Newsletter – April 4, 2019

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

MEA Provides Update on Ongoing Negotiations with Longshoremen’s Union

ciffa.com
The Maritime Employers Association released a notice April 3 regarding ongoing negotiations of the collective agreement between the Maritime Employers Association and the Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, which expired on December 31, 2018. This constitutes the third communication concerning the negotiations, following the one on February 23, 2019.
Since the previous communication, there have been two mediation meetings between the MEA and the union. Six meetings are planned for the month of April. Three hearings took place at the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), in the month of March, regarding the request to maintain essential services. Additional hearings are expected in the months of April, May and June 2019.
In view of the request to maintain essential services, the parties do not have the right to strike or lock out. Read the April 3rd notice here. 

‘Forwarders should not pay surcharges on boxes that are not clean or need repair’

theloadstar.com
Fiata has recommended forwarders don’t pay surcharges for containers that have not been cleaned or maintained, and that they charge shipping lines for any costs incurred as a result of poor quality boxes.  Read more here. 

Subsidies from China keeping ambitious Cosco in calm financial waters

theloadstar.com
Cosco Shipping’s $251m net profit last year was largely thanks to $230m of subsidies from the Chinese government, according to Alphaliner. Read more here. 

Seattle readies for megamaxes

splash247.com
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma have given the green light to a $500m scheme to upgrade and lease Terminal 5 in west Seattle to accommodate larger ships. Read more here. 

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

No wall yet, but wait times worsen at the US border: 10 hours to cross

theloadstar.com
Crossing times at the US-Mexico border have increased to up to 10 hours, follwing a US decision to redeploy border officials to process mirgants.  Read more here. 

CN Brampton/Malport: Driver Mobile App Introduced

ciffa.com
CN is now introducing a driver mobile app called ModalPass at the Brampton and Malport terminals.
The ModalPass app allows drivers to pre-check their in and out gate moves prior to arrival at the terminal. The intent is for drivers to validate their information prior to their arrival at CN intermodal terminals, to speed up the gate process and reduce errors at the kiosk.
The app will provide drivers with additional convenient features:
•Storage of electronic gate receipts
•Container availability check
•Safety and information alerts from the terminal
For more information, contact DRIVER_MOBILE_APP@CN.CA.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

World trade forecasts slashed again amid US China standoff

canadianshipper.com
Geneva, Switzerland — The World Trade Organization has cut its forecast for trade growth this year by more than a percentage point, to 2.6%, due to an economic slowdown and amid a trade conflict between the United States and China. Read more here.