Air News:
The European branch of airport trade body Airports Council International (ACI) reports 1.9% growth in freight traffic in January – the first positive figure for European airports in the cargo sector in nearly two years.
It is no secret that the air cargo industry faces many challenges – especially financial, warns Tony Tyler, chief executive of IATA. “The two< ‐ speed recovery has seen western economies struggle to regain lost ground, while the developing economies of the east forge ahead,” he observes.
Ocean News:
Japan has announced it will seek to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the BBC reports. It aims to foster closer ties and boost trade in goods and services between the member countries.
Terminal operators can benefit from shorter port stays from ever-larger containerships, according to industry officials, although volume is still king.
Compliance News:
EU and Thailand launch negotiations for Free Trade Agreement
EU trade agreement with Peru goes live – Colombia’s next in line
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cargo Priorities under Sequestration
Economy News:
China, while still the undisputed leader in supplying apparel, footwear and furniture to the U.S., is seeing its market dominance diminish because of annual double-digit wage increases in those industries.
East Coast Port News:
A deal has been brokered for a new 6 ‐ year contract between the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association, a contract that covers 14,500 longshoremen at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, according to Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen.
Surface News:
A French tax on trucks, due to take effect in July, has been put back three months to 1 October, it has been announced.
Vic Toews, Canada’s minister of public safety, and Janet Napolitano, U.S. secretary of homeland security, have signed a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection truck cargo pre-inspection pilot project in Canada.
