CMA CGM announces resumption of Red Sea voyages and renewal of Ocean Alliance丨Foreign Trade News Express
CMA CGM announces resumption of Red Sea sailings
French container giant CMA CGM has resumed sailings in the conflict-ridden Red Sea region.
The company said in its official statement that after reassessing the situation in the southern Red Sea, it has decided to resume Red Sea voyages on a case-by-case basis. CMA CGM stressed that it will conduct a detailed assessment of the ship's situation before each transit, but it is not possible to predict or announce the choice of route. For those ships that are considered unable to pass through the area for safety reasons, they will continue to choose to divert via the Cape of Good Hope.
In fact, after the official announcement of changing the route to the Cape of Good Hope in early February, CMA CGM still crossed the Red Sea under the escort of warships.
Data shows that on February 15, the AIS signal of the CMA CGM JULES VERNE, a ship owned by CMA CGM, disappeared after it departed from Jeddah. On February 21, the AIS signal of the ship was restored, indicating that it had passed the Gulf of Aden and was about to arrive in Singapore.
Despite the West's active actions to protect the safety of merchant ships, the situation remains tense. In order to avoid potential risks, more and more ships and shipping companies in various industries choose to abandon the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, an important channel.
So far, small vessels rumored to be linked to Iran continue to sail in the Red Sea and appear to be at no risk of attack. In addition, analysts pointed out based on ship AIS data, some global container shipping companies still maintain their traditional route networks through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
It is worth noting that, apart from CMA CGM, no shipping company has publicly confirmed this. However, these companies insist that they are adjusting ship routes to ensure safety. Just on the 28th, CMA CGM announced that it had resumed sailing in the Red Sea based on specific circumstances. This decision may have further impacts on the entire shipping industry, especially in assessing the costs and risks of alternative routes.
OA Alliance Renewal
On February 27, 2024, four partners of the Ocean Alliance, CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING, Evergreen Marine and OOCL, signed relevant documents in Shanghai.The cooperation period of the Ocean Alliance will be extended for at least five years to March 31, 2032.
The four companies stated that since its operation in April 2017, the Ocean Alliance has always maintained a stable, orderly, smooth and efficient cooperation in the face of changes in the global market situation, and has worked together to create a series of route products with a wide service range and high service frequency, continuously meeting customers' growing global trade needs. With stable and reliable schedules and fast and convenient delivery, it has won high praise in the global container shipping market and formed a good brand effect.
The four companies also stated that with the signing of the relevant documents on the extension of the cooperation period, the Ocean Alliance will further strengthen communication, optimize coordination, and continuously improve cooperation efficiency and service quality to bring more stable and high-quality service experience and supply chain security to customers. All parties in the Ocean Alliance will make filings with regulatory authorities in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to ensure the legality and compliance of the alliance's operations.
While other alliances were falling apart, the Ocean Alliance laid a solid foundation for cooperation, breaking the industry's expectations that the alliance might be turbulent.
Red Sea tensions affect more than half of UK exporters
A survey report released by the British Chamber of Commerce on February 26 showed that 55% of British exporters interviewed said that the obstruction of Red Sea shipping had a negative impact on their business; another 53% of manufacturers and retailers also said they were affected.
The main impacts include increased shipping costs, delayed delivery, etc. Some companies said that container rentals have increased three times compared to before, and delivery time has been delayed by 3 to 4 weeks.
Some companies said this had a knock-on effect, leaving them facing cash flow difficulties and parts shortages.
A Greek government spokesman said on February 26 local time that the Greek government has approved participating in the EU escort operation in the Red Sea, and a frigate based at the Salamina naval base will head to the Red Sea waters in the next few days.
At present, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France and other countries have also expressed plans to send multiple warships to the Red Sea.
New requirements for goods entering EU customs will be introduced from June 3, 2024
From June 3, 2024, the EU’s new customs pre-entry safeguards system – Import Control System 2 (ICS2) – will introduce new processes for goods entering the EU’s 27 destination ports, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Northern Ireland, by sea, inland waterways, road and rail. This is the third phase of the new system’s implementation and will extend safeguards data reporting requirements to all modes of transport.
It is reported that ICS2 is a new EU customs cargo advance information system that promotes the free flow of trade by improving data-driven customs security processes and adapting to global business models. This system will collect relevant data before all goods entering the EU arrive. EU customs authorities will use this system to strengthen the protection of EU citizens and domestic markets against security threats.
