The latest IMF economic outlook report is far from optimistic:

 D 3302

For information, Members will find enclosed a press release from the Commission on failure to respect EU legislation on port state control of shipping in Poland and Spain.

  IP-09-573_EN1

 ECSA Newsletter No 4/09

From Agence Europe:

Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton explained – while on a visit to Berlin - her desire to step up economic dialogue between the EU and the United States. Transatlantic relations have been soured since the start of this year by new trade disputes, illustrated by the EU's threat to take to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) the tightening of US sanctions in retaliation against the EU's refusal to import hormone-treated beef. The US has tripled customs duty on Roquefort cheese from France. A further illustration of these tensions is the threat by the United States to take the EU ban on imports of chlorine-treated poultry to the WTO, and the car industry bailout plans on either side of the Atlantic, or the call for the US to Buy American.

Lady Ashton has a two-fold aim, backed by Germany's economy minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. She wants to get Washington more closely involved in the talks about a new world financial set-up, which is the subject of the 2 April 2009 London G20 Summit. Ashton and zu Guttenberg have announced that they will be meeting members of the US Congress to discuss the issue on their separate visits to Washington in the first fortnight of March. The second aim is to win the US round to the free trade cause, encouraging the Obama Administration to resist protectionist pressures and conclude the global trade talks. “The Doha round is my priority. I expect signals from the US government in March... I hope it can come to a meeting in Geneva in early summer,” said Lady Ashton, who is postponing her trip to Washington to mid-March to allow time for the new US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, to be confirmed by Congress. Ron Kirk's hearing at Congress has been postponed until 5 March.

---

On several occasions EU business has pushed the Commission for intensifying the Transatlantic Dialogue. EU and third country business representations in Washington sent letters to The House and Senate leaders, in support of calls by US business organisations, urging to avoid trade-restrictive mandates in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). President Obama was sent a message personally strongly suggesting closer cooperation and coordination with the EU on regulatory matters that will act to stimulate, rather than impede, job creation and economic growth. Moreover, U.S.-EU leadership, brought about through coordination in the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), is critical as business and government work together to deal with emerging economies and broader international economic challenges.

Industry remains concerned that implementation of Directive 2005/35/EC on Ship-Source Pollution and on the introduction of penalties for infringements by EU Member States will result in conflicts with their international treaty law obligations under MARPOL and UNCLOS unless the Directive is interpreted in a manner consistent with the international treaties.  In her Opinion in the Intertanko et al proceedings in the European Court of Justice, the Advocate General came to the conclusion in relation to Articles 4 and 5 of the Directive that the concepts “serious negligence” and “recklessly” have to be interpreted in conformity with MARPOL, namely “intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result”, at least in areas beyond the territorial sea, which include the Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas. 

It was agreed at the last Committee meeting (2 February 2009) that EU national associations should encourage their administrations to adopt the approach of the Advocate General as regards interpretation of the Directive, and that the Secretariat should produce a position paper to assist EU national associations in their discussions with their respective administrations.  The attached paper has been prepared jointly with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations and circulated to ECSA members. The paper recommends that when implementing and interpreting Articles 4 and 5 of Directive 2005/35/EC in their national laws, EU Member States should follow the approach suggested by the Advocate General.  ECSA members have been invited to inform the ECSA Secretariat of the results of their efforts, and this information will be relayed to the Committee in due course.

 Annex_EU_Directive_on_Criminal_Sanctions

PIRACY UPDATE

 Updates on piracy in the Gulf of Aden provided by EUNAVFOR and IMB.

 

 EU NAVFOR IMB Industry Update - 03

Attached please find the latest monthly report from the Chamber of Shipping of America. 

The collapse in global demand will drive exports down by roughly 9% in volume terms in 2009.  

The WTO Secretariat published its initial annual report on World Trade, covering 2008 with a provisional outlook for 2009. Copy of the press release is attached. The more detailed report follows later in the year.

CASUALTY AND WORLD FLEET STATISTICS – IUMI REPORT 2008

 IUMI World Fleet Statistics Comment[1]

 IUMI Casualty and World Fleet Statistics 2008[1]