For the second time in two weeks, a container line has been assessed a US civil penalty for collecting detention fees last year when it allegedly did not provide drayage providers with a means to return empty containers.

It’s been difficult to wedge the benefits of ocean freight into the use of US Customs and Border Protection’s duty-free treatment for shipments valued at less than $800, but increased direct-to-consumer volume is changing the math for shippers.

In its drive to be more than a port terminal operator, DP World is spearheading a program that gives traders in “south–south” lanes between emerging markets logistics benefits for routing trade through Dubai’s airport and seaport.

CBP issued a statement saying it will no longer accept requests to delay duty payments, after notifying the trade community on Friday that it would consider such requests on “case-by-case basis.”

Recently imposed tariffs, a persistent oversupply of vessels, and evolving shipper requirements are redrawing traditional trade lanes for multipurpose and heavy-lift (MPV/HL) carriers.

A bill introduced in Congress addresses two key complaints among cargo owners and transportation providers regarding the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program: murky benefits for onerous program requirements and concerns over backlash if suspended or expelled.

Turloch Mooney, senior editor, global ports, JO

Last year's decline in US container exports, especially those bound for Asia, has continued into the early part of this year as the US-China trade war lingers and outbound rail costs rise.

However, even planning for no deal is not a straightforward matter.

Delays may occur if paperwork is flagged by a federal agency in which staffers are furloughed.

Following complaints from at least 10 port members, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) urged Customs to provide its reasoning for focusing on often “expensive, overbuilt” facilities — the resources for which the AAPA says can be better-allocated.

In mid-May, top officials from Nepal, led by Nepal Ambassador to Bangladesh Professor Chop Lal Bhusal, visited Banglabandha land port to see the transit route and how the nation’s goods would reach Chittagong and Mongla ports.

The government, at a recent stakeholder review meeting regarding trade reforms, set a Sept. 30 deadline for nationwide radio-frequency identification operations.

In a recent letter to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, India's Kolkata Port Trust chairman Vinit Kumar expressed his consent to let Bangladeshi shippers use the ports it oversees — the Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex.

Brazilian fruit and coffee exporters seem to be among those worst hit by the strike.

Several industries like construction, food or logistics have already warned of an existing shortage of resources.

Exports to the largest global consumer of wastepaper are in serious trouble.