What We're Reading: Trendwatch Week 26

Iran increases cyber attacks on U.S. government, infrastructure: Cyber security firms

June 24, 2019 - In recent weeks, hackers believed to be working for the Iranian government have targeted U.S. government agencies, as well as sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, sending waves of spear-phishing emails, according to representatives of cyber-security companies CrowdStrike and FireEye, which regularly track such activity.

Source: Insurance Journal

Mexico becomes the 1st country to ratify USMCA

June 20, 2019 - Mexico became the first country to ratify the United States, Mexico and Canada Agreement (USMCA) Wednesday when the Mexican Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve the deal. 

Source: Supply Chain Dive

Retailers back bill requiring congressional review of tariff hikes

June 26, 2019 -The National Retail Federation welcomed legislation introduced today that would strengthen congressional authority over tariff increases like those imposed by the Trump administration during the past year.

Source: American Journal of Transportation

OOCL improving vessel storage with Navis tools

June 26, 2019 - Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has chosen Navis, a part of Cargotec Corporation, to provide stowage planning software StowMan to its entire fleet.

Source: World Maritime News

Impact of IMO 2020 will cause 'supply chain ripples for more than a year'

June 20, 2019 - The path to complying with the IMO’s 0.5% sulfur cap regulations on bunker fuel in six months’ time will be “rocky” for carriers, and leave the maritime industry “shaken” according to new guidance. 

Source: The Loadstar

56% of manufacturers say trade issues are a top concern

June 25, 2019 - 56% of respondents in the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) second-quarter survey cited trade tensions, including tariff threats against China and Mexico, as a top concern for their business.

Source: Supply Chain Dive

India plans to offer incentives to companies moving from China

June 25, 2019 - India is weighing offering incentives to attract companies moving out of China amid its trade war with the U.S. Financial incentives such as preferential tax rates and the tax holiday provided by Vietnam to lure companies are among measures being considered. Industries identified for incentives include electronics, consumer appliances, electric vehicles, footwear, and toys, according to a trade ministry document seen by Bloomberg.

Source: American Journal of Transportation

Carriers Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd seeking megaships worth $2.2 billion

June 20, 2019 - Shipping lines Evergreen Marine Corp. of Taiwan and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd AG have put in separate requests to Asian yards for the construction of more than a dozen mega-container ships that would have a combined value of about $2.2 billion.

Source: The Wall Street Journal