By Jeremy van Loon -

A chunk of ice four times the size of Manhattan broke away from Greenland and may drift toward shipping lanes in the North Atlantic and off the Canadian coast, researchers said.

The 100-square mile ice island, with enough stored water to keep the Hudson River flowing for more than two years, split off from the Petermann Glacier last week, according to Andreas Muenchow, an associate professor of ocean science and engineering at the University of Delaware.

The ice is the largest to detach from an Arctic glacier since 1962 and follows the six warmest months on record. Glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are melting faster than predicted, accelerating their march to the sea and adding to the rising ocean levels that threaten coastal communities worldwide, according to many scientific studies.

“So far, 2010 has been the hottest year on record, and scientists agree Arctic ice is a canary in a coal mine that provides clear warnings on climate,” said U.S. Representative Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts and chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, on the panel’s website.

The ice island has been drifting in the sea lane between Canada andGreenland since Aug. 5, Muenchow said on the university’s website. It may block the channel, break into smaller pieces or hit land, he added.

Real Islands

The ice will encounter real islands in the Nares Strait and may drift along the coast of Canada’s Baffin Island toward Labrador, eventually reaching the Atlantic in about two years, Muenchow said.

The Petermann Glacier covers about 500 square miles. Researchers at the Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University are monitoring a rift in the ice, according to NASA. Over a two-week period last summer, the glacier lost 11 square miles, NASA said.

Pack n send  has republished portions of  this article by Jeremy van Loon. We try and keep out customers up to date on worldwide shipping. During the past few months, the  pirate activity seems to have decreased while glacier activity has been on the increase.

For information about Houston shipping, moving, packing or freight, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

With Cuba opening and improving ports US exporters are waiting for Cuba to open as a viable trading partner. While other countries help with port development, the US can only hope to take advantage of these updated ports when free trade between the countries is established.

PSA scoops Mariel deal

PSA International will manage and operate the container terminal being built at the Cuban  port  of  Mariel.

The terminal is part of a larger scheme to developMarielBay, 28 miles west of  Havana, into the  Caribbean  country’s most important cargo hub and light manufacturing centre.

PSA won a bid to manage the Mariel terminal last year and had since been in negotiations with master developer Zona de Desarrollo Integral de Mariel, part of Almacenes Universal SA, which is linked to the Cuban Army.

Local sources said  PSA   International would now actively participate in planning the terminal, which is scheduled to open by 2014 when ships up to 14,000 TEU will begin traversing thePanama Canal.

Mariel will initially have a 700m berth with a depth alongside of 15m. It is ideally situated to handle  US  cargo if the American trade embargo is eventually lifted, and will receive US food exports already flowing into the country under a 2000 amendment to sanctions.

The Brazilian government has pledged US $800M so far to finance construction of infrastructure and port facilities already under way in conjunction with the Odebrecht group.

 World Cargo News published this article July 2011.Pack n send has republished this article for our international customers. At some time in the future, we anticipate that US based companies and individuals will be able to use this improved port for cargo shipping.

For information about freight and cargo shipping fromHouston,Texas, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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 EUROPE – Volvo trucks has announced it has just launched their new Volvo FM MethaneDiesel truck. The new vehicle is powered by a combination of diesel and methane gas which according to Volvo could potentially reduce CO2 emissions from heavy and long-distance freight and logistics operations by a considerable amount.

The new trucks have already undergone field-testing with a number of companies in Sweden and the positive reactions to this has encouraged Volvo to commit to the new fuel, the first major European truck manufacturer to do so.

“The sales start of our methane-diesel model creates new conditions for the gas truck market. By using liquefied gas in an efficient diesel engine, we make it possible to use gas-powered trucks in heavier and longer-distance transport operations, making us the first manufacturer in Europe to do so,” says Claes Nilsson, President Europe Division at Volvo Trucks.

According to Volvo, the use of natural gas fuel results in a 10 percent reduction on CO2 emissions over a conventional diesel engine. However, compared with conventional gas-powered spark-plug engines, Volvo’s gas technology offers 30 to 40 percent higher efficiency, and this in turn cuts fuel consumption by 25 percent. This means that if a Volvo gas-powered truck is run on biogas, emissions of carbon dioxide would be able to be cut by up to 70 percent compared with a conventional diesel engine.

Powered by up to 75% natural gas or biogas the new Volvo’s engine is based on a conventional diesel equipped with a special fuel tank that keeps the gas liquefied and chilled to -140 degrees Celsius, and a catalytic converter. By using liquefied gas, more fuel can be stored in the tanks compared to if the fuel is compressed. This gives the methane-diesel truck a far greater range than that of traditional gas-powered trucks that utilise spark-plug technology. In a truck with a gross weight of 40 tonnes, the fuel tank holds enough gas for a range of up to 500 kilometres in normal driving.

