Port of Long Beach embraces CARB rules for locomotives and trucks
The Port of Long Beach supports California Air Resources Board’s (CARB's) new guidelines, which reflect and complement the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan, which was updated in 2017.
CARB's measures will support efforts to bring cleaner locomotives to the port's region and mandate zero-emissions trucks by 2035, and the CAAP's initiatives will bolster efforts and provide better air to all Californians.
Container News
PSA Marine signs off tug fleet expansion in Panama
PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd has completed the acquisition of a 45 per cent stake in Meyer’s Tugs S.A. (MTSA) from Inversiones Maritimas CPT S.A., a subsidiary of CPT Empresas Maritimas S.A.
The deal was closed on 27 April through PSA Marine Americas (Pte) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSA Marine.
The two companies aim to grow the towage service offering in Panama, with the partnership bringing together their networks, expertise, and capabilities in the towage business.
After the completion of the acquisition, MTSA will be rebranded to reflect its shared values and vision with PSA Marine.
Port Technology
Truck makers take on EPA’s zero-emissions carbon rule
Truck manufacturers are pushing back hard against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to drastically cut carbon emissions from heavy trucks beginning in model year 2028.
While fully electric, zero-emission trucks are already on the roads, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) maintain that the biggest impediment to the EPA’s rule seeking aggressive adoption for the trucking industry is a lack of infrastructure to support it.
“We fully support that goal, demonstrated by the billions of dollars already invested by our members to develop and bring to market zero-emission power trains and vehicles,” said Jed Mandel, president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), during EPA’s first public hearing on its proposal on Tuesday.
Freight Waves
Turkey’s trade deficit widens in April as exports slump
Turkey’s foreign trade deficit widened 44% in April from a year earlier as exports slumped due to what the government said was adverse calendar impact from a religious holiday.
The shortfall was $8.85 billion, up from a gap of $6.15 billion in 2022, according to preliminary data published by Trade Ministry on Tuesday. Exports fell 17% to $19.3 billion during the same period, while imports dropped 4.5% to $28.2 billion.
The ministry said the drop in shipments abroad was hit by the Eid holiday that marked the end of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims. Two massive earthquakes that struck Turkey in February also continue to weigh on exports, it said.
AJOT
Despite slight growth for U.S. manufacturing, the threat of a recession remains
The U.S. manufacturing sector was able to avoid a new three-year low production level in April 2023, as product orders and employment reportedly experienced slight improvements, according to Reuters. Despite the growth, higher borrowing costs and tighter credit in April 2023 "raised the risk of a recession” taking place in the United States. In fact, Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial, said the U.S. economy “will likely slide into recession later this year.”
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its purchasing managers’ index (PMI), a monthly indicator of economic activity in the U.S. based on a survey of purchasing managers at more than 300 firms, rose from a three-year low of 46.3% in March 2023 to 47.1% in April 2023, beating the expectations of economists polled by Reuters.
Supply Chain Brain
Solar developers seen safe from 254% tariff after House vote
A House vote to reinstate solar tariffs as high as 254% on panel imports from Southeast Asia fell short of the super-majority needed to overcome a veto threat from the White House.
The 221-202 vote on the measure, which would undo a two-year moratorium on the duties put in place by President Joe Biden, indicates developers are likely safe from duties that they said would paralyze their industry. Twelve Democrats joined the vote to reinstate tariffs.
AJOT
Chinese truck maker to boost Mexico presence with eye on U.S. market
Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton Motor Co. is planning a second plant in Mexico to manufacture electric vehicles with an eye on U.S. exports.
The plant’s location has yet to be decided, said Roberto Talavera, director of electric vehicles at Foton in Mexico, but the states of Jalisco and Aguascalientes — already home to a number of major automotive facilities — are being carefully considered. The plant is expected to produce traditional internal combustion and electric vehicles, and be operational in 2025.
Supply Chain Brain
