Trump Vows Panama Canal ‘Takeback’ in Bold Inaugural Threat
FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Morry Gash/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Reuters January 20, 2025 By Matt…
Trump, team and trade
SplashJanuary 20, 2025 Official Twitter account for the Trump campaign on X.com Punit Oza from consultancy Maritime NXT gleans what lies ahead in the Trump 2.0 era. Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.”. Donald Trump may not be liked by many around the world…
Shipping readies to navigate new Trump era
Sam ChambersJanuary 20, 2025 White House Archives Today marks the end of the Joe Biden administration in the US, one of the most profitable four-year periods for shipping. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the shipping industry has many questions about what the future of global trade holds, some of which…
Trump moves into the Oval Office and supply chains enter unchartered waters
© Tommy Jeffers By Charlotte Goldstone 20/01/2025 Donald Trump has vowed to unleash a raft of decrees from “day one” of his US presidency that will include orders for mass deportations and harsh tariffs – but with no explicit timeline to help supply chain stakeholders prepare. CEO of Vespucci Maritime Lars Jensen said: “A…
Trump speaks on trade and the Panama Canal
Published on 20-01-2025 at 20:09 President Trump during his inauguration as the 47th US President. Screenshot from livestream President Trump says his administration is creating a new “external revenue service” to collect tariffs and is “taking back the Panama Canal.” Donald Trump is now sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of…
Launch of 'complex' Fuel EU regulation proving a challenge for some
© Max421 By Charlotte Goldstone 14/01/2025 Shipping stakeholders were under-prepared for the arrival of Fuel EU – the complexity of relationships between ship owners, managers and charterers posing the biggest challenge – but sustainable practices are gaining momentum. Since 1 January, carriers have had to increase the surcharge on their vessel emissions, from…
China unfairly dominates shipbuilding, US investigation finds, paving way for penalties
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai launched investigation in April at the request of the United Steelworkers and 4 other US unions Reuters Published: 4:15am, 14 Jan 2025Updated: 5:24am, 14 Jan 2025 US President Joe Biden’s administration has concluded that China uses unfair policies and practices to dominate the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, three…
'Military asset' listing sees Cosco and CCA barred from Pentagon contracts
By Alexander Whiteman 13/01/2025 Pentagon officials have confirmed to The Loadstar that China Cargo Airlines and Cosco face being blacklisted from US government-related contracts. The threat follows the firms being added to a list of Chinese commercial interests considered “military assets”, as reported by The Loadstar last week. A US defence official told The…
COSCO seeks to defuse Pentagon spat
Sam ChambersJanuary 8, 2025 COSCO, the world’s largest shipping company, has sought to downplay news carried by Splash yesterday that it has been added to a list of companies the US Department of Defense views as having links to the People’s Liberation Army. While being on the Pentagon’s blacklist carries no specific penalties, it discourages…
China Not Aware of Shandong Port Ban on US-Sanctioned Ships
January 8, 2025 © Vladimir / Adobe Stock China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was not aware of Shandong Port Group’s decision to ban U.S.-sanctioned vessels from its network of east coast harbours. The group oversees several major terminals in the province of Shandong, which is the main entry point for Iranian, Russian and…
US lists COSCO, CIMC as Chinese military-linked companies
Published on 08-01-2025 at 03:03 Shutterstock The US Department of Defense has added COSCO Shipping, its subsidiaries, and CIMC to its sanctions list, citing alleged links to the Chinese military. The US Department of Defense has added the Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO Shipping, along with its subsidiaries COSCO Shipping North America and COSCO Shipping…
Gulf of America? Trump Floats Name Change for Gulf of Mexico
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Mike Schuler January 7, 2025 From “Freedom Gas” to “Gulf of America”: Trump Doubling Down on Energy Nationalism President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” while also…
COSCO targeted by the Pentagon over alleged ties to the People’s Liberation Army
Sam ChambersJanuary 7, 2025 COSCO, the world’s largest shipping company, is among a host of Chinese shipping-related names added to a list of companies the US Department of Defense views as having links to the People’s Liberation Army. While being on the Pentagon’s blacklist carries no specific penalties, it discourages US firms from dealing with…
Trump's tariff pledge prompts Trudeau resignation
By Alexander Whiteman 06/01/2025 After nearly a decade in office, Justin Trudeau today announced his resignation as Canada’s prime minister citing the paralysis the country’s parliament has experienced in recent months, but the decision also follows the fallout of US president-elect Trump’s impeding tariff policy. Just before Christmas, The Loadstar reported the resignation of…
Warning as penalties for non-compliance with US import/export rules increase
By Alexander Whiteman 06/01/2025 The number of penalties for violations of the US Department of Commerce’s import and export rules has spiked over the past six months – and the cost of breaches is set to increase next week. Among fines set to be hiked are those covering import or export of seafood and wildlife…
FuelEU enters into force
