US air cargo sector concerned over stricter screening rules
The US air cargo sector highlighted some of the concerns it has regarding the implementation of stricter cargo screening rules due to be enforced later this year.
From November all cargo must be screened before it is loaded onto a freighter but a panel at US Airforwader Association’s (AfA) annual meeting urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work urgently with shippers to address the impact of the new requirements.
The panelists said that the Certified Cargo Standard Security Screening Program (CCSSSP), designed for bellyhold operations, is the only viable way to meet new screening requirements.
Meanwhile, they added that the TSA’s proposed Secure Packing Facility (SPF) initiative is not a viable solution for shippers or air freight forwarders who tender cargo that is difficult to screen for freighter export.
Air Cargo News
Belgian-German energy summit at Port of Antwerp-Bruges
The Belgian-German energy summit took place today in Zeebrugge. This is part of the collaboration between Belgium and Germany to enhance their energy independence.
To this end, the two countries signed an agreement to intensify their collaboration, including through an Energy Contact Group. Port of Antwerp-Bruges' strategy and projects around hydrogen, circularity, and CO2 capture, among others, make the port an essential player in both countries' ambitions to become climate neutral.
AJOT
Maersk tanker denied entry into Spanish port for carrying Russian-origin cargo
Spanish authorities have denied entry of the Singapore-flagged product tanker Maersk Magellan into Tarragona port due to it transporting cargo originating from a former Russian-flagged ship.
The country’s transport ministry said the 2010-built Maersk Magellan received the cargo in a ship-to-ship transfer from a Vietnamese-owned product tanker Elephant that originally came from the Cameroon-flagged Nobel ex-Neatis, which until July 1 sailed under a Russian flag.
The ministry noted the denial of entry was done to comply with EU regulations prohibiting access to any vessel registered under the Russian flag after April 16, 2022, and also to Russian-flagged ships that switched to another flag after February 24, 2022.
The 50,000 dwt Maersk Magellan is operated by Maersk Tankers pool. Maersk Tankers said in a statement that it had carried out a full sanction check before the operations including a check of the two vessels.
Splash 24/7
Dutch set nitrogen emissions cuts for energy, aviation, industry
The Netherlands has set new nitrogen reduction targets for its transport, industry and energy sectors in a bid to safeguard biodiversity and accelerate the country’s climate transition.
The industry and energy sectors must emit 38% less nitrogen by 2030 compared to 2019 and the mobility sector, which includes traffic and aviation, must commit to a 25% reduction target, the Dutch cabinet announced February 10.
The government said it will discuss the targets with 3,000 top nitrogen emitters, including companies and farms. “These businesses will have the opportunity to significantly reduce nitrogen emissions by making their operations more sustainable, relocating or shutting down,” it said in a statement.
Supply Chain Brain
Israel exports oil for first time with cargo heading to Europe
While the country began sending natural gas abroad several years ago, it has never produced significant amounts of oil. The Karish deposit in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is Energean’s flagship project, and has been pumping gas since last year.
“The first ever lifting of an Israeli crude oil cargo has taken place at the company’s Karish field,” London-based Energean said in a statement. “The cargo has been sold as part of a multi-cargo marketing agreement with Vitol.”
Output from the field, located close to the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon, became possible following a US-brokered deal reached in October between the two countries. Karish production has further boosted Israel’s gas industry, which has been a game-changer for a nation once reliant on imports.
AJOT
Evergreen announces suspension of operations at Iskenderun port due to severe earthquake damage
Evergreen Line has suspended all services at the port of Iskenderun due to the severe earthquake that devastated regions in Türkiye and Syria on Monday, 6 February 2023.
"Structural damage to the Port of Iskenderun will keep the facility closed for an undetermined period of time. Roads and logistics infrastructure within the area have also been damaged, causing all services to be suspended until operations can resume safely," said the company in a statement.
Because of the circumstances, and in accordance with clause 21 of Evergreen Line's Bill of Lading, in-transit cargo destined for discharge at Iskenderun will be off-loaded at Mersin Port located on the north-eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Mersin, southern Türkiye.
Container News
Electric vehicles could match gasoline cars on price this year
More quickly than seemed possible a few months ago, sticker prices for electric vehicles are falling closer to the point where they could soon be on a par with gasoline cars.
Increased competition, government incentives and falling prices for lithium and other battery materials are making electric vehicles noticeably more affordable. The tipping point when electric vehicles become as cheap as or cheaper than cars with internal combustion engines could arrive this year for some mass market models and is already the case for some luxury vehicles.
Supply Chain Brain
