agriculture exports

What will happen if Russia blocks Black Sea grain ships?

Russia is threatening to pull the plug on the Black Sea Grain Initiative on May 18, blocking Ukrainian seaborne exports of corn and wheat. The European Union has banned Ukrainian agriculture exports to neighboring Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia until June 5, with an extension through year-end possible. The Tolyatti-Odessa pipeline, a key conduit for Russian exports of ammonia — a vital fertilizer feedstock — remains offline.

CNBC recently warned that “the basic food security of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-will-happen-if-russia-blocks-the-black-sea-grain-ships

Relief still far off for low Mississippi River, hindering barge movement

Some recent rains in the basins that ultimately dump water into the Mississippi are a start, but the barge shipping problems that have created enormous backups on the river, particularly near Memphis, Tennessee, remain a long way from resolution.

“Current water levels are the lowest we have seen in recent years and in some locations have reached or surpassed historic low-water levels set as far back as 1988,” a Coast Guard spokesman said in an email to FreightWaves on Monday. “These conditions...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/relief-still-far-off-for-low-mississippi-river-hindering-barge-movement

Lawmaker introduces bill to guarantee more US-flag shipping

U.S. flag on ship entering New York

A bipartisan bill aimed at invigorating U.S.-flag shipping for international government cargo was introduced Friday by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

The Rebuilding the United States-Flag International Fleet Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio, would restore a requirement that at least 75% of gross seaborne tonnage for international food aid programs be carried on US-flagged vessels.

The requirement, in place from 1985 to 2012, was repealed by the current law that lowered the minimum...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lawmaker-introduces-bill-to-guarantee-more-us-flag-shipping

FMC pressuring ocean carriers to boost exports

The Federal Maritime Commission will consider taking regulatory action against ocean carriers that are not providing sufficient services to U.S. exporters and their overseas markets.

The FMC announced the stepped-up pressure on Monday as part of an expansion of the agency’s Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Audit Program, which the FMC launched last year to assess the market power of the nine largest container carriers operating in U.S. markets. 

The audit program will begin evaluating how shipping...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmc-pressuring-ocean-carriers-to-boost-exports

Invasion makes Ukraine’s role as global ag exporter uncertain

Global political uncertainties weighed on the minds of speakers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual outlook forum on Thursday and Friday, even as U.S. ag exports are forecast to be worth billions this year. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is anticipated to have an effect on global agricultural trade but it’s uncertain what that impact will be. 

Ukraine is considered to be the fourth-largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, exporting to China, Middle East, North Africa...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/invasion-makes-ukraines-role-as-global-ag-exporter-uncertain

GSCW chat: Port of Oakland works to increase export capacity

Head shot of Bryan Brandes, maritime director, Port of Oakland

This fireside chat recap is from Day 5 of FreightWaves’ Global Supply Chain Week.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Port of Oakland perspective on the pandemic and supply chain challenges

DETAILS:  

SPEAKER: Bryan Brandes, maritime director, Port of Oakland 

BIO: Brandes has spent 25 years in the maritime industry. He began his current position in June 2020. Before joining the port, he was vice president, Pacific Southwest Region Operations, for FlexiVan Leasing, an intermodal chassis leasing company. He...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gscw-chat-port-of-oakland-works-to-increase-export-capacity

Patriot Rail to establish rail district in central California

Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton is hoping the creation of a new rail district in central California will be a boon not only for his company but also for agricultural producers in the region. 

Patriot Rail is part of a public-private partnership with local leaders to develop a rail district for central California. Patriot Rail will lease approximately 6,500 feet of track and related property to Merced County, and the company will invest $1.2 million to increase rail capacity there at the Castle...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/patriot-rail-to-establish-rail-district-in-central-california

USDA announces container subsidy — lawmakers say it’s not enough

Lawmakers leading a push to overhaul U.S. ocean shipping laws in Congress shrugged off the latest effort by the Biden administration to offset punishing costs and service shortfalls being absorbed by American agricultural exporters.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday it was partnering with the Port of Oakland on a new 25-acre container staging area reserved for agriculture exports. The goal is to get quicker pickup of empty containers for refilling with products...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/usda-announces-container-subsidy-lawmakers-say-its-not-enough

Port of Oakland plans empty container yard to help ag exporters

Aerial view of containers at a big port.

The Port of Oakland, in collaboration with California and federal officials, is redoubling efforts to remove hurdles making it difficult for agriculture exporters to reach overseas markets. 

The port authority announced Monday it is setting up a 25-acre staging area on port property where empty containers can be stacked and made available for rapid access by exporters, partnering with state and federal agencies to promote the facility and reiterated calls for ocean carriers to restore service to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-of-oakland-plans-empty-container-yard-to-help-ag-exporters

White House to ocean carriers: Take more ag exports … or else

A crane lifting containers from a vessel at a port.

The Biden administration on Friday again urged global ocean carriers to accept more export freight and restore service at underutilized West Coast ports to ease supply chain constraints and give U.S. agriculture companies a fair chance to sell their goods in overseas markets. The request signals that the White House will remain focused on trying to tighten regulation of the industry next year.

With eastbound transportation rates 10 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, vessel operators are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/white-house-to-ocean-carriers-please-take-more-exports-or-else

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