Our expertise is in the field of shipping, logistics and security technology. We have provided studies to a wide range of companies on a variety of subjects, a cross section of which are detailed below.

State Of Pennsylvania/SmartStates: We provided a study and an evaluation of maritime facility security technology.

The project evaluated and assessed new technologies and pending legislation to determine their benefit and proper application to the ongoing issues of port security. We identified seven topical areas in technology development and pending legislation that represent a significant impact on port security operations. We explored those topical areas thoroughly to determine their value to the port, maturity, drawbacks, and recommended uses in a security environment.

The research was based on academic and industry reports, interviews with professionals in security implementation as well as R&D groups, physical product evaluation and testing, and limited prototype development to prove the concepts where necessary.

Itochu Chemicals: The client wanted to understand the economics and physical requirements for the shipment of bulk and bagged Urea from a location in the Mexican Gulf to various points in the Far East.

An on-site survey was performed to determine the optimum vessel type and the loading capabilities of the load port. Using the parameters developed, suitable open hatch bulk carrier tonnage was identified and an analysis of charter hire rates and type and terms and conditions of the governing charter party were provided.

Recommendations were made based on an analysis of voyage charters and long-term time charters to determine the optimum transportation profile that met the physical requirements and the cost objectives.

Air Products and Chemicals: The client wanted to identify an available site in the north east US Gulf and the possibilities for the receiving of Ammonium Nitrate in bulk by rail, discharge and storage and loading to sea going tonnage.

An analysis of the optimum vessel type and size was performed to determine possible locations. A port with a suitable facility was identified that met the criteria and a thorough understanding of rail connections, receiving, and storage and loading capabilities was developed.

Ammonium Nitrate in bulk has unique and possibly dangerous properties and discussions with the port authority and local fire departments were undertaken to understand requirements and actions needed to receive and process the cargo.

A detailed report and recommendations were made that included a per ton cost and a detailed analysis of the proposed facility that included its capabilities to receive and process loads from railroad dump car rolling stock and the capacity and limitations of the storage silos and sheds.

Mobil Mineral and Mining: The client wanted to import limestone in bulk from multiple locations in the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean ports to receiving points in the United States. They needed to understand the economics of the logistics process as well as the physical requirements and costs at loading ports in the Aegean Sea and western Mediterranean and discharge ports in the United States.

A study was made of the loading and discharge facilities to determine the controlling draft, the equipment available for and the estimated time of, loading and discharging. From the parameters developed, suitable open hatch bulk carrier tonnage was identified and an analysis of charter hire rates and type and terms and conditions of the governing charter party was provided.

Recommendations were made based on an analysis of voyage charters and long-term time charters to determine the optimum transportation profile that met the physical requirements and the cost objectives.

Morning Star International: The client required an analysis of the requirements and cost for the efficient collection, processing, subsequent shipment to the port, storage and loading to sea going vessels of scrap metal from Port-Gentil in Gabon, West Africa.

The client had identified over 300,000 metric tons located along the Trans-Gabon railroad from Owendo to Franceville. The scrap consisted of rail and rolling stock abandoned during construction along a 700-kilometer stretch of the railroad, much of which traversed dense jungle areas.

A study was made on-site of conditions at Port-Gentil to determine pier weight load limitations and access to rail. This resulted in the client understanding that a separate site was required with access to barge tonnage for loading and lightering to vessels in a deepwater anchorage. Sites alongside the railroad were identified and a plan was developed to meet the requirements for collection of material, transportation to railheads and cutting and loading to railcars. Methodology for mobile collection crews along the rail line was detailed and a cost structure developed. An analysis of available rolling stock capabilities was undertaken to determine practical flow to the seaport. A separate site by the port was identified with barge access and equipment requirements for forklifts, cranes and cutting equipment detailed. An analysis of geared bulk carriers available for the carriage of scrap was undertaken and a cost structure developed.

The on-site study was interrupted by a civil war and to protect our client we recommended Force Majour should be declared. We gathered suitable documentation from news sources and the U.S. Embassy to support the clients. claim, which was upheld.

A report detailing all the findings and a detailed cost analysis was provided to the client.

Delaware River Port Authority: The client wanted to understand the economics and practical requirements of the transportation of fruit by sea in refrigerated, breakbulk vessels from Central America to ports in the Delaware River.

A study was made of the draft and equipment limitations in the Central American ports to determine the optimum vessel. An analysis of reefer vessel charter hire rates on both a voyage and long-term time charter basis was made. An analysis of the loading ports performance was made to understand the possible implications of conditions affecting demurrage to the total cost of the project.

A total cost analysis of the individual components of the project was provided and an overall cost per metric ton from point of loading to point of discharge was developed and compared to existing containerized cost.