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  It’s been nearly two years since the 1,095-foot Ever Forward container ship ran aground on an upper Chesapeake Bay oyster bar. The Ever Forward was refloated on April 17, 2022, after a month of intensive dredging and multiple extraction efforts, including the help of John S. Connor.  Connor focused skill in two areas; our [...]

This is a follow-up on our initial newsletter sent last month. Please click here for the original post. Due to security concerns along the Red Sea, many ocean carriers have taken  measures to protect their seafarers and vessels. As a result of these diversions, transit times have increased for voyages from Asia to Europe and the [...]

The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced on December 26, 2023 the further extension through May 31, 2024, of the reinstated and COVID-related exclusions in the China Section 301 Investigation. (The exclusions were previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2023). USTR announced the opening of a docket for public comments on existing exclusions [...]

On Oct. 25, 2023, port leaders, legislators, and representatives from Clipper Bulk Shipping gathered at Balzano Terminal to celebrate the naming and maiden voyage of one of its state-of-the-art vessels - the “Norse Camden.” International shipping company, Clipper Bulk Shipping Ltd, wanted to honor the City of Camden, NJ., the company’s largest U.S. port of [...]

Beginning January 1, 2024, new carbon taxes will impact all shipping customers involved in transporting goods to, from, and within the European Economic Area (EEA), which consists of EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Ocean carriers have announced the implementation of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) surcharge to [...]

This is a reminder of the upcoming Merchandise Process Fee (MPF) changes. Per CSMS Message #57131638 from CBP: Minimum / Maximum Increase Pursuant to the General Notice (88 FR 48900) published July 28, 2023, adjustments to certain customs user fees and corresponding limitations, as codified in 19 U.S.C. § 58c, will take effect on October [...]

Based on Panama Canal Authority, the draft restrictions have been reduced gradually from 15.2m to 13.41m currently. In addition, the daily vessel transit capacity has also been reduced from 34-38 ships per day to a maximum of 32 vessels per day. This includes 10 vessels via the Neopanamax locks and 22 vessels via the Panamax [...]

The 13-day longshore strike that hit the Western Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert ended Thursday after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada and waterfront employers reached a tentative four-year contract. The strike caused multiple ships to divert from Western Canada to Seattle and Tacoma, while also prompting at least two blank [...]

The ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert - notably the largest and third-largest ports in Canada - are at the center of an ongoing strike that began July 1st between the Canadian affiliate of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). The ILWU is advocating for the [...]

The European Union is implementing the new Customs Security and Safety program effective July 1, 2023. This applies to shipments departing the Americas mid-day June 30th. The Import Control System 2 (ICS2), requires additional electronic data for a pre-loading risk assessment of shipments entering the European market. Carriers transporting shipments to or via the EU [...]