News 2 Jan 2025 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra The FuelEU Maritime regulation, part of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package, came into force on 1 January 2025. 𝕏 © Shutterstock The European Union’s FuelEU Maritime regulation came into effect on 1 January 2025, introducing mandatory well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity limits for ships over 5,000…
Trump Sets Sail: President-Elect Wades Into Maritime Waters
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage following early results from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. REUTERS/Callaghan O’Hare/File Photo/File Photo Mike Schuler December 23, 2024 With just weeks until his inauguration, President-elect Donald…
Panama president hits back at Trump over canal takeover threat
Adis AjdinDecember 23, 2024 Panama Canal Authority Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, has rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that his new administration could move to take back control of the Panama Canal after accusing the country of charging excessive rates on US ships. Speaking at his post-election rally in Arizona over the weekend, Trump…
EU guidance on how to address Europe’s socio-economic challenges in 2025
The European Commission has published further policy guidance to support EU countries preserve macroeconomic stability while promoting growth and improving their competitiveness. This is essential in helping the EU to tackle next year’s socio-economic challenges. The latest guidance includes euro area policies, the Alert Mechanism Report and Joint Employment Report for 2025. According to…
Trump, not yet in office, already a figure in global economic policy
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo 19 Dec 2024 08:08AM(Updated: 19 Dec 2024 04:30PM) Bookmark WhatsAppTelegramFacebookTwitterEmailLinkedIn WASHINGTON : The world’s economic reckoning with the incoming Trump administration kicked off in earnest this week, with the U.S. Federal Reserve flagging fewer…
Trump threatens the US will demand the return of the Panama Canal
News 22 Dec 2024 by WCN Editorial President-elect Trump has criticised Panama Canal fees as “exorbitant” and is demanding reductions under a threat of returning the canal to US administration. 𝕏 Trump referred to the fees as a “complete rip-off” © Archive / Shutterstock President-elect Donald Trump has criticised Panama for what he described as…
SHIPS for America Act targets shift of China import cargo to US vessels
News 20 Dec 2024 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra A new wave of protectionist measures is making its way through the US Congress with the introduction of the SHIPS for America Act. 𝕏 © Shutterstock A bipartisan group of US lawmakers* has introduced the SHIPS for America Act, which aims to “bolster America’s maritime industry” and…
gCaptain Endorses The Ships For America Act
U.S. Navy Photo John Konrad December 19, 2024 by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Senator Mark Kelly, Congressman Trent Kelly, Senator Todd Young, and Congressman John Garamendi are set to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral SHIPS for America Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at revitalizing the U.S.-flag international fleet, bolstering the U.S. shipyard industrial base,…
Trump will have a 'heavy impact on container volumes', warns Wan Hai chief
Photo: Wan Hai Lines By Alison Koo 19/12/2024 US president-elect Donald Trump’s policies will have a heavy impact on container volumes and supply chains, said Wan Hai Lines’ general manager Tommy Hsieh yesterday, as the Taiwanese carrier prepared for “another strong year”. Firstly, Mr Trump’s announcement of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China has…
Trump Signals Jones Act Policy Will Stay the Course
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage following early results from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. REUTERS/Callaghan O’Hare/File Photo/File Photo Mike Schuler December 18, 2024 President-elect Donald Trump has reignited the debate over…
Europe tightens net around Russia’s shadow fleet
The European Union (EU) has sanctioned a further 52 vessels engaged in so-called ‘dark fleet’ high-risk operations of substandard ships sailing without proper insurance, inadequate manning, and lacking basic ship safety requirements. Paul Bartlett, Correspondent December 17, 2024 CREDIT: EUROPEAN UNION 2018 The latest sanctions, which take the total number of vessels to 79, target…
Implications for sanctions and the dark fleet under Trump 2.0
With a new Presidential administration in the US just over the horizon shipping market participants are greatly concerned about the potential for changes in sanctions. Barry Parker, New York Correspondent December 16, 2024 CREDIT: MARCUS HAND At a Glance Possible mass sanctioning of hundreds of dark fleet vessels Increased P&I premiums based on uncertainties in…
EU Delegation’s Campaign to Dismantle Jones Act Exposed in Government Filing
Crowley’s Jones Act ConRo, El Coquí, arrives in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the first time on July 30, 2018. Photo: Crowley Maritime Corp Mike Schuler December 12, 2024 A newly uncovered government disclosure has revealed a coordinated European Union effort to weaken one of America’s foundational maritime laws, including through a TikTok-style influence campaign.…
Trump’s tariff war confirms geopolitics are replacing economics as the key driver for decisions
Geopolitics By Paul Hodges on 01-Dec-2024 Nobody can complain that President-elect Donald Trump isn’t following through on his core election pledges. Even before he takes office on January 20, he has announced plans for emergency action to impose initial tariff barriers on Mexico, Canada and China. The concept of “emergency action” is key, as…
EU Reaches Long-Sought Mercosur Trade Deal Over French Objections
Port of Rotterdam. Shutterstock/nattanan726 Bloomberg December 7, 2024 By Ken Parks Dec 6, 2024 (Bloomberg) – The European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc clinched a long-sought trade deal over the vehement objections of France, which has pledged to lead a charge to obstruct its ratification. The sides agreed in principle on the terms…
