FMC urges industry to follow rules ahead of potential strikes
News 24 Sep 2024 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra The US Federal Maritime Commission said it would fully investigate and prosecute any violations of maritime laws and regulations during potential port closures. đ Ship-to-shore cranes at Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, Charleston, SC The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has reminded shipping companies and terminal operators that…
Philippines President signs delayed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law
The Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr finally signs the long-awaited Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers designed to the protect the rights of shipâs crew from the country. Marcus Hand, Editor September 23, 2024 Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signs the Magna Carta of Filipino SeafarersCREDIT: RTV MALACANANG YOUTUBE At a Glance The President was expected…
Project 2025 Proposes Major Overhaul of MARAD and the Jones Act
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York, U.S., September 18, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Mike Schuler September 19, 2024 The Heritage Foundationâs controversial plan dubbed âProject 2025â is proposing significant changes to the U.S. maritime industry, including a…
Biden Administration Invests $300 Million to Modernize U.S. Ferry Systems
An Alaska State ferry in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo: FloridaStock/Shutterstock Mike Schuler September 16, 2024 The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced nearly $300 million in grants to expand and modernize ferry systems across the United States. The funding, part of President Bidenâs Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to improve transportation options for millions of Americans who…
House Committee report says ZPMC poses risk to US security
News 16 Sep 2024 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra House Committee reports says ZPMC could serve as âa Trojan horse capable of helping the CCP and the PRC military exploit and manipulate US maritime equipment and technology.â đ Delivery of three STS cranes to the Bayport Container Terminal in 2023 © Port Houston/ © Photo: Business…
USTR exempts STS crane orders arriving by May, 2026 from 25% tariff
News 16 Sep 2024 by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra Under new rules from the US Trade Representative, ship-to-shore cranes ordered before May 14, 2024, and arriving by May 14, 2026, will avoid a 25% tariff on imports from China. đ Plaque outside the Office of US Trade Representative STS cranes ordered before May 14, 2024, and…
US presidential debate fails to allay container shipper fears
âEverybody doing business with the US should feel concerned,â said Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand following Tuesdayâs election debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent September 13, 2024 4 Min Read CREDIT: OFFICIAL WHITEHOUSE PORTRAITS At a Glance Trump plans 20% across the board import tariffs and 60 – 100% on…
Germany approves Meyer Werft bailout
Sam ChambersSeptember 12, 2024 Meyer Werft The federal government and the state of Lower Saxony are collectively buying up 80% of Meyer Werft, as one of Germanyâs most famous shipbuilders struggles with a nearly âŹ2.8bn ($3bn) hole in its balance sheet. The German federal budget committee approved the governmentâs plan to save the shipbuilder yesterday…
Maersk: Shipping needs government help to reach net zero
WHEN the 16,000-TEU Alette Maersk, the first methanol powered box ship to cross the Pacific, it could find no source of green fuel in the United States, Reuters reported. This forced it to rely on petroleum-based maritime fuel for the return trip. Green fuel now costs two to three times more than fossil fuels.…
Beating the tariffs
Beating the tariffs News 4 Sep 2024 by Paul Avery The USTR has delayed its decision on tariffs for a few more days as ZPMC vessels with eight STS cranes sail to US ports.  đ  ZPMC vessel with three STS cranes for Port Houston. © Photo: ZPMC It could be just a coincidence, but the Office of…
The RISEE Act and implications for US ports and offshore
Photo: Wikimedia Commons As offshore wind continues to penetrate the US energy landscape, a revamped bi-partisan bill with important implications for ports and for US based vessel operators is gaining increased attention. Barry Parker | Aug 29, 2024 The focus on the bill comes as the 118th Congress (2023 â 2024) moves into its home stretch. The…
NGOs sue EU Commission over âflawedâ green classification for polluting ships
News 29 Aug 2024 by WCN Editorial NGOs are taking the EU Commission to court, arguing that its âflawedâ sustainable finance criteria improperly classify polluting planes and ships as âgreenâ.  đ  A coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is taking the EU Commission to court for its decision to categorise fossil fuel-powered planes and ships as sustainable under…
Canada puts tariffs on Chinese EVs, steel imports
News 27 Aug 2024 by Paul Avery Government imposes 100% tariff on EVs and 25% tariff on some steel products from China. đ BYD electric tractors operating at Red Hook Container Terminals at the Port of New York New Jersey. © Photo: BYD The Canadian Federal Government has announced that it will impose tariffs of…
EC approves French State aid for freight terminals
News 26 Aug 2024 by WCN Editorial The European Commission approved âŹ9.3 million in French State aid for developing freight terminals in Calais (âŹ6.3m) and SĂšte (âŹ3m). đ CargoBeamer Terminal Calais © CargoBeamer The European Commission has approved âŹ9.3 million in French State aid to develop two multimodal freight terminals; one in Calais and the…
Crane drives in EU need to comply with CRA
News 25 Aug 2024 by WCN Editorial Executives in Europe must recognize ENISAâs new Cybersecurity Certification framework, which will affect the ports industry. đ Illustration © Shutterstock At its 17th annual Siemens Cranes and Technology Conference in Rotterdam in June, Vice President Dr Christian Koegl from Siemens AG gave an overview of how new cyber…
US Secretary of the Navy requests Maersk to order American-made ships
THE US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has suggested to the CEO of AP Moller-Maersk Vincent Clerc to buy American-made ships to join Maersk’s exclusively foreign-built fleet. The unusual suggestion was made in a meeting in Denmark last week by Mr Del Toro to the CEO of the Danish shipping company, Mr Clerc,…
Fleet of ports benefit from Connecting Europe Facility
News 20 Aug 2024 by Simon Walton The latest round of funding from an EU transport infrastructure initiative will benefit a score of ports around Europe. đ An EU funding initiative is about to be launched at around twenty ports. The Connecting Europe Facility Transport programme (CET) will help with improvements at coastal and inland…
Senators Introduce Bill to Counter Chinese Maritime Threat
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) looks at reporters during a press conference following the weekly Senate caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/File Photo Reuters August 7, 2024 Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan Strategic Port Reporting Act,…
Political upheaval in Bangladesh sees factories close and supply chain chaos
Photo: © Laurence Agron | Dreamstime.com By Bangladesh correspondent 06/08/2024 Bangladesh supply chains are experiencing chaos from the worsening civil disorder, with factories having been shuttered for two days and exports forced almost to a halt. Customs process remain all but suspended as shipments through seaports and airports are disrupted. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and…