membership has its privileges

Chemical transportation is different from your run-of-the-mill shipping operation. Products require special protective packaging, and they often move as bulk solids and liquids instead of in tidy cardboard cartons or on pallets. And oh, yeah—there's that little matter of danger. The fact that some of this stuff can blow up, burst into flames, or corrode whatever it touches means that chemical shippers face unique challenges when it comes to shipping, handling, and regulatory compliance.

To help simplify the process for its members, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) has teamed up with ChemLogix LLC, a provider of logistics management and technology services for the chemical industry. SOCMA members can choose to have ChemLogix develop a customized tariff for their domestic and/or international shipments. The tariffs will feature all-in-one rates that include the line-haul or ocean rate, related accessorial fees, and a margin for providing a host of additional services. These services include coordinating and tendering loads, providing shipment status updates and alerts, performance reporting, and freight bill auditing and payment. Freight services are available for LTL, truckload, bulk, intermodal, and international hazardous and non-hazardous liquid and dry materials.