EU weighs decade-long exemption for shipping fuels
Published on 02-09-2025 at 14:56 EU flags Shutterstock The exemption is designed “to maintain the competitive position of Union companies,” according to a draft proposal. European Union governments are considering giving shipping and aviation a free pass on EU-wide fuel taxes until 2035, Reuters reported, citing a draft document. The proposal, drawn up by Denmark,…
EU shipping faces ETS bill of US$2.9 billion
Europe’s shipping industry will receive its first invoice under the EU Emissions Trading System on September 30, with operators required to cover 40 per cent of 2024 emissions, reports the Cyprus Mail. Drewry data shows 13,000 ships emitted 90 million tonnes of CO2 last year, up 14 per cent on 2023 due to Red Sea…
Trump Administration Redirects $679 Million from Offshore Wind Projects to Maritime Infrastructure
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy a speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Mike Schuler August 29, 2025 U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced the withdrawal or termination of $679 million in funding previously allocated to 12 offshore wind projects…
Cosco Shipping Warns Ongoing Geopolitcal Risks Clouds Outlook
Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com Bloomberg August 28, 2025 By Rachel Yeo (Bloomberg) — Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. managed to increase profit in a volatile environment for freight rates and said uncertainty about tariff policies will continue to pose challenges for the industry. First-half net income for China’s largest containership operator rose 3.9% to 17.54 billion yuan…
India charts $1trn maritime investment roadmap
Adis AjdinAugust 28, 2025 Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways India has unveiled a $1trn investment plan to drive growth across ports, shipping and logistics, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said at an ambassadors’ conclave in Delhi on Wednesday. The roundtable, attended by representatives from…
Doubling of US Tariffs on India Begins Wednesday
August 27, 2025 © Adobe Stock/mbruxelle U.S. President Donald Trump’s doubling of tariffs on imports from India to as much as 50% took effect as scheduled on Wednesday, dealing a serious blow to ties between the two countries that became strategic partners after the turn of this century. A punitive 25% tariff imposed due to India‘s purchases of Russian oil adds…
South Africa tightens offshore ship-to-ship rules
Sam ChambersAugust 26, 2025 Table Mountain Aerial Gateway Table Mountain Aerial Gateway South Africa has introduced a new regulatory framework for offshore ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, sharply increasing penalties and setting strict environmental conditions in a bid to protect coastal ecosystems and the endangered African penguin. Under regulations signed by minister of forestry, fisheries and the…
Carriers reroute fleets to sidestep US levy
Sam ChambersAugust 26, 2025 ONE ONE Global shipping is realigning fleets in anticipation of October’s extra port fees to be levied by the US on China-linked tonnage. This is already being reflected in chartering decisions for transatlantic tanker and dry bulk fixtures with Chinese-built tonnage shifting to other parts of the globe. In the container…
Seoul bets on shipbuilding to keep Trump sweet
Sam ChambersAugust 26, 2025 Whitehouse.org Whitehouse.org South Korea is making shipbuilding the anchor of its trade diplomacy with Washington, rolling out billions in promises to revive America’s rusted yards in a bid to keep Donald Trump on side. President Lee Jae Myung’s first US trip saw him push a $350bn investment package, with $150bn earmarked…
ZIM reroutes vessels after Turkey bans Israel-linked ships from ports
Published on 26-08-2025 at 07:47 Shutterstock ZIM warns Turkish ban on Israeli ships will hit earnings as it reroutes vessels and seeks to limit impact. Israeli shipping line ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd (ZIM) has rerouted vessels originally scheduled to call at Turkish ports after the country introduced a new regulation barring ships owned, managed…
Turkish ports seek guarantees ships not connected to Israel
Published on 25-08-2025 at 08:37 Shutterstock Turkish ports clamp down on foreign vessels linked to Israel. Turkish port authorities have started asking shipping agents to provide letters confirming that vessels have no connections to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo destined for the country, Reuters reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.…
New Zealand drops Low Emission Transport Fund
Published on 25-08-2025 at 07:07 A battery electric empty container handler arrives at Port of Auckland Port of Auckland The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) has ended the Government’s Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF); ports have benefited from two of the final three funding rounds. Dating back to 2016, the LETF and its predecessor…
