WTDC Newsletter – May 24, 2023
Panama Canal drought forces shipping vessels to cut weight
Beginning today, May 24th, vessels crossing the Panama Canal will be subject to additional transit fees and be required to reduce their drafts by carrying less or reducing the weight of their loads due to a drought affecting the region. Only half the usual amount of rain fell from February to April this year, leading to an expected historic low in July of Lake Gatun – one of the two main lakes on the Panama Canal.
Bloomberg: Panama Canal Imposes Shipping Restrictions to Cope With Worsening Drought
President’s Corner
Last week was one for the record books at WTDC. It was a week that saw our family and business values tie together so well. In fantastic sales meetings and then again to a delegation of students and everyone that gathered for my father’s birthday, we had the opportunity to tell our Gazitua family and WTDC company story. Our company core values of God and Family, Health and Education, Community, and WTDC were emphatically on full display.
We invited University of Galway students and sales prospects to tour our Miami Foreign Trade Zone Warehouse. They learned about our company while our employees shared how they impact our community. My mother and I participated in the new FIU President’s Investiture Ceremony. Lastly, my uncle John – a founder and former President of WTDC – tied it all together on Friday. At my father’s birthday celebration he spoke of the importance of spirituality and work ethic that his parents, my grandparents, instilled in the family. We subsequently instilled these values into the company.
Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
PortMiami announces busiest cruise passenger day ever
On May 16, PortMiami announced that a record 67,594 cruise passengers passed through its terminals on Sunday, April 9, 2023. The previous record was 58,984 from February 12th of this year.
Sean Gazitua carries Torch of Knowledge at new FIU President Ken Jessell’s Investiture Ceremony
On May 18, Sean Gazitua had the honor of representing all FIU students and alumni at the Investiture Ceremony for new FIU President Dr. Ken Jessell. Sean carried the Torch of Knowledge as the Vice President of FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Sean and his mother Cookie attended the Investiture Ceremony, living our company pillars of Education and Community. Cookie attended in her role as a Senior Board Member of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum at FIU. Proud day for WTDC and the Gazitua family at FIU!
University of Galway visit
On May 16th, WTDC had the privilege of hosting 57 students from the University of Galway – Master of Science in International Management in conjunction with FIU College of Business. Our management staff and Interns from FIU thereafter shared information about WTDC’s logistics services, corporate initiatives, and company values.
Community – PBA Gala
On Saturday, May 20th, WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and his wife Cookie (pictured above) attended the 2023 South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Law Enforcement Awards. The Gazitua family sponsors a table each year to support the organization that has supported our law enforcement officers for 60 years. Mr. Gazitua served as a Police Chaplain for Miami-Dade Police Department and Everglades Correctional Institution for over 20 years until his retirement in 2021.
WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua celebrates 76th birthday at WTDC
On Friday, May 19th, WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua celebrated his 76th birthday with family, friends, and employees at WTDC. Thank you to Miami-Dade County Commissioner JC Bermudez, Saint John Neumann’s Father Alfaro, and all of our friends and family who attended.
Red Nose Day
Thursday, May 25th, 2023, is Red Nose Day. Each year, WTDC in Miami supports Red Nose Day and its efforts to break the cycle of child poverty as well as to ensure children are healthy, safe, educated, and empowered across the US. Red noses are available for a small donation at any Walgreens location.
Looking for South Florida crossdock or transload services for PortMiami or Port Everglades? Contact WTDC today (sales@wtdc.com) for container and flat rack loadings and unloadings in our FTZ bonded 6 acre yard just west of Miami International Airport.
