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Baltimore Channel Reopens With Backlog Following Vessel Explosion
The Port of Baltimore reported mid-afternoon on Tuesday that the U.S. Coast Guard reopened the shipping channel into Baltimore following the explosion and fire aboard the bulker W-Sapphire last night. As of midday on Tuesday, August 19, a...
Port of Auckland Gets Greenlight for Expansion Under New Fast-Track Regime
The Port of Auckland in New Zealand is finally set to embark on major infrastructure expansion projects aimed at enhancing its competitiveness. It is proceeding after getting a government greenlight under a new law designed to cut red tape in the approval process for...
New Zealand Looks to Future for Troubled Interisland Ferry Service
August has marked what many hope will be a turning point and the start of a new beginning for New Zealand’s KiwiRail and its troubled interisland ferry service. It reports that the previous iReX ferry program has been brought to a close with a final settlement with...
Equinor Will Not Proceed with Australian Offshore Wind Projects
Equinor, one of the leading developers in the offshore and renewable energy industry, is not proceeding with its development projects in Australia, marking another setback for the developing industry. The Norwegian company had been working in Australia for the past...
Alaska Carrier is Latest to Suspend Transport of EVs Due to Fire Risk
Fire concerns and the potential for toxic, runaway fires spurred by lithium-ion batteries continue to weigh heavily on the shipping industry. Lynden’s Alaska Marine Lines has become the latest carrier to report it will no longer ship electric vehicles or plug-in...
Australian Icebreaker Nuyina to Visit Remote Islands for Scientific Mission
Australian expeditioners and scientists are set to return to the uninhabited and remote territories of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) after more than two decades. The voyages that will take place aboard the RSV Nuyina are being described as...
Houthis Publish a “Safety FAQ” for Red Sea Shipping
The Houthi administration in Yemen has updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page, which purports to give detailed advice on how to avoid the group's attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthi advice is contained on a website maintained...
UK Bans Export of Historic Charts and Chronometer to Protect Heritage
The United Kingdom is taking action to preserve its rich maritime history by stopping a collection of nautical charts, including some that were drawn by famed British navigator and explorer Captain James Cook, from leaving the country. The UK government placed an...
Greenpeace Activists Climb Shell Gas Platform in the North Sea
Activists from Greenpeace staged another demonstration this time to call attention to their demands for taxes on the fossil fuel industry and the dangers of global warming. They climbed a gas platform off the English coast and unfurled an artwork by Anish Kapoor. The...
Lightering Begins to Free Bulker Aground in St. Lawrence River
Efforts to lighten a bulker struck on the St. Lawrence River north of Montreal began on Friday morning, with the Canadian Coast Guard reporting it would take several hours before a refloating operation could be attempted. The bulker Federal Yamaska (37,153...
World’s Largest Carrier Calls at Marseille, Boosting French Economy
The nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the largest aircraft carrier in the world, arrived in Marseille for a port visit on August 4, accompanied by Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81). Both...
Houthis Reveal Tracking of Shipping Between Israel, Egypt and Turkey
The Houthis continue their demand that all shipping be stopped into and out of Israel as part of their so-called blockade of Israeli ports. In their latest move, the militants revealed they are tracking individual ship movements, and they called out major companies,...
Panama is First Registry to Enforce Rules to Crack Down on STS Actions
The Panama Ship Registry started its new rules as of August 6, requiring reporting of planned ship-to-ship (STS) offshore oil transfers as the latest step in a series of crackdowns targeting the shadow tanker fleet. Panama had announced plans for the new rules in May,...
Thailand Plans Naval Upgrade After Ceasefire With Cambodia
In an emergency meeting of Cambodia and Thailand’s joint border committee held in Kuala Lumpur and organized by Malaysia, the two countries, which fought a short border war last month, agreed on the basis for a continuing ceasefire. The 13-point agreement was signed...
U.S. Coast Guard Tracks More Chinese Research Vessel Activity in the Arctic
For the second time in weeks, the U.S. Coast Guard reports it is tracking Chinese research vessels operating in the Arctic. The U.S. says that the presence of these vessels is consistent with a three-year trend of increased activity from Chinese vessels operating in...
Workhorse Bulker Casts Off for Last Time as a Liverpool Record Holder
To look at her, the Yeoman Bank, a self-discharging bulk carrier, looks fairly ordinary. However, after more than 30 years of service, she is sailing off as a record holder. Holcim UK, a manufacturer and supplier of sustainable construction and building...
Russian-Chinese Naval Exercise Starts in Tsunami Zone
The Russians and Chinese have commenced a joint naval exercise in the Pacific Far East area. While the large exercise was getting underway, on July 30, it also encountered one of recent history’s largest undersea earthquakes. Exercise Maritime Interdiction 2025...
