EU Invests in Border Security, Coast Guard
Copyright: Konstantin/Adobe Stock The European Union Council officially adopted the Commission’s proposal to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard, an agency that will acquire its own equipment, such as vessels, planes and vehicles, a will have a standing corps of 10,000 border guards. The move was announced to respond to the challenges facing Europe…
Want Americans to buy US products? Dump the Jones Act
© Hafakot By Alex Lennane 12/11/2019 It’s an old argument: does the Jones Act put ‘America First, or is it economically harmful to US states and companies? The Cato Institute believes the latter. It has published a blog post arguing that the Jones Act (which mandates the use of US-flagged, US-built vessels that are at least 75%…
US voices 'grave concern' over increasing violence in HK
THE United States has expressed “grave concern” over the increasingly violent situation in Hong Kong and urged both the police and protesters to “exercise restraint”. In a statement, US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus urged Beijing to honour commitments that “Hong Kong will ‘enjoy a high degree of autonomy’ and that the people of…
China lifts ban on Canadian pork, beef, despite arrest of Huawei exec
CHINA said it will lift its ban on Canadian pork and beef exports, in a sign that relations between the two countries may be thawing, reports London’s Financial Times. “Good news for Canadian farmers today,” announced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Pork and beef exports to China will resume.” Trudeau credited Dominic Barton, the…
Moves to unlock billions in stranded US Harbor Maintenance Tax
Imagine if vessels calling at US ports contributed billions of dollars that were supposed to be spent by the Federal government on dredging and maintaining channels, but instead, was diverted to the general treasury and held there. That picture describes the situation with the US Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT), which is assessed at a rate…
US moves to make changes to free trade deal with Canada and Mexico
US President Donald Trump’s new North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) deal is the “easiest trade deal that we’ve ever done,” according to the usually hostile Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “We’re on a path to yes, and I think every day brings us closer to agreement,” Ms Pelosi told a roundtable with Bloomberg…
Pence: US Government backs Hong Kong protests, blasts Nike, NBA
THE United States government “stands with” pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, US Vice-President Mike Pence said in a speech criticising Beijing, as well as Nike and the NBA for bowing to the “authoritarian regime”. Hong Kong is a living example of what can happen “when China embraces liberty”, Mr Pence said, amid continuing pro-democracy protests…
US ports make progress on Harbour Maintenance Tax reform
The US House of Representatives has agreed that all of the Harbour Maintenance Tax should be spent on maintaining navigation channels. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has notched an important victory in its long running battle to stop the US Government diverting funds collected through the add valorem Harbour Maintenance Tax(HMT) to other…
US House passes Hong Kong Human Rights Act
THE US House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation recently that calls for the president to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sanctions on assets and financial transactions of individuals and entities who are “responsible for undermining fundamental freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong”. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy…
Testing U.S.-Israel Alliance: Chinese and Haifa’s Port
A view from Mount Carmel overlooking the port in Haifa, Israel. (Photo: Inna Felker) The presence of Chinese state-owned companies at two of Israel’s three key seaports—Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean coast, but not Eilat on the Red Sea route to Asia—has been acting as a thorn in U.S.-Israeli relations. According to China’s Ministry…
Shippers should open talks on container contracts now, says Drewry
By Gavin van Marle 15/10/2019 Shippers with sizeable volumes shipped under annual contracts should already be opening negotiations with their carriers for 2020, according to Drewry Supply Chain Advisers. The reason is the continuing weakness of freight rates on the transpacific and Asia-North Europe container trades, said the analyst. It noted that while container spot rates…
The superintendent's role needs to change now
The superintendent’s role needs to change now
Brexit: Govt signs £87m ferry contracts for nodeal medicine supply
Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena Line will provide additional capacity for up to 3,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) a week. By : Paul Kelso – Health correspondent The government has signed freight contracts worth £86.6m with four ferry companies to ship medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit.Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena…
US places 28 Chinese organisations on Entity List for alleged human rights violations
TWENTY-EIGHT Chinese government agencies and commercial enterprises will be subject to stricter export controls, after the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security added them to the Entity List for allegedly countering US foreign policy objectives. The US government claims that these Chinese organisations are involved in human rights violations and abuses against China’s Uighur…
New Report on Future for River Thames
The Port of London Authority and Greater London Authority plan a greater role for the River Thames in London’s cultural life. (Photo © Adobe Stock / zgphotography) A new report jointly produced by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Greater London Authority (GLA) says a new vision could maximize the contribution the River Thames…
Pounds for ports
Overall, 16 ports across England are receiving a share of a multimillion-pound funding pot to help their preparations for Brexit on 31 October. The British department for transport (DfT) revealed the successful bidders of the port infrastructure resilience and connectivity (Pirc) competition worth GBP 10 million, which offers ports up to GBP 1 million each…
Debate on European state aid for shipping sector
The report on the maritime subsidies of OECD countries published by the International Transport Forum (ITF) remains in the headlines. The main conclusions mostly address the EU state aid guidelines (SAG) and their application in EU member states. The ITF report questions the effectiveness of the SAG and makes recommendations for improvements. The European Community…
Port chiefs spell out to Trump the danger to US economy from tariffs
© Atomazul By Alex Lennane 25/09/2019 Chiefs at seven large US ports have written to President Trump to express their “deep concern” over the “escalating trade conflict” with China. Claiming tariffs are creating “irredeemable economic harm”, they note there was a 30% decline in exports to China from Californian ports last year, while exports of wheat…
US pressures China on Hong Kong and trade
US President Donald Trump has warned China at the United Nations over its handling of the Hong Kong crisis, urging Beijing to protect the territory’s “democratic” way of life. Mr Trump fired several shots across the bow of the fellow Security Council member, moving beyond his typical attacks against China on international trade, reports Channel…
US proposes a rule to address future demurrage and detention disputes
THE notice of a proposed “interpretive” rule to address future demurrage and detention disputes brought before the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) by the container shipping industry has been published on the FMC’s website. Through the proposed rule, the FMC provides guidance under the Shipping Act on what it will consider to be fair and reasonable practices…
New ITF report on “Maritime subsidies”: FEPORT calls for more transparency and a review of the Maritime State Aid Guidelines to achieve it
Brussels, September 20th, 2019 FEPORT who represents the private port companies and terminals performing cargo handling activities in EU ports welcomes the publication of ITF OECD report on “Maritime subsidies” as it sheds light on a number of taxation practices which are not included in the last version Maritime State Aid Guidelines (2011). According to the ITF Report, some…