GOLDEN WEEK IN CHINA As China's Golden Week holiday approaches, scheduled from October 1 to October 7, 2023, it is important for shippers and businesses to prepare for its impact on the global supply chain. Early planning and close communication with a trusted freight forwarder and suppliers will help [...]
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency implements U.S. government initiatives aimed at eliminating goods linked to forced labor and in violation of intellectual property rights. In July, the agency identified $272 million worth of shipments held for further investigation due to suspicions these were either counterfeit products or [...]
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023 STATUS UPDATES Port of Los Angeles is operating commercial facilities (terminals, rail, lifts) under Heavy Weather Protocols. No major infrastructure damages reported at the ports or rail and all costal warning were cancelled. Post-Tropical Cyclone Hilary is still moving through the southwestern United States where flash [...]
PANAMA CANAL CLIMACTIC EMERGENCY Approximately 14,000 ships, accounting for 6% of global maritime trade, pass through the Panama Canal annually. This year, the numbers are expected to drop due to the unseasonably long drought impacting Panama. Watershed levels for the region are the lowest they have been since 1950. [...]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a draft guidance for the cosmetics industry outlining the new upcoming process that will require cosmetic product facilities and products to be registered with the agency by December 29, 2023. BACKGROUND INFORMATION On December 29, 2022, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, [...]
INAUGURAL UYGHUR FORCED LABOR PREVENTION ACT STRATEGY REPORT The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) issued its initial update on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) strategy, emphasizing the need for increased funding and resources for effective enforcement. The update, released on August 1 and mandated annually, highlights [...]
EUROPEAN UNION: SHIPPING INDUSTRY The shipping industry is crucial for the EU economy due to its energy efficiency, but it's also a major and increasing source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, global maritime shipping emitted 1,076 million tonnes of CO2, accounting for about 2.9% of emissions. Projections suggest [...]
ILWU CANADA, BCMEA REACH ACCORD In a joint statement released on Sunday, July 30, 2023, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employer's Association (BCMEA) announced that a tentative contract agreement was reached between both parties. Leadership of both organizations are recommending their members [...]
UPS AND TEAMSTERS REACH AGREEMENT UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) reached a tentative agreement for a five-year contract on Tuesday averting a strike. Endorsed by the UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee, the tentative agreement adds new full-time jobs, increases hourly pay rates for both full and part-time [...]
FOSTERING TRANSPARENCY & GROWTH The United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4004) is a bipartisan bill that formally validates Congressional endorsement of the trade agreement negotiated between the Biden Administration and Taiwan. Making its way to President Biden for approval, this legislation outlines stipulations for [...]
