ICS - IMPORT CONTROL SYSTEM

ICS (Import Control System) is the electronic security declaration management system for the importation of goods into the European Union customs territory.

January 1, 2011 is the mandatory compliance date for Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) filing. An ENS is required for all shipments brought into the customs territory of the European Union community. The ocean carrier is responsible for ensuring timely and complete filing of the ENS. For deep-sea containerized shipments, the ENS must be lodged at least 24 hours prior to loading on-board the vessel at origin.

ICL is in the process of reviewing procedures, systems and cutoffs to ensure compliance with this regulation prior to the mandatory compliance date of January 1, 2011. We plan to begin informed compliance during the 4th quarter of 2010.

Documentation and Cargo cutoffs will be advanced to allow for timely receipt and processing under the new filing requirements.
It is important that all US Exporters moving cargo to or through the European Union start planning for changes as a result of this regulation.
Beginning December 2010, we will have no option other than to roll cargo whereby documentation deadlines have not been met. We will communicate revised cutoffs as the 4th quarter draws near.

Are you currently adhering to established documentation deadlines? If not, please take the necessary steps to bring your documentation flow in line with regulatory requirements.

For more information on the EU Import Control System, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/ecip/help/faq/ens7_en.htm

Please feel free to contact Customer Service (FCL - usebcs@icl-ltd.com, LCL – scsbooking@icl-ltd.com )
or Documentation (FCL - EBDocs@icl-ltd.com, LCL – SCSDocs@icl-ltd.com ) with additional questions.

Thank you for your support.

June 23, 2010

ICL reminds its customers to exercise care when loading a container using a forklift truck, particularly with heavy cargo.  When loading a container with a forklift truck, care must be taken to ensure the container floor is not too heavily loaded causing damage.  ISO1496 (International Standards Organization) sets the following limit values for forklift truck access into containers:

May 18, 2010

ICL has once again received the Eastman 'Supplier Excellence Award' for the third year in a row.  We appreciate the partnership we have with Eastman, and their continued support.  ICL measured 100% in all categories.

May 4, 2010

ICL is now a partner with the SmartWay program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

"As the nation celebrates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, EPA SmartWay congratulates our partners for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, saving fuel, and creating a more sustainable transportation system. Since our launch in 2004, SmartWay partners have saved nearly 1.5 billion gallons of diesel fuel and prevented the formation of 14.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions that contribute to climate change."

Click here to read the April 2010 publication.

April 23, 2010

During 2010 ICL will be celebrating 25 Years of Excellence, serving our customers on the Trans-Atlantic.

We would like to thank all our customers, service providers, and staff for their contribution to making ICL the success it is, and the market's acknowledged leader in customer service and on-time delivery. 

We look forward to the challenges of the next 25 years and promise our customers that we will remain committed to leading the way in customer service, schedule reliability and innovation.

Jan 4, 2010

ICL will now be offering a weekly containerized service to/from Wilmington NC and Chester PA via LIVERPOOL UK with the Iberian Ports of:

Bilbao Spain
Leixoes Portugal
Lisbon Portugal

ICL will be partnering up with MacAndrews, a leading European Short Sea carrier.

MacAndrews operate 2 separate services connecting 
1) Bilbao Spain and
2) Lisbon/Leixoes Portugal
with our Liverpool, UK port call.

This is another ‘niche’ market which compliments and expands our existing range of services.
Click here for more details.

October 21, 2009

Port of Wilmington sets container move record

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A record of 46.3 crane moves per hour set on the Independent Accord at the Port of Wilmington on October 22 lasted less than a week, when a new record of 46.8 crane moves was set on the Independent Concept on October 29. The Wilmington container team includes Ports Authority employees, the International Longshoremen’s Association, stevedoring management provided by SSA Marine and the shipping company, Independent Container Line.

In a letter of congratulations to the Ports Authority crane team, SSA Cooper vessel superintendant Tony R. Thompson wrote, “We’re impressed by all of your efforts on our behalf….Without your dedication and efficiency in performing your various jobs we would not have been able to achieve a production of this magnitude.”

ICL executive vice president/COO Dale Ross added, “ICL is pleased with the sustained growth in volume since moving to Wilmington. The support from North Carolina shippers has been impressive and validates our decision to call the Port of Wilmington.” ICL began weekly container service between Wilmington and the United Kingdom and Northern Europe in March 2009.

“The Port of Wilmington TEAM works relentlessly to deliver the highest quality service at the lowest cost,” said NC State Ports Authority Chief Operations Officer Jeff Miles. “As a port community, we take great pride and satisfaction in knowing that our best-in-class production contributes significantly to the success of ICL in this market.”