US Justice Department cracks down on sanctions-busting
By Alexander Whiteman 06/12/2024 Forwarders are among those recently charged by US authorities with breaching sanctions on Russia by sending illegal exports of military and reconnaissance equipment. In the past month, four US dual-nationals, a resident of India and a Ukrainian national have been caught up in a US Department of Justice (DOJ) crackdown…
FMC to investigate Spain’s refusal to handle US freight
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will investigate whether Spanish authorities violated international agreements earlier this year. Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent December 5, 2024 IMAGE: APM TERMINALS Outgoing Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel told Seatrade Maritime News that yesterday’s FMC meeting debate and vote ended in agreement that there should be an investigation into whether…
Hapag-Lloyd CEO: Trump tariffs could pressure some sectors but won’t derail global trade
News 5 Dec 2024 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra While potential tariffs under the incoming Trump administration are a concern, industry leaders believe that their impact on trade will be limited, with many seeing no reason for panic as they anticipate only mild economic effects. 𝕏 Rolf Habben Jansen © Hapag-Lloyd As 2024 winds down and…
EU to require Chinese companies transfer IP
BRUSSELS plans to force Chinese companies to transfer intellectual property to European businesses in return for EU subsidies as part of a tougher trade regime for clean technologies, reports the Financial Times. New criteria requiring Chinese businesses to have factories in Europe and share technological knowhow will be introduced when Brussels invites bids for EUR1…
Are shippers preparing for Trump’s 2025 tariff 'curveball'?
Raised US import forecasts and recent rate index softening sends mixed signals on US stockpiling. Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent December 4, 2024 IMAGE: PORT OF LA In his most recent announcement on tariffs president elect Donald Trump said he would impose 10% tariff increases on all Chinese goods and 25% on Mexican and Canadian imports,…
FEPORT applauds Greece’s commitment to undertake the necessary changes in its tonnage tax scheme opening a new “era of compliance” and EU enforcement on tonnage tax
Brussels, 4thDecember 2024 On December 4th, 2024, FEPORT members gathered in Brussels for the General Assembly meeting of the organization. FEPORT takes note of the recent announcement by the Commission to formally record the acceptance of the proposed appropriate measures by Greece in order to modify its tonnage tax scheme following FEPORT action…
Spain refusing to handle US freight, says FMC
US Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel has said that Spain is refusing to handle US cargo because it fears that weapons are being sent to Israel. Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent December 3, 2024 IMAGE: PORT DE BARCELONA US Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel told Seatrade Maritime News that Spain is refusing to handle US cargo…
Trump tariffs could impact US tanker trades
Import tariffs on crude oil from Mexico and Canada could lead to higher prices for US consumers and redirect volumes, according to one broker. Paul Bartlett, Correspondent December 2, 2024 2 Min Read IMAGE: BY SHALEAH CRAIGHEAD – HTTPS://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/PEOPLE/DONALD-J-TRUMP/ (ARCHIVE), PUBLIC DOMAIN, HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/W/INDEX.PHP?CURID=63768460 US President-elect, Donald Trump, has threatened to slap 25% tariffs on neighbours,…
UK eyes expanding its ETS to deepsea shipping – closing EU loophole
Port of Felixstowe © Graham Harris Dreamstime.com. By Charlie Bartlett technology editor 02/12/2024 A loophole allowing ocean carriers to dodge ETS charges via a port call in the UK could soon be closed, thanks to a government effort to expand the UK’s ETS scheme. Parliament is mulling adding deepsea shipping to the UK emissions…
Can Trump really push through new tariffs from day 1 of Presidency?
Donald Trump states he will impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% on all imports from China from the first day of his Presidency. Marcus Hand, Editor November 27, 2024 BY SHALEAH CRAIGHEAD – HTTPS://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/PEOPLE/DONALD-J-TRUMP/ (ARCHIVE), PUBLIC DOMAIN, HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/W/INDEX.PHP?CURID=63768460 Incoming US President Trump announced his much speculated…
Why Trump’s return is neither good nor bad for shipping
Pierre AuryNovember 27, 2024 The White House Donald Trump will soon be back in the Oval Office. Pierre Aury wonders whether we are entering a time loop. A 78-year-old man will soon be the 47th president of the US. He will be replacing an outgoing president who was also 78 when he moved into 1,600…
Trump vows 25% tariff on imports from Canada/Mexico and adds 10% to China
ID 138931120 © Waingro | Dreamstime.com By Alex Lennane 26/11/2024 News that US president-elect Donald Trump has mandated 25% tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada and an extra 10% on Chinese products has sent the supply chain into a spin. Mr Trump’s post on Truth Social last night claimed the tariffs would…
US issues new MARSEC directive on Chinese STS cranes
News 22 Nov 2024 by WCN Editorial Ports and terminals operating Chinese-made STS cranes are required to obtain a copy of a new Security Directive. 𝕏 The US Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security have issued a new Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive (105-5) which outlines cyber risk management requirements for STS cranes manufactured in…