The rise of nearshoring has increased cross-border freight volumes between the U.S. and Mexico. In May, for the fifth consecutive month, Mexico was the top U.S. trade partner at $73 billion. In fact, 15 of the past 16 months, Mexico has been No. 1 in trade with the U.S.
But that growth has exposed inefficiencies in cross-border trade.
On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Mark Vickers, executive vice president and head of international logistics at Reliance Partners, breaks down Reliance Partners’ 7th Annual Modernization of Cross Border Trade event in Laredo, Texas, in August and some of the challenges the gathering of a diverse group of stakeholders is attempting to solve.
“The industry typically describes Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo [Mexico] as a kind of black hole when it comes to transportation and visibility,” Vickers says. “This event and all of its partners are really set to change that. The event is created to make carriers, brokers and shippers all work better together.”
In regard to why this event is a little different panel-wise, Vickers notes: “Everyone wants to talk about cross-border but no one ever had any Mexican carriers there. We have a panel that’s just a Mexican carrier panel. The former president of [Mexico’s National Chamber of Cargo Transportation] Canacar will actually be on that panel alongside two of the largest carriers in Mexico.”
This event will have people across multiple industries and both sides of the border coming together to identify and develop solutions that work for everyone.
As for those that are leading the charge on developing these solutions, Vickers said,
“We’re going to have some of the largest freight brokerages. Think of Coyote Logistics, Sunset Transportation, C.H. Robinson, Echo and SB Group – groups that have expanded their footprint from the U.S. to Mexico and done it well.”
There are many factors to consider when setting up a strong cross-border operation, such as different types of insurance, obstacles in onboarding Mexican carriers and maintaining Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism certifications when expanding into other countries.
The event is Aug. 6 in Laredo. Spots can be reserved here.