SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

By Leigh Ryan, AZS, CZS

Grantees are the public or quasipublic organizations authorized by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board to establish and administer a US foreign-trade zone in a specific community or region. Their role in the structure of the program is foundational.

As a federally authorized economic development and trade program built on a public utility framework, domestic foreign-trade zones are more than a private customs benefit. The grantee model provides access to the program in a manner that is fair, reasonable and consistent. Grantees help ensure the zone serves a broader public purpose while still allowing companies to pursue practical operational and trade benefits.

For a company interested in US foreign-trade zones, working with the grantee is often one of the first steps. The grantee can help explain the local zone structure, identify whether a site may be eligible, outline the process for obtaining FTZ designation and connect the company’ s project to the requirements of the FTZ Board and US Customs and Border Protection.

The grantee does not replace a company’ s internal feasibility or compliance analysis. Participation in a US foreign-trade zone still requires the right operational fit, systems and

As North American supply chains evolve, companies are looking beyond traditional transportation models to improve resilience, control costs and strengthen inventory performance. Rising fuel prices, border congestion, labor shortages and increasing environmental expectations are reshaping how cargo moves between Mexico, the United States and Canada. Green Tide Logistics was established to help customers respond to these challenges with an integrated short-sea shipping solution.

Green Tide Logistics( GTL) operates a direct maritime service linking the Mexican ports of Tuxpan and Coatzacoalcos to the Philadelphia / Gloucester Terminal in New Jersey, offering a direct ocean transit of approximately six days with reliable biweekly sailings. By providing an alternative to traditional long-haul cross-border trucking, the service helps customers diversify transportation options while improving supply chain predictability and reducing exposure to border bottlenecks.

For companies operating within or alongside foreign-trade zones GTL’ s service supports efficient inventory positioning, enhanced supply chain planning and seamless access to one of North America’ s most important logistics gateways. From the Philadelphia gateway, cargo connects efficiently to inland markets in the United States and eastern Canada, including Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Indianapolis, Memphis, Kansas City, Dallas, Toronto and Montreal.

GTL serves a broad range of industries, including fresh produce, refrigerated cargo, consumer goods, industrial products, automotive components and project cargo. Its logistics model emphasizes schedule reliability, operational visibility and customerfocused service while supporting long-term supply chain resilience.

Customers also benefit from a transportation strategy designed to complement existing truck and rail networks rather than replace them. This multimodal approach improves flexibility, supports inventory optimization and provides another dependable option for businesses seeking reliable access to North America’ s largest consumer markets.

As nearshoring continues to strengthen North American trade, businesses require logistics partners capable of delivering reliable, cost-effective and sustainable transportation solutions. Green Tide Logistics combines direct maritime connectivity, strategic inland distribution and a commitment to operational excellence to help importers, exporters and logistics providers build smarter, more resilient supply chains. By connecting Mexico directly with the US East Coast and Canada through an integrated maritime gateway, GTL is helping shape the next generation of North American trade. n

46 Journal of Commerce | August 3, 2026 www. joc. com