Update on transits through the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal facilitates global maritime trade, ensuring the smooth and safe passage of vessels, even amidst challenging weather conditions.
The Panama Canal remains the primary route for 57.5% of the total cargo transported in container ships from Asia to the eastern coast of the United States, consistent with 2022 figures.
This figure has not decreased, so the Canal continues to be the preferred route for the container carrier segment, which has been minimally impacted by the adjustments to draft and transits associated with the measures incorporated to conserve water.
AJOT
Japan warns China of WTO action as Fukushima spat worsens
Japan may take World Trade Organization action against China, which banned all Japanese seafood imports in response to Tokyo’s release of treated wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tuesday the country will take any necessary action at the WTO or other frameworks over China’s move. He also confirmed that a brick was hurled at the Japanese embassy in Beijing, adding to reports of harassment faced by Japanese people and businesses in China.
The Chinese government has staunchly opposed Tokyo’s plan to discharge treated water from the ruined Fukushima nuclear plant even though Japan says it’s safe — a view backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Japan started the release last Thursday, sparking retaliation from Chinese authorities.
AJOT
PSA and KAI ink MoU to boost Indonesia’s rail ecosystem
PSA Indonesia (PSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (KAI) to work together to improve Indonesia's rail and rail-linked logistics ecosystem.
The MoU aims to motivate and align both partners' efforts to boost connectivity and build an efficient and sustainable multimodal transportation network in Indonesia.
PSA and KAI will also collaborate on joint feasibility studies to build collaboration strategies and investigate future co-investment in Indonesian rail-linked infrastructure, whether new or existing.
Container News
Current definition of "Waters of the United States"
On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army (the agencies) issued a final rule to amend the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule, published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023. This final rule conforms the definition of “waters of the United States” to the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. Parts of the January 2023 Rule are invalid under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Clean Water Act in the Sackett decision. Therefore, the agencies have amended key aspects of the regulatory text to conform it to the Court’s decision.
In addition, the January 2023 Rule is not currently operative in certain states and for certain parties due to ongoing litigation. Where the January 2023 Rule is not enjoined, the agencies will implement the January 2023 Rule, as amended by the conforming rule. In the jurisdictions and for the parties where the January 2023 Rule is enjoined, the agencies are interpreting "waters of the United States" consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime and the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Health alert issued after acid chemical blaze at Laem Chabang deep seaport
The Public Health Ministry on Tuesday (Aug 29) issued an urgent warning to workers at Laem Chabang deep seaport in Chonburi province and nearby residents to wear anti-pollution masks after chemicals caught fire at the port in the morning.
Dr Opas karnkawinpong, permanent secretary at the ministry, said a 9-tonne container with dangerous acid chemicals had caught fire at 10am on Tuesday.
The container was kept on the ground for storing dangerous goods of JWD Company inside the compound of the Laem Chabang deep seaport in Tambon Thung Sukla of Si Racha district.
Opas said he had learned from Chonburi public health inspector Suthep Phetmak that the container had 378 boxes of organic peroxides, which are acid chemicals. Each box weighed 18 kilograms.
The Star
Indian PM urges critical minerals leaders to view control as a “global responsibility”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world could be at risk of a new form of colonialism if countries that control critical minerals do not view protecting those commodities as a “global responsibility.”
"We are experiencing this challenge for critical materials, rare earths and others. These things are abundant in some places and not present at all in others, but all of humankind needs them," Modi said during the Business 20 Summit held in New Delhi from August 25 to August 27. "The ones who have them, if they don't see that as a global responsibility, then this will promote a new model of colonialism. This is my warning."
Supply Chain Brain
PSA and KAI ink MoU to boost Indonesia’s rail ecosystem
PSA Indonesia (PSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (KAI) to work together to improve Indonesia's rail and rail-linked logistics ecosystem.
The MoU aims to motivate and align both partners' efforts to boost connectivity and build an efficient and sustainable multimodal transportation network in Indonesia.
PSA and KAI will also collaborate on joint feasibility studies to build collaboration strategies and investigate future co-investment in Indonesian rail-linked infrastructure, whether new or existing.
Container News
