If any company knows logistics inside and out, it’s Wal-Mart.
With 11,000 stores across the globe, the world’s largest retailer must leverage not just imports but exports and domestic transportation in order to cost-effectively serve the millions of customers who walk into its stores every day.
If you’re one of the 1,900-plus people already planning to be in Atlanta next month for the two-day Georgia Logistics Summit at the Georgia World Congress Center, you’ll have the opportunity to hear Kevin Jones, Wal-Mart’s vice president of inbound transportation share insights on how it’s done.
If you’re not, there’s still time to register, but you need to move fast. The popular conference sold out last year with some 2,000 attendees from 30 states and nine countries taking advantage of the opportunity to network with peers, connect with customers and learn from industry experts.
In addition to Jones, who’s the luncheon keynote speaker for the conference’s second day, the March 18-19 event features sessions on international logistics partnerships and possibilities, a panel discussion with real-time updates on the current and future plans of some of Georgia’s located and expanding logisitics-enabled companies; transportation updates and opportunity sessions with representatives from such private-industry logistics consumers as Target, Tractor Supply, Home Depot and Merck; as well as breakout sessions hosted by leading experts on a variety of logistics topics and trends.
Built into the summit are opportunities to network, visit the 43 exhibitor booths and check out the two major trade shows — MODEX and Supply Chain & Transportation USA — being held downstairs the same week.
Individual tickets are $50. For more information or to register, go to https://www.georgialogistics.com/logistics-summit
Port technology conference coming in May
Georgia Ports Authority has partnered with MCI Media to host the International Port & Terminal Technology Conference and Exhibition in Savannah on May 20-21 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.
The conference, which was held in Europe for nearly a decade, is now in its sixth year in the U.S.
“Savannah is the perfect location for this year’s event, as its container port serves as the major gateway for trade into the vibrant and growing southeast U.S. region,” said Peter van Schie of World Port Development magazine, which is organizing the event.
“We’re excited to host this year’s event,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “The conference will feature an impressive selection of industry experts speaking on innovations that deliver improved port efficiency.”
The conference will explore the latest developments, trends and technology affecting global ports and terminals, specifically targeting industry professionals in such areas as port operations, maintenance and engineering, as well as terminal operators, consultancy firms, dredging contractors, maritime construction firms and suppliers of cargo handling and terminal equipment.
The event also features a technical exhibition, enabling companies to reach a target audience, showcase their products and network with potential, new and existing customers.
For full event details, go to www.millenniumconferences.com.
Ocean Exchange calls for solutions
The Ocean Exchange has opened its fourth annual global competition for the Gulfstream Navigator Award and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Orcelle Award for 2014. Each award comes with a $100,000 prize.
The theme for the 2014 competition is Accelerate Sustainability and will focus on ”innovations that generate economic growth and increased productivity while reducing the use of nature’s resources and waste,” according to a statement.
“Gulfstream is pleased to be sponsoring the Navigator Award again this year,” said Joe Lombardo, executive vice president of General Dynamics’ Aerospace Group, which includes Savannah-based Gulfstream. “Previous awards have recognized solutions that have strong potential for improving our environment. We encourage innovators from around the world to share ideas that will enhance productivity while reducing the use of our natural resources.”
Ray Fitzgerald, president of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Americas, agreed.
“Innovation is what makes environmental progress efficient,” he said. “It can also be a business advantage by being green and, when it does, it give rise to true sustainability.
“It is for its potential to find and launch such innovations that WWL is a proud supporter of the 2014 Ocean Exchange.”
To be considered, solutions must be registered online by May 5. For more information, go to www.oceanexchange.org.
Senior business reporter Mary Carr Mayle covers the ports for the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow. She can be reached at 912-652-0324 or at mary.mayle@savannahnow.com.
By mary carr mayle
Shipping Schedule
Following are the ships expected to call on Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City and Ocean terminals this week. Schedules are supplied by GPA and are subject to change.
TERMINAL VESSEL ETA
GCT MOL ENDURANCE Today
GCT MOL COSMOS Today
GCT CSAV LLANQUIHUE Today
GCT PAGO Today
GCT MAERSK DHAHRAN Today
GCT MSC MAEVA Today
GCT CAFER DEDE Today
GCT HS PARIS Today
OT GRANDE MAROCCO Today
GCT MSC SAO PAULO Saturday
GCT CMA CGM MANET Saturday
GCT ZIM RIO GRANDE Saturday
GCT NEW DELHI EXPRESS Saturday
GCT HYUNDAI DYNASTY Saturday
OT TYSLA Saturday
GCT CGM UTRILLO Sunday
GCT MSC PAMELA Sunday
GCT KRISTIN KNUTSEN Sunday
GCT BREMEN BRIDGE Sunday
GCT PHILADELPHIA EXPRESS Sunday
OT PARSIFAL Sunday
GCT CONTI HARMONY Monday
GCT MAERSK MISSOURI Monday
GCT UASC SITRAH Monday
GCT HANJIN NORFOLK Monday
GCT AXEL MAERSK Monday
GCT SINGAPORE EXPRESS Monday
GCT BOSTON EXPRESS Monday
OT KIRANA NAREE Monday
GCT APL OAKLAND Tuesday
GCT EVER DIAMOND Tuesday
GCT ZIM CALIFORNIA Tuesday
GCT MAERSK ATLANTA Tuesday
GCT HYUNDAI VOYAGER Tuesday
GCT MSC METHONI Wednesday
GCT UASC SHUAIBA Wednesday
GCT SHIPPAN ISLAND Wednesday
GCT NYK CONSTELLATION Wednesday
GCT MSC CAROLE Wednesday
GCT YANTIAN EXPRESS Wednesday
GCT MOL PARTNER Wednesday
GCT NEDLLOYD TASMAN Wednesday
GCT DEIRA Wednesday
OT GEORGIANNA BO Wednesday
GCT STADT GERA Thursday
GCT MAERSK MONTANA Thursday
GCT MAERSK ROUBAIX Thursday
GCT YM ETERNITY Thursday
GCT ZIM ALABAMA Thursday
GCT MSC EMMA Thursday