China

Panel: Chinese Warships Acting More Aggressively Towards Foreign Navies in the South China Sea

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Decatur, left, and Chinese warship PRC 170, right, during what the US Navy called an unsafe and unprofessional incident in the South China Sea on Sept. 30, 2018. US Navy photo, obtained by gCaptain.

The question following the recent close encounters between guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73), the U.K. Royal Navy’s amphibious ship HMS Albion and Chinese naval ships in the South China Sea is if Beijing is changing their posture toward foreign navies in...

https://news.usni.org/2018/10/16/panel-chinese-warships-acting-aggressively-towards-foreign-navies-south-china-sea

Europe, China increase trade through Belt and Road Initiative

When China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco) took over the operation of the port of Piraeus, running the shipyard has been the first project since 2016. Cosco chose Piraeus to be China’s gateway to Europe, under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as other ports, increasing trade between the continents.

According to the Greek Parliament, Piraeus is the fastest growing port in the world, as it ranks 7th in Europe and 37th worldwide.

However, it was not always like this. After the Greek economic,...

https://safety4sea.com/europe-china-increase-trade-through-belt-and-road-initiative/

Port of Corpus Christi sets record tonnage in 2018 despite trade war

In the first nine months of 2018, the Port of Corpus Christi reached a new milestone, setting a new tonnage record of 79.3 million tons. This surpasses the previous record of 77.9 million tons set in the first nine months of 2015, while also eclipsing the same period in 2017 by 4 million tons, an increase of 5% year-over-year.

Namely, the Port’s volume growth in 2018 was driven by increases of crude oil (+11%), other petroleum products (+8%), and breakbulk shipments (+3%). The news comes despite...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-corpus-christi-sets-record-tonnage-in-2018-despite-trade-war/

Container traffic across Pacific increases in spite of trade war

US tariffs to China have affected trade volumes, but not in a negative way. Namely, container traffic across the Pacific has increased, with container ships being full. This situation is possible that will not last, but exports from south Asia may continue their increasing trend.

Considering the increase in the price to ship a 40ft container, Chinese exporters decided to fulfil orders before US trade tariffs become more widespread, Financial Times reported.

This comes after the announcement that...

https://safety4sea.com/container-traffic-across-pacific-increases-in-spite-of-trade-war/

Maritime rescue drill in Shanghai ahead of China International Import Expo

A maritime rescue drill took place at Waigaoqiao, China on Friday, October 12, under the city’s maritime security preparations regarding the China International Import Expo.

Shanghai Maritime Search and Rescue Center and Pudong Maritime Bureau organized the drill. During its course, three cargo containers ‘fell’ off a ship while it was leaving the dock.

The containers fell into the water near the dock and one of them was containing ‘dangerous’ goods.

The rescue team began its operations which...

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-rescue-drill-in-shanghai-ahead-of-china-international-import-expo/

Long standing Chinese relationship pays off as major shipping line announces Liverpool call

Aerial view of Liverpool

The Port of Liverpool has demonstrated the strength of its relationships with China by announcing it will welcome a vessel call from COSCO on Wednesday 17 October.

The MV Jork will call at Liverpool after a stop in Rotterdam before returning with UK exports. Once in Liverpool it will unload mainly high value Asian goods for fast delivery into the supply chain across the UK.

The Port of Liverpool boasts a consistent truck turnaround time of less than 40 minutes, unrivalled...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/15/long-standing-chinese-relationship-pays-off-as-major-shipping-line-announces-liverpool-call/

Japanese Amphibious Soldiers Hit the Beach in the Philippines with U.S. Marines, 7th Fleet

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) and Marines, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stand by in the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) Oct. 9, 2018. US Navy Photo

It was no ordinary beach assault when troops took off on amphibious assault vehicles from a U.S. Navy ship and raced ashore in a training exercise with U.S. Marines.

That’s because the landing onto a Philippine beach by...

https://news.usni.org/2018/10/15/japanese-amphibious-soldiers-hit-beach-philippines-u-s-marines-7th-fleet

China launched satellite to research oceans environment

China launched a new marine satellite into orbit earlier this month, aiming to enhance the understanding of maritime waters and climate change. Specifically, the satellite will provide with data for research on the global oceans’ environment.

The satellite HY-1C’s mission is to monitor ocean colour and water temperatures, in order to supply researchers with data for better understanding the oceans’ environment, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense...

https://safety4sea.com/china-launched-satellite-to-research-oceans-environment/

No ‘competitive devaluation’ in China, The efficacy of macroprudential policies

Commentary: No ‘competitive devaluation’ in China

By Mark Sobel in Washington

When the Trump administration asserts that China steals intellectual property, violates foreign investor rights, engages in wholesale subsidisation of the economy, and raises questions about industrial policy pursuant to ‘Made in China 2025’, it stands on solid ground. Assertions about ‘competitive devaluations’ by China, however, do not stand up to scrutiny. The renminbi’s decline primarily reflects a strong US economy...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/12/no-competitive-devaluation-in-china-the-efficacy-of-macroprudential-policies/

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