Navis Awarded Federal Maritime Commission License To Handle International Ocean Shipments

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Bill Dube

Greenwood Village, CO — The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has Awarded an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license to the parent company of Navis Pack & Ship. The license enables Navis franchise operators to offer international ocean shipping services.

 “The OTI license opens a major new market segment to Navis Pack & Ship franchise operators,” said Ben Blakeley, president and CEO of Navis. “Demand for our custom packaging expertise is strong and growing among customers who need to ship goods internationally. By offering ocean freight as well as air freight, Navis franchise operators have a significant advantage over many of their competitors.”         

About Navis Pack & Ship

            Specializing in custom packaging, crating, transportation and logistics services for items that are difficult to ship, Navis Pack & Ship has a diverse clientele that ranges from companies that need to move large, sensitive electronic equipment and machinery to art galleries, auction houses, estate settlement professionals and interior designers. 

            Navis also serves residential consumers who are moving small shipments of furniture, art or household goods.  Navis ships throughout the U.S. and Canada, and to most countries of the world.

            Franchise operators receive extensive training in handling fragile, large, awkward and valuable goods, education in transportation management, assistance in site selection and build-out, and support with marketing, sales, operations, hiring employees and technology.

            Over the next four years, Navis Pack & Ship plans to build out its network by adding more than 200 additional locations in North America. It has prime territories available in Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and other key markets.

To be licensed as an OTI, a company must have an officer with at least three years experience working for an ocean freight forwarder, a non-vessel ocean common carrier (NVOCC) or an OTI. Knowing that few of its individual franchise locations could meet this standard, the Navis corporate office applied for the license and developed a published tariff and training program that enables its franchise locations to offer international ocean services in accordance with FMC regulations.