Discuss the major challenges of seaport operations in their quest to remain competitive
Port authorities must remain vigilant of equipment innovations, operational congestion, and labor challenges. First, the size of containerships continues to increase because ocean carriers are motivated to achieve economies of scale. Waterways will need to be dredged, port authorities and terminal operators must invest in larger cranes, and sailing schedules will have to change to accommodate the longer unloading and processing times for these huge ships.
A related concern is congestion at major seaports. As freight volume and vessel sizes increase, substantially higher cargo volumes per ship call occurs. It is estimated that a port call from an 18,000 TEU ship could require 7,000 on/off container moves. This volume, combined with equipment shortages or poor landside operations, creates a high risk of port congestion and ships getting off schedule. During the first half of 2014, containership calling at the Port of Hamburg experienced delays averaging 70 hours.
A third pressing issue is the periodic labor disputes and slowdowns that can result from protracted labor contract negotiations. For example, the 2014 negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association had the potential to disrupt 29 U.S. West Coast ports, including all the major West Coast container ports—Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma. Any work stoppages or slowdowns have the potential to send ripples across global supply chains.
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Horizontal analysis tracks the dollar and percentage change in financial statement amounts for the same company across accounting periods
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
The relative proportion of economic resources and obligations would be shown by the balance sheet
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Which of the four major categories of quality costs is particularly hard to quantify?
A) prevention costs B) appraisal costs C) internal failure costs D) external failure costs E) None is hard to quantify.
Which of the following makes a security interest created under Article 9 a floating lien?
a. The provision that, unless otherwise agreed, a security agreement gives the secured party a security interest in the proceeds if the collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of. b. The provision that, unless otherwise agreed, a security agreement fails to give the secured party a security interest in the proceeds if the collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of. c. The provision that, unless otherwise agreed, interest rates will vary depending on the prime rate of interest. d. The provision that, unless otherwise agreed, the parties will not sell, exchange, collect, or otherwise dispose of property and that if such an action is taken, all sums owed become immediately due.