shipping trade

ECSA, SEA Europe call for action against unfair trade practices

SEA Europe and ECSA, the trade associations representing respectively European shipbuilding and maritime equipment and European shipowners, welcomed the recent statement of EU Trade Commission Cecilia Malmström against unfair trade practices in the Far East.

The associations further called upon the European Commission and the EU Member States to take concrete and decisive actions against such practices and in favour of a true global level playing field for the European industry.

They noted that ma...

https://safety4sea.com/ecsa-sea-europe-call-for-action-against-unfair-trade-practices/

Port of Dover: Frictionless trade must be ensured after Brexit

The Port of Dover has been at the centre of contingency planning to minimise disruption in the event of a No-Deal Brexit. For this reason it has been working with the UK government to deliver a plan for lorry traffic to be pre-notified to customs so that vehicles do not need to be held at the port.

Up to 110 miles of freight traffic pass through the Port of Dover every day, while around half of the UK’s trade being with the European Union, delivering a frictionless solution when the UK leaves EU...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-dover-frictionless-trade-must-be-ensured-after-brexit/

PIL, IBM step up cooperation for electronic bill of lading

Singaporean container ship operator Pacific International Lines Ltd (PIL) announced collaboration with IBM Singapore (IBM) in another blockchain trial to design and create an electronic bill of lading aimed at enhancing the documentation process in supply chain management.

The PIL-IBM collaboration was supported by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Singapore Shipping Association, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Singapore Customs (National Trade Platform), and Bank of China Limited...

https://safety4sea.com/pil-ibm-step-up-cooperation-for-electronic-bill-of-lading/

UNCTAD: Maritime trade increased but protectionism, trade war are concerning

UNCTAD published its Review of Maritime Transport for 2018. This report is published annually since 1968 and provides an analysis of structural and cyclical changes affecting seaborne trade, ports and shipping, as well as an extensive collection of statistical information.

According to the report, global seaborne trade is doing well, as it is supported by the 2017 increase in the world economy. Expanding at 4%, the fastest growth in five years, global maritime trade gained momentum and raised...

https://safety4sea.com/unctad-maritime-trade-increased-but-protectionism-trade-war-are-concerning/

EU Commission seeks views on future regime for shipping consortia

The European Commission has invited comments on the legal framework exempting liner shipping consortia from EU antitrust rules that prohibit anticompetitive agreements between companies, known as the “Consortia Block Exemption Regulation”.

Container shipping organised on the basis of liner consortia accounts for the majority of non-bulk freight carried by sea to and from Europe. Competitive shipping services are therefore essential for the EU’s economy as a whole. EU law generally bans...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-commission-seeks-views-on-future-regime-for-shipping-consortia/

Increased risks and tensions to slow trade growth, warns WTO

Escalating trade tensions and tighter credit market conditions in important markets will slow trade growth for the rest of 2018 and in 2019, according to World Trade Organization economists. Trade will continue to expand, but at a more moderate pace than previous forecasts.

Namely, WTO anticipates growth in merchandise trade volume of 3.9% in 2018, with trade expansion slowing further to 3.7% in 2019. The new forecast for 2018 is below the WTO’s 12 April estimate of 4.4%, but falls within the...

https://safety4sea.com/increased-risks-and-tensions-to-slow-trade-growth-warns-wto/

THE Alliance and Ocean Alliance combine Mediterranean-US east coast service

Two major alliances on the container shipping sector announced a strategic cooperation with combination of operations in Mediterranean-US East Coast service, to deliver a more efficient and comprehensive service quality.

Namely, THE Alliance, comprising the recently formed Japanese venture Ocean Network Express (ONE), German shipping major Hapag-Lloyd, and Chinese Yang Ming, will cooperate with members of The Ocean Alliance, China Cosco Shipping, French giant CMA CGM, and Chinese OOCL, to...

https://safety4sea.com/the-alliance-and-ocean-alliance-combine-mediterranean-us-east-coast-service/

EU to continue trade with Iran bypassing US sanctions

The Ministerial Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia and the UK will set up a legal entity to facilitate legitimate financial transactions with Iran and allow European companies to continue trade with Iran.

Namely, the participants considered ways forward to ensure the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA in all its aspects. They also took analyzed the process of finding and operationalising practical solutions for issues arising from the withdrawal of the...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-to-continue-trade-with-iran-bypassing-us-sanctions/

Watch: Maritime trade as Africa’s lifeblood

On the occasion of the World Maritime Day 2018, Timothy Walker, Senior Maritime Security Researcher at ISS Pretoria, analyzes key issues affecting Africa in terms of its ocean and maritime security development. Mr. Walker refers, among others, to the exploitation of marine and seabed resources, sustainable fisheries and maritime security.

According to Mr. Walker, the 27th September offers an annual opportunity to critically reflect on global progress and challenges and appreciate the inherent...

https://safety4sea.com/watch-maritime-trade-as-africas-lifeblood/

US, South Korea sign new trade deal

US President Donald Trump signed a revised free trade agreement with South Korea on September 24 in New York. This is the first bilateral trade deal of his administration and includes steps to open up the Korean market to more American exports.

The US – Korea Trade Agreement aims to open the Korean market to increased American exports, mainly automobiles. It will also allow the US to impose a 25% tariff on Korean trucks until 2041.

According to analysts, the agreement contains some provisions...

https://safety4sea.com/us-south-korea-sign-new-trade-deal/

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