NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2, 2022

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Federal Judge Dismisses Boeing 737 MAX Pilot Lawsuit

simpleflying.com
On October 31, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ Judge Steven C. Seeger ruled to dismiss a lawsuit against Boeing for Boeing’s problems with the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (“MCAS”), which was supposed to alleviate stall risk. Although the lawsuit stretched liability law too far, pilots were right to be concerned. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Shipping giants reticent as IMO ship efficiency measures enter force

theloadstar.com
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) latest emissions reduction measures came into force today, a regulatory move which will grant an ‘efficiency rating’ to ships, similar to those used for buildings and household appliances.
The new rules, although enacted today, will only become mandatory from 1 January, are expected to drive older ships to the scrapyard, while others will need to reduce speed to comply. Read more here (login required.

Triple acquisition takes MSC buying spree to 250 ships

splash247.com
The historic secondhand vessel spree Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) embarked upon in August 2020 has now hit the 250-ship mark with news of three more acquisitions.
Alphaliner is reporting the Soren Toft-led carrier has taken the 5,618 teu, 1999-built sisterships Conti Canberra and Conti Darwin as well as the 14-year-old, 2,702 teu X-Press Kanchenjunga. Read more here.

New report warns hackers could create another Ever Given incident in the Suez

splash247.com
The Suez Canal is among the most secure waterways in the world, with thousands of soldiers and check-points covering the 193 km trade artery. However, despite the military hardware on site, it is the ships transiting the canal which could pose the greatest threat to security. Read more here.

Maersk offers overstocked retailers a slow(er) boat from China

theloadstar.com
Maersk says it is offering shippers the opportunity to slow cargo arrivals from Asia destined for European and US ports to help retailers manage bloated inventories.The initiative from the Danish logistics integrator comes as demand for retail-lifestyle products from Asia plummets. Read more here (login required).

Shipping giants clash on West Coast labor dispute as contract talks drag

ajot.com
The world’s largest container carrier disagrees with another party over how to proceed on a key issue in ongoing contract talks with the union representing 22,000 dockworkers at US West Coast ports.
Mediterranean Shipping Co. filed a motion last week with the National Labor Relations Board urging SSA Marine Inc. to assign tasks at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg News under a Freedom of Information Act request. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Insurers want stronger regulations covering transport of lithium-ion batteries

theloadstar.com
The risks presented by transporting lithium-ion batteries is sufficient to warrant new regulation, TT Club, UK P&I Club and consultant Brookes Bell have determined in a white paper.
Fires theoretically only start with defective batteries; however, more batteries being transported means insurers must expect an increase in the number of fires. Read more here (login required).