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Port of Los Angles Foresees “Precipitous Drop” in Next Week’s Cargo Volumes
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box program this morning (April 29), the Port of Los Angeles’ Executive Director Gene Seroka forecasted a “precipitous drop” in volumes coming to the port as the impact of the Trump tariffs begins to materialize. Seroka was the latest in a...
Report: Houthis are Detaining and Threatening Vessels in Ras Isa Port
Multiple reports are coming from Yemen that the Houthis have been denying permission for vessels to depart the Ras Isa port complex in the two weeks since U.S. forces attacked the oil terminal facilities. The UK Maritime Trade Operations which monitor the region said...
New Alliances Begin to Impact Containership Schedule Reliability
The first monthly data has appeared since the major container carrier alliances began to shift, and it is showing a positive impact on schedule reliability. The analysts at Sea-Intelligence highlight that the sector remains in transition with the move to the new...
Port Operations in Bandar Abbas, Iran Remain Heavily Disrupted
Iran’s clerical leaders are attempting to suppress discussion in Iran on the causes of the explosion in Bandar Abbas port on April 26. The official narrative pushes the idea that the explosion was caused by a safety breach in handling hazardous material. Officials are...
Iranian Arms Ship Makes Northbound Transit Through the Suez Canal
A sanctioned Iranian cargo vessel, which in the past is likely to have been involved with shipping arms to Syria, has just completed a northerly passage up the Red Sea. The Iranian-owned cargo vessel Elyana (IMO: 9165827) was located on May 3, underway...
Trump Order Puts Deep Sea Mining on Path to Commercialization
On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a much-anticipated executive order that will set up an American permitting process for deep sea mining in international waters, beyond the U.S. outer continental shelf. The order directs the Commerce Department to...
Massive Container Explosion Was Caused By Self-Heating Chemical Cargo
The dramatic container explosion aboard the boxship YM Mobility at Ningbo last year was caused by thermal runaway in a cargo of organic peroxides, according to China's Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA). It is the latest in a long string of container...
RWE is Latest to Stop U.S. Offshore Wind Activities
German renewable energy giant RWE is set to announce that it has stopped its offshore activities in the United States and setting higher requirements for future investments because of the “political developments.” The company follows TotalEnergies, Shell, and BP which...
Chinese EV Manufacturer BYD Takes Delivery of Largest Capacity Car Carrier
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and shipbuilder China Merchants are highlighting the delivery of the world’s largest capacity car carrier. The naming ceremony took place for BYD Shenzhen on April 22 in Yizheng, China as the new vessel prepares for...
US Donates Decommissioned Cutters to Tunisia to Bolster Regional Security
The U.S. government is continuing its support to strengthen the capabilities of the Tunisian armed forces to enable them to respond effectively to a fragile security situation and a worsening immigrant crisis in the northern Africa region. According to U.S. officials...
USCG Polar Star Starts Final Phase of Life Extension Program
The Coast Guard has initiated the final of five planned phases of the service life extension program (SLEP) for Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, the service’s sole operational heavy icebreaker. Polar Star arrived at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo,...
Shipping Industry Joins with China Calling for U.S. to Reconsider Port Fees
While recognizing the Trump administration softened the financial impact of its port fees on Chinese-built shipping for many carriers, the shipping industry was quick to respond raising serious concerns after the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office released the...
Port of Rotterdam Hosts Pilot to Test Steps for Ammonia Bunkering
The first test steps were undertaken at the Port of Rotterdam to test the port’s capabilities for future ammonia bunkering operations. Rotterdam is the world’s second-largest bunker port and expects that ammonia-fueled vessels requiring bunkering will begin in 2026 or...
Hamburg Proceeds with Shore Power at All Terminals for Large Containerships
Less than a year after becoming the first port in Europe to offer shore power for large containerships, Hamburg, Germany is on track to complete the installation of shore power capabilities at all its terminals for large containerships. Testing commenced last week at...
