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Improving the Communications Pipeline One Antenna at a Time

JAS Canada facilitates improved telecom service to remote BC site

By
Anna Isaj
August 25, 2021
JAS Canada transports antenna
JAS Canada transports antenna

From city centers to rugged mountaintops in the Vancouver wilderness, there is no transport job too complicated for JAS Canada’s team to achieve. Case in point: the recent delivery of an RFS antenna shipped from France to a remote location near Williams Lake, British Columbia. The antenna was added to an existing communications tower to help boost telecommunication services in this remote B.C. town.  

Anna Isaj, from the JAS Forwarding Worldwide Insurance and Claims department, said this one was of the most challenging requests for transport she has handled for this client in her 10 years of working with them. What made the process so difficult was securing a flat rack container,  OOG Dept. approval, and shipping container to move the antenna from its manufacturer in France to its destination in Williams Lake, B.C.  

“The current export market conditions lead to several weeks’ waiting time between the booking confirmation and the estimated time of departure,” said Isaj. “A shortage of equipment and congestion at the ports have made every day very challenging for the team.”  

The port at Le Havre, France, where the antenna was scheduled to depart from, continues to experience backlogs due to productivity-related issues. Some container lines are bypassing this key French port to avoid the hassle, which is making it difficult for logistics managers to ship products on tight deadlines. Working around these issues requires creativity and connections to top carriers. JAS Canada’s team was up for the challenge.  

Isaj and her team received the dimensions of the antenna from their client. It weighed 1,750kg, dims, with dimensions of 500x240x282cm. They determined the safest way to transport the aerial transmitter from the factory in France to the shipping port was using a combination of a step-deck trailer outfitted with a flat rack container. Once the container arrived at the port, it could be loaded directly onto the ocean freighter.  

The JAS France team assisted with securing the transport and shipping container for the move. It took their team six weeks to locate and procure a flat rack container. With shipping ports still backed up from the height of the global pandemic, shippers often must wait for the shipping containers needed.  

The team approached all the ocean lines in its pursuit to get the antenna shipped by the deadline. All but one responded they had no bookings available due to space and equipment constraints. One ocean line said it could accommodate shipping but could not guarantee arrival at the Port of Vancouver by the required time of arrival.  

Identifying the delay and providing a new estimated time of departure to the client was the next crucial step in the process. Since the delay in receiving the antenna did not cause the telecom’s customers to be without service, the client agreed to the new timeline. “As long as the shipment was delivered in good order, the delay was accepted by the customer,” said Isaj.  

Once aboard the vessel, it took 46 days transit time for the antenna to arrive at the Port of Vancouver from the port at Le Havre, France.  

Upon arrival at the Port of Vancouver, the shipment required clearance from customs. Following approval from Canadian Customs, the oversize microwave antenna was unloaded from the flat rack container. JAS Canada arranged the delivery to the remote location in Williams Lake on a step-deck trailer. The JAS Canada team also secured a crane that was required to unload the antenna from the step-deck trailer. Getting the crane to the remote location was another challenge for her team, Isaj said.  

“This was quite challenging; however, it was successfully done by our team. The amount of endless effort put forth by both the JAS France and JAS Canada teams to complete the door-to-door delivery of this oversize shipment was incredible.”

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Maria Limberg, Regional Finance Director, JAS Nordics and Baltics

Maria Limberg considers herself “more than just an accountant.” “Finance is pretty basic, but it’s more than just the numbers,” she explains. What sets Maria apart is her holistic approach to finance. She recognizes the importance of deep industry knowledge, asserting that, for her, understanding the intricacies of logistics and supply chain is crucial to accurately interpreting financial data.

She hasn’t always been an expert at crunching numbers for logistics companies though.  

After studying finance for four years, she found herself navigating a tough job market and eventually started at a call center as a debt collector. The work was grueling, and she knew she wasn’t putting her talents to use. So, when the role of a Finance Assistant at a logistics company presented itself, she took a leap of faith and accepted. “It wasn’t the type of role or industry I initially saw myself in, but it seemed better than working for a collection agency,” she reminisces.

Despite her initial reservations, Maria embraced the role and quickly adopted a deep interest in understanding the 'how' and the 'what' that drive supply chains forward. What began as a leap of faith blossomed into a career where Maria found herself as a leader and “voice of reason” for many projects and initiatives.  

While one might assume that being a woman in finance in an already male-dominated industry would come with its obstacles, Maria acknowledges she is lucky that she hasn’t felt the pressure of any of those stigmas. “My approach has always been, do the work you know how to do, work hard, and appreciation will come. I’ve always felt that support,” she reflects.  

This constant support coupled with her tenacious and unrelenting spirit has enabled her to drive innovation and automation, often advocating for solutions where others initially did not see the benefit. She has played a crucial role in revolutionizing finance processes and enhancing efficiency within her team and beyond.

Alongside her dedication to invention and efficiency lies a passion for mentorship and leadership.  Maria's leadership principles revolve around collaboration and empowerment – as she knows firsthand how empowerment can help guide one’s path. In the past, Maria has worked as a mentor for new residents of Sweden, helping international professionals navigate the job search process in tandem with learning the norms of the Swedish culture. “It’s the cultural things that these very educated and experienced professionals need help with. They are very qualified, but even advising on how long to wait to call back for a job have been bits of advice that have made a big impact,” she shares. For her teams, she prioritizes this same environment of transparency where team members feel valued and encouraged to voice their opinions.