The new Volvo FM MethaneDiesel is offered with a 13-litre engine producing 460 horsepower and 2300 Nm of torque. The fuel consists of up to 75 percent liquefied gas and the rest diesel, but the proportions can vary depending on how the vehicle is used.

In addition, should one fuel run out then the engine simply switches to the alternative, the driver only being made aware of this by lights on his instrument panel.

Though the initial sales of the new truck will be limited to Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands due to those countries more extensive network of natural gas refuelling stations, Volvo firmly believe that the potential savings for hauliers through greater fuel economy and the significantly lower prices of natural gas will soon the new technology much more widely accepted.

“Natural gas is attracting considerable interest in many countries and regions the world over. This interest is being largely driven by environmental considerations as well as by concerns over the secure supply of energy. In the USA and parts of Asia, Europe and South America, gas power is either already in use or decisions have been taken to invest in this power source. Thailand, for instance, is well to the fore with an established infrastructure and good availability,” says Lars Mårtensson, Director Environmental Affairs at Volvo Trucks.

Pack n send found this article in the Handy Shipping Guide. We are constantly on the look out for environmentally friendly business practices. For information about shipping, freight, moving, and containers from Houston, Texas feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

Ed Bullock, AIA

Architect at CEBArchitecture        www.cebarch.com

 As an architect who designs new homes, additions and remodels, I often work with homeowners who need to deal with the logistics of accommodating a construction project into their lives. In an extensive remodel or even just a kitchen renovation, families, especially those with small children, sometimes find it necessary to temporarily move out of their home to avoid the noise, mess and hazards of construction as well as to give the contractor room to work without damaging the homeowner’s belongings or peace of mind. In considering whether to live or stay in the home while it is being renovated, one needs to consider several factors.

First determine if the home will be livable during construction. Will the kitchen, bath room and other areas critical for habitation be available for your use? Will electrical power, heating and air conditioning be working when you need it? If you cannot use the parts of your home that are critical to your lifestyle for an extended period, it may make sense to find temporary lodgings elsewhere.

 Secondly, weigh your tolerance of the noise, dirt and debris that comes with construction. If you and your family are not around while construction activities take place, then noise is not an issue, at least for you. Dirt, debris and exposure to weather can be isolated to the areas under construction in some cases, but sometimes it cannot. Be prepared to discuss this early in the design process rather than waiting to find out during construction that your belongings are covered with drywall dust or soaked by leaking water and your piece of mind is shattered. Safety is another matter and the most important. There are plenty of ways to get hurt at a construction site, especially if it is your home. Do not stay in a hazardous location if you can avoid it.

 Third, consider whether moving out of your home to accommodate or speed the renovations will justify the additional cost of finding temporary lodging. If you want to consider it, the cost of moving and renting another home or apartment would need to be factored into the overall project budget.

There is value in working with knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the design and construction of a home improvement project. While some people prefer to do the work themselves, skilled professionals can speed completion and assure quality of the work while minimizing damage to the existing construction. It also makes sense to consider experience and reliability in finding someone to deal with the packing, transporting and handling of large, heavy or valuable belongings. Just as I would want a skilled carpenter, plumber or electrician to handle the challenging work of construction, I would also look for someone qualified to do the heavy lifting of my belongings as well.

 Pack n send has reprinted this article from Ed Bullock, AIA.

 Ed’s  website is www.cebarch.com. As an experience architect, Ed’s advice is important to consider when remodeling your home or office.

 For advice on moving or preparing your home for a remodeling job, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

Sending furniture anywhere nationwide can always seem like a difficult task.

 Whether you're moving an entire home or doing a small load move you are going to want to find the best options to send your furniture.

It can be hard finding shipping companies that will assist in smaller moves without having a hiked up price. With Pack n Send there is a variety of shipping options available so that you can send furniture across the country easily and at a price you'll like. 

Some options that are offered with Pack n Send's shipping and moving services include: 

• College moves
• Nursing Home moving
• Apartment moving
• International shipping/moving

If you'd like full details on the variety of shipping services offered by Pack n Send please continue to Shipping Services in Houston, TX. Throughout this section you'll see a vast amount of shipping services available.

If you'd like full details on the variety of moving services offered by Pack n Send please continue to Local & Long Distance Moving in Houston, TX. Throughout this section you'll see all the moving options available. 

It can be hard finding a service that does everything you need. Pack n Send will do everything it can to offer you everything you need at an affordable price. 

If you are looking to get a price quote to determine how much it would cost to send your furniture across country ensure to request a moving/shipping quote from Pack n Send.