20/1/2021

Dear all Valued Customers

 

The number of container ships waiting to berth in Southern California has exceeded the number of ships at berth every day but two since Christmas, with the ships waiting to call marine terminals exceeding levels seen during the 2014-15 labour crisis.

 

During the 2014-15 West Coast labour crisis, the most container ships at anchor was 28 on March 15, 2015. That was exceeded this year on Jan. 8, when there were 37 ships at anchor.

 

The west coast ports are so congested; it is rare to find a day where there are more ships at berth than at anchor. So far this year, only on January 11 was this true, with 35 ships at marine terminals and 34 ships waiting to unload.

 

According to the Marine Exchange of Southern California, the agency that manages ship traffic, of the many container ships awaiting berth a dozen of them have capacities of more than 10,000 TEU.

 

BRi USA is seeing congestion at the already-clogged ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continue to worsen, demonstrated by rising truck turn and container dwell times, more ships waiting at berth, and reports from individual terminal operators.

 

Carriers and terminals for both ports are unable to confirm ETAs due to congestion.

 

Delays for port cargo or for cargo to be moved inland by rail can be excessive - up to weeks.

 

Ship Fuel Prices Jump, Spread Widens

 

Before COVID-19, shippers were most concerned about rising fuel prices related to the IMO regulations surrounding the global switch to low-sulphur marine fuel.

 

However, as the pandemic struck the trade, the price of marine fuel collapsed. Shipowners and cargo shippers actually saved money on fuel in 2020.

 

Unfortunately, the 2021 trend is in the opposite direction. The price of marine fuel is coming back, and so-called “scrubbers” — equipment allowing ships to legally burn cheaper, high-sulphur fuel — are starting to pay off much more than before.

 

Rising marine fuel prices will mean rising costs for cargo shippers and ship operators.

 

New Brexit-era Regulations Add Confusion to EU-UK Trade

 

Despite a last-minute trade deal between the UK and the EU that insures goods flow tariff-free between the two, free-trade doesn’t mean effortless trade.

 

Read all detail here

 

https://ajot.com/insights/full/ai-new-brexit-era-regulations-add-red-tape-and-confusion-to-eu-uk-trade/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=brexit&__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=f641acbb930af51127c02ab181140816844c1284-1611080728-0-ATE4zFdsjiciUAfB_yodckc8vCs-FNgGDe2kLC7r6QP4JbvaBoBfgCXn7bcFoo9uhpf5hEU7PIod0uyEas27zdphKNLPHGknpW7mbP4EYbdRZM7oxf9uphtFQRkeq9Q-4bh2KX7JGfOsMTfA7f5UqdMK7TaRRrn9Nd4WkQV33ntHmC6xnv4Q3p4MvT-9vjOmfEl-4G4Us-SRXTR57E6WUhC7jNfrhui3drNh3l-nwfTsaNY_uNVktSN0aWU9NFQQSpGVymr8cjEbiqhg1-ORI1IWkiK9qtADHQgaTxZgA7dpoI8Z2GQrGhS4oCJW-p7eVRjXyrJ1875GI2lBf1_p_ghYp5IjicQj424PUyfado6lJvgESVyHVEhsnD4mwvpyvbL0el3Fnd-nnygnNLPHBa72PZGELivIT0GQXu3X-JXKZyKzLKvOJJsKiRV3Rf89hEHvh9fUeM4cghjesrdB_Xfz7wpbT__HluymY4hBCX9fY8b3mWQnleWoCn-9S-BdCQ

 

FDA Application Portal for VQIP is Now Open

 

On January 1, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year (FY) 2022.

 

Importers interested in applying for VQIP benefits must apply before May 31, 2021. 

 

VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains, the benefits of expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.

 

To participate in VQIP, food importers must meet certain eligibility requirements, including ensuring that the facilities of their foreign suppliers are certified through the FDA’s Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, part of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

 

Certification bodies conduct food safety audits of foreign facilities and farms, and issue the certifications that importers need to participate in VQIP.

 

BRi ERP and Order Management Program

 

To ensure you maintain visibility to your shipments as they move through the supply chain, please take advantage of BRi PATHWAY.

 

The information in PATHWAY is real-time and available 24/7.

 

To obtain a login for your account, please respond to this email so we can get you started!

 

As a valued customer, we hope that you will continue to trust us to source the best options for your supply chain needs now and into the future. Should you have any questions regarding USA News, please contact your Customer Solutions Representative.

 

Keeping you updated,

BRi Customer Solutions Team

 

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