Boris Johnson’s officials are urgently working to avert a major border crisis when the U.K. leaves the European Union’s trade regime, amid warnings vital government IT systems may not be ready in time.
Europe’s plan to put a price on dirtier imports risks getting caught up in global trade tensions as the fallout from the pandemic eclipses climate change as the biggest challenge for governments.
Australian authorities detained at least two cargo ships for alleged labor violations related to demands from seafarers to be sent home, some of whom have spent more than a year at sea.
Queues of tankers have formed off China’s busiest oil ports as the vessels wait to offload crude for refineries that are quickly ramping up production amid a rapid rebound in fuel demand.
Port restrictions and canceled flights are straining the ability to replace seafarers on board ships, further weakening global supply chains already snarled by the coronavirus pandemic.
A shipping container shortage that’s left everything from Thai curry to Canadian peas idling in ports may be about to get a whole lot worse as China steps up its precautions on incoming vessels.
While the global economy is reeling from the spreading coronavirus, seaports — which handle a hefty 90% of all world shipping — are a bellwether for trade.