponsor of the training that will be run over two days from October 14-15 and is a joint venture initiative between the JoC Break Bulk Conferences (a division of UBM Global Trade) and international over dimensional 3PL network, Project Professionals Group. Course trainer and the general manger of the Project Professionals Group, Kevin Stephens, said the support from the project forwarding industry was much appreciated and showed that they were committed to education and training that delivered a higher standard of handling services for clients:
“Understanding how to manage multimodal project cargoes is extremely challenging and increasing skills through practical training is in everybody’s best interests to ensure the successful delivery of the freight.”
For more information about freight and cargo shipping as well as household goods shipping overseas, please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.
Posted on Fri, Aug 13, 2010
Pack n send loads containers for both household good and business shipping. While we pack and wrap goods before they go inside the container, we also label our palletized items for easy unloading..
Businesses are shipping office furniture, files and machinery over seas on a steady basis. While some of our households and individuals are returning to their home countries, we also ship for people just shopping in the United States. They have their brand new furniture and goods delivered to our warehouse, and then we load and ship the container for them.
Some of our best customers are locating overseas for a few years. When their job assignment is complete, we will then ship back their belongings.
Businesses are busy purchasing machinery as well as entire plants and requesting overseas shipping.
Our last commercial container had a Caterpillar 120 taken apart and then loaded into the container.
Our automobile shipping is steady. We offer containerized shipping to most countries. We are able to offer a lower cost roll on roll off service to certain locations.
For customers that do not have enough goods to fill a container, we offer shipping by the cubic meter. For our much smaller shipments we offer regular shipping services.
We custom crate items, as well as box or palletize shipments. Our crating service handles fragile or delicate items priced form one hundred dollars to over one million dollars.
If you need any over seas shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.
-Freight Shipping & Receiving
Posted on Wed, Aug 11, 2010
Now that a one hundred square ice piece has broken off a glacier, the cargo ships now face a new peril.
After dealing with pirates and colliding ships this floating island is another worry for boat captains.
This ice island break off follows six months of unusually warm record. These past six months have recorded the warmest temperatures since 1962.
Since glaciers are melting faster than any one had anticipated, they are adding to threats of flooding coastal cities all over the world.
It should take approximately two years for this latest breakaway piece of ice to melt. At this point, the worry is that the iceberg may head toward shipping lanes off of the Canadian Coast, and also in the North Atlantic Ocean.
By monitoring the progress of this large ice mass, ships should be able to adjust their course during the next two year time period.
For information about freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.
Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
China– The North Eastern port of Dalian which had been closed to freight traffic has just reopened. Friday there was after a huge explosion and fire left the oil terminal there in flames. The explosion was caused by a pipe from the tanker caught fire. The pipe exploded and then burst an adjacent pipeline which also ignited.
There is a cleanup underway with about 800 vessels. It is reported that they hope to have the clean up completed by July 24th. At this point in time, due to heavy winds and rains, the 800 vessels have exited the area until the weather improves.
Both Chinas oil and grain markets are affected by the closure of this port.
Pack n send monitors ports throughout the world. When we ship cargo and freight, we watch water ways and ports that are affected by both closures and personnel strikes.
For information on packing, crating shipping and freighting, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. We offer both domestic and international shipping.
Posted on Wed, Jun 23, 2010
Pack n send is posting this press release issued by the Port Authority of Houston. Pack n send ships cargo and containers through the port of Houston.
Freight shipping from Houston has a major impact on the Houston economy.
By unanimous vote, the Harris County Commissioners Court and the Houston City Council today jointly re-appointed James T. Edmonds as chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. County commissioners and city council members gathered at Houston City Council Chambers for the re-appointment vote.
"I am deeply honored and grateful for the confidence Harris County Commissioners and the Houston City Council have expressed in me since I was first appointed chairman in 2000," Edmonds said. "I will work even harder over the next two years to ensure that confidence is well-placed."
Initially appointed to the port commission in October 1996 to represent Harris County, Edmonds was first appointed chairman in 2000 by the city and the county. Edmonds is also a member of the board of commissioners for the Houston Pilots Association. Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commissioners serve two-year terms without pay.
Under Edmonds' leadership as chairman, PHA has implemented some of the most innovative initiatives in environmental stewardship, security and facility operations while experiencing the most aggressive growth, capital expansion and profitability in the organization's 96-year history.
"I'm glad to see Jim Edmonds reappointed for another term as chairman of the Port of Houston Authority," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "It's in times of economic uncertainty like these that Jim's foresight and calm, steady guidance are most needed. All of us in Harris County benefit from Jim's experience and wisdom."
