Ships resume Taiwan routes even as China continues to drill
Shipping in the Taiwan Strait began to return to normal on Monday, though China’s announcement of a new military exercise near the island signaled that risks remain for the industry.
More than 40 vessels have transited through a China military drill zone south of Taiwan’s main port since Saturday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The latest ship positions show four of the total six zones being traversed.
AJOT
Senate passes budget reconciliation granting $3 billion to ports for electrification projects, House votes next
Following months of negotiation over Congressional Democrats' agenda, and with persistent advocacy from the port industry, this afternoon, the Senate passed the long-awaited Inflation Reduction Act, the budget reconciliation bill that includes $3 billion over five years to establish a new grant program to install electrified equipment and reduce emission at ports.
AJOT
British trade union announces eight-day strike action at Port of Felixstowe
British trade union Unite has announced that over 1,900 workers at the port of Felixstowe, who are union members, will begin eight days of strike action from 21 August until 29 August.
This decision is a result of a dispute over pay after talks at the conciliation service Acas failed.
Container News
Lawmakers seek to ban railroads from raising rates during service emergencies
Lawmakers have pressured the STB to do more to address service declines that have stymied transport of agriculture products and critical commodities. Since May, congressional members have sent the agency at least four letters expressing concern over the state of rail operations.
“Given the impact of these rail service disruptions, STB’s oversight role is more critical now than ever,” according to a May letter signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “As railroads work to address existing challenges through service restoration plans, we urge the STB to examine all constructive options towards ensuring reliable, consistent rail service is available to shippers across the U.S. rail network.”
Supply Chain Dive
FMC chairman says lines should compensate shippers, truckers forced to store containers because of port congestion
After a meeting last week at the Port of New York and New Jersey, US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) chairman Daniel Maffei said: “When ocean carriers continue to bring thousands of containers per month to a port and only pick up a fraction of that number, it creates an untenable situation for terminals, importers and exporters, trucking companies, and the port itself.
Splash 24/7
Biden signs bill to boost U.S. chips, compete with China
WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a landmark bill to provide $52.7 billion in subsidies for U.S. semiconductor production and research and to boost efforts to make the United States more competitive with China's science and technology efforts.
"The future is going to be made in America," Biden said, calling the measure "a once-in-a-generation investment in America itself."
Reuters
