Trendwatch: Trump pledges 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, more on China too; Near-shoring shippers eye Miami Airport as the gateway to the US consumer; Mediation for Montreal port labor talks

Trump pledges 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, more on China too

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday pledged a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada from his first day in office, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, citing illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs.

"On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Near-shoring shippers eye Miami Airport as the gateway to the US consumer

Shippers in China are looking for more access into South America for manufacturing, as the threat of ‘Trump tariffs’ is set to exacerbate the already emerging trend of near-shoring – Miami being eyed as a key hub.  

Emir Pineda, director of marketing & air service development at Miami International Airport (MIA), told The Loadstar there had been a rise in cargo volumes from South America to the US through Miami ,“as part of the China plus one strategy”.  

Mediation for Montreal port labor talks

Port of Montreal employers and union dockworkers have mutually agreed to mediation in their contract negotiations.

“Following the decision of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on Nov. 14, the union of Longshoremen of the Port of Montreal (CUPE 375) and the Association of Maritime Employers (MEA) have agreed, by consensus, to undertake a mediation process for a period of 90 days,” the sides said in joint releases.

Indian shippers brace for port strikes over 'promises not kept'

Indian shippers are fearful of major supply chain disruptions after dockworkers called for strikes at key ports, claiming the government has failed to meet commitments. 

A consortium of labour groups told port authorities workers would stage indefinite work stoppages across ports from 17 December in protest at the lack of action to address long-standing concerns

Unifor’s Canadian National Railway members vote for strike authorization

Unifor said on Monday its members at Canadian National Railway have authorized a strike action at the railroad if the parties fail to reach an agreement by Jan. 1.

Unifor, which represents more than 3,600 members at the railroad's Council 4000 and Local 100 committees, said members voted "overwhelmingly" in favor of the strike action.

Port Houston volumes dip in October

Port Houston handled 3,430,212 TEUs through October of this year — 7% more than the same period last year. Container volumes in October specifically fell 15% compared to last October, reaching 309,623 TEUs. Despite this slight dip, volumes are expected to be solid through the end of this year. According to early market reports, activity is expected to surge in November and into the new year as users push volumes ahead of January’s labor contract expiration and the early Chinese New Year and factory closures in Asia.

In October, loaded imports decreased by 13% and loaded exports dropped 21% compared to last year. Yet, total loaded container volumes remain up 6% year-to-date, with steady demand in critical sectors like resins and minerals.

Panama Canal chief floats land bridge option to ease future drought restrictions

Rising water levels have restored transits through the Panama Canal, but the canal authority is also looking into how a land bridge could move even more cargo across the isthmus.

Shipping, however, has not been very keen on this scenario.

ACP administrator Ricaurte Vasquez Morales recently unveiled a vision to boost the canal’s capacity by 5m containers a year by 2045, up from a comparatively modest 8.3m today – by moving boxes overland.

BIMCO Adopts Maritime Clause to Satisfy EU Fuel Regulation

BIMCO has developed a FuelEU Maritime Clause for Time Charter Parties 2024 in order to help companies entering into ship charter agreements to align their contractual frameworks with EU regulation on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that comes into force January 1, 2025. 

The clause was adopted by BIMCO’s Documentary Committee on November 25.Adopted in July 2023 as part of the European Commission’s (EC) Fit for 55 legislative packageto reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1805) promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships, which it says is essential to support decarbonization in the sector.