The port authority made history in 2002, when it became the first U.S. port facility to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets the rigorous parameters of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 system. Under Edmonds' leadership, the port authority continues to set standards in environmental stewardship and security measures. In 2008, PHA became the world's first port authority to initiate a Security Management System worthy of certification for ISO 28000:2007. In 2009, the recertification of its EMS raised the bar yet higher, with the additional certification of the Bayport Container Terminal. Opened in February 2007, the Bayport terminal has added to PHA's capability to process 1.8 million in container TEUs annually.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker stated, "I am pleased to join Harris County Commissioners and Houston City Council in reappointing Jim Edmonds as chairman of the Port of Houston Authority. He is a proven leader who has guided the port through a period of unprecedented growth and environmental advances. Keeping him at the helm will help ensure this progress continues."
In addition to operating or leasing the public port facilities, the Port of Houston Authority is the sponsor of the Houston Ship Channel. In 2009, Chairman Edmonds worked closely with U.S. Rep. Gene Green and other members of the Texas congressional delegation to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receive $98.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It was the largest single allocation of federal funding for infrastructure projects the channel had ever received. The waterway's impact on the region includes about 785,000 jobs and $118 billion in economic activity. Across the U.S., 1.5 million jobs and $285 billion worth of economic activity are related to the ship channel.
Edmonds' leadership also enabled the port authority to play a major role in advancing railroad transportation efficiency by helping create the state's first Gulf Coast Rail District. The Houston Ship Channel Security District also gained state legislative approval during Edmonds' tenure. Both projects are highly regarded for setting standards of excellence in public- private partnerships.
The completion of the $700 million Houston Ship Channel deepening and widening project in 2005 is considered a testament to Edmonds' strength in building coalitions among congressional members and various local stakeholders. In addition to enhancing navigational safety for commercial vessels, the project created more than 4,200 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitats.
PHA's opportunities with small businesses also were elevated under Edmonds' leadership. In 2002, PHA created and implemented its Small Business Development program with a 35 percent participation goal and - since its inception - the program has awarded nearly $285 million in PHA eligible contracts to registered firms.
In addition to his civic service with the Port of Houston, Edmonds also serves as a board member of the Memorial Hermann Hospital System, Gulf Coast Rail District, I-69 TxDOT Advisory Committee, and the Alliance for I-69 Texas. Edmonds is president of Edmonds & Company, a business consulting firm. business consulting firm.
For more information on shipping freight through the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.
Posted on Tue, Nov 17, 2009
When you own many antique items that are very fragile it can be quite worrisome and stressful trying to pack up all those items for any move, whether it is short or long. A simple bump could shatter an antique quite easily if it is not packaged properly, which is why you want to ensure you've done it right to keep them safe and secure from point A to point B.
Packaging Your Antiques Properly
For those that are moving or needing to send an antique item you will want to consider understanding how to package them properly. It is not too difficult to do, but the slightest mistake could make or break your antiques.
When packaging these items you want to ensure that you seperate all portions and wrap each item individually. It may seem easier to package items as a whole, but this could pose to be a problem. Utilizing bubble wrap, peanuts, styrofoam and if needed double boxing could help protect your items from any bump or movement. You want everything to fit securely in the boxes that are used for shipping leaving no breathing room for movement.
Shipping Your Antiques Safely
The shipment of your antiques could be a very stressful time for anyone. Antiques tend to be family heirlooms which have a lot of memory and value to your family, so shipping them properly is key to their safe arrival at the next location.
When you are shipping your antiques you want to ensure that the company shipping them will handle the items properly and have zero mishandling. Not all companies truly pay attention to that "Fragile" sign on the side of boxes, so it is important to trust your shippers.
Using Pack n Send Packaging & Shipping Services
With Pack n Send you will be provided with some of the top shipping services that will ensure that your packages reach the next location safely. Antique shipping is something you want to ensure is done right. For those worried that they are not going to package their items properly Pack n Send can easily package your antiques for you safely and securely in their warehouse or your location. Every item will be packaged with the proper care and for larger items the use of crates is possible.
You should never have to worry that your antique items are not going to reach the next location in one piece. By utilizing the packing and shipping services that Pack n Send offers for antique items you can be positive everything is going to reach the end location safely, securely and on time.
Posted on Sun, Sep 20, 2009
There are some very basic questions you need to ask before you
contract someone to build a crate.
You will need ask if they can supply the wood for both domestic and
international shipping.
Can they build reusable crates?
Do they have experience with both large and small items.
Have they crated delicate or valuable items in the past? Be sure and
ask for examples of these items.
Do they know the proper amount of padding to add inside the crate for
different types of items. High value painting with glass require
different preparation and padding from artistic statutes.
How do they bind the crate? Do they nail it or use screws to close the crate? Do they secure the crate with metal banding?
For an experienced crate builder and freight shipper with over 25 years experience, contact Pack n Send for your next freight or shipping job.
Photo credit bjornmeansbear