Cool Cargoes Track at TPM Conference to Highlight Range of Refrigerated Transport Issues

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The growth and capacity issues of the global cold chain will be the focus of the first ever Cool Cargoes track at the 2012 TPM conference in Long Beach, Calif. The full-day program will feature panel discussions examining the major issues in refrigerated ocean transportation and the cold chain including challenges in importing and exporting food products.

"The world's growing middle class is spending a significant portion of their higher incomes to diversify and improve their diets," said Peter Tirschwell, senior vice president for UBM Global Trade, the parent of The Journal of Commerce, the organizer of the event. "That has translated into record U.S. export shipments of beef, pork and poultry, along with increased imports of fruits and vegetables. With increased global consumer demand, reefer transportation has also come more into demand in all major trade lanes."

An opening keynote speech by Ulises Carrillo, vice president of logistics for Dole Food Company, one of the world's largest food shippers, will kick off an in-depth one-day program of speeches and panels. Carrillo will provide an in-depth look at the state of reefer transportation, both from the perspective of a shipper and a carrier; in addition to shipping over 100,000 TEUs of reefer goods each year via ocean container lines, Dole also owns and operates 16 reefer vessels through Dole Fresh Fruit International.

His speech will be followed by an overview of the U.S. reefer market, provided by Mario Moreno, economist for the JOC/PIERS. Moreno's look at the global market will include an analysis of opportunities arising from recently signed U.S. trade agreements and other factors, all designed to give attendees a genuine insight into 2012 supply and demand dynamics as shippers, carriers and non-vessel-operating common carriers prepare for annual service contract negotiations.

The agenda then turns to the hugely important issue of temperature-controlled ocean service; with the continued contraction of the world's specialized breakbulk reefer fleet and an increasing global demand for fresh fruits and vegetables along with meat, poultry and seafood, refrigerated containers are again in great demand. Along with increasing demand, practices such as ultra-slow steaming and a reduction of direct port calls put in place in recent years by container lines make it more challenging for shippers of perishable products to get goods to market with adequate shelf life remaining. Speakers from Maersk, Seatrade USA and Naturipe will discuss the implications of the service changes.

The Cool Cargoes track is organized by longtime transport writer and Cool Cargoes magazine editor Stephanie Nall. The reefer track will also include sessions on:

• Planning an FDA-proof refrigerated container supply chain
• Will there be a genset or reefer container shortage in 2012?
• How to manage growing environmental or "green mile" expectations of customers

To register, or to view our current agenda, please visit: http://jocevents.com/index.php?section=tpm2012.

Register by February 3rd, and receive a $100 discount. Use this code: PRTPM12.  Early bird rates end on February 3rd, so register this week for the best rates.

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquiries, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

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About The Journal of Commerce: Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10 percent discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered.

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM LLC, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).

MEDIA CONTACT
Peter Tirschwell, Senior Vice President, Strategy
The Journal of Commerce
+1-973-776-7822
[email protected]

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce