Newsletter – January 22, 2019

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

US ports handle record import box volumes

seanews.com.tr
US container import ports notched up another record-breaking year in 2018 but still came under pressure from the worsening trade row between the US and China, according to shipping agency BIMCO.  Read more here.

CMA CGM ready for third phase starting in April 2019

ajot.com
Building on the success of the previous Ocean Alliance’s product, the Day 3 Product will bring the CMA CGM Group’s clients an optimized and highly competitive offer, with 38 services, 330 vessels (of which 111 provided by CMA CGM Group) and increased capacities reaching around 3.8 million TEU. Read more here. 

China plans new round of consolidation for maritime sector

splash247.com
Beijing is planning a new round of consolidation for several industries to further push forward its strategy to optimise state-owned assets and industrial structure, China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) announced in a press conference for its 2019 working goals. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT ISSUES

Entry level training standard en route for Canadian truckers within a year

canadianshipper.com
Montreal — The country’s transportation ministers have agreed to develop an entry-level national training standard for semi-truck drivers.
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said the minimum bar to get behind the wheel of a semi truck will ensure truckers have the necessary skills, and will be in place by January 2020. Read more here. 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS GOVERNMENT UPDATES

China’s Xi Warns Party of `Serious Dangers’ as Risks Mount

ajot.com
President Xi Jinping stressed the need to maintain political stability in an unusual meeting of China’s top leaders—a fresh sign the ruling party is growing concerned about the social implications of the slowing economy. Read more here.