Trendwatch: Beijing retaliates as Trump’s China tariffs kick in; ILA sets wage review as longshore contract nears ratification vote; Panama gives in as US pressure on Panama Canal intensifies

Beijing retaliates as Trump’s China tariffs kick in

Donald Trump’s fast-moving tariff tiffs with key trading partners continue to keep shipping executives on edge around the world. 

Similar to the threats he made to Colombia a week prior, the American president yesterday put planned tariffs against Mexico and Canada on hold for 30 days, saying that the leaders of the two countries had acquiesced to his demands to bolster security at their borders with the US.

ILA sets wage review as longshore contract nears ratification vote

The International Longshoremen’s Association is expected within days to send a tentative contract with port employers to membership for ratification.

A source familiar with the process confirmed to FreightWaves reports that the ILA’s local wage scale committees are scheduled to meet this week in Florida to review the pact with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) covering approximately 25,000 dockworkers in container handling at 14 ports on the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast.

Panama gives in as US pressure on Panama Canal intensifies

Under increasing US pressure, Panama has elected not to renew its belt and road (BRI) deal with China and will also allow toll-free transits to American warships.

Following the first overseas trip by US secretary of state Marco Rubio (above), Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino said the BRI agreement with China, which expires in two to three years, would not be renewed.

European airline consolidation will go on, Lufthansa CEO says

There is scope for further consolidation in the European airline sector, the chief executive of Germany's Lufthansa said on Monday, having just bought a 41% stake in Italy's state-owned ITA.

"We have too many airlines in Europe. I am convinced consolidation will go on," Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told a news conference.

Changes on key transpacific trades as alliance services are reshuffled

Notwithstanding the ramifications of the new tariffs in the US this week, container carriers have long been preparing for a slowdown on the key transpacific trade during February.

According to new analysis from the eeSea liner database, the liner industry offered a combined capacity of 1,328,000 teu on the Asia-North America west coast trade in January, compared with a proforma 1,463,000 teu of scheduled capacity.

Continued spike in sea robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait

In an incident alert ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) highlighted that between 1 January and 3 February this year there had been 11 incident of sea robbery onboard ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait.

Jettainer, Oman Air Cargo extend partnership by 4 years

Oman Air Cargo has reaffirmed its cooperation with Jettainer, its unit load device (ULD) management partner, for four more years. Jettainer will continue to manage the fleet of currently around 2,000 ULDs tailored to the needs of the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, contributing to increased revenue, sustainability, flexibility, and reduced costs, says an official release from Jettainer.