Europe debates possible trade defence actions for solar PV panel industry
As some European solar manufacturers issued warning statements on imported Chinese solar photovoltaic panels last year, France and other EU members recently organized an informal meeting to discuss the possibility of implementing trade defense measures on imports of Chinese-made solar photovoltaic panels.
On September 11, 2023, some European solar photovoltaic manufacturers issued a warning to European institutions, believing that the sale of Chinese panels at prices far below manufacturing costs will threaten the development of the EU solar photovoltaic industry, and asked EU member states to take immediate action to avoid a "wave of bankruptcies in the European manufacturing industry." However, this proposal was not recognized by all EU member states, and most governments prefer to take a cautious attitude.
At the end of last year, some European solar companies (including 28 solar manufacturers and 26 research institutions and associations from 18 member states) also issued a joint statement opposing trade defense measures against the solar industry, arguing that these measures would harm the EU solar industry and hinder the EU's green energy transition.
Data shows that imports of solar panels into the EU increased significantly in 2023, reaching a historical peak of 51% in March 2023.
The Netherlands issues requirements for phytosanitary certificates applicable to imports
On February 21, 2024, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) issued the requirements for phytosanitary certificates applicable to imports. The specific contents are as follows: When importing, each phytosanitary certificate should:
(1) It must be an original (a copy may also be certified together with the original). Photocopies, e-mails or faxes may not be used. Photocopies will only be certified if the document bears the date, the seal of the NPPO or the seal of the national phytosanitary agency, the seal of the NPPO and the signature of the inspector;
(2) written in one of the official languages of the European Union;
(3) No deletion or alteration shall be allowed unless authenticated;
(4) Complete the form in block letters or in typeset form (except for the point of entry);
(5) Indicate the botanical name of the product;
(6) Indicate the quantity and type of the product;
(7) The relevant attachments must be named and authenticated;
(8) The quantity described is consistent with the actual content. (For example, the quantity in the consignment may be lower than the quantity on the phytosanitary certificate, but never higher);
(9) Properly label any necessary attachments.
For more details, see:
Australia makes final ruling on China's A4 copy paper
On February 26, 2024, the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission issued an announcement stating that the Australian Minister of Industry and Technology approved the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission's final anti-dumping review recommendation on A4 copy paper weighing 70 to 100 grams per square meter imported from Brazil, China, Indonesia and Thailand, as well as the final anti-subsidy review recommendation on A4 copy paper weighing 70 to 100 grams per square meter from China, and decided to revoke the current anti-dumping measures and countervailing measures on the products involved in the case from the above-mentioned countries, effective from May 5, 2023.
Thailand launches new measures to support electric vehicles
Thailand recently held the first meeting of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee for 2024 and released new measures to support the development of electric commercial vehicles such as electric trucks and electric buses to help Thailand achieve its carbon neutrality goal as soon as possible. According to the new measures, the Thai government will support eligible electric vehicle-related companies through tax exemptions.
From the date the policy officially takes effect until the end of 2025, companies that purchase electric commercial vehicles produced or assembled in Thailand can enjoy tax and fee reductions corresponding to twice the actual selling price of the vehicle, with no limit on vehicle prices; companies that purchase imported electric commercial vehicles can also enjoy tax and fee reductions corresponding to 1.5 times the actual selling price of the vehicle.
Brazil issues final anti-circumvention ruling on Chinese automotive glass
On February 20, 2024, the Management and Executive Committee of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Commission (GECEX) issued Resolution No. 556 of 2024, making an affirmative final ruling on the anti-circumvention case of automotive glass (Portuguese: vidros automotivos) originating in China, and decided to expand the scope of application of the current anti-dumping duties to glass that has been processed by bending, beveling, engraving, brocade patterning, enameling or other processed glass for subsequent use in the manufacture of laminated safety glass for use in the automotive industry.
The anti-dumping duties for the importers involved are as follows: PSG Industria e Comercio de Vidros EIRELI is 115.7%, FANAVID Fábrica Nacional de Vidros de Seguranca Ltda, MAP-Materiais de Alta Performance Ltda., Mirai International Comercio, Importacao e Exportacao de Materiais Isolantes e de Seguranca Ltda., Twinglass Vidros Ltda., Vidroforte Industria e Comercio de Vidros Ltda and other importers are all 145.0%. The validity period of this measure is the same as the period of the current anti-dumping measures. During the anti-circumvention review period, importers who have not imported the glass involved in the final ruling of this case may request to exclude it from the tax list. The Mercosur customs code of the products involved is 7006.00.00. This resolution shall take effect from the date of publication.
Source: Today's Shipping, Focus Vision, Shipping Network
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