FMC probe into D&D claim against Hapag-Lloyd could set industry precedent
Photo 97121017 © Hieronymusukkel – Dreamstime.com By Nick Savvides 10/01/2022 The US Federal Maritime Commission’s investigation into carrier detention & demurrage (D&D) charges could be supercharged following a complaint by specialist drayage firm Orange Avenue Express (OAE), in what could become an industry test case. Lori Fellmer, second vice-chairman of the National Industrial Transportation League…
BIFA urges government to probe 'unfairly distorted' box shipping market
THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) has written to the UK government asking it to investigate the state of competition within the current deep sea container shipping market. BIFA says that its members are concerned that certain practices undertaken by the principal container shipping lines, as well as easements and exemptions provided to them under…
US FMC launches investigation into ONE’s possible 2018 violations of the Shipping Act
Kim BiggarJanuary 6, 2022 Piet Sinke / Maasmond Maritime The US Federal Maritime Commission has issued a public notice of its intention to investigate Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. and Ocean Network Express (North America) Inc. for possible violations of the Shipping Act and unfair business practices. According to the notice, Florida-based Greatway Logistics Group,…
EU faces uphill battle with shipping over carbon taxation
THE efforts to reform the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is expected to face an uphill battle in 2022, including a proposed expansion into shipping that comes during an energy crisis, reports Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide. EU carbon prices surged to an all-time high of US$102.34 per tonne on December 8, causing calls for intervention…
More disruptions could arise from US ocean shipping reform
THERE’s little doubt 2022 will be full of disruptions that will frustrate and set back efforts to relieve the US container shipping system, according to a year-end commentary by Newark’s Journal of Commerce, America’s premier shipping publication. Yet there could be another type of disruption – positive or negative, depending on one’s view – emerging…
Christmas Supply Chain Crisis Averted, Biden Says
© aerial-drone / Adobe Stock President Joe Biden said U.S. actions to eliminate supply-chain snarls have staved off a pre-Christmas crisis, ahead of a meeting with U.S. officials and private-sector companies, including FedEx, on Wednesday. Biden created a task force in June to address high prices and shortages of consumer goods and crucial components, thanks…
UK and Australia conclude post-Brexit trade deal
THE UK and Australia have finalised a post-Brexit trade deal, the first post-Brexit deal that goes beyond rolling over a previous EU relationship, reports Bloomberg News. The agreement includes controversial provisions to open up the British market to Australian agricultural goods. The UK government predicts a 0.08 per cent boost to GDP over the…
“Buy America” returns in US port funding grants
News20 Dec 2021by Paul Avery The Biden Administration is attaching “Buy America” conditions to transport funding initiatives. The Balzano Marine Terminal at the Port of Camden, NJ The recently announced US$12.6M package from the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) for America’s Marine Highways includes funding to support and grow waterborne freight services in Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, New…
US shippers cheer legislation to “discipline” ocean carriers
News09 Dec 2021by Paul Avery US exporters welcome the progress of legislation designed to prohibit ocean carriers unreasonably declining their cargo and tighten rules around detention and demurrage. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R.4996) has passed the US House of Representatives. The legislation includes provisions to: Extend the mandate of the Federal Maritime Commission…
The US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Ocean Shipping Reform Act 2021 (OSRA 2021). Marcus Hand | Dec 09, 2021 The bi-partisan OSRA 2021 was passed by 364 – 60 votes and will now proceed to the Senate for debate. The updated Act aims to give more power to the Federal Maritime Commission…
Germany tells UK to give in to EU on Northern Ireland
A TOP German diplomat urged the UK to honour the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol, warning that the dispute over the issue isn’t a game to mess with, as EU ministers rallied behind the bloc’s chief negotiator, reports Bloomberg. “Dear friends in London and in Britain, please come to your senses,” said EU deputy foreign…
US national security fears put Chinese firms on blacklist
THE United States has added 12 Chinese companies with links to quantum computing and other advanced technologies to its export blacklist, citing the risk of possible Chinese military access to critical US technologies, reports London’s Financial Times. The move, which makes it virtually impossible for US companies to sell technologies to the listed companies,…
Biden blames shipping firms for supply chain woes
US DEMOCRATS, headed by the Biden administration. blame shipping companies for inflation and supply chain troubles that have been plaguing America for months, reports New York’s Business Insider. Shipping backlogs, truck-driver shortages, and port bottlenecks have driven inflation to three-decade highs as businesses struggle to fulfill orders. The White House is rushing to solve…
EU proposal includes shipping in CO2 emissions 'trading' tax
COSTS to world shipping is expected to run to EUR5 billion (US$5.6 billion) a year if the proposed amendments to European Union Emissions Trading Scheme are enacted, reports London’s Lexology. “However, the main concern for shipping companies will be carbon price uncertainty. From October 20 to 21, for instance, the carbon price jumped between…
LA mayor plans to get billions from infrastructure bill
LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti is optimistic infrastructure projects in America’s second-biggest city will be major beneficiaries of the sweeping federal infrastructure bill – potentially receiving tens of billions of dollars. “We’re going to be in a really good place to benefit from it,” said Mayor Garcetti. “We disproportionately have things like the port,…
No Surrender to EU on Northern Ireland
THE UK continues to be willing to suspend parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol if the EU refuses to meet its demand, reports Bloomberg.”We haven’t stepped back from the idea of triggering Article 16,” said Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis. “Our focus at the moment is around these ongoing negotiations to try and get a…
UK plans No Surrender to EU on Northern Ireland
THE UK continues to be willing to suspend parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol if the EU refuses to meet its demand, reports Bloomberg. “We haven’t stepped back from the idea of triggering Article 16,” said Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis. “Our focus at the moment is around these ongoing negotiations to try and…
Few takers to Biden's 24/7 plan to ease LA port congestion
US President Joe Biden announced a deal last month to establish around-the-clock operations at the Port of Los Angeles to break an unprecedented container ship traffic jam blamed for driving up consumer prices. But that hasn’t happened yet, reports London’s Guardian. Los Angeles port executive director Gene Seroka said the habour has a “24/7…
FMC moves on data
News22 Nov 2021by WCN Editorial The US Federal Maritime Commission is taking steps towards a common set of maritime data for the US. The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel will spearhead an effort to “identify data constraints that impede the flow of ocean cargo and add to supply chain…
White House puts container shipping alliances in its crosshairs
Written by Nick Blenkey In its latest briefing on the port congestion issue and its impact on the supply chain, the White House notes good progress in shifting import cargoes through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. However, it notes problems with moving U.S. exports, in particular containerized exports. It also sends a…
White House Lauds Easing of Supply Chain Clogs, Cites Shipping Competition Concerns
© sheilaf2002 / Adobe Stock The White House on Wednesday lauded improvements in clogged U.S. supply chains, with more goods moving than ever before, but said more work was needed to ensure fair competition in a global shipping sector dominated by three alliances of ocean carriers. In a new blog, the White House National Economic…
FMC creates supply chain innovation teams to improve container return process
Kim BiggarNovember 18, 2021 Port of Long Beach The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on Tuesday announced the coming launch of six supply chain innovation teams comprising executives from each ocean carrier operating in an alliance and from the terminal operators that serve them. Commissioner Rebecca Dye said the teams will identify and implement improvements…