Tag: US

Eurasia Group issued its annual forecast of the top political risks that are most likely to arise this year, listing cyber threat at the third place. Cyber threat in business, including shipping, has gained increased attention as an issue in the past year.

The imports at the nation's major retail container ports have experienced a slow down after a months-long rush to beat increased tariffs on goods from China as reported by the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

The US Department of Energy selected $25 million in research projects for next-generation marine energy devices. These 12 projects will reduce capital costs and promote the innovation cycle by testing new concepts. Marine energy includes ocean wave power, tidal, and river/ocean current devices that convert movement of water into electricity.  

Port Master Plans outline strategic goals, operational initiatives and environmental policies, and evaluate the consistency of future developments and land uses with those goals, initiatives and policies. The Master Plan covers a Harbor District of nearly 2,700 acres of land and more than 4,500 acres of water. The current Master Plan divides the Harbor District into 10 planning districts and identifies permitted land and water uses.

According to EIA, during 2018 the annual Henry Hub natural gas spot price increased to $3.16 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), up 15 cents from the 2017 average. The prices were risen gradually, with important increases on October and November, before experiencing a decrease in December.

In this video, IEA explains how the oil markets are changing. With developing economies now contesting for more demand, they will account for all of the growth in oil consumption by 2040 and over 80% in gas use. What is more, global oil production is continuing its increase fueled by the transport sectors and petrochemicals.

On 5 January 2019, a platoon of 50 women was integrated for the first time into one of the all-male training groups, setting a milestone in the history of US Marine Corps. Women, training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, still performed most exercises apart from the men, but they joined together for larger training missions. 

US OFAC has notified Congress of their intention to remove Rusal and associated companies from the US SDN list by 18 January 2019, following significant changes made to the company's structure. OFAC decision means that ships will be able to trade freely with Rusal. However, the current partial shutdown of the US Government may be impacting implementation of the changes.

The US Coast Guard responded to a grounded vessel in the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans, on Friday, January 4. The UK-flagged Anglo Alexandria had grounded in the Mississippi River at mile marker 3.5. The Mississippi River has reopened after the refloating of the bulk carrier.

China is back in the market for U.S. soybeans after taking a holiday break, just as Washington and Beijing plan more trade discussions. China's interest occurred as trade officials from the two countries are scheduled to sit down in Beijing on 7-11 January, for the first face-to-face negotiation since President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to a 90-day truce to their trade war last month.