LFAlert! SHIPPING LINES, UNION BLAME EACH OTHER FOR WEST COAST PORT BACKUPS. “Tension over prolonged labor talks between maritime shippers and the union representing 20,000 West Coast dockworkers has erupted in public as the two sides blamed each other for escalating cargo congestion at the two busiest U.S. container ports.” (Steve Gorman, REUTERS, November 11, […]
Increased sanctions against the Russian Federation announced
August 5, 2014
As a result of the increased sanctions against the Russian Federation announced on Tuesday by the United States and the European Union, there is an expected increased risk that reasonable assurance of repayment from legal entities in the Russian Federation could be materially adversely affected. Therefore, effective immediately, and until further notice, Ex-Im Bank will […]
Ramadan 2014 06/28/14-07/28/14
July 9, 2014
(Ramadan is being observed by Muslims all over the world. Expect delays in documentation and communication in Muslim-observant countries during this time.) The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has begun, and that means Muslims all over the world are fasting. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time when observant […]
FedEx delivery issues in Iraq due to Islamist insurgency
July 8, 2014
As of Saturday, June 12, 2014, FedEx has been experiencing delivery exceptions for packages destined for locations in Iraq. In order to avoid potential issues with documents reaching your customers, please mark the courier as “hold for pickup”. Then, advise your customers of the FedEx tracking number, track until the FedEx tracking system show the […]
How will the South China Sea disputes affect trade routes in the sea?
July 7, 2014
As much as 50 percent of global oil tanker shipments pass through the South China Sea, which sees three times more tanker traffic than the Suez Canal and more than five times that of the Panama Canal, making the waters one of the world’s busiest international sea lanes. More than half of the world’s top […]
Importer-Exporter Alert: PMA-IWLU Work Stoppage, Carrier Surcharges Looming
July 6, 2014
With many contentious issues unsettled and a June 30,2014 contract deadline looming between the IWLU and West Coast marine terminal operators represented by the PMA, many experts agree that work stoppages are likely at U.S. West Coast Ports. Should these occur, ocean carriers have all implemented Port Congestion Surcharges—which would apply regardless of the U.S. […]
