Vessel News

M.V. Sonderborg Strait

The vessel encountered engine breakdown and the vessel blocked the Kiel Canal stopping all traffic.

M.V Scl Basilea

 

  

Three crew members have been injured with one of them falling overboard. The incident took place as the vessel left Leixoes for Panama. The man overboard was rescued however all three were taken to hospital with serious injuries with the vessel returning to Leixoes

Trade News

Mergers - the commission approces TNT Express and FedEx

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of TNT Express by FedEx Corporation. Both companies offer world-wide small package delivery services. 

 

Transport News

Mandatory Mirrors from July 2016

New an improved mirrors that get rid of HGV blind spots will become mandatory on newly registered vehicles from July next year across the EU. The department for transport have introduced the new safety measure and it will apply to all HGV's (over 3.5 tonnes) where the Class V mirror is fitted at leas 2.4m from the ground. 

 New HGV's requjire sideguards

The Department for Transport has proposed that all new HGVs will require sideguards as part of its aim to reduce cyclist deaths across the UK. The plan was published yesterday within the Department for Transport's British Road Safety Statement, however the move to make sideguards and rear under-run devices compulsory has already been modelled on the Safer Lorry Scheme, introduced in London in September

Port News

 

Port of Rotterdam

24 hours strike at Rotterdam will half their container operation from today. The reason for the stopped is the possible job losses at the port.  It is worth noting there are five other 24 hour strikes in the pipeline.

Port of Liverpool

The Liverpool2 contianer terminal is behind schedule for operatoin as it was due to open at the end of 2015 which is now estimated arouind March/April 2016

Trade News

 

EU is to invest in £750,000.00 in regions along its external borders

This will support social and economic development in the regions on both sides of the EU''s borders

November 2015 v November 2014

European Commission - EUROSTAT Brussels, 7 January 2016 In November 2015 compared with October 2015, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19), while it rose by 0.2% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union

Transport News

 

Penalty Points Doubled for Driver Phone Use

THE FREIGHT Transport Association says the recent range of measures set out by the government to improve road safety, which include commitments and actions aimed at all road users, should further improve the UK’s road safety record

Trailblazer Training Must Lead to LGV Licence Qcquisition

LAST MONTH the RHA held what chief executive Richard Burnett described as a ‘challenging but positive meeting’ with Skills Minister Nick Boles MP to press the case for more action to solve the chronic LGV driver shortage. The meeting was held at the Department of Business Innovation and Skills

Further Bridge Closure A Huge Blow

Delays are expected once again affecting the Forth Bridge Road which is now to remain closed to HGV traffic until well in to February.

The First Minister offered reassurance that the bridge would re-open to all vehicles on 4 January so this was a devastating blo. The additional costs incurred by the 50 mile diversion are significant, especially when contracts have already been signed and there is no opportunity to recoup the money.’

RHA Scotland did however welcome proposals arising from a meeting with Scottish Minister for Infrastructure, Keith Brown, whereby Transport Scotland was to set up a haulier’s hotline, enabling drivers and their managers to be alerted to any incidents occurring on the temporary replacement trunk road network so that they can be quickly resolved.

Friday 5 - AEO

Friday Five

This is the first of our Friday 5 series giving short five-point updates on key subjects in international trade.

What is AEO?

The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) comes into force on 1^st May 2016.  It is an international standard that businesses can obtain through an audit-based accreditation process.  Importers, exporters, forwarders and carriers are affected.  Those who do not obtain AEO are going to find themselves at a serious disadvantage to their competitors.

1: 70% reduction in a business’s deferment account guarantee

To obtain a credit deferment account you must secure assets or cash against the credit required. A 70% reduction can be obtained for approved operators.

2: Comprehensive guarantees and guarantee waivers

Currently a duty guarantee is not compulsory for all bonded movements in the UK. Under the UCC, any movement of uncleared goods must be guaranteed. A reduction or waiver will allow businesses to only have to guarantee 100% of the potential duty. Those without AEO will have to guarantee 200% of the potential duty. This benefits cash flow for businesses with AEO. A comprehensive guarantee allows for the one declaration to customs to cover all movements of cargo within the Union.

3: Priority treatment

Consignments which have been pulled for examination will be accelerated through the process for businesses with AEO. This trust also extends through fewer physical and document-based checks.

