Government Update News


US Energy Exports to China Plummet

Oct 18, 2018

It's probably not the kind of success U.S. President Donald Trump had in mind, but his trade dispute with China has effectively killed off the burgeoning energy trade between the world's two biggest economies.China's imports of U.S. crude oil…

China Unveils Plan for Hainan Free Trade Zone

Oct 16, 2018

China on Tuesday granted the southern province of Hainan free trade zone (FTZ) status, vowing to significantly ease restrictions on foreign investment on the island in sector from agriculture to medical services.Known for its sandy beaches and resort-lined coast…

Coast Guard reopens North Carolina, Virginia ports

Oct 12, 2018

The Captain of the Port for Hampton Roads has reopened the port without restrictions Friday morning.The COTP for North Carolina reopened the Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City Friday morning. Mariners in North Carolina are advised to exercise…

U.S. Coast Guard's Maritime Commerce Strategic Outlook released

Oct 12, 2018

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl L. Schultz has issued the Coast Guard's 40-paged document that outlines their 'VISION for Enabling Maritime Commerce.' He introduces the new paper in an open letter to industry, as shown below:America is a maritime Nation…

EU Okays Expansion of Denmark's Shipping Tax

Oct 12, 2018

The European Commission approved on Friday the expansion of a Danish scheme to tax shipping companies on their tonnage, the EU executive said in a statement.Under the so-called tonnage tax schemes, shipping companies pay taxes on the basis of…

US Tariffs Loom at China's Biggest Trade Fair

Oct 12, 2018

Amid gathering gloom over the state of the Chinese economy, exporters of motorcycles, tractors, photocopiers and Christmas tree lighting will join thousands of other companies peddling their wares at China's largest trade fair Monday.Many of…

EU Guarantees Port Reception Facilities

Oct 11, 2018

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament adopted earlier this week the final report on the Port Reception Facilities and gave a mandate to the Rapporteur Ms Gesine Meissner to start negotiations with the Council and the EU Commission to finalise the text of the new directive…

Maritime Administration Issues RFP for NSMV Training Vessels

Oct 11, 2018

Vessel Construction Manager Will Deliver National Security Multi-Mission Vessel. Today, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit for a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) to deliver a new class of training…

Port Condition Zulu Set for North Carolina Ports

Oct 11, 2018

The Captain of the Port for North Carolina set Port Condition Zulu for the Ports of Morehead City and Wilmington at 3 a.m., Thursday, due to winds from Hurricane Michael.Port Condition Zulu is a dangerous condition in which tropical storm force winds are possible within 12 hours…

Hurricane Michael Races Northeast, Leaving Devastation in Florida

Oct 11, 2018

Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful storm ever to strike the U.S. mainland, headed northeast on Thursday, weakened but still set to soak Georgia and the Carolinas after devastating the Florida Panhandle.By 6 AM on Thursday, heavy rain and wind had reached as far north as Charlotte…

Vietnam to Build Two Terminals in Lach Huyen Port

Oct 10, 2018

Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), the state-owned marine transporter, won approval recently to build two large container terminals at Lach Huyen Port in northern Hai Phong City in a 7 trillion dong ($302 million) project.According to Nguyen Canh Tinh…

Good start for CETA Agreement

Oct 08, 2018

New calculations indicate that last year's trade agreement between the EU and Canada, the CETA agreement, has had a positive impact on trade between the continents and significantly increased exports from the EU to Canada. Shipping companies feel the effect of this…

Australia Regulator Tells Port of Newcastle to Reduce Charges for Glencore

Oct 08, 2018

Australia's competition regular on Monday said that Port of Newcastle Operations Pty Ltd (PNO) must reduce its charges for ships entering the port to carry coal for global miner Glencore.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission determined…

US Delays New VGP Requirements Until March 2019

Oct 07, 2018

While waiting for the new Vessel General Permit (VGP) to be finalized, operators must file a Notice of Intent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to December 18, 2018 in order for vessels to continue to operate under their current VGP also after this date…

Singapore Looks to Tighten Controls in its Bunkers Supply Chain

Oct 04, 2018

Singapore authorities are looking to apply stricter control measures across the marine fuels sector supply chain, a spokeswoman for the government agency Enterprise Singapore said on Thursday, to boost transparency and accountability in a notoriously opaque industry…

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