--- title: "Freight Market Update: February 20, 2019" description: "LA/Long Beach congestion eases post-CNY while NY/NJ and UK ports stay heavily congested." language: en canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/logistics-updates/freight-market-update-february-20-2019/ lifecycle: live --- # Freight Market Update: February 20, 2019 ## ⚠️Reminder Notices ⚠️ **LA and NY Trucking Still Experiencing Congestion** Congestion at the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach has eased up some after Chinese New Year, but delays are still longer than usual. New York and New Jersey ports are still heavily congested, which is expected to be made worse by severe winter weather.  **UK Ports Remain Extremely Congested** UK ports are very congested, which is causing tight trucking capacity and a decline in port productivity. Quay side operations have improved, but a shortage of haulage capacity restricts movement.  Haulage capacity in Germany and the Benelux also remains a challenge, impacted by low water in the river Rhine, reducing intake of barges and increasing moves via rail and truck.  ## Ocean Freight Market Updates **Chinese New Year Blank Sailings Announced** A number of blank sailings have been announced surrounding Chinese New Year. More information and a list of the affected ports and strings is available [on our blog](https://www.flexport.com/blog/expect-tight-capacity-in-feb-march-as-carriers-cancel-sailings).  **DHL Express to Roll Out Thames Delivery Barges** Pending the success of the ongoing pilot program, DHL Express will [roll out a Thames barge system](https://theloadstar.co.uk/dhl-express-to-make-a-splash-with-delivery-option-using-thames-barges/?utm_source=The+Loadstar+daily+email&utm_campaign=2dc0ee662b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_14_12_50&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4570e43d4-2dc0ee662b-153520629) sometime this year. These barges would move documents and small packages down the Thames river, reducing congestion and pollution on UK roadways. **GPA Unveils Savannah Expansion Plans** Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) [announced their expansion program](https://theloadstar.co.uk/gpa-unveils-ambitious-plans-for-huge-expansion-at-the-port-of-savannah/?utm_source=The+Loadstar+daily+email&utm_campaign=b286bef2a2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_18_12_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4570e43d4-b286bef2a2-153520629) for the port of Savannah this week, outlining growth plans. The port is to be able to handle six 14,000 TEU ships simultaneously by 2024, with 37 ship-to-shore cranes in operation. By 2028, capacity is expected to have increased from 5.5M TEU to 8M. **2019 Appropriations Bill Includes Port Infrastructure** **Impact of New IMO ECA Regulations** The [International Maritime Organization](https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/sulphur-2020.aspx) (IMO) has mandated under new Emission Control Area regulations that by 2020, all merchant vessels must reduce their sulfur emissions from 3.5% to 0.5%.  Whether they install scrubbers, build new vessels, or use higher-quality fuel, carriers will need to make significant changes to comply with the new regulations, and those changes will come at a cost to shippers. Freight rates may climb between now and 2020 as a result.  Maersk announced this week that it has [made a deal with PBF Logistics](https://theloadstar.co.uk/maersk-ensures-supply-of-low-sulphur-fuel-on-us-east-coast-for-imo-2020/?utm_source=The+Loadstar+daily+email&utm_campaign=2dc0ee662b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_14_12_50&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4570e43d4-2dc0ee662b-153520629) to supply its US east coast vessels with low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). This deal prepares for the possibility of a shortage of IMO 2020-compliant fuel.  *For an in-depth look at the regulation and how to prepare, read our blog post:* [IMO 2020: What Shippers Need to Know Now](https://www.flexport.com/blog/imo-2020-what-shippers-need-to-know-now)  ## Air Freight Market Updates **TSA Approves Air Cargo Canine Screening** **European Commission Approves Virgin Atlantic Joint Control** The European Commission approved Air France-KLM, Delta, and the Virgin Group’s [joint control over Virgin Atlantic](https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/brussels-approves-virgin-atlantic-acquisition-by-air-france-klm-delta-and-virgin-group/). The Commission determined that the acquisition would not be anti-competitive because the three are not close competitors, and plenty of other strong competition will still exist on the affected routes. ## Trucking Market Updates **Amazon Cancels Second Headquarters in NY** Amazon will [no longer be opening a second headquarters in New York City](https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-cancels-hq2-plans-in-new-york-city-11550163050?mod=djemlogistics_h), as had been announced in November. Political opposition to the plan has been cited as the reason for cancellation. The second headquarters was going to be split between New York and Virginia; Amazon is still moving forward with the Virginia headquarters location.  **EU Trucking Agrees to Reduce Emissions** **Amazon Advising UK Sellers to Prepare for Brexit** Amazon is [advising its FBA sellers to stock up](https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/amazon-DHL-brexit-ecommerce/546638/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202019-01-23%20Supply%20Chain%20Dive%20%5Bissue:19067%5D&utm_term=Supply%20Chain%20Dive) with at least four weeks worth of inventory in case the UK leaves the EU in March without a trade deal in place. Delays in trucking and customs clearance are expected in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and the resulting longer shipping times may make UK products less competitive. Sellers are advised to have additional stock [imported by March 17th](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/amazon-warns-uk-sellers-no-deal-brexit-preparation-deliveries-disruption-a8735336.html?mod=djemlogistics_h).  ## Customs and Trade Updates **GSP Eligibility for India Under Review** The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has extensively reviewed India’s continued eligibility with the [Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)](https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp). There is a strong possibility that some or all products could be removed, suspended, or graduated from the trade program, because India may no longer require tariff benefits. A final decision will likely be made in March. The USTR is also evaluating the continuation of the GSP program in Thailand, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.   **Exclusion Process for Section 301 List 3 Coming Soon** The exclusion process for the first two lists of the section 301 tariffs has already been laid out, and some exemptions granted. It was announced on January 11th that no exemptions would be made for the third list, but with the unlikelihood that the U.S. and China will agree on a trade deal by March 1st, this has changed. On February 15th Congress directed the USTR to establish an exclusion process by March 17th for the list 3 goods that have affected most importers. [This process](https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/request-exclusion) will likely be similar to the process for the first two lists.  **USMCA Versus NAFTA** As the voting for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ratification approaches, trade compliance professionals want to know what changes they can expect. As currently constructed, the majority of the fundamental concepts will remain: rules of origin, tariff shift, regional value content, net costs, transaction value, indirect materials, and de-minimis. However, importers will need to re-review their products as many of the product-specific rules in the [HTSUS note 12(t)](https://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1401gn.pdf#page=27) will be revised, especially in the automotive section. You can find a list of all the [proposed changes](https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/agreements/FTA/USMCA/Text/04_Rules_of_Origin.pdf) on the USTR’s website.  For a roundup of tariff-related news, read to our [Tariff Insider](https://www.flexport.com/blog/category/tariff-insider)_. _ --- *This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/logistics-updates/freight-market-update-february-20-2019/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/logistics-updates/freight-market-update-february-20-2019/) for AI/LLM consumption.*