Port of Long Beach Equipped with Shore Power – This week, shipping executives and Port of Long Beach officials dedicated the Port’s newest shore power installation. Shore power is part of the Port of Long Beach’s Green Port Policy and Clean Air Action Plan. Ships need electricity when parked to operate lights, pumps, ventilation, communication systems, as well as refrigerated containers. These functions are traditionally powered by the ship’s diesel-powered auxiliary engines. Using land-side electricity, or cold ironing as it is known, reduces the carbon footprint of docked ships.
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New Deal to Stimulate U.S.-Asia Trade – The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a new regional trade group formed to stimulate trade between the U.S. and Asia among its 9 member countries. The free trade agreement will lower tariffs on many U.S. exports and is designed to spur outbound shipping, especially from the West Coast ports. Notably, the new agreement does not include China due to concerns over intellectual property, labor and environmental protection.
Read more from Eye for Transport.
Air Freight Traffic Expected to Triple – Airbus’ 2011-2030 Cargo Global Market Forecast expects air freight traffic to nearly triple in the next 20 years. To handle the increased demand, the report estimates that the air freight industry will require 834 additional air craft. Airbus Senior VP stated that air cargo growth is being driven by emerging world markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa.
Read more from Supply Chain Digital.
New California Human Rights Act Targets Supply Chains – California’s Transparency Supply Chain Act (TSCA) will go into effect January 1, 2012. The TSCA requires many retailers and manufacturers to post online disclosures of their efforts in assessing risk of human trafficking and slavery in their supply chain. Interestingly, the law focuses on the disclosure of the company’s efforts, rather than mandating specific actions. Therefore, trade lawyers at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg point out that a company can technically comply by simply stating that no efforts have been made toward risk assessment. However, this type of disclosure is unlikely as consumer interest in corporate responsibility continues to grow.
Read more from Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
