Forwarders queue to join ocean network
A new US-based ocean freight forwarder network, Globalink, expects to approve its first members this week.
The network will be managed from Phoenix, Arizona, but founder Bill Siemens said the first 10 applicants were all from outside the US.
Globalink, like rival networks, offers internet shipment tracking and access to lower transportation rates through consolidated buying. But Siemens, who has spent 25 years in the international forwarding business including running two, said he wanted to do more.
“Membership brings with it the ability to represent one of the largest worldwide NVOCCs with one of the largest collection of agents and service contracts in the industry, ” he said.
The network is registered with C-TPAT (US Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) and complies with the new automated manifest requirements for those shipping into and out of the US.
Globalink also offers members support services, such as generation of marketing materials, graphic design, website construction, press release distribution and data entry for large projects or tariffs, and hopes to offer assistance with ISO certification. Membership costs US$2,000 a year for a main office and $1,000 for each branch.
“Ten applications are pending reference checks and over 30 companies have either submitted applications or are expressing interest, ” Siemens said. “We ask companies a series of questions that help us determine if our objectives are in alignment. All members must make commitments to each other regarding a range of operating issues.” He denied the network was being set up in response to smaller companies losing ground to multinationals. “I see the opportunity rather differently. We exclude companies whose capitalisation is too small, or who are too new to the business. Most of our applicants are medium to rather large companies that just don’t happen to be multinationals.
“Some multinationals get so big and so bureaucratic – we think we are more nimble and responsive, and often better qualified.” An advisory board will provide Globalink’s strategic direction. “We are keeping the management structure quite simple, ” said Siemens. “Many networks get bogged down in their own politics and bureaucracy.” IT will be key. “We offer members a platform for communication, as well as a common internet platform for shipment tracking. The development cost has been substantial, but we have also formed a number of strategic alliances that have helped contain costs.”