4: Centralised clearance

This is the ability for a company with operations throughout Europe to be able to declare all customs transactions occurring to the customs office of one EU Member State. This will then grant clearance to goods no matter which Member State the cargo entered or exited. This is currently known as SASP (Single Authorisation for a Simplified Procedure). 

5: Choice of inspection location

Cargo can be moved off-quay, under bond, to limit quay rent charges. 

For a copy of our full AEO benefits factsheet request it now via email info@felixstowe-ac.co.uk

Vessels

 

M.V Zuhairi

The vessel capsized with 165 people on board in the southern Philippines after a crash with another vessel . All passengers and crew members were successfully rescued 

MSC Sariska

A lifeboat was called in an attempt to save an unconscious member of the crew unfortunatley  he could not be saved after ab 30 minute attempt by the rescue team.

 

Port of Baltimore

 

The Ports America Chesapeak with the CSX Terminals have announced an agreement to enhance the competitoin of the Port and its position tocapture additional business.  

Port of Mundra 

The port is due to expand its current terminal to allow transhipment which  is in a join venture with Terminal Investments Limited and the Swiss-based arm of MSC. The intention is to create a hub for West Asia, South Asia and India.

Two deaths at sea during the past 24 hours

A 26 year old crewman from the M.V Beaufiks from a throat infection it would appear that he had been denied medical treatment for the past two weeks.  The crewman (not named).



A 53 year old man was killed when the M.V. COSL Innivator was hit by 46 foot high wave. The matter is still under investigation

Port News

Ice restrictions for ships is to be introduced at the Port of Primorsk  (Baltic)  on January 17th 2016

Heay snow restricts unloading of ships at Butumi port (Georgia)  The captain of the Batumi port Tengiz Gadilia announced the heavy snow and storm had caused delay in both the schedule of ships and unloading of goods.

Trade News

EU - Ukraine Association Agreement: free trade part operational 1st Jan 2016

On 1 January 2016, the European Union and Ukraine started applying the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) which forms part of the Association Agreement signed in June 2014. The rest of the Association Agreement has already been in force since November 2014.

The application of the DCFTA of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement constitutes a milestone in the bilateral relationship, as it will offer new economic benefits to both sides. Ukrainian businesses receive stable and predictable preferential access to the largest market in the world with 500 million customers, while EU businesses will be able to benefit from easier access to the Ukrainian market and build new relationships with Ukrainian suppliers and cooperation partners. This will also be to the benefit of Ukrainian citizens, as they will have better access to high quality products, and increased competition and the lowering of import tariffs should lead to lower prices.

 EU, Philippines to begin free trade talks.

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union and the Philippines will begin free trade talks early next year as the bloc builds on accords with Singapore and Vietnam, a senior EU official said Tuesday.

"Launching negotiations with the Philippines will represent an important milestone in EU-Philippine relations and (is) further evidence of the EU's commitment to Southeast Asia," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said in a statement.

"The Philippines has been one of the fastest growing economies in the region in recent years. We need to make sure our companies enjoy the right conditions to seize the great potential of that market of 100 million consumers," Malmstroem said.

In addition to the Philippines, the 28-nation EU is in free trade talks with Malaysia and Thailand, having concluded deals with Singapore last year and Vietnam this year.
All five are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar.

EU efforts to negotiate an overall free trade accord with ASEAN have stalled, with the focus now put on bilateral deals.

The EU exported goods worth 6.8 billion euros to the Philippines last year and imported 5.7 billion euros, the European Commission said.

HMRC AEO/UCC Links

 

AEO Certifcication Application form

You can apply for AEO status for customs simplification (AEOC), AEO status for security and safety (AEOS) or both.
If you hold AEOC status, you could benefit from:

• a faster application process for customs simplifications and authorisations
• reductions or waivers of comprehensive guarantees

You’ll need to be a holder of an AEOC if you wish to qualify for:

• moving goods in temporary storage between different member states
• a notification waiver when making an entry in a declarant’s records (EIDR)
• a 70% reduction in a business’s deferment account guarantee
• undertaking centralised clearance (when available)
• completing self assessment (when implemented)

You’ll need to be a holder of an AEOS if you’d like to benefit from arrangements under mutual recognition agreements with third countries.

