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Drewry has released its latest Container Forecaster report which finds that 2021 will be the first year in the history of container shipping when carrier profits approach $100 billion and average freight rates jump by 50%, against a background of huge operational disruptions to the port and ship systems.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, will sign today an executive order to address consolidation and perceived anticompetitive pricing in the ocean shipping market. It is aimed to help US-based shippers to save money on shipping costs while disruptions such as shortage of capacity and bottlenecks in ports are driving freight rates up and service levels down.

On 6 July, the European Parliament adopted the renewed Connecting Europe Facility (CEF 2.0) with a €33.71 billion budget (in current prices), forming part of the EU’s 2021-2027 budget. The CEF 2.0 programme will fund key projects with the goal of improving transport connections and energy networks, as well as digital services and connectivity in Europe. It should also support jobs, economic growth and the deployment of new technologies.

The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee will vote on 12 July on the provisional agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council on the revision of the Eurovignette Directive. The compromise which was agreed on 15 June was welcomed by CLECAT in a press release, in support of the transition from time-based to distance-based charging, reducing CO2 emissions.

CLECAT has issued a position paper on the European Commission’s proposal for EU Single Window Environment for Customs, welcoming the initiative as a significant step forward for the EU Customs Union and Internal Market. Over the last couple of months, CLECAT had the opportunity to provide input to the European Parliament’s IMCO Committee’s preparatory work on the draft proposal. The paper aims to further inform MEPs on the upcoming consideration of the proposed amendments to the draft regulation in the IMCO Committee, which will take place on 12 July.

European and global forwarders’ associations call on OECD governments to prevent tax avoidance and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders in the maritime supply chain.

European and global forwarders’ associations call on OECD governments to prevent tax avoidance and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders in the maritime supply chain.

On 30 June, the EU extended until 30 September 2021 the COVID-19 vaccines export transparency and authorisation mechanism in its current form. The purpose of the mechanism is to secure deliveries of vaccines to Europeans in line with companies’ contractual obligations.