Trade updates at noon 18th September 2015

Nestlé must prove four-finger wafer shape along is distinct to KitKat rules CJEU
Legal experts say CJEU ruling yesterday will make it difficult for them to register their four-finger shape in the UK. Mondelez is trying to block the trademark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy budget

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was Friday putting the final touches to a budget which could inject 27 billion euros into Italy's sickly economy next year - if he can get it past Brussels.

Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA)

The Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) is a trade agreement currently being negotiated by 25 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including the EU. Together, these countries account for 70% of world trade in services. 
TiSA is based on the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which involves all WTO members.  The key provisions of the GATS – scope, definitions, market access, national treatment and exemptions – are also found in TiSA .
The talks are based on proposals made by the participants.  TiSA aims at opening up markets and improving rules in areas such as licensing, financial services, telecoms, e-commerce, maritime transport, and professionals moving abroad temporarily to provide services.
The European Commission negotiates based on a mandate issued by the governments of the EU's 28 member countries.

Transport 

Big change to add Smartwitness

Telematics entrepreneur Martin Port has teamed up with SmartWitness in-vehicle CCTV cameras to add video functionality to his BigChange mobile workforce technology system

Volvo's new tandem axle lift 

Volvo Trucks is now launching a new function – Tandem Axle Lift – which makes it possible to disengage and raise the second drive axle. This gives better road grip and up to 4 per cent lower fuel consumption when the truck is driven unladen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Haulage Association launches National Lorry Week

The Road Haulage Association will be staging a national awareness campaign, ‘National Lorry Week’ from October 26-31. This has been developed to demonstrate to the public and politicians the vital role that lorries and road freight play in moving the economy and daily life. The theme of the week is ‘Love the Lorry’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fit to drive?

There have been a number of issues raised recently by the national press with regards to the DVLA self-declaration and discovery of relevant health issues process as this has raised a number of questions for all professional HGV drivers; their employers and driver agencies to ensure they remain legal and compliant as well as improving the safety for all roads users.

For HGV drivers, the obvious question they should ask themselves is: “Am I fit to drive for a living?” This may seem a simple question to answer but it is clear from recent news that drivers may hide important health information to stay on the road.

Shipping News

Armed police close Mombassa port.

PARAMILITARY police offers sealed off Mombasa port last night and began an investigation of the cargo of Höegh Transporter, which arrived at the port on Thursday evening.The officers were part of a joint operation with regular police officers and soldiers from Kenya Defense Force

 

 

 

 

 

  Maersk Tankers' is spending $300m on nine new product tankers.

The new medium range product tankers news believes its fleet will become attractive to charterers.