Season 5 of By Land and By Sea continues with a Captain’s Log edition—a fast, plain-language rundown of the biggest moves reshaping U.S. maritime policy and global shipping.

The maritime landscape is being reshaped through deliberate U.S. policy shifts targeting China's global port network, the United States implementing new vessel fees, WSC addressing container ship safety, expanding mariner credentialing, and combating cargo theft.

• US mounting ambitious maritime strategy to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative port network, treating port access as national security
• New USTR Section 301 port fees starting October 14 will charge vessels built in China or operated by Chinese companies when calling at US ports
• World Shipping Council launched a cargo safety program using AI-powered screening to prevent container ship fires caused by misdeclared dangerous goods
• Coast Guard extended the sea service recency period from three to seven years, helping retain mariners who step away from sailing
• DOT seeking industry input on cargo theft through an October 20 Request for Information to address sophisticated criminal operations

🎧 Listen: Season 5, Episode 2 — Ships, Fees, and Thieves: The New Maritime Chessboard
👉 TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

💡 Upcoming Live Webinar: Thursday, October 2 at 12:00 PM ET — USTR China 301 Port Fees. Register at TheMaritimeProfessor.com to learn who actually gets stuck with the bill—in plain language, no fine print.

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