South Africa allows private operators access to rail freight network
Published on 25-08-2025 at 08:48 The new operators will be allocated slots across 41 routes and six key corridors / Illustration Shutterstock South Africa opens freight rail network to private companies as state-owned Transnet struggles with falling volumes. South Africa will allow private companies to operate trains on its freight rail network, the government confirmed…
Nigeria, Tanzania explore shipping alliance
The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) and Tanzanian Shipping Company (TASHICO) are exploring a joint venture to boost ship acquisition, shipyard development, marine tourism and maritime law across Eastern Africa, reported Lagos Guardian. Tanzania’s Deputy Attorney General, Samwel Maneno, led a delegation to meet NCS leaders in Lagos, highlighting opportunities for collaboration with TASHICO. He…
OOCL warns on US port charges impact, market uncertainty
Hong Kong-listed Orient Overseas (International) Ltd reported increased profits and revenues for H1 2025. Marcus Hand, Editor August 22, 2025 CREDIT: OOCL Reporting its first half earnings for 2025 Orient Overseas (International) Ltd (OOIL), owner of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) said that currently the major long-haul trades were nearly fully loaded. However, it warned…
EU, US confirm trade pact
Published on 21-08-2025 at 14:00 EU Commission President von der Leyen on with US President Donald Trump European Commission The EU-US trade deal offers relief for Europe’s carmakers but comes with a hefty price tag as Brussels commits to massive imports of US LNG. The European Union and the United States today issued a joint…
FMC removes Chipolbrok from Controlled Carrier List
Published on 20-08-2025 at 07:40 The new exemption offers temporary regulatory relief but keeps Chipolbrok under scrutiny Chipolbrok The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has granted Chipolbrok, the Chinese-Polish multipurpose heavy-lift operator, an exemption from the publication requirements of the Controlled Carriers Act, removing the company from its Controlled Carrier List—but only under strict conditions.…
US rejects IMO’s Net-Zero framework
Published on 13-08-2025 at 15:16 Maersk’s methanol-powered Ane Maersk Shutterstock With the US rejecting the proposal, other nations may follow, risking the adoption of the Net-Zero framework and derailing global decarbonisation efforts. The Trump administration has rejected the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) proposed “Net-Zero Framework” — a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the…
India’s exports to US set to feel the brunt of new tariffs
Published on 13-08-2025 at 08:41 Container handling in PSA Bharat Mumbai Port Shutterstock US tariffs on India deal a new blow to shippers who turned to the country to de-risk supply chains from China, with many calling it a “doomsday” and “trade embargo”, but the true impact remains to be seen, hinging on the longevity…
US, China extend tariff pause as trade talks resume
Published on 12-08-2025 at 07:30 US President Donald Trump, Washington DC Shutterstock Trump agrees to extend US-China tariff pause for second time amid ongoing trade talks. The United States and China have agreed to extend the suspension of their recent tariff hikes for an additional 90 days, the White House announced on Monday, with Beijing…
Relief for shipping as US – China tariff truce extended for 90 days
Hours ahead of the deadline for increased tariffs to come into force the two countries announced an extension of current levels. Marcus Hand, Editor August 12, 2025 CREDIT – THE WHITE HOUSE The US and China have agreed a further 90-day pause on higher tariffs between the two global economic giants. Levels had been set to surge…
Tariffs and the advantage of being nimble
SplashAugust 11, 2025 Whitehouse.org Whitehouse.org Wolfgang Lehmacher writes about multipolar malaise. The global trade landscape has further fractured, shaken by the unprecedented tariffs sparked under Trump’s watch. What was intended as a blunt leverage tool against China has instead yielded an ambiguous outcome. Tariffs have started to unravel US-led alliances, opening diplomatic space for China…
Estimated 55% of Indian Goods Exported to US Will Face Tariffs
August 11, 2025 © Adobe Stock/visuals6x About 55% of India’s merchandise exports to the United States will be subject to the tariff imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, the Indian government said on Monday. Last week, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil. That raised…
India holds firm in Trump tariff turmoil
Tanker owners are carefully watching President Trump’s Indian tariff strategy which could lead to a significant boost to long-haul crude trades. Paul Bartlett, Correspondent August 8, 2025 CREDIT: THE WHITE HOUSE The US President’s executive order, issued this week, has doubled the tariff on Indian exports to the US from 25% to 50% with effect from…
