Negotiations between the US and EU over aircraft subsidies have not produced an agreement to date so the scheduled review period has started again for the US section 301 tariffs on imports of European wine and spirit products.  The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a preliminary tariff list yesterday June 23rd, 2020. In addition to the existing 25% tariffs on certain EU wines and spirits, the tariff list maintains the potential scope of products “under consideration…

Weather Alerts Summer season across North America and Europe serves as a reminder to take steps to protect cargo, from collection to delivery.  Weather forecast indicate temperatures around 30⁰C / 86⁰F in France for next week.  Temperature predictions for North America for July through September indicate above average levels, according to an article on weather.com.  For any sailings that have to change vessels at a transshipment port (Manzanillo, Balboa, Cartagena, Freeport, etc.) be aware that schedule disruptions have meant longer…

Global shipping flows in general continue to show the impact of blank sailings and equipment imbalances.  The level of disruption will vary by country and region and our shipping partner Hillebrand continues to provide updates by country and for the North American market. One area that continues to be negatively impacted by the shipping flows are transshipment ports.  Manzanillo, Balboa and Cartagena are current hotspots for any cargo routed through to/from North America.  What we recommend:   Set up notification…

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have announced a work stoppage day for Friday June 19th, 2020 in observance of George Floyd and others killed and injured by police.  This will affect West Coast port terminals including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle.  ILWU President Willie Adams said in a statement that “Our union has a long history of confronting racism on the job, in our communities and around the world.” During this time there will be no…

The road connecting Mendoza to Chilean ports (Valparaiso and San Antonio) has been blocked due to trucker strike action.  The protest is not associated with the large trucker unions and it’s not clear on how negotiations will be handled.  This will delay scheduled sailings of orders via Chilean ports as well as empty container positioning from Chilean ports into the region.  Please also note that winter restriction hours are now in effect (limiting the hours of operation of the pass)…

The International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and US Maritime Alliance (USMX) have announced that all longshore labor and waterfront employers will honor the death of George Floyd with a peaceful protest hour at all ports from Maine to Texas on June 9th, 2020 from 12PM / Noon to 1PM.  View the announcement on the USMX website here: https://usmx.com/. During this time drivers will not be routed in or out of terminals; various terminals will communicate options for drivers (to remain on…

Winter Season Alert for Argentina Cross-Andes Transport The winter season (typically from May to September) in South America has started.  For Argentina shipments routed via Chilean ports (Valparaiso or San Antonio), winter conditions can force the closure of the cross-Andes route and delay schedules.  Shipping Updates The continued cancellation of vessel sailings on all major corridors has increased capacity demand on the remaining vessels.  In areas where there is peak seasons for other commodities this can impact the typical lead…

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a noticed today in the Federal Register regarding a requested change in the way affected public comments would be collected and processed for the next revision period (starting around June 23rd, 2020 for the next 180-day review around August 12th, 2020).   Today’s notice introduces a change to simplify the way public comments would be submitted and handled.  During the last review period in December, the USTR received nearly 26,000…