Logistics service providers (LSP) to the automotive sector have resorted to front-loading to avoid 25% tariffs imposed on vehicles imported to the U.S., effective 2 April, but the volumes involved were not that significant, according to industry sources.

Supply chain and ocean shipping uncertainties ahead

France’s President has called for a suspension of European investments in the U.S. in the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to drastically raise trade tariffs with most countries.

Republicans in the US Senate and House are hearing from agricultural exporters that they should oppose Chinese-built ship penalties, proposed by the Trump administration, warning that farmers will lose export markets if the proposed penalties, assessed on ocean carriers arriving at US ports, are imposed, according to Peter Friedmann, executive director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC).

The United States may be facing a crisis of confidence in the US dollar that could have serious economic consequences including raising the price of imported goods and increasing borrowing costs to US lenders.

If the proposal is enacted as currently presented the result could eviscerate the U.S. state port system, and it is unclear that the proposal will have a material impact on blue-water commercial shipbuilding.

On March 19th, California Forever, which plans to build a new city in Northern California’s Solano County, said it has plans to build a new shipbuilding facility on 1,400 acres near Collinsville, California located along California’s Sacramento River.

The Port of Long Beach, in a strategy paper, has identified progress and steps necessary for maritime operators and ports to transition to green fuels.

London Heathrow has been the scene of flight chaos today after a major fire at a nearby electrical substation, late yesterday evening local time, cut off power supplies at Europe's busiest airport. Earlier today, the airport’s operating company warned of “significant disruption over the coming days,” urging all travelers and cargo stakeholders not to approach the airport until further notice.

Intended or not, smaller U.S. ports and U.S. agricultural exporters are likely to be the big losers if the Trump administration goes ahead with assessing penalties on ocean carriers sailing on Chinese-built ships calling at U.S. ports. Carriers who own Chinese-built vessels could be subject to penalties as part of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 investigation resulting in penalties.