Trendwatch: Back to work order sees Canadian ports reopen to a battle against backlogs; U.S. Trade Chief Stresses Targeted Approach to Tariffs Against China; Delays at Mauritius transhipment hub spark box line congestion surcharges

Back to work order sees Canadian ports reopen to a battle against backlogs

Operations have resumed at strike-hit ports across Canada, but the work stoppage has resulted in a huge backlog of containers and shippers likely to face a new wave of detention and demurrage (D&D) charges.

Work resumed at Montreal on Saturday at 7am, ordered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), after the strike began at the port’s Termont terminals on 31 October.

U.S. Trade Chief Stresses Targeted Approach to Tariffs Against China

President Joe Biden’s trade negotiator said the use of targeted tariffs is necessary to guard against China deluging the U.S. with imports such as cars, clean energy and semiconductors.

Import duties on selected products in areas where the U.S. is looking to attract investment represent the “defense” of the U.S. game plan to prevent a second “China Shock,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in an interview on November 14. The term refers to the economic and social havoc that followed China joining the World Trade Organization in 2001, devastating industries such as clothing, electronics, machinery and furniture, and costing the U.S. millions of jobs.

Delays at Mauritius transhipment hub spark box line congestion surcharges

Port Louis, Mauritius’ transhipment hub, is facing excessive cargo delays due to infrastructure issues, threatening trade volume gains seen in recent years.

To recoup anticipated additional costs due to the logjam, major container lines have begun imposing congestion surcharges for containers flowing into Port Louis.

Maersk Halifax Makes History as First Large Containership Converted to Methanol Fuel

The 2017-built Maersk Halifax has become the first large containership to be converted to methanol fuel, Maersk announced on Monday.

The extensive retrofit operation, which concluded at the end of October, took place at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China over a span of 88 days. The project involved significant modifications to the vessel, including the installation of new fuel tanks, a fuel preparation room, and a fuel supply system.

Hapag-Lloyd reveals rotation changes to Asia-Europe CGX service

As carriers prepare for a new liner alliance landscape next year, moves are under way to rejig service networks, with some of the biggest changes to take place on the Asia-North Europe trade.

At the end of last week, it emerged that Gemini partners Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd had elected London Gateway to serve as their UK port on Asia-North Europe, in preference to Felixstowe, leaving MSC by far the largest carrier calling at the UK’s biggest port – although the Ocean Alliance has two Asia-North Europe calls at Felixstowe, its NEU1 and NEU6 strings.

EU and UK impose new sanctions on Iran, including IRISL

The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) have imposed new sanctions on several Iranian entities and individuals, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

EU said the sanctions are a response to Iran’s human rights abuses, nuclear proliferation activities and military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “The EU has repeatedly condemned serious human rights violations in Iran, including the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022, and the following violent repression by the Iranian authorities of peaceful protests, which led to the loss of hundreds of lives,” stated the union in a statement.

US government injects US$580 million investment into port sector

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) unveiled plans to invest nearly US$580 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support 31 port improvement projects across 15 states and one U.S. territory.

US government injects US$580 million into the port sector.

This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America initiative, aims to enhance the capacity and efficiency of coastal, Great Lakes, and inland river ports. The announced projects will boost supply chain reliability, create workforce development opportunities, improve freight efficiency, reduce costs, cut emissions, and enhance the safety, reliability, and resilience of U.S. ports.

Emirates SkyCargo joins -15C club for perishable transport

Emirates SkyCargo has joined the Move to -15°C coalition that aims to reduce supply chain emissions by cutting the temperature perishables are transported.

Frozen foods are usually transported at -18 degrees Celsius but the coalition believes that a three-degree change in temperature could make a “significant environmental impact with no compromise on food quality and safety”.

The coalition is exploring the real-world implementation of this research through data sharing, suggested operational revisions, collaborating with members and stakeholders, as well as engaging with policymakers and regulators to educate and advocate.