Maria's positive attitude and resilience are evident. She emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment and teamwork in overcoming obstacles and driving success. Beyond her professional endeavors, Maria finds fulfillment in her role as a mother to two sons, actively participating in their extracurricular activities. “If I’m not at the office, I’m at a game,” she mentions with a smile.

Her journey epitomizes resilience, passion, and the transformative power of taking a leap of faith. So now, when people ask Maria, “Why logistics,” her answer is, “Why not logistics?”

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland—the fifth busiest container port on the US East Coast—will cause significant disruptions for US importers and exporters. Due to the hazardous and unstable conditions of the bridge the number of casualties remains indeterminate. However, more important than the obvious business disruptions are the lives affected by this unforeseen tragedy. JAS’s thoughts are with the people, families, and companies impacted as rescue teams work to secure the hazardous and unstable conditions of the bridge.

According to the Maryland Port Administration, “vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.” As such, multiple merchant vessels, bulk carriers, and a vehicle carrier are now stuck in limbo within the Port of Baltimore. Cargo already gated into Baltimore terminals must be shifted to alternative ports, where possible, or await the uncertain reopening of the Port.

The next vessels currently scheduled to call the port are for Thursday, March 28th. This information should be seen as dynamic, with high possibilities to change. Shippers with cargo tied to these vessels will need to make alternate arrangements for cargo handling and discharge. Operational restrictions by carriers may impact cargo owners request for diversion and / or termination. Carriers may equally choose offloads at ‘next port of call’ which may be instituted based on terms and conditions in the governing bill of lading.

Due to the indefinite closure of the Baltimore port, a shift to Norfolk, Philadelphia, and / or New York/New Jersey might be an option. The sudden shift of cargo to neighboring ports, primarily Norfolk and New York/New Jersey, will likely lead to increased volume handling in these ports. While there will be bottleneck effects and delays in cargo processing, historical volume data suggests that Norfolk and New York/New Jersey have sufficient capacity to handle the spill-over from Baltimore.

JAS Teams are available to drive collaboration, swift adaptation, and transparent communication among all stakeholders impacted to minimize disruptions and ensure the smooth flow of goods. Stay tuned for further updates and guidance as the situation develops. For any more detailed and / or shipment specific information, or alternative solutions, please contact your local JAS office.

JAS Worldwide attends TPM24.

JAS Worldwide recently participated in TPM24, an event held in Long Beach, CA, where industry leaders converged to discuss the future of logistics and maritime shipping. Among the event's highlights was the joint presentation between JAS and Wesco, focusing on their collaborative efforts towards decarbonization in the industry.

TPM, or Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference, serves as a platform for key stakeholders in the shipping industry to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities. At TPM24 Shipper's Day, JAS Worldwide and Wesco shared their experiences in a joint panel discussion titled "First Steps: A Case Study in Developing a Decarbonization Plan".

During this session, Jim Bonsteel, VP Transportation, Customs and Trade Coordination at Wesco, and Andrea Goeman, Senior Vice President of QHSE & Sustainability at JAS Worldwide, delved into the journey towards decarbonization. Moderated by Alexander Nowroth, the discussion offered a comprehensive view of the decarbonization process within logistics Scope 3 emissions. The presentation showcased the collaboration journey from 2018 to today, starting from measuring carbon emissions to reducing them.

A key theme reiterated throughout the session was the fundamental role of partnerships in driving sustainable change. Andrea Goeman emphasized, "I firmly believe that choosing the right partners is key to making a change," underscoring the importance of collaboration and shared values in addressing industry-wide challenges.

Jim Bonsteel mentioned, "Driving progress in sustainability is about being an advocate – you have to embrace the topic in your overall logistics decision-making to go from crawling to standing up and walking."

"The presentation received positive feedback from other shippers and stakeholders who are starting on the sustainability journey," highlighted Lars Huebecker, EVP Global Head of Ocean Freight at JAS. "Our focus on sustainability within our ocean freight operations not only influences industry practices but also underscores our commitment to environmental responsibility," added Lars.

While recent years have presented significant challenges for many industries, such as the recent disruptive impact of geopolitics, the unprecedented supply chain disruptions during COVID-19, and labor actions at major seaports, the pursuit of sustainability is viewed as an enduring journey rather than a short-lived endeavor. This perception highlights the ongoing commitment required to create a meaningful change in the logistics ecosystem.

JAS Worldwide extends its appreciation to all participants and organizers of TPM 2024 for fostering meaningful discussions, providing valuable industry insights, and inspiring innovative initiatives. Moving forward, JAS Worldwide remains committed to fostering collaborative partnerships and advancing sustainable practices, driving positive change in the global maritime shipping and logistics landscape.

About JAS Worldwide: 

JAS was founded in 1978 in Milan, Italy, and its global headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Over the last four decades, JAS has grown from regional roots to a global force in logistics covering all modes of transportation, including contract logistics and other sophisticated and digital-driven supply chain solutions. Today, JAS covers 100+ countries with over 7000 employees globally and continues to expand with its core culture, "People make the difference," and its strong commitment to a sustainable future. 

About Wesco: 

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

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