Saudi MAWANI Adopts Regulations in line with Commercial Maritime System

MAWANI seeks to achieve the goals of the national economic vision and make the Kingdom a leading international maritime hub. (SPA)
MAWANI seeks to achieve the goals of the national economic vision and make the Kingdom a leading international maritime hub. (SPA)
TT

Saudi MAWANI Adopts Regulations in line with Commercial Maritime System

MAWANI seeks to achieve the goals of the national economic vision and make the Kingdom a leading international maritime hub. (SPA)
MAWANI seeks to achieve the goals of the national economic vision and make the Kingdom a leading international maritime hub. (SPA)

The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) has revealed a new set of regulations governing the activities of shipping agents in the Kingdom’s maritime sector, which comes in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services.

The strategy aims at enhancing the services provided by shipping agents, strengthening shipping lines and supporting exporters and the national economy.

The regulations, which comply with the Commercial Maritime Law, will replace all previous versions of the law, and will come into effect on Aug. 5.

MAWANI is implementing an ambitious plan to stimulate exports and imports and meet the requirements of national development, by providing an effective and integrated port network.

The Authority seeks to achieve the goals of the national economic vision and make the Kingdom a leading international maritime hub.

In a press release, MAWANI said that the new regulations include key performance indicators that will assess shipping agents. They will also set the general rules that govern the requirements and procedures for obtaining licenses and permits, and regulate the contractual relationship between the shipping agent and other concerned parties.

Meanwhile, the Transport General Authority, represented by the General Administration of Control and in cooperation with the concerned authorities, carried out 181,000 inspection operations in July, on land and sea transport activities.

The field control revealed that during the month of May, compliance with land transport regulations reached 91 percent, while compliance with maritime transport regulations reached 99 percent.

The authority monitored more than 19,000 violations during the field campaign, while the automated monitoring operations recorded 22,900 violations in the Riyadh region.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.