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☆ The East and Gulf Coast ports strike could be a no-win situation for the Biden administration
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

President Biden said on Tuesday that his administration will be "monitoring for any price gouging activity" that benefits foreign ocean carriers, including those on the USMX board. He also said "foreign ocean carriers have made record profits since the pandemic, when Longshoremen put themselves at risk to keep ports open." UBS forecast that 20% of Maersk's total volume would touch a U.S. port that would be impacted by the strike. Acting Secretary Julie Su lashed out at the idea that labor wage increases would be passed onto U.S. exporters and importers. I know they understand, just as consumers and American workers understand, that foreign companies who profit from our economy and who employ American workers and have an impact on American consumers should do the right thing, and in that battle, we are always going to stand with American workers, American businesses and American consumers."

Persons: Biden, Longshoremen, majeure, Daggett, Harold Daggett, Lars Jenson, Pete Buttigieg, Julie Su, Taft, Hartley, Buttigieg, Larry Lindsey, Su, Peter Friedmann, I've, nonfarm, Helene, switchers, they're, Jim Bianco, CNBC's, Peter Boockvar, Alan Baer, Steve Lamar, Taft Hartley, Lamar, CNBC's Jeff Cox Organizations: CMA, U.S, United States Maritime Alliance, Vespucci, Federal Reserve, Transportation, Labor, International Longshoremen's Association, UBS, Maersk, Federal Maritime Commission, ILA, Boeing, The Lindsey Group, Agriculture Transportation Coalition, Bianco Research, Bleakley Financial, USA, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Biden Administration, — Locations: East, Gulf Coast, U.S, autoworkers

☆ Biden and other government officials are telling port companies to get a better offer to striking workers ASAP
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Lian Kit Wee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

President Joe Biden called for port companies to offer fair deals to striking dockworkers. He and the acting labor secretary, Julie Su, urged dock workers and companies to negotiate. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden and other government officials are urging port companies to offer stronger contracts to the 45,000 dockworkers on strike at East and Gulf Coast ports. The message from the Biden administration is clear: Companies need to offer a fair deal to the striking workers as soon as possible. Su said the port workers' sacrifices and importance during the pandemic and in helping communities recover from Hurricane Helene weren't fairly reflected in their salaries.

Persons: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Julie Su, —, Biden, Hurricane Helene, Buttigieg, he'd, she'd, Su, Hurricane Helene weren't, Taft, Hartley Organizations: Service, JPMorgan, Federal Maritime Commission, US Maritime Alliance, International Longshoremen's Association, Associated Press, dockworkers, Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Business Insider Locations: East, Gulf Coast, Hurricane

☆ Port workers from Maine to Texas are set to strike Tuesday. Expect shortages and higher prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Chris Isidore | Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It represents the major shipping lines, all of which are foreign-owned, as well as terminal operators and port authorities. Depending on duration, a strike could mean shortages of consumer and industrial goods, possibly driving up prices again. That labor peace has helped them capture market share from West Coast ports that have historically had more contentious labor relations. But he said the shipping lines appear unwilling to pay what it takes this time. The shipping lines realize the problem with having Biden order the union back to work, said Tirschwell.

Persons: Luke Sharrett, Patrick Anderson, ”, USMX, Harold Daggett, John McCown, containerization, Brendan Smialowski, Peter Tirschwell, “, Republican Donald Trump, ” Tirschwell, hasn’t, Jonathan Gold, ” Gold, Biden, Joe Biden, Taft, Hartley, George W, Bush, Bradley Saunders, Daggett, ’ ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Maritime Association, International Longshoremen’s Association, BMW, Port, Bloomberg, Getty, ILA, Anderson Economic Group, “, P Global Market Intelligence, Federal Maritime Administration, Republican, National Retail Federation, North, Capital Economics, United Auto Workers Locations: New York, Maine, Texas, East Coast, Gulf, Gulf Coast, of New York, New Jersey, Port Wilmington, Delaware, Port, Baltimore, Port of Charleston, South Carolina, Charleston , South Carolina, West Coast, Michigan, Port of Baltimore, Baltimore , Maryland, AFP, East, North American

☆ Biden promise to rival China on shipbuilding faces a big economic problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The Biden administration is correct that China has not played fair. But he said the nations that could rival China in shipbuilding are Asian competitors. Shipbuilding subsequently dropped to around five ships per year, which is approximately the current rate of U.S. shipbuilding. President Joe Biden speaks to members of the United Steel Workers Union at the United Steel Workers Headquarters on April 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Biden announced new actions to protect American steel and shipbuilding industries including hiking tariffs on Chinese steel.

Persons: Biden, Ben Nolan, Nolan, Reagan, Joe Biden, Jeff Swensen, —, Darron, Wadey, Lloyd, Matson, George Washington, Ronald O'Rourke, O'Rourke Organizations: Mitsui Shipbuilding Co, Taicang Port Economic, Technological, Future Publishing, Getty, CNBC, Shipbuilding, Global, United States, Trade, U.S . Trade, U.S, China's Ministry of Commerce, United Steel Workers, Japan's Nippon Steel, United Steel Workers Union, United Steel Workers Headquarters, Analysts, Matson Shipping, Jones Act, Philly Shipyard, CMA CGM, Matson, United, Maritime Administration, U.S ., Huntington Ingalls Industries, News Shipbuilding, U.S . Navy, U.S Navy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginian Pilot, Tribune, Service, Force, warfighting, Navy, Biden, Congressional Research Service Locations: Taicang Port, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, U.S, Japan, South Korea, United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, American, Bangladesh, U.S . Virgin Islands, Great, Mississippi, Ohio

☆ Opinion: Why ‘black swans’ are behind the Key Bridge and other shipping disasters
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Opinion Salvatore R. Mercogliano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —The allision between the container ship MV Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday has prompted numerous questions — not only about how this tragedy occurred, but also about our global shipping processes. This marked the start of a campaign by the Houthis, in support of Hamas in their attack on Israel, against global shipping transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. Now, two years later, Baltimore is closed with remains of the Key Bridge athwart the main shipping channel. No one agency has oversight of or coordinates global shipping or ports in the US. There is also no overall maritime strategy for the nation, although the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration has been tasked to develop one.

Persons: Salvatore R, Mercogliano, Francis Scott Key, —, Sal Mercogliano Bennett Scarborough, Dali, ”, Jennifer Homendy, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, John Garamendi of, Dusty Johnson of Organizations: Campbell University, Shipping, YouTube, CNN, MV Galaxy Leader, Baltimore, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation, Bethlehem Steel, Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, US Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation, Federal Maritime Commission, Democratic, Republican, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Ocean Shipping Reform Locations: Baltimore, Asia, Suez, Los Angeles, Long, Yemen, Israel, Bab, Aden, China, Argentina, Largo, Dali, Sparrows, United States, John Garamendi of California, Dusty Johnson of South

☆ How shipping containers can make or break the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Andrea Miller | In Dreajmiller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The shipping container is a logistics marvel that can affordably move thousands of items from hundreds of different companies all around the globe. Supply chain disruptionsDisruptions to global trade can have major impacts on shortages and inflation, causing serious ramifications for American households and businesses. Indeed, inflation cooled alongside the bounce back of the supply chain, according to a White House analysis of the U.S. economy. [It's] an inefficiency born not of container shipping but just of the nature of the global economy." Watch the video above to learn more about how shipping containers enable global trade, why China dominates the shipping industry and what happens after a container shortage.

Persons: Simon Heaney, John Fossey, Good Hope, John McCown, nonresident, McCown, Goetz Alebrand, " Heaney, Heaney Organizations: Drewry, CNBC, Supply, Federal Reserve Bank of San, Center for Maritime Strategy, Federal Maritime Commission, Americas, DHL Global Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, U.S, Iran, Good, Africa, China, Ukraine, Asia

☆ Battle for the Red Sea expands with U.S. strikes, EU stepping up its efforts against Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Defense officials tell CNBC as of February 21, there have been at least 59 attacks on commercial shipping interests in the Red Sea. But the EU said the Red Sea moves reflect the need for a stronger European presence in protecting ships from Houthi attacks. Trade leaders have urged more countries to join the military effort in the Red Sea. A war of misinformation in the Red Sea crisis also continues. On February 2 in Brussels, Borrell informed Yemeni Prime Minister Bin Mubarak about the plans to launch a new EU maritime operation in the Red Sea and about its mandate.

Persons: Mason, Torm Thor, Good Hope, Peter Stano, Josep Borrell, Mark Montgomery, Sen, John McCain, Steven Lamar, Hussein, Azzi, Stano, Houthis, Borrell, Bin Mubarak, Rashad Al, Carl Bentzel, Bentzel, Tesla Organizations: European Commission, United States Central Command, Command, U.S, CNBC, European Union's Naval Force, EU, French Navy, Prosperity, Prosperity Guardian, EU Commission, Navy, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Senate Armed, NATO, U.S . Central Command, UK, Prosperity Guardian . Trade, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Central Command, Yemeni, Presidential, Council, UN, Federal Maritime, Foreign Shipping, State Department, FMC, Walmart Locations: Aden, Iranian, Yemen, Red, Libyan Coast, Good, Somalia, European, EU, U.S, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Houthi, Europe, Suez, Belize, Brussels, Yemeni, United States, Egypt, Germany, Israel

☆ Global shipping rates set to jump as carriers avoid the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Freight prices are set to jump Monday, while longer transit times around Africa are disrupting and delaying deliveries of products. British clothing retailer Next recently warned of stock delays as a result of the longer ocean transit. "This creates strong motivations for ocean carrier(s) to increase rate(s) by establishing General Rate Increases (GRIs), Peak Season Surcharge (PSSs), and other contingency or emergency surcharges," the company said. "HLS warned Transpacific freight rates could spike to highs not seen since early 2022, with the Suez Canal route suspended, and the Panama Canal route restricted." Kuehne + Nagel analysts told CNBC that 419 vessels are currently being rerouted due to the Red Sea situation.

Persons: Jon Gold, HLS, Good Hope, Kuehne, Nagel, Franziska Bietke, Mark Rhodes, Rhodes Organizations: Lane Shipping, Ikea, National Retail Federation, CNBC, MSC, U.S ., East, U.S . Shipping Act, Federal Maritime Commission, Kuehne, Logistics, Crane Worldwide Logistics, CNBC PRO Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Iran, Red, Africa, Asia, British, West Coast, Panama, U.S . West Coast, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, South Africa's, Good, Project44, Europe

☆ Bankrupt Bed Bath & Beyond Seeks $300 Million From MSC Line for Pandemic Shipping Charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Costas Paris | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection in April. Photo: Richard B. Levine/Zuma PressThe bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond has filed the largest ever lawsuit with the Federal Maritime Commission, seeking around $300 million from Mediterranean Shipping Co. for allegedly overcharging to move its cargo during the pandemic. The bankrupt retailer wants Geneva-based MSC, the world’s largest boxship operator in terms of capacity, to pay around $150 million for damages and an equal sum for what it described as exploitative and coercive behavior. Complaints by American companies are handled by the FMC , the U.S. maritime regulator.

Persons: Richard B, Levine Organizations: Zuma, Bed, Federal Maritime Commission, Mediterranean Shipping Co, FMC Locations: Geneva, U.S

MV Lara Cruise Ship Courtesy: Miray CruisesA unique offer to cruise around the world for three years — which appeared at risk of running aground earlier this year — now is boasting of a bigger ship. Such bonds reimburse U.S.-boarding passengers if cruise operators fail to complete the booked trips. In March, Life at Sea originally offered what it called the "world's first — and only — three-year cruise" aboard the prior ship, MV Gemini. View of a cabin onboard the MV Lara cruise ship. While she almost pulled out of the trip after controversy over the initial plan to use the Gemini for the cruise, Thomas is now committed to the voyage.

Persons: Cruise, Gemini, Mikael Petterson, Petterson, Petterson's, Barbara, Lara, Kendra Holmes, Miray, Holmes, Thomas, Shirene Thomas, They've, people's Organizations: CNBC, Sea Cruises, Miray Cruises, Federal Maritime Commission, U.S, Gemini, Facebook, Victoria Cruises, [, Miray Locations: —, United States, Florida, North Carolina, Wilmington , North Carolina, U.S, Miami, Istanbul

☆ ILWU Canada workers authorize strike in landslide vote, a 'significant blow' to West Coast ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In a landslide vote, over 99% of ILWU Canada union workers critical for West Coast port operations, including in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, voted in favor of supporting a strike. The biggest port to be affected is the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada. It is estimated that Canadian West Coast ports handle almost $225 billion worth of cargo a year, with items transported by rail including many consumer products, from apparel to electronics and home goods. The threat of a strike is occurring as labor tensions have escalated at U.S. West Coast ports. "This is a significant blow to operations on the West Coast," said Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage and intermodal at ITS Logistics.

Persons: Prince Rupert, Port of Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert Port Authority's, Brian Friesen, Berkshire Hathaway, Port, slowdowns, Paul Brashier, Adil Ashiq Organizations: ILWU, British Maritime Employers Association, Federal Maritime Conciliation, Port, Vancouver, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, U.S, BNSF, U.S ., Pacific Maritime Association, ITS Logistics, Cargo, MarineTraffic, CNBC Locations: ILWU Canada, West Coast, Vancouver, of Vancouver, Canada, Canadian, Vancouver Fraser, U.S, Port of Vancouver, Port of, West, CN, Canadian Pacific, Berkshire, U.S . West Coast, Port, Seattle, Midwest, Chicago, Panama, East, North America

Reuters GraphicsMany U.S. importers are still sanguine, but their supply chains could still be disrupted as Vietnam's apparel makers depend on China for about half of their input materials, according to the country's industry association. XINJIANG LINKSWhile the halted shipments represent a tiny portion of the $27 billion worth of garments and footwear Vietnam exported to the U.S. last year, compliance risks may lead to more painful adjustments for Vietnam. That, in turn, will hit U.S. consumers as Vietnam is their main source of cotton apparel, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. However Nike has significantly reduced its output of apparel and footwear in Vietnam despite the country remaining its main manufacturing hub, according to its latest annual report updated to May 2022. Two officials from U.S. footwear and apparel industry trade associations said the new rules have had no major impact so far on Vietnam and blamed recent job cuts on lower global demand.

☆ Spooked dealmakers scurry back into their foxholes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Jeffrey Goldfarb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

NEW YORK, March 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Jonathan Kanter, a lawyer by training, has become something of a magician. Pay closer attention, however, and Kanter is methodically rewriting a decades-old regulatory playbook. Last year, these breakup charges reached their highest level in a decade, at an average 4.5% of deal prices. The Department of Agriculture partnered with the DOJ on the case, another feature of Kanter’s plan of attack. As legal weaknesses emerge, dealmakers should be in position to better structure transactions and defend themselves at trial.

☆ U.S. Importers Seize on New Shipping Rules to Fight Late Fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

U.S. importers are fighting millions of dollars in fees imposed by the world’s largest ocean carriers with the help of a new federal law and a newly emboldened regulator. He said his company, Lion Energy LLC, which imports about 800 containers a year, felt it had little power to dispute the charges. Now, Mr. Frey and hundreds of shippers like him are turning to rules set out in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which passed Congress in June. The new shipping law endorsed an FMC rule published in 2020. But shippers are still able to challenge fees that predate the law under earlier FMC rules.

☆ Germany publishes plans to hit 30 GW offshore wind target in 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Germany on Friday said it has drawn up new development plans for offshore wind turbine sites to reach a target for 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind power capacity by 2030. When the current government took power in late 2021, its coalition agreement stipulated 30 GW wind power, adding 10 GW to previous plans. Germany aims to derive 80% of its power from clean sources by 2030, compared with just under half in 2022. To speed up development of the offshore sites and override other uses, offshore wind has been declared to be of high public interest, and measures to create links to onshore electricity networks have been accelerated. Because offshore wind can be turned into clean hydrogen via electrolysis plants, plans for a North Sea-originating pipeline to carry 1 GW hydrogen were also integrated.

☆ Most supply chain managers expect problems to continue at least through 2024
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The dour outlook comes after almost three years of global supply chain problems, which began with the shutdown of Wuhan, China, where the Covid outbreak began. Jon Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy of the NRF, said the administration has taken steps to address the supply chain challenges. Earlier this year, for example, the administration rolled out a pilot supply chain data sharing program called Freight Logistics Optimization Works, or FLOW. "The administration needs to remain focused and continue to convene the right supply chain stakeholders to discuss ways to improve supply chain operations and expand data sharing to create a truly 21st century supply chain," Gold said. Nate Herman, AAFA's senior vice president, of policy told CNBC the problems that created the supply chain crisis are far from over.

☆ How the Pandemic Taught Us to See the Whole Supply Chain
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As 2022 fades, the question is what lessons supply chain pros will take with them into the future. As 2022 fades, the question has become: What will those supply chain professionals take with them into the future as stresses ease? See the full chainEarly in the pandemic, retailers desperate to fill the shelves quickly realized how little visibility they had into their supply chains. One place where the work of rethinking supply chains has already succeeded is Best Buy, according to Becca Meinz, the retailer's VP end-to-end supply chain strategy. Responsiveness is the aim of many supply chain innovators as we move past the worst pandemic shocks.

☆ Dive boat captain pleads not guilty in fiery deaths of 34
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

LOS ANGELES — A dive boat captain pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court for a second time to manslaughter in the fiery deaths of 34 people trapped below deck on his burning vessel three years ago off the Southern California coast. A federal grand jury issued a new indictment last month alleging that Captain Jerry Boylan acted with gross negligence aboard the Conception during one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history. A judge threw out the original case on the third anniversary of the Sept. 2, 2019, tragedy. Truth Aquatics is seeking to avoid payouts to the families of the victims under a provision in federal maritime law. The court is going to move along and try this man, try this captain who allowed our 34 to be killed and burned on that boat.”

☆ Former boxer charged with trafficking $1 billion worth of cocaine through U.S. ports
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Logan Reardon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Former heavyweight boxer Goran Gogic was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday with trafficking 22 tons of cocaine worth over $1 billion. Gogic was charged with three counts of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, plus one count of conspiracy. According to prosecutors, the cocaine was transported to Europe from Colombia using American ports. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn called Gogic's arrest and indictment "a resounding victory for law enforcement." Gogic was a heavyweight boxer from 2001 to 2012, compiling a 21-4-2 record in 27 career matches.

☆ Former heavyweight boxer charged with trafficking 22 tons of cocaine worth $1B through U.S. ports
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A former heavyweight boxer from Montenegro was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday with trafficking in 22 tons of cocaine worth over $1 billion, most of which was part of one of the largest cocaine seizures in American history. The complex operation required knowledge of each ship’s crew, route and location data, and that there was room to store drugs in shipping containers that were already aboard, prosecutors said. According to court papers, Gogic oversaw the logistics, coordinating with crew members, Colombian traffickers and European dockworkers to benefit himself and his Balkan-based cartels. He maintains his innocence, and had come to the U.S. for a boxing convention in Puerto Rico.”At least eight Gayane crew members have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. According to online records, Gogic was a boxer from 2001 to 2012, winning 21 bouts and losing four with two draws.

☆ U.S. charges former Montenegro boxer over 22-ton, $1 billion cocaine seizure
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - A former heavyweight boxer from Montenegro was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday with trafficking in 22 tons of cocaine worth over $1 billion, most of which was part of one of the largest cocaine seizures in American history. The complex operation required knowledge of each ship's crew, route and location data, and that there was room to store drugs in shipping containers that were already aboard, prosecutors said. According to court papers, Gogic oversaw the logistics, coordinating with crew members, Colombian traffickers and European dockworkers to benefit himself and his Balkan-based cartels. At least eight Gayane crew members have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. According to online records, Gogic was a boxer from 2001 to 2012, winning 21 bouts and losing four with two draws.

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