First Choice Marine Supply has announced it has purchased the assets of Standard Marine Supply. Standard Marine Supply has been supplying the commercial marine industry for over 100 years. They serve the offshore fishing fleet, shipyards and boatyards throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

With this acquisition, First Choice Marine Supply now has the exclusive rights to the premier wire rope brand of “Perma”, which is considered an industry leader. Standard Marine does wire rope fabrication on premises, and with this merger, will have the ability to supply main crane wire rope with metric sized sockets.

Standard Marine Supply has been the distributor for companies such as Ameron Marine Coatings and Perko Products for many years.

The acquisition of Standard Marine Supply expands First Choice Marine Supply’s existing coverage from the Southeastern U.S. to the Bahamas, and Caribbean plus Central and South America.

First Choice Marine Supply is a growing full line ship chandler with a strong emphasis on technical products, full provisions, bonded and food storings with professional, world class service. First Choice Marine Supply will be moving into the 33,000 square foot Tampa facilities of Standard Marine Supply with the move to be completed by August, 2008.

President Greg Nielsen states his company will continue to look for other acquisitions that bring the same synergies as Standard Marine Supply. Standard Marine has had a reputation for quality service and products for over 100 years, states Nielsen. “We sell many of the same products only to different customers, their philosophy is the same as ours, fantastic service, great quality, at competitive prices.”

First Choice Marine Supply has offices in Tampa, Florida, Savannah, Georgia and a sales office in Freeport, Bahamas.

“AMS” New Rules for Landed Spares in the USA
By David Greenwood, First Choice Marine Supply

The Sea Automated Manifest System (AMS) impacts any ship calling the USA and has affected the flow of “spares in transit” that are critical to vessel operations. Specifically, all ship’s spares that are taken off vessels in the USA must comply with the Sea AMS entry system before they can be removed from the vessel. This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs & Boarder Protection (CBP) requirement that is being implemented throughout the ports in the USA. In many ports now, agents and brokers can no longer handle the landing of spares from the vessel without the ships owner having an AMS account.

Charters handle this AMS requirement for the ships discharge cargo, but owners have to handle this for landed spares taken off the ship.  

This AMS account has to be set up to bill the owners direct, as CBP has to know “who is responsible” or “who to target” if something happens with this cargo taken off the vessel.

A bond is also required, which is either 100,000 USD collateral or if the ship owner is entered with a P&I Club, the underwriters may be able to assist without collateral using their Liability Coverage insurance. 

Once set-up, your AMS provider directly enters the information (on items to be landed) directly into the CBP computers, and this “entry number” follows the goods to their final destination. Freight forwarders require this AMS number before freight can be moved.

There are several steps required for a company to be set up in the AMS system, and unfortunately these are not streamlined. I will give a brief explanation into the requirements and procedures.

Sea AMS data processing centers - These companies provide a client with an interface to the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection. Selection of a particular data processing service is strictly an individual user decision.

SCAC code - All companies (including water carriers) are required to have a SCAC code. This was created by National Motor Freight (NMFTA) and defined as the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies.    

CBP Form 5106 - Importer ID Input Record, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires all companies to have an importer ID established.  

International Carrier Bond Application and Power Of Attorney - The cost for the insurance bond is about 2000 USD per year, this will cover your company with an International Carrier Bond number, and also for importing of cargo under your companies bond number / SCAC if applicable.  

SEA AMS Respondent Checklist - All new Sea AMS participants need to complete this document to submit with their above forms to their AMS provider of choice.

Once the above have been filed out it can take up to 10 working days before Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) issues the bond and approval application (CBP form 301).  
The rules have changed for taking ships spares off of vessels here in the USA, and this is adversely affecting many international maritime companies.

Knowledge of AMS and having an established provider will prevent long delays that may adversely impact your ship or schedule when critical or emergency items need to be landed that are not part of the charters responsibility or cargo. If more information is needed, you may contact David Greenwood at First Choice Marine Supply at 813 223-7673 or email dgreenwood@FirstChoiceMarineSupply.com.

David Greenwood
Sales Manager, First Choice Marine Supply
Locations in Tampa, FL and Savannah, GA
Fast, professional “World Class Service", First Choice Marine Supply