November 3, 2009

Independent Container Line has established the following plan to ensure that our service standards are maintained in the event of a Pandemic attack;

• ICL operating system allows for remote functions so that we can provide commercial services from different locations to supplement any affected office.
• Procedure has been established to forewarn vessels of infection level at ports of call before docking.
• Medication has been provided to all ICL vessels to be used by essential crew members.
• N95 type masks have been provided to protect vessel crew from infection on ship or when in contact with land based personnel.
• ICL sponsors and encourages vaccinations for its employees against Flu and has ensured sources of medication in the event that vaccines are not available at the time of infection at any location.
• N95 type masks have been provided to those landside locations where ICL personnel is in contact with possible sources of infection .
• If an ICL employee is suspected of contact or exposure to an infected person they will be asked to go to Doctor to be checked for infection or to stay at home until incubation period passes and no symptoms have surfaced.
• Any infected ICL employees will be asked to stay home until infection transmission period subsides.
• Critical ICL vendors have provided responses as to their plans to continue to provide uninterrupted service in case of a Pandemic attack based on a 50% Clinical Attack rate.
• Transport options, diversions and relays for areas that have been identified as possible “bottlenecks” are being evaluated.
• No rail transport will be performed in the U.S. during a Pandemic attack.
• Alternate Ports of call have been evaluated where logistically and commercially possible (ICL at this time does not have any restrictions on port calls in the U.S. regarding of Labor affiliation at any port).

October 12, 2009

ICL now has the ability to handle your slip-sheeted cargo at our Aston, PA warehouse. 
Give us a call for more information on this new service.

July 21, 2009

Businesses and individuals who pay North Carolina state income tax and use North Carolina State Ports can qualify for tax credits on inbound and outbound cargo.

The credit is earned on cargo wharfage and handling fees paid to the North Carolina State Ports Authority which exceed the average for those fees over three tax years. The credit applies to taxes due the state - up to 50% of the total tax liability for each tax year. Any unused credit may be carried forward for as long as five years for a total credit of up to $2 million.

Click here for a link to the NC Ports website for more information. 

June 25, 2009

ICL is recognized by Eastman Chemical Company in receiving the  '2008 Supplier Excellence Award'. 

Independent Container Line has been named a recipient of the Excellence Award for the year 2008 as part of the Eastman Supplier Excellence Program (ESEP). As a recognized Logistics supplier to Eastman Chemical Company during 2008, we earned the status assigned to Eastman’s most valued suppliers. This designation signifies consistent performance in furnishing Eastman with high quality services and working on Eastman's behalf to improve their efficiency and competitiveness in today's challenging market.  
This is the 2nd year in a row ICL has won this award; this year meeting 100% of Eastman's requirements.

March 30, 2009

The following is a press release announcing that ICL will begin calling the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina from March 26, 2009. This will replace the current port call in Richmond, Virginia.
The change is being made to improve our overall service levels to you and will at the same time expand our service scope in and out of states that are better served by a South Atlantic Port of entry and exit.

Your existing cargo currently carried by ICL thru the Port of Richmond will, from the March 26 sailing/arrival, be routed either thru Wilmington NC or Chester PA depending on its geographic origin or destination. The terms and conditions that you currently enjoy with ICL will be honored for their full validity period.

The ICL team is excited about the new opportunities that the Port of Wilmington NC will bring to enhance and grow the ICL service in the Atlantic Trade. Your Sales and Customer Service staff will be contacting you personally to discuss the change in ports, how it affects you, and most importantly to ensure a seamless transition for you and your customers.


Press Release:
Independent Container Line Ltd. (ICL) announces a change in its USA port calls. As of the 25th of March the port call in Richmond, Virginia will be discontinued and replaced with a port call at Wilmington, North Carolina.

ICL’s award winning service will continue with the following weekly, fixed-day port rotation:

Antwerp, BE – Liverpool, UK – Chester/Philadelphia, PA – Wilmington, NC

ICL has served the North Atlantic for 24 years and the company has offices in Antwerp, Liverpool and Richmond. ICL’s corporate headquarters will remain in Richmond, Virginia.

January 26, 2009

After renovating the port office, Independent Maritime Terminal (Antwerp port) has made further, substantial investment to its facility.  In November 2008, IMT completed the re-pavement of the entire terminal, some 167,000 square meters.  

Jan 9, 2009

See John Kirkland's interview, our CEO, in the Lloyd's List publication for April 4, 2008.  Here Mr. Kirkland discusses what has made ICL so successful and our vision for the future.

Click here to view the article.

April 11, 2008