AEO status is for businesses that are established in the EU, actively involved in customs operations and international trade and have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. The EU AEO database allows anyone to check who holds an AEO status, what type it is, and the date and country of issue.

Criteria for granting AEO status

For AEOC, you must fulfil the criteria listed below for:

• compliance
• record keeping
• solvency
• professional qualifications and practical standards of competence (on line training and assessment is availalbe and details availalbe through our customs support line 01394 458554 of email info@felixstowe-ac.co.uk)

For AEOS, you don’t need to fulfil the criteria for professional qualifications and practical standards of competence, but you must fulfil the security criteria. Applicants for both types of AEO must first be enrolled with the EORI scheme.

AEO authorisation

Anyone involved in the international supply chain that carries out customs related activities in the EU can apply for AEO status irrespective of the size of their business.
This includes:

• manufacturers
• exporters
• freight forwarders
• warehouse keepers
• customs agents
• carriers
• importers
• others (for example, port operators, secure freight parking operatives, airline loaders)

 

Types of AEO authorisation and the benefits

AEOC status is issued to any business that fulfils the specified criteria of having:

• good tax and customs compliance history
• good commercial and transport record-keeping standards
• financial solvency
• professional qualifications or demonstrating practical standards of competence in the activity they’re involved in

A holder of an AEOC status can benefit from being able to qualify for:

• moving goods in temporary storage between different member states
• a notification waiver when making an EIDR
• a 70% reduction in a business’s deferment account guarantee
• undertaking centralised clearance (when available)
• completing self assessment (when implemented)

 EOS is issued to any business that fulfils all of the above criteria with the exception of professional qualifications and practical standards of competence, which is only applicable to AEOC. The business must also have appropriate security and safety standards to protect the international supply chain. These should include:

• physical integrity and access controls
• logistical processes and, if appropriate, the handling of specific types of goods
• personnel and identification of business partners

A holder of AEOS will benefit from:

• a lower risk score - used to determine the frequency of customs physical and documentary checks
• consignments being fast-tracked through customs control
• reduced requirements for the mandatory pre-arrival/pre-departure Entry Summary Declarations or Exit Summary Declarations (EXS)
• reciprocal arrangements and mutual recognition with countries outside the EU - for example, USA or trading partners that adopt the World Customs Organisation safe framework

Union Customs Code (UCC)

Customs legislation will change on 1 May 2016 with the implementation of the UCC.
The UCC introduces a new standard of practical competence or professional qualification directly related to customs activities. Training which provides recognised customs qualifications is limited in the UK, so the focus will be on evidence and demonstration of practical competence over the previous 3 years. This standard only applies to AEOC.
There’s also an amendment to the compliance standard which means you need to meet customs legislation and taxation rules relating to your economic activity.
There’s a transitional period for AEO authorisations issued before 1 May 2016. This period will go to 1 May 2019, when all AEOs must meet the new requirements. The reassessment work will be managed over this 3-year period and AEOs will be given more information on how and when this will be done.

Data protection requirements

Under data protection, holders of an AEO authorisation need to give permission for some limited data to be shared with third country customs authorities. This will enable their AEO status in the EU to be recognised and benefits applied. The C118 AEO self-assessment questionnaire asks that new applicants give their consent to publication and exchange of AEO data.

Port News

MSC resumes operation to Iran 

After six years MSC has resumed its schedule calling at the south port of  Bandar Abbas

The services is expected to be weekly with the vessel capacity of 1,162 TEU

Port of Mumbai

It has been reported that there is a shortage of workers at Mumbai port which is having an adverse effect on trade as vessels are taking longer for loading and unloading their cargoes.

Port of Antwerpen 

Antwerps executive is suggesting a closer working relations is necessary to countger risks posed by Chinese investment in southern European ports.. China is already building growth in Piaraeus and in Kumport  Turkey as China wants to be less depenedent on the northern European ports.

Transport

Weight verification  link to register

The method used for weighing the container's contents under Method No. 2 is subject to certification and approval as determined by the competent authority of the State in which the packing and sealing of the container was completed. IMO Guidelines, paragraph 5.1.2.3. Shippers are responsible for complying with any certification and approval requirements that may be established by the State in which the container packing is done, or, in a case where a container is packed in multiple places, any certification and approval requirements that may be established by the State where the last contents were packed into the container.