Government Update News


USTR Implements Port Fee Proposal

Apr 23, 2025

On April 17, 2025, the Office of the US Trade Representative (“USTR”) published a notice of action (the “USTR Notice”) implementing its port fee proposal, first announced on February 21, 2025. The rules differ substantially from the February proposal (summarized here)…

USTR: New Measures Target Chinese Maritime Sector

Apr 22, 2025

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) issued a detailed notice on April 17, 2025, regarding actions and proposed actions in response to China's alleged targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance…

US Wants Other Nations to Block Potential China Tariff Work-Around

Apr 15, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump administration plans to use ongoing tariff negotiations to pressure U.S. trading partners to limit their dealings with China, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday citing people with knowledge of the conversations…

US Targets China Oil Storage Terminal in Iran-Related Sanctions

Apr 10, 2025

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iranian oil trading networks on Thursday, including on a China-based crude oil storage terminal linked via a pipeline to an independent refinery, just days before direct talks between the U.S. and Iran…

USTR Backs Out of Some Proposed Fees on Chinese Ships

Apr 08, 2025

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers on Tuesday that not all of the agency's proposed multimillion-dollar fees for Chinese-built ships to dock at U.S. ports will be implemented, and they may not be cumulative.Greer told a…

Dry Bulk to Suffer Under China Tariffs

Apr 06, 2025

On Friday, China announced a tariff increase of 34% on all US imports, in retaliation to the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. These are in addition to tariffs implemented in February and March, focusing on goods such as grains…

Trump's Tariffs Risk of Shipping Chaos

Apr 02, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff plan has the ocean shipping industry on edge as he stokes a trade war destined to stanch transport demand and send companies scrambling to manage the fallout.The Trump administration on Wednesday is set…

Trump Announces at Least 10% Tariff on All Imports

Apr 02, 2025

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. and higher duties on dozens of other countries, including some of the United States' biggest trading partners, deepening a trade war that he kicked off on his return to the White House…

US Fossil Fuel, Farm Groups Rail Against Trump Port Fee Plan

Mar 26, 2025

Fossil fuel and agriculture industry executives on Wednesday criticized a plan by President Donald Trump's administration for big fees on China-linked ships entering U.S. ports, arguing at a hearing in Washington that the move would hobble their ability to export everything from coal to soybeans…

One Year Ago Today: U.S. Maritime Industry Delivers in Wake of FSK Bridge Collapse

Mar 26, 2025

We are at the one-year since the Francis Scott Key (FSK) Bridge collapsed over the Patapsco River’s Fort McHenry Channel in Baltimore, Maryland.  Nearly 100 percent of the wreckage and debris removal was conducted by the Jones Act private sector U…

UK Charts Course for Carbon Free Shipping

Mar 25, 2025

The UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane has revealed the government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon free.Part of the government’s Plan for Change, the new Maritime decarbonization strategy sets…

U.S. Wants Black Sea Ceasefire

Mar 23, 2025

A U.S. delegation will seek progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a broader cessation of violence in the war in Ukraine when it meets for talks with Russian officials on Monday, after discussions with diplomats from Ukraine on Sunday.The so-called technical talks come as U…

Young Joings NAWE as VP, Government Affairs

Mar 13, 2025

The National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) said that John Young has joined the association as the new vice president of government affairs.Young brings to NAWE more than 20 years of experience in Washington, D.C., primarily focused on supply chain…

“American Cargo For American Ships Act” Introduced

Mar 11, 2025

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Chair Mike Ezell (MS-04) introduced the bipartisan “American Cargo for American Ships Act” to strengthen U.S. Cargo preference laws and promote American economic growth…

USACE Grants Permit for Reconstruction of Baltimore's Key Bridge

Mar 07, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a permit for the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, granting Maryland Transportation Authority permission to construct the bridge, following the collapse of the original structure that claimed the lives of six Baltimoreans…

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