Malaysia Closes Anchorage to Curtail Illegal Anchoring and STS Activity
Malaysia’s maritime authorities are taking several new steps to strengthen enforcement in an attempt to stop the illegal anchoring and ship-to-ship transfers taking place in its waters. Because of its location near the busy Singapore Strait, Malaysia is one of the...
Dali’s Owner/Operator Sue Hyundai Claiming Manufacturing Defect
As a federal court in Baltimore continues to hear pre-trial motions and collect evidence for the claims pending related to the containership Dali’s March 2024 incident destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the owner and operator of the vessel are now...
Chinese Carrier With Red Sea History Now Plans a Russian Arctic Route
A Chinese niche carrier that popped up in the Mideast market last year has reportedly added a container service from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route - the Russian-controlled waterway north of Siberia. Sea Legend Shipping is a Chinese-controlled,...
Canada to Retire Aging Kingston Warships as it Plans Fleet Modernization
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) intends to retire eight warships that have been instrumental in coastal surveillance and patrol for more than three decades. It is the latest move in the Navy’s ongoing plan to modernize its fleet to meet evolving maritime threats. RCN...
Explosion Kills Three and Sinks Ukrainian Dredge on a Danube Canal
The Sea Ports Authority of Ukraine issued a brief statement confirming that there has been an explosion killing three people working on a dredge employed by the authority. Few details were released, but the Ukrainian media is saying it was likely a mine in the Bystre...
Puntland Refuses Somalia and Turkey’s Demands to Release Weaponry on Ship
The standoff continues between the government of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and the federal government of Somalia over a cargo ship loaded with Turkish weaponry that is being detained. The government of Puntland insists it is investigating the true...
Cargo Ship Evacuated After Grounding off Crete
The Hellenic Coast Guard and local port authority are coordinating the efforts following the grounding of a general cargo ship off the northeastern coast of Crete. The crew was evacuated, and according to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the captain and bridge watch officer...
Port of Barcelona Reduces Cruise Terminals to Limit Overtourism
The city of Barcelona is taking action to address the growing complaints of overcrowding and overtourism that critics say is linked to the cruise ships. The city, which claims to be the largest cruise port in Europe unveiling plans to redevelop its seaport, a move...
Strikes Grow as Wage Talks Drag on for Korean Shipbuilders
The Korean Metal Workers’ Union reports it is expanding its strike actions against the shipbuilding sector during this year’s round of wage talks. The union says that HD Hyundai management had promised to quickly conclude the negotiations and advance the company to...
EU Adopts New Sanctions That Lower Oil Price Cap and Hit Shadow Tankers
The European Union approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia related to the war in Ukraine, expanding its targeting of the energy, banking, and military sectors. The package, which is being called one of the strongest sanction packages against Russia, was...
First Two-Stroke Ammonia-Fueled Engine Installed as Newbuild Proceeds
The race to launch the first commercial ammonia-fueled engines marked a key milestone, reports marine engine designer WinGD. The first two-stroke engines built from the company’s designs were tested and recently successfully installed in the first new ammonia carriers...
New Tweendecker Loading for Maiden Voyage Catches Fire
A new tweendecker preparing for its maiden voyage caught fire while docked in the Port of Antwerp yesterday, July 16. Ships in the port, as well as nearby residents, were being warned to use caution because of the smoke coming from the fire. The Antwerp Fire...
Strained by War, the Russian Navy is a Shadow of its Former Self
Russia’s Navy is facing huge pressures, primarily as a byproduct of President Putin’s over-ambitious attempts to claim great power status. The most obvious pinch-point is in the Black Sea, where Russia’s fleet has pulled back out of danger and forced into distant...
Australia Ships Decaying FPSO to Denmark for Dismantling
An obsolete and decaying Australian floating production storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel will be recycled in Denmark, despite local criticism over the selection of a foreign contractor. Five years after taking over the decommissioning process of...
Disabled Eimskip Vessel to be Towed to Port by Iceland’s Coast Guard
Icelandic shipping company Eimskip confirmed that one of its newest and largest containerships, Dettifoss (25,690 dwt), is currently disabled and drifting in the Atlantic. The Iceland Coast Guard vessel Freyja has been dispatched and is expected to...
Hamburg to Invest €1.1B to Expand Port and Modernize Operations for Growth
The Port of Hamburg announced a series of new projects that will be undertaken to enhance operations and modernize and expand terminal operations, especially for the largest containerships. It comes as the port continues to experience strong competition and needs to...
Fincantieri Delivers 12th Ocean Cruise Ship to Viking
The partnership between Fincantieri and Viking for the construction of ocean cruise ships has passed its 10th anniversary and is scheduled to continue for at least six more years. Viking took delivery on June 26 of the 12th ocean cruise ship built by the Italian...
