No federal intervention to avert US port strike: US President Joe Biden does not intend to put a federal law into use to prevent a strike at ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, Reuters reports, citing a Biden administration official. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) union has threatened a strike if no new labor contract is agreed upon with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) by 1 October.

Talks reached an impasse earlier this month over pay, automation, healthcare and retirement benefits. The ILA asked for a 77% increase in pay, but the final increase might settle at 32%, Reuters reports, citing experts. A strike could impact 43% of all US imports, resulting in of bns of USD in losses monthly.

Maersk + Japan are big on methanol bunkering: Maersk participated in Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation at the Port of Yokohama, according to a press release. Japan is actively working on creating guidelines for methanol fuel bunkering. The knowledge gained from this effort will be crucial for establishing these guidelines and for developing the methanol fuel supply infrastructure and processes within the country, according to the statement. The Danish shipping firm’s Alette Maersk — its fifth dual-fuel methanol vessel — collaborated with Japan’s Kokuka Sangyo’s methanol tanker Akamaru to test key operations, including berthing, unberthing, and hose connections.

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