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Newsletter – February 14, 2020
OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES
France’s Le Havre port hit by protests, prompting officials to offer discounts
seanews.comHAROPA, the union of the French ports of Paris, Rouen and Le Havre, is to offer commercial rebates and tariff discounts to container shipping lines calling at Le Havre, in a bid to hold on to customers at a time when the nation’s ports are being plagued by strikes organised by the CGT union in protest at President Macron’s proposed pension system reform. Read more here.
Container shipping ex-China grinding to a halt – carriers ‘can’t carry on much longer’
theloadstar.comThe coronavirus outbreak in China continues to severely disrupt supply chains, the few export sailings this week not cancelled by carriers departed barely 10% full.With reported deaths now in excess of 1,300 and confirmed cases at over 63,000, some provinces and cities in China have extended movement restrictions until 1 March. Read more here.
SOLAS containership fire regulations ‘inadequate’, claims insurance union
theloadstar.comThe International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) claims the SOLAS [safety of life at sea] regulations for fighting a fire onboard a modern ULCV are inadequate. Read more here.
GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES
CN moves to shut down Eastern Canada rail network amid blockades
freightwaves.comCanadian National (NYSE:CNI) began shutting down its Eastern Canada rail network Thursday and plans to halt all transcontinental service in response to ongoing disruptions by anti-pipeline protesters that have increasingly strained the country’s supply chains. Read more here.
Manitoba won’t shut door on oil pipeline to Churchill: premier
canadianshipper.comWinnipeg, MB — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he is open to discussing a possible oil pipeline to the Port of Churchill as a way of getting western energy to ocean tankers. Read more here.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Some shipping execs fear markets underestimate virus
freightwaves.comOcean shipping is the “canary in the coal mine” for how coronavirus will impact the global economy. And according to shipping executives speaking at the Tradewinds Shipowners Forum New York event on Thursday, global markets need to focus more on this particular canary. It’s in trouble. Read more here.
Today’s Pickup: Oil demand growth forecast cut over coronavirus outbreak in China
freightwaves.comIn the wake of the coronavirus breakout in China, OPEC has cut its oil demand growth forecast by 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) from last month’s estimate. It now expects global oil demand growth at 990,000 bpd, citing the havoc the coronavirus has had over industrial activity and people movement in China as a reason for the slowdown. Read more here.
China’s factories start to reopen, but does this bring new infection risk?
theloadstar.comFactories across China are slowly getting back to work, but there remains considerable uncertainty over when normal production levels will be resumed.Transport systems remain crippled and, despite many factories being open, many workers are unable to reach their jobs. Read more here.