Ukraine’s Navy Gifted Two Minehunters to Boost Black Sea Security
The Dutch and Belgian governments have moved to strengthen Ukraine's mine countermeasures capabilities with the donation of two minehunter vessels. The development comes soon after NATO allies committed to continue providing support to Ukraine in its war with Russia...
Canada Becomes LNG Exporter as First Gas Ships from BC Project
The first LNG gas carrier, GasLog Glasgow (112,764 dwt) departed the LNG terminal at Kitimat, Canada, on June 30, officially marking Canada’s entry into the export market. The LNG Canada project had been gearing up in recent weeks and began the first loading...
Singapore Prosecutes Master and Crew of Chemical Tanker for Death of Sailor
The Public Prosecutor in Singapore is proceeding with a case against the master, chief officer, and the pump master of a Vietnamese chemical tanker after a crewmember died after entering a tank that had not been properly vented and inspected. The Straits Times...
Vessel Rerouting Contributed to Increase in Containers Lost at Sea
While the overall trend continues to show improvement in the number of containers going overboard, the World Shipping Council reports that in 2024, rerouting of vessels to avoid the hostilities in the Red Sea directly contributed to an increase in boxes lost at sea....
Nigeria Starts First Domestic Container Shipping Line
Clarion Shipping West Africa is starting what it calls “Nigeria’s first fully indigenous container liner,” as it looks to build regional trade and improve service versus the transshipment options of the major carriers. The company celebrated the launch of the service...
China is Preparing to Counter U.S. Submarine Surveillance System
While much of the international attention on China’s naval buildup is focused on its rapidly modernizing surface fleet, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is also taking bold steps to field a first-rate submarine force. By the end of this year, the service could...
Norway and France Agree to Cross-Border CO2 Transport and Storage
Norway and France completed an agreement paving the way for transporting CO2 from French industrial emission sources to Norway for storage beneath the North Sea. It is a key step in expanding the fledgling carbon capture and storage industry and comes as Norway...
Explosion Reported on Crude Tanker Off the Coast of Libya
A Greek-managed crude tanker has suffered an explosion at a position off the coast of Libya, according to maritime security consultancy Vanguard. In an advisory, Vanguard said that the 158,000 dwt tanker Vilamoura suffered a possible security incident at a...
Ship Recycling Convention Enters into Force with Uncertainty and Criticism
The long-awaited Hong Kong International Convention setting standards for the industry to dismantle end-of-life vessels has gone into force. It comes, however, amidst criticism that the agreement fails to address many key issues in safety and sustainability, and the...
Enhanced Safety Regulations Could Advance Maritime Electrification
The maritime industry is having to contend with an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. The introduction of FuelEU Maritime at the beginning of the year has, for the first time, established comprehensive regulations for phasing out the use of fossil fuels by...
Pilbara Ports Launches Roadmap for Ammonia Bunkering
Australia’s Pilbara Ports Authority has launched a clean fuel bunkering roadmap that is intended to position the region as a global leader in maritime decarbonization. The roadmap explores the creation of Australia’s first ammonia fuel bunkering hub in the...
Vessels Now Keeping to Omani Waters in Strait of Hormuz Traffic Scheme
Traffic entering and leaving the Arabian Gulf through the Straits of Hormuz stick to well-established sea lanes recognized by the UN’s International Maritime Organization. At the narrowest point, both the northern/inward channel and the southern/outwards channel lie...
Singapore Responds to Fire Aboard Tanker in Anchorage
The Singapore Civil Defense Force is reporting teams from two of its stations responded to reports of a fire aboard a smaller tanker in the eastern anchorage of the port. The fire was quickly controlled with no reports of injuries. According to the report...
First Large Boxship Transits Suez Canal in 15 Months
The Suez Canal Authority is highlighting the transit of the CMA CGM Osiris (15,536 TEU) through the Suez Canal on June 18 as the first large containerships through the canal in more than a year. The authority is calling it a new phase in its efforts to...
Ukraine Seeks Auctioneer to Sell Seized Turkish Cargo Ship
Ukraine’s National Agency for Tracing and Asset Management (ARMA) is calling for proposals to manage the sale of a Turkish cargo ship it seized in 2024 on charges that it looted grain from Crimea. It is the latest step in efforts by Ukraine to sell off seized vessels...
Shipping Not Immediately Impacted as World Watches Israel-Iran Conflict
The global shipping industry is holding its breath anxiously watching the emerging conflict between Israel and Iran as is the world. Analysts are scrambling to predict the potential impact on shipping while security services are issuing cautions and some nations are...
Local News
Malaysia reopens doors to foreign labour: Lifeline for industries or looming local job crisis?
MALAYSIA: The Malaysian government has welcomed foreign workers back into major economic segments such as agriculture, mining, and plantations, in order to meet severe labour scarcity. In the latest report from HRD Asia, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution...