Trump Tariffs on Russia’s Oil Buyers Bring Economic, Political Risks
Photo by Anatoly Menzhiliy/Shutterstock Reuters August 8, 2025 WASHINGTON/LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) – From punishing Brazil to trying to curb imports of fentanyl, U.S. President Donald Trump has wielded the threat of tariffs as an all-purpose foreign policy weapon. With a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or have its oil customers face secondary tariffs, Trump has…
Panama cracks down on STS transfers in bid to clean up fleet
Sam ChambersAugust 8, 2025 Panama Maritime Authority Panama Maritime Authority The Panama Ship Registry has become the first flag in the world to implement stricter controls and mandatory traceability for offshore ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of hydrocarbons. Non-compliance—depending on its severity—may lead to the cancellation of a vessel’s Panamanian registration. The regulation requires all Panamanian-flagged oil…
India holds firm in Trump tariff turmoil
Tanker owners are carefully watching President Trump’s Indian tariff strategy which could lead to a significant boost to long-haul crude trades. Paul Bartlett, Correspondent August 8, 2025 CREDIT: THE WHITE HOUSE The US President’s executive order, issued this week, has doubled the tariff on Indian exports to the US from 25% to 50% with effect from…
Trump slaps India with new tariffs over Russian crude ties
Sam ChambersAugust 7, 2025 Whitehouse.org Whitehouse.org US president Donald Trump has signed an order imposing an additional 25% tariff on goods from India, in response to the country’s continued imports of Russian energy, the White House said on Wednesday, a move that could reshape the global tanker trades. The decision came hours after talks between…
The tariff iceberg: visible impacts and hidden transformations of Trump's trade policy
The impact of Trump’s tariffs policies is far more than what is immediately visible with much out of sight below the water line. Punit Oza, Founder & Director, Maritime NXT August 6, 2025 CREDIT: PIXABAY – ANDREA SPALLANZANI President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 has ushered in an unprecedented era of…
U.S. Weighs Options for Penalizing Russia Beyond India Tariffs
Stock Photo: Alex Stemmers/Shutterstock Bloomberg August 6, 2025 By Alberto Nardelli and Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump’s additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil could be just the first shot he aims at Moscow’s energy revenues ahead of a Friday deadline, as the US weighs options to get…
Trump’s Tariffs Threaten to Unravel U.S.-India Alliance Against China
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Reuters August 6, 2025 By Krishna N. Das, David Brunnstrom and Shivam Patel NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s tirade against India over trade…
US Imposes Additional 25% Tariff on Indian Goods
August 6, 2025 © Adobe Stock/Sunshine Seeds U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on goods from India, saying the country directly or indirectly imported Russian oil. The additional tariffs mean India will face the highest levy along with Brazil, putting it at a significant disadvantage against regional competitors such as Vietnam…
US Customs gears up to enforce new port fees on China‑linked vessels
Sam ChambersAugust 5, 2025 Port of Long Beach Port of Long Beach US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has been designated to collect a new fee regime targeting China-linked vessels, as authorised by a US Trade Representative ruling. The rules are structured for rollout starting October 14, 2025, and will apply to both Chinese-owned/operators and Chinese-built…
EU says Temu fails to block illicit goods
The European Commission has announced that Chinese fast fashion platform Temu is in violation of EU digital service regulations, failing to sufficiently prevent the sale of illegal products to consumers across Europe, Reuters reports. The commission warned that Temu’s current oversight may expose European users to unlawful goods, such as non-compliant baby toys and small…
Trump Threatens to Raise Tariffs on Goods From India Over Russian Oil Purchases
Photo credit: Shutterstock/Igor Grochev Reuters Total Views: 0 August 4, 2025 WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (Reuters) – Donald Trump said on Monday he will substantially raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, while New Delhi said it would take measures to safeguard its interests and called its targeting by the U.S. president “unjustified.” Trump said last week Washington was still…
Trump announces modified reciprocal tariffs, hikes Canada rate to 35%
Published on 01-08-2025 at 10:11 U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference in the East Room of the White House/February 2025 Shutterstock Trump unveils modified reciprocal tariffs, including a 35% rate on Canada, as trade talks with China remain in limbo. President Donald J. Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing updated tariffs…
