Trade

While many shippers may be on the fence in regard to Trade Promotion Authority, the nation’s major manufacturing lobby is adamantly championing it.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) had nothing but praise for the Senate passage over the past weekend of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015).

The air cargo industry is on a “solid but unspectacular growth trend,” notes The International Air Transport Association (IATA). More worrying however, is that there is little evidence today that would point towards an acceleration as the year goes on.

Ocean cargo carrier service reliability across the three core East-West trades hit a five-month peak in March with an aggregate on-time performance of 64 percent, according to Carrier Performance Insight, the online schedule reliability tool provided by Drewry Supply Chain Advisors.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) applauded introduction of The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), which is bipartisan legislation to modernize and renew U.S. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

The United States' effort to remove Cuba from the list of states that sponsor terrorism is a limited but significant step likely lead to the reopening of embassies, say trade analysts.

The Port of Mariel – The infamous point of exodus for thousands of Cuban refugees seeking freedom in the U.S. – may soon become a magnet for Caribbean Basin trade.

In marked contrast to reports emanating from U.S. West Coast ports, The Georgia Ports Authority is boasting strong and sustained growth across all major markets in the month of February, including bulk, breakbulk, autos and machinery, and containerized freight.

Total December shipments––at 1,150,810––were 3 percent better than November and up 5 percent annually. And total 2014 shipments––at 14,092,551––were up 5.61 percent, setting a new record for annual shipments during the time which Panjiva has been collecting this data since 2007.

The latest data shows that the aggregate on-time performance for the Asia-Europe, trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic trades dropped to 58 percent in December, down from 62 percent in November and 64 percent in October, according to Drewry Supply Chain Advisors.

In reviewing the proposed $1.01 trillion Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 hammered out in Congress late last week, the American Association of Port Authorities noted that there are significant increases for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Harbor Maintenance Tax operations and maintenance activities and construction budgets, and for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants program.

Exports crept 0.2% higher while imports nudged up by 0.1%. The monthly differences versus July were counted in the millions rather than the billions because of the small movements. Indeed, the revision to the July report of a $0.2 billion narrower shortfall matched the $0.2 billion August improvement.

As the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) carrier discussion group prepares for a new round of service contract negotiations, shippers are being told to expect a new approach to pricing.

Just weeks after signing on to the “Ocean Three” vessel-sharing agreement with CMA CGM and China Shipping, United Arab Shipping Company has forged a similar deal with Hamburg Süd.

Logistics managers should brace themselves for tougher negotiations in 2015