Malaysia strengthens economic zones to bridge regional development gaps
KUALA LUMPUR: The government continues intensifying efforts to attract investments into special economic zone development areas to bridge regional gaps throughout the 13th Malaysia Plan period. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan stated that investment...
Johor–Singapore SEZ touted as ‘next Shenzhen’ in push to reshape cross-border growth
JOHOR BAHRU: For decades, the Causeway has been a bottleneck; millions of people crossing daily, traffic jams stretching for hours, and businesses caught between two very different economies. Now, the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is being pitched as...
Malaysia, China to unlock services sector’s potential in digital, green tech
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to fully unlock the potential of its services sectors through enhanced collaborations with China, particularly in the areas of digital economy, green technology, and connectivity. Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s (MITI) Services...
Service tax exemption on ship and aircraft leasing clarified by MOF
The exemption aims to maintain the competitiveness of Malaysia’s local industries. Without the exemption, local ship and aircraft owners might register their assets abroad, reducing economic activity in Malaysia. The MOF stated that taxation could drive owners to...
Sepanggar welcomes Singapore shipping route
Kota Kinabalu: Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) welcomed the maiden call of the Ji Yun 16, operated by Warisan Shipping Line under its newly launched Singapore Express Service. The service connects Muara – Sapangar – Singapore – Muara on a regular schedule,...
Johor leads Malaysia in growth for the first time, charting a new economic era
MALAYSIA: Johor has emerged as Malaysia’s fastest-growing state in 2024, recording an economic growth rate of 6.4% compared to the national average of 5.1%, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s July 2025 report. In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 13),...
Finance Ministry defends exemption, says to stop ship, plane owners from registering abroad as Malaysia’s neighbours don’t tax leases
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The service tax exemption on ship and aircraft leasing was not done discreetly, with the exemption aimed at maintaining local industry competitiveness, says the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF emphasised that the imposition of such a tax...
Finance Minister II : Budget 2026 will address cost of living
PUTRAJAYA: The government’s upcoming 2026 Budget will focus on safeguarding public welfare while addressing structural economic challenges, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Speaking at the opening of the Budget 2026 consultation sessions here...
Focus On US Tariff Impact On Asia
After US President Trump’s 1 August tariff deadline came to an end and as investors watch what will happen in the US-China trade talks, Swiss private bank Julius Baer shares its insights on the impact on Asia’s asset allocation and economies. After the market...
Top global leaders to attend Asean Summit
CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the attendance of an unprecedented gathering of global leaders at the Asean Summit, including US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril...
Vietnam eyes expanded exports to Halal markets via Malaysia gateway
Vietnam is seeking to boost exports to Halal markets through Malaysia, which is viewed as a strategic gateway to the global market, heard a business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on August 7. Vietnam – Malaysia trade reached 14.2 billion USD in 2024. In the first half of...
Westports posts stronger earnings in 2Q, sees resilient demand ahead
KUALA LUMPUR: Westports Holdings Bhd sees resilient global trade and regional shipping trends driving future demand, according to executive chairman Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam. “The US economy remained resilient despite trade tariffs, whereas the region’s...
Malaysia SME Association presses Putrajaya for urgent SST review in wake of US tariffs
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The SME Association of Malaysia has urged the government to urgently review the Sales and Services Tax (SST) framework in response to a new 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States. The association said the tariff, which...
Malaysia’s data centre boom set to create over 30,000 jobs by 2030
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s data centre boom is becoming a powerful engine for employment, with projections indicating significant job growth by the end of the decade. According to the Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA), the sector is set to create 30,900 jobs...
Malaysian manufacturers optimistic as sector nears stabilisation, demand improves
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Malaysia's manufacturing sector moved closer to stabilisation in July as business conditions showed the softest deterioration in five months, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data. The seasonally adjusted Malaysia Manufacturing PMI rose...
‘Malaysia moving at own pace’
COUNTRIES like Singapore and South Korea have integrated artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance, predictive logistics and cyber command structures into their militaries. How does Malaysia’s cyber and AI modernisation trajectory compare with regional peers and...
People-centric initiatives boost MSME sector in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Recent government measures aimed at easing financial burdens on Malaysians are expected to provide significant relief to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcements include continued fuel...
Malaysia: how proactive enforcement measures and harsh penalties are shaping a culture of compliance
In summary This article provides an overview of what is considered engaging in cartel behaviour in Malaysia with reference to recent decisions made by the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC). Discussion points What amounts to cartel behaviour What are the...
Johor drives transport upgrades, Singapore links
Johor government is doubling down on efforts to upgrade its public transport systems, especially at key cross-border checkpoints, in a move to boost connectivity with Singapore ahead of Visit Johor 2026. With over 60,000 daily commuters crossing between Johor and...