WEEK-LONG RAIL STRIKE German rail workers are in the midst of a week-long nationwide strike over working conditions and pay disputes. The Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer (GDL) initiated the strike. Spanning from January 23 to January 29, 2024, the labor action involves locomotive drivers, dispatchers, and other transport sector employees. [...]
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has scheduled an informal public hearing on February 7, 2024, to investigate the impact of conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions on global supply chains and commercial shipping. The hearing aims to facilitate communication between stakeholders in the supply chain and [...]
ZERO-EMISSIONS REPORTING EXTENDED The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has granted heavy-duty truck owners and operators - including drayage vehicles - an extra month to complete their 2023 reporting for the Clean Truck Check program. The new deadline for entering information into the Clean Truck Check-Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS) [...]
The Panama Canal and the Suez Canal are important maritime passageways in the global supply chain. Strategically located to facilitate efficient trade, these canals act as connectors between major trading zones. The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, offering a faster route for vessels navigating between North and [...]
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced an additional extension of 77 COVID-related exclusions. Originally set to expire in December 2023, the relief granted by these exclusions will now end in May 2024. Items excluded from Section 301 tariffs levied on imports from China include some [...]
DRY CANALS PROVIDE OPTIONS Central American dry canals have emerged as alternatives to the Panama Canal, offering potential new options for global shipping. These projects, characterized by high-capacity rail connections or highway corridors linking the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, will contribute to the diversification of maritime routes. [...]
The Port of Savannah has seen continued investor interest and growth due to shifts in import volume towards the east coast. Savannah has proven to be a popular choice for importers during 2023, especially as the Panama Canal drought restrictions continue. The port and surrounding area are seeing millions of [...]
President Biden recently unveiled approximately 30 new actions as part of his Bidenomics agenda. The objective is for these initiatives to improve supply chain resilience and ensure that Americans have access to essential products, businesses experience reliable deliveries, and strengthens agricultural and food systems. STRENGTHENING THE U.S. SUPPLY CHAIN The [...]
In the evolving landscape of European freight, forwarders and road freight operators are advising customers about an anticipated shift in toll fees due to a new European toll system linked to CO2 emissions. This initiative, commencing in Germany on December 1, involves categorizing heavy goods vehicles into five classes [...]
In response to concerns raised by senators regarding labor rights in trade provisions, specifically the recent commitment to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the White House released an executive memo on November 16 emphasizing the promotion of labor rights abroad. The memo directs several key actions to address [...]
