Tag: US

The European Council voted to begin talks concerning the Trans-Atlantic Investment Partnership (TTIP), revealing the possibility that the US and EU could sign a new trade deal. The vote took place on April 15, and was passed despite France opposing to the US's position on climate change, and specifically President Trump's decision to be excluded from the Paris Agreement.

On Wednesday, South Carolina’s Senate advanced a measure that would require the state to block new infrastructure to transport or process offshore oil and gas. This comes as state lawmakers fear the Interior Department will open the Atlantic coast to offshore drilling.

On April 17, the US government announced new measures regarding restrictions on Cuba travel. Except for new travel restrictions, the changes also include a decision to enable private lawsuits against foreign companies over the Cuban government's expropriation of property in the 1950s. The list also includes the rising economic development zone at the Port of Mariel, which is considered a key area for foreign investment on Cuba.

Switzerland will support China's Belt and Road Initiative as President Ueli Maurer visits China during April. This will ensure ties with a major trading partner as other Western countries view the gigantic project with scepticism. The Swiss government said that the aim is to enhance cooperation on trade, investment and project financing in third markets along the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to EIA, primary energy consumption in the US reached a record high of 101.3 quadrillion British thermal units in 2018, an increase of 4% from 2017 and 0.3% more than the previous record set in 2007. The increase in 2018 was the largest increase in energy consumption, in both absolute and percentage terms, since 2010.

According to EIA, in 2018, the US exports of crude oil increased to 2.0 million bpd, and almost doubled  the 1.2 million b/d rate in 2017. Export volumes by destination changed significantly during the year, as U.S. crude oil exports to China fell and exports to other destinations such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Canada increased.

A fire broke out in the crew cabins of the bulk carrier 'Albany Sound', while the ship was berthed at North Carolina Port, Morehead City, US, on April 14. Ac cording to information, the fire affected only the crew cabins and not other parts of the ship. Morehead City Fire fighters, helped by other departments, went on the incident scene and put out the fire by the afternoon of the same day. Currently, the bulk carrier is berthed at the port.

An explosion took place outside the Port of Los Angeles, on April 15. The explosion led to a fire and destroyed a big rig, as well as various vehicles. According to the relevant authorities, no one was injured due to the explosion. Commenting on the incident, the police said that an industrial accident caused the explosion of the cargo container with cars, as it was heading out of the port.

The state of Maryland in the US passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019. This Act aims to incentivize the creation of 1.2 GW of additional offshore wind energy off the coast of Maryland. New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey have taken similar measures as well. US Wind Country Manager Salvo Vitale called for the passage of the legislation, claiming that it will lead to important economic benefits.

The US announced that it has designated a further nine vessels and four owning companies for involvement in the carriage of petroleum cargoes from Venezuela to Cuba. These sanctions cone a few days after the US blacklisted two shipping firms and their vessel for allegedly transporting oil from Venezuela to Cuba.