Government Update News


Maritime Fees Spiral Deepens as US, China Trade Blows

Oct 14, 2025

The U.S. and China on Tuesday began charging additional port fees on ocean shipping firms that move everything from holiday toys to crude oil, making the high seas a key front in the trade war between the world's two largest economies.A return to an all-out trade war appeared imminent last week…

USTR and China Yet to Discuss New Export Controls by Phone

Oct 12, 2025

Trade Representative Jamison Greer said on Sunday that the U.S. reached out to China for a phone call following an announcement that it was expanding its rare earths export controls but Beijing deferred, while China accused the U.S. of what it called 'double standards…

China Counters With Additional Port Fees for US Ships

Oct 10, 2025

Vessels owned or operated by U.S. firms and individuals, or those built in the United States or that fly the U.S. flag, will be charged additional port fees per voyage starting on Tuesday, China's transport ministry said.The fees are a countermeasure against upcoming U…

China Strikes Back: Additional Port Fees for US Ships from Mid-October

Oct 10, 2025

Vessels owned or operated by U.S. firms and individuals - or those built in the United States or that fly the U.S. flag - will be charged additional port fees per voyage starting on October 14, China's transport ministry said.The fees are a counter-measure against upcoming U…

Uncertainty Mounts as U.S. Port Fees on Chinese-Built Ships Near Deadline

Oct 08, 2025

The U.S. is one week away from imposing port fees on certain vessels with links to China, a move expected to cost the top 10 carriers $3.2 billion next year as President Donald Trump seeks to address China's growing dominance on the high seas…

Determining Trump's China-Linked Port Fees is Shipowners’ Responsibility

Oct 07, 2025

The U.S. is one week away from imposing port fees on certain vessels with links to China, a move expected to cost the top 10 carriers $3.2 billion next year as President Donald Trump seeks to address China's growing dominance on the high seas…

Canadian Trade Deficit Widens in August to Second Highest

Oct 07, 2025

Canada's merchandise trade deficit widened in August to C$6.32 billion ($4.53 billion), its second highest on record, as exports both to the U.S. and the rest of the world fell, data showed on Tuesday.The August data had been expected to show a more permanent impact of U…

Training Seafarers on Alt Fuels Focus of IMO

Oct 02, 2025

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is stepping up efforts to prepare seafarers for shipping’s energy transition, to help ensure personnel are properly trained to work safely on ships using zero or near-zero emission fuels, in line…

China Oil Port to Ban Shadow Fleet

Sep 28, 2025

Terminal operators in a major oil port in east China's Shandong province are set to introduce measures to ban shadow fleet vessels and curb visits by other old tankers, according to an official notice seen by Reuters and a tanker tracker.The measures…

Philippines to Extend Two Month Ban on Rice Imports

Sep 26, 2025

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered to extend the country's ban on rice imports beyond 60 days, his office said on Friday, but it did not specify how long the extension would last.Marcos had earlier ordered a 60-day suspension…

ASEAN Looks to Deepen Trade Ties with China

Sep 17, 2025

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in the China–ASEAN Industry Ministerial Roundtable Meeting on the sidelines of the China–ASEAN Expo, on September 17 in China, highlighting ASEAN’s robust economic progress and changing trade patterns…

Puerto Rico Inks LNG Contract with New Fortress Energy

Sep 16, 2025

Puerto Rico has negotiated a $4 billion LNG contract with New Fortress Energy, Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez said on Tuesday in a post on social media.The supply deal, which comes after talks for a much larger contract broke down in July, reduced…

US State Department Expresses Concern Over Ban of Israeli Shipments in Spanish Ports, Airspace

Sep 10, 2025

A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday over Spain's measures limiting access to Spanish ports and airspace to ships and planes carrying weapons for Israel.'It is deeply concerning that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit U…

Israel-Bound Weapons Ships and Planes Banned in Spanish Ports, Airspace

Sep 08, 2025

Spain on Monday banned ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from calling at Spanish ports or entering its airspace due to Israel's military offensive in Gaza, measures the Israeli foreign minister denounced as antisemitic.Spain, which…

Turkey Bars Israeli Ships From Its Ports

Aug 29, 2025

Turkey has decided to bar Israeli vessels from using its ports, forbid Turkish ships from using Israeli ports and impose restrictions on planes entering Turkish airspace, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.He provided few details in…

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