Port crane tax credit bill introduced in Congress
Published on 01-08-2025 at 08:24 RTGs arrive in Port Houston/One of the RTGs is clad in the American and Texas flags to mark the 1,000th crane built by Konecranes Region Americas, the Konecranes business arm which delivers cranes across the Americas. Port Houston The AAPA-backed bill introduced in Congress aims to boost domestic port crane…
Trump strikes trade deal with EU
Published on 28-07-2025 at 07:43 EU Commission President von der Leyen on with US President Donald Trump European Commission The new pact prevents a looming 30% US tariff on EU goods and locks in a 15% rate across most sectors. The European Union and the United States have reached a trade agreement that cuts tariffs…
Trump inks trade deal with Japan, cuts auto tariffs
Published on 23-07-2025 at 10:52 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a trade deal with Japan, cutting US tariffs on Japanese cars to 15% and opening Japanese markets to American goods, in what he described as “perhaps the largest deal ever made.” Trump added that under the deal, Japan has committed to invest US$550…
Indonesia to Cut Tariffs, on-tariff barriers in US trade deal, Trump official says
FILE PHOTO: An American flag flutters over a ship and shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro California, U.S., May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Reuters July 22, 2025 July 22 (Reuters) – Indonesia will drop tariffs to zero on more than 99% of its trade with the United States and…
Putin orders FSB to vet all foreign ships entering Russian ports
Sam ChambersJuly 22, 2025 The Kremlin The Kremlin Russia has tightened access to its seaports, with president Vladimir Putin signing a decree on Monday mandating that all vessels arriving from foreign ports must now obtain prior approval from the country’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The executive order, which takes effect immediately, marks a significant expansion…
New EU and UK sanctions on Russia – enforcement will be key
The latest EU sanctions include a ban on refined product imports from third countries, 105 tankers, and revised oil price cap also adopted by UK. Paul Bartlett, Marcus Hand July 21, 2025 CREDIT: MARCUS HAND The European Union (EU) has banned the import of petroleum products made from Russian oil for the first time as…
China attempts to suppress South China Sea documentary
THE Chinese embassy in New Zealand attempted to suppress a public screening of a documentary about Philippine fishermen, according to producers of a film at a festival in Auckland, reports Fort Lauderdale’s Maritime Executive. Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea under its “nine dash line” policy, named for the shape of…
Canada to Curb Steel Imports to Soften Blow From US Tariffs
A worker welds a plate to a steel beam before Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney toured the steel fabricator Walters Group in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio Bloomberg July 16, 2025 By Jacob Lorinc, Randy Thanthong-Knight and Mathieu Dion Jul 16, 2025 (Bloomberg) –Canada will reduce the amount of foreign steel importers can…
US Aims to Ban Chinese Technology in Undersea Telecommunications Cables
The Hong Tai 58, a Togolese freighter, allegedly damaged a submarine cable between Taiwan and Pengzhou. Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Reuters July 16, 2025 By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) – The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday it plans to adopt rules to bar companies from connecting undersea submarine communication cables to…
Trump’s shipbuilding revival wavers as key maritime adviser departs
Sam ChambersJuly 16, 2025 The White House The White House The Trump administration’s early ambition to revitalise US shipbuilding appears to be losing momentum, following the departure of Ian Bennitt, the White House National Security Council’s (NSC) senior director for maritime and industrial capacity. Bennitt’s exit, alongside that of NSC chief of staff Brian McCormack,…
UK Government launches ports policy consultation
Published on 16-07-2025 at 10:46 London Gateway port development Photo credit – DP World The UK Department for Transport has opened a public consultation on proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). The original document was published in January 2012. Since then, significant changes have impacted on the sector. The updated draft…
Trump Fires White House Shipbuilding Adviser as US Maritime Strategy Falters
U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Rodolphe Saade, CEO pof CMA CGM Group, speaks in the Oval Office, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. March 6, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Reuters July 15, 2025 WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) – Two senior officials at the White House National Security Council have left their roles in…