Study: Majority of Scotland’s Coastal Vessels Untracked Operate Without AIS
Scotland is largely operating blind in the management of its marine resources according to new research published this week as part of a project designed to create a better understanding of the exposure of whales, dolphins, and seals to coastal shipping. It emerged...
Container Volume Rebounds in Black Sea, Driven By Ukrainian Ports
The Black Sea container terminals of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine handled 1,313,392 TEU in 2024, including empty containers and transshipment. This review examines the laden container volumes of these countries imported and exported by sea only, since...
White House Seeks Deep Cuts at NOAA
Internal budget documents leaked to the media Friday suggest that the Trump White House wants to cut funding for NOAA's National Ocean Service in half, move the National Marine Fisheries Service to the Department of the Interior, end the Sea Grant program for...
Aging Shadow Tanker Uses STS to Second Shadow Tanker to Skirt Indian Ban
The shipper of a cargo of Russian crude oil loaded aboard a sanctioned shadow tanker has found a creative way around Indian regulations that were barring the ship from offloading. A second tanker, also sanctioned in the west and operating in the shadow fleet moving...
Op-Ed: We Need New Cross-Industry Collaboration to Reach Net Zero
Coming from Switzerland, the International Year of Glacier Preservation and World Water Day’s glacier theme strike a chord with me. I have witnessed the alarming retreat of Swiss glaciers firsthand—a 65% ice loss since 1850, with 10% gone in just 2022-2023. Maritime...
Iran Probes for New Maritime Routes Into Lebanon
Reports from Israel suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force is making progress in its search for new routes into Lebanon, following the destruction of the traditional smuggling routes into Lebanon by Israel in recent months. A primary...
Ports and Businesses Brace for Impact From Heavy Tariffs
Markets reacted negatively on Monday after President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs on major trading partners, including an additional 34 percent tariff on China. The Dow fell four percent, the S&P 500 dropped five percent, the Nasdaq was...
Stena Presents Futuro Concept RoRo that Would Reduce Energy Usage 20%
Stena Line, one of Europe's leading ferry companies and a pioneer with advanced designs, presented its latest thinking for Stena Futuro, a RoRo that would reduce energy usage by 20 percent or more. The company’s goal is an overall 30 percent reduction in its CO2...
Project Outlines Process for Converting Standard Bulk Carrier to Methanol
A new project led by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping addressed the challenges and processes required to convert one of the largest segments of the current global shipping fleet, the Kamsarmax bulk carrier, for dual-fuel methanol operations....
Nationwide Strike Paralyzes Belgium’s Ports, Airports, and Services
Upset by Belgium’s new collation government’s plans for budget cutting, public and private workers walked on their jobs on Monday, March 31, for a 24-hour strike that stopped many parts of Belgium for the day. Officials for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the...
Op-Ed: We Need New Cross-Industry Collaboration to Reach Net Zero
Coming from Switzerland, the International Year of Glacier Preservation and World Water Day’s glacier theme strike a chord with me. I have witnessed the alarming retreat of Swiss glaciers firsthand—a 65% ice loss since 1850, with 10% gone in just 2022-2023. Maritime...
Work to Begin Expanding London Gateway Into UK’s Largest Container Port
DP World reports that it has gained the necessary permitting and is poised to begin work in just a matter of weeks on a planned expansion of its London Gateway. It represents a £1 billion (US$1.3 billion ) project which when completed will add 50 percent capacity to...
Soo Locks Opens Early for Head Start on 2025 Upper Great Lakes Season
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers celebrating the opening of the Soo Locks on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this morning, March 21, providing an earlier-than-anticipated start to the 2025 shipping season on the Upper Great Lakes. The lock is reported to be one of the...
Report: Ireland Again Tracked Cargo Ship That Anchored Near Undersea Cables
According to reports in the Irish media, a small cargo ship that raised the suspicions of German authorities earlier this year has now been tracked twice by Ireland’s Defense Forces. The incidents came as many countries remain on alert and worry about potential damage...
Cyber Hackers Claim to