Supply Chain Research

ArcelorMittal, JSW Steel face risks from U.S., EU carbon border tariff initiatives

July 21, 2021

The recent introduction by the EU of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism – effectively a tariff on imports from countries with higher carbon emission intensities or lower carbon prices – is drawing responses from other countries. In the U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Representative Scott Peters... Read more →

Cheniere, Sempra Energy may need more India sales as EU methane rules evolve

July 19, 2021

The EU’s “Fit for 55” environment program includes potential tariffs on high carbon imports but initially excludes liquefied natural gas (LNG). Yet, new rules on methane emissions may capture and limit imports of LNG from the U.S. That adds to other political challenges, particularly relations... Read more →

Volkswagen shipping goes green as activity remains below pre-pandemic levels

July 19, 2021

Volkswagen has ordered four new liquefied natural gas fuelled car carrying ships for delivery by the end of 2023 as it looks to reduce its carbon emissions. The firm has a significant exposure to the EU’s inclusion of shipping in the Emissions Trading Scheme. Shipments from Germany accounted f... Read more →

“Fit for 55” brings higher costs, continued uncertainty for supply chains

July 15, 2021

The European Union’s “Fit for 55” greenhouse gas reduction package brings stricter targets and likely increased costs for supply chains once it enters law over the next two years. In logistics the maritime shipping industry will be included in the EU emission trading scheme for the first time.... Read more →

Q3’21 Outlook: The fallout from pandemic planning and trade policy rivalry

July 6, 2021

The impact of international trade policy on global supply chains in the second half of 2021 will depend on the implementation of vaccine provision regulations and the resolution, or otherwise, of long-standing trade rivalries. Global trade is recovering rapidly with growth in exports from 27 c... Read more →

Lego’s recycled brick adds sustainability and complexity to supply chain

June 28, 2021

Lego has produced prototypes of its iconic brick produced with recycled plastic bottles. The process of moving to a sustainable supply chain is long and complex, even for a single-material product like Lego. Lego will have to manage a complex and evolving plastics recycling regulatory landscap... Read more →

NYK cleans up car carriers in face of uncertain electric vehicle shipping future

June 23, 2021

Automotive shipping firm NYK is investing in 12 new LNG-fuelled ferries for delivery from 2025 to 2028. That follows the launch of new International Maritime Organization rules. The move repeats a pattern seen from the container lines while NYK’s competitor, Hoegh Autoliners, is preparing to i... Read more →

USMCA Watch: JinkoSolar may lose if Canada’s solar argument proves powerful

June 21, 2021

The Canadian government has launched a USMCA dispute against U.S. solar panel import duties. There may be a precedent for reducing the section 201 “safeguarding” duties in Canada’s exemption from section 232 “national security” duties on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. Shipments from Ca... Read more →

USMCA Watch: Wind could cause turbulence for next round of negotiations

May 21, 2021

The first meeting of the USMCA Free Trade Commission included “robust forward-looking discussions on USMCA’s landmark labor and environment obligations”. Disputes over labor rule implementation in the autos and agricultural sectors are already underway. On the environmental side there was an e... Read more →

Biden’s next 1,361 days – onshoring, vaccines and taxes but no big trade deals

April 29, 2021

President Biden’s first 100 days in office have set the stage for the remainder of his term in office, with policy support for supply chain adaptations such as onshoring and decarbonization rather than wide ranging trade deals. That comes as trade activity has boomed, with U.S. exports and imp... Read more →

Supply Chain Research

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