Trump Threatens New Sanctions on Russian Exports After Grace Period
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an Invest America Roundtable in the State Dining room, at the White House, in Washington, U.S., June 9, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Mike Schuler July 14, 2025 Trump outlines a tougher stance on Russia, conditioning peace talks on halting attacks and threatening sanctions on countries buying Russian…
Federal Maritime Commission Publishes Update of its Official Case Law Reporter
July 14, 2025 © Federal Maritime Commission The latest volume of Decisions of the Federal Maritime Commission, Second Series has been published on the FMC website: Decisions of the Federal Maritime Commission, Second Series (Volume 8). This publication provides a compendium of Initial and Final Decisions of the Commission and selected other orders that may be…
US importers face average 21 per cent tariff on containers
The average US container import tariff stands at 21 per cent, reports New York’s FreightWaves, citing Maersk data. Maersk said the current effective rate is less than half the 54 per cent peak seen earlier in 2025. A 90-day US-China tariff pause ends July 9, with future agreements uncertain. Maersk reported worsening visibility and persistent…
Trump hits Japan and South Korea with 25pc tariffs
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said the US would impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Japan and South Korea beginning August 1 as he unveiled the first two of 12 letters to trading partners outlining the new levies, Reuters reports. “If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then, whatever the number…
Rising cyber risks and looming EU directive
Published on 13-07-2025 at 07:00 Just over one-third of logistics firms meet the NIS2 directive Shutterstock Dutch logistics companies face rising cyber threats as AI phishing, invoice fraud, and NIS2 regulations expose weak spots in cyber readiness. The cyber threat facing Europe’s logistics sector is growing rapidly, with AI-driven phishing, ransomware attacks and invoice fraud…
U.S. Customs Revenue Tops $100 Billion for First Time Amid Tariff Surge
Photo courtesy Port of Los Angeles Bloomberg July 11, 2025 By Jarrell Dillard and Daniel Flatley (Bloomberg) — US revenue from customs duties this fiscal year surpassed $100 billion for the first time, reflecting higher tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The Treasury Department recorded $27 billion in customs-duties revenue for June, bringing fiscal year-to-date inflows…
Fast-fashion Shein hit with US$47 million fine in France
FAST-FASHION retailer Shein has been fined EUR40 million (US$47.09 million) by French regulators, a record penalty, for misleading consumers on price reductions and environmental commitments, reports London’s Financial Times. An 11-month investigation found that Shein had engaged in “misleading commercial practices towards consumers on the reality of the price reductions granted and on the scope…
EU bars Chinese firms from medical device tenders
THE European Union will bar Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices worth EUR60 billion (US$68.9 billion) or more per year after concluding that EU companies are not given fair access in China, reports Reuters. The measure announced by the European Commission is the first under the EU’s International Procurement Instrument,…
DOT Adds New Waterways to U.S. Marine Highway Program to Boost Inland Shipping
Map of designated Marine Highways routes as of July 2025. U.S. Department of Transportation/Maritime Administration Image Mike Schuler July 10, 2025 The U.S. Department of Transportation has significantly expanded the United States Marine Highway Program, adding 848 new miles of navigable waterways and approving 14 new sponsors. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the…
Vietnam Cracks Down on Illegal Transshipments After Striking Trade Deal With US
July 10, 2025 © Adobe Stock/zapp2photo Vietnam is preparing stricter penalties to crack down on trade fraud and the illegal transshipment of goods, and has focused its inspections on Chinese products as it tries to comply with commitments made to Washington, documents seen by Reuters show. Last week, the Communist-ruled country struck a preliminary deal with…
Trump hits 14 nations with higher tariffs, deadline delayed to 1 Aug
Donald Trump has set 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea and has sent letters to 12 other countries that have not agreed trading terms with the US on import duties. Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent July 8, 2025 CREDIT: THE WHITEHOUSE The US President announced new import tariffs on 14 countries, mainly in Asia, ranging…
Trump Sets August 1 Tariff Start Ahead of Wednesday Deadline
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Bloomberg July 7, 2025 (Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump plans to announce trade deals…