🌞 Summer is officially here and Independence Day is just around the corner! We hope you'll all get a chance to get out, enjoy the sunshine, and spend some quality time with your families and friends.
Friendly reminder that holiday hours will be in effect for many carriers and terminals during July 4, and those closures could cause some freight delays over then next week or so.
As we head into the holiday, let's reflect on some of the major events that happened last month in global trade and logistics.
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- International Trade, Regulatory & Compliance News
- Industry News: Automotive, Manufacturing, Retail, Chemical & More
- Around the World: Current Events
- Logistics News
- Port News
- Company News
International Trade, Regulatory & Compliance News
Top Trade Headlines
🗓️ Importers, mark your calendars for June 30 if you're affected by the tariffs on List 3. This time around, the exclusion process for List 3 will be done through an online portal (https://exclusions.ustr.gov/) which will open at noon EDT on June 30, 2019. The deadline to submit requests is September 30, 2019.
View the official Federal Register Notice >>
Visit the Exclusion Requests Portal >>
USTR announces fifth list of Section 301 product exclusions
USTR has released a 5th list of Product Exclusions from Section 301 tariffs on goods from China. 8537.10.8000 has been exempted in its entirety, and 88 additional "specially prepared product descriptions" were also added, with products ranging from various pumps and compressors to conveyor belt parts, push-button switches, and other electrical components.
View the list here (begins on pg 6) >>
Bill heightens US export controls for Hong Kong
Members of Congress have reintroduced legislation to intensify U.S. export controls for American goods destined for Hong Kong after an unpopular extradition bill was proposed in Hong Hong. Critics fear if the extradition bill is passed, it will erode Hong Kong's legal system and allow China to seize "fugitives" in the country on trumped up charges for political or commercial reasons.
India announces retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products after being eliminated from the GSP
India has announced retaliatory tariffs on 30 U.S. products, worth nearly $241 million, after the White House terminated India's preferential trade status through the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) earlier this month. Affected products include agricultural goods, finished metal products, and some chemicals.
The following Indian HS codes will be revised:
- 07134000 increased to 50.00%
- 38220090 increased to 30.00%
- 28100020 increased to 27.50%
View the list of products and announcement from India's Ministry of Finance >>
More trade stories
- Chinese Exporters Dodge Tariffs With Fake Made-in-Vietnam Labels
- Trump to meet with China's Xi Jinping at the G20 in make or break trade-war showdown
- Lobbying on trade issues could set new record as companies sound off on tariffs, USMCA
- USTR hearing: 7 days of tariff testimony begin
- USTR publishes June 15 extended arrival deadline for List 3 Chinese Imports in the Federal Register
- Canada's Trudeau to meet Trump for talks on trade pact, detained Canadians
- The Department of Homeland Security has suspended indefinitely all U.S. cargo and air transportation to and from any airport in Venezuela, effective May 15, due to deteriorating conditions in the country that threaten the safety and security of U.S. passengers, aircraft, and crew
Industry News: Automotive, Manufacturing, Retail & More
Top Industry Stories
China keeps top spot for global supply chain manufacturing scalability
Here’s how retailers are taking on Prime Day — and throwing some shade at Amazon
Consumer confidence drops more than expected, reaching lowest point in two years
“The escalation in trade and tariff tensions earlier this month appears to have shaken consumers’ confidence,” Conference Board senior director Lynn Franco said.
More Industry News
Around the World: Current Events
Argentina and Uruguay reel after massive power outage
A power outage on June 16 left 48 million people across Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Paraguay and Chile without power after a massive electrical grid failure. Energy officials have confirmed that power has now been restored to around 80% of the affected area.
Cyclone Vayu spares India coast a direct hit, may bring some pre-monsoon rain to Delhi
Cyclonic storm Vayu skirted the coast of India near Gujarat on June 16. Operations at ports Mundra and Pipavav closed to heavy winds, with gusts of up to 110 km/h (69 mph) expected.
US releases video it claims shows Iran removing unexploded mine from Gulf tanker
Tankers Kokura Courageous and Front Altair were attacked in international waters near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of both vessels and raising fears of further confrontation in one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes at a time of high tensions between the US and Iran.
Logistics News
Top Logistics Stories
USWC: Terminal closures over July 4 may bring delays, congestion
Beginning 6/25 through 7/11, there will be a series of closures and work stoppages at several California ports and container terminals due to the Independence Day holiday and ILWU meetings. These closures and the resulting congestion may affect our ability to retrieve containers from the ports. We will do our best to secure available appointment slots to protect your Last Free Day Demurrage windows, and will communicate any delays or issues pulling containers, should we encounter them.
Update: Panama Canal Draft Restriction Postponed Again to July 3
Recent rainfall in the Panama Canal watershed has once again led the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to postpone its sixth maximum draft restriction.
As of its most recent update (6/21), the maximum authorized draft will remain at 44 ft (13.41m) TFW for the Neopanamax locks and 39.5 ft (12.04 m) TFW for the Panamax locks until July 2. After July 3, the maximum authorized draft will be lowered to 43 ft (13.11m) TFW for the Neopanamax locks and 38.5 ft (11.73 m) TFW for the Panamax locks.
Shipments to the Gulf and East Coast, especially heavy shipments, that pass through the Panama Canal could be affected as carriers may restrict or roll bookings to meet the draft requirements.
Blank sailings may be more likely in coming months, here's why
Blank sailings are on the rise on the trans-Pacific trade lanes as carriers react to the impact of new U.S. tariffs which have slowed growth of U.S. imports from Asia. The increased likelihood of missed sailings will continue into Q4 as carriers ready their vessels to comply with new IMO 2020 low sulfur fuel regulations that go into affect on Jan 1, 2020.
In this article, we'll take a look at what blank sailings are, why they happen, why blank sailings will be more likely in coming months, and what you can do to prepare.
More Logistics Stories
- 🚢 More giant ships coming to a port near you!
- Scrubber uptake for containerships reaches 16% of global fleet: Alphaliner
- ✈️ Commentary: The importance of pilots in an e-commerce world
- VIDEO: Coming to an airspace near you: Giant cargo drones!
- 🚚 Why are truckload spot rates lower than last year?
- Martinez: Proposed HOS changes 'in final stages of review'
- 🚂 Chicago truckers publish rail turn times
- Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern drop more joint intermodal service
Port News
Port of Virginia lays out rail strategy
The Port of Virginia's long-term goal is to become the East Coast port leader for railed containers to the Midwest. Learn more about their rail strategy and latest developments in this article from American Shipper.
Port of Virginia posts its busiest May
Busy, busy, busy! The Port of Virginia experienced the busiest May in it's history, processing nearly 261,000 TEUs. Total truck containers was 91,802, up 10.7%. The port also debuted its new on-dock rail yard at VIG, and the NIT expansion is humming right along.
Port Report: Los Angeles bakes in box slowdown for upcoming budget
Frontloading of shipments in 2018 and uncertainty in the current global trade outlook led the Port of Los Angeles to post a modest budget forecast for 2020. Despite the conservative forecast, Executive Director Gene Seroka said that the port's volumes are growing at or above market growth for the 1st time in 17 years, and praised 2 new incentive programs aimed to capture more market share from Asia.
SC Ports handles record May for container volumes, highest monthly record for Inland Port Greer
South Carolina Ports Authority announced its strongest May on record, handling a total of 204,457 TEUs last month.
Fiscal year-to-date TEU volume is up 9.7 percent, with 2,192,689 TEUs handled since the Port’s fiscal year began in July.
Read more >>
Company News
Delivering Transportation Solutions for a Complex Industry: UWL Chemical Logistics
With over 20 years of experience specializing in logistics for the chemical, petrochemical, polymer, and biofuel sectors, we are the experts in chemical transportation, with a proven track record delivering chemical products safely and swiftly.
When you work with UWL to move your chemicals, you can count on us to provide proactive communication, visibility, safety and security. And with our strategic global network, whether you're looking to export to a big port like Shanghai or somewhere remote like the Port of Turbo, you can count on us to get it there.
Learn more about our Chemical transportation services >>
3 reasons why you should choose us to help transport your chemicals >>
Shipping to Brazil? Got questions? We've got answers!
In this Q&A, UWL's Barbara Echelmeier provides insights on Brazilian Customs, trade relations between the U.S. and Brazil, chemical logistics and more.
UWL is looking for a Pricing Coordinator to join our team in Cleveland!
We are seeking an Pricing Coordinator at our headquarters in Cleveland, OH! We have a beautiful new office located in Rocky River, a great culture, and offer competitive benefits and pay.
If you love numbers, data, and wowing customers with your speed and accuracy, apply today!
View all of our career opportunities here >>
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Trump revives China talks with tariffs truce, break for Huawei
The U.S. and China declared a truce in their trade war, as Donald Trump said he would hold off imposing an additional $300 billion in tariffs and the world’s two largest economies agreed to resume negotiations, Bloomberg reported. Trump told reporters he wouldn’t put additional tariffs on China for the “time being,” and that he’ll allow U.S. companies to supply gear to Huawei.
Read more >>
Mexico becomes first country to ratify USMCA, reaches deal with U.S. on migrants to avoid tariffs
Mexico’s Senate has ratified a North American trade deal with the U.S. and Canada (USMCA), becoming the first to do so amid a truce reached with President Donald Trump over an unrelated tariff threat, AJOT reported.
Avoiding proposed tariffs, the deal struck between the U.S. and Mexico will see Mexico ratcheting up military enforcement at its borders, taking more action to dismantle human trafficking rings, and increasing bilateral communication and information sharing. Migrants crossing the border into the U.S. to seek asylum will be returned to Mexico while they await the adjucation of their claims, and Mexico will offer them jobs, healthcare, and education.
Read more >>
List 3 Exclusion Process begins on June 30