China Raises Power Prices – A looming power shortage in China has led to price increase as much as 3% in some areas. The increases are targeted at commercial, industrial, and agricultural users and specifically exclude residences. As summer’s peak demand approaches, industry experts believe that severe power shortages are possible.
Read more from Reuters.
APL Adds Cold Ironing to Port of Oakland – APL became the first steamship line to use shore-side power while docked at the Port of Oakland. The container shipping line plans to avoid 50,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide pollution and 1,500 pounds of particulate matter annually at the bay area port.
Read more from Eye for Transport.
Maersk Announces Piracy Surcharge – Denmark based Maersk Line has implemented a piracy surcharge for cargo shipped between India and the Middle East. The surcharge of $70 per FEU (forty foot equivalent unit) is effective June 1, 2011.
Read more from the JOC.
FMC Offices Closed Temporarily – The Federal Maritime Commission’s offices in Washington D.C. were forced to close this week due to an ongoing power outage. Thousands of residents in the area were left without power for three days as the local utility dealt with hot weather in the nation’s capital. The FMC regulates ocean commerce and companies that serve the industry including freight forwarders, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), etc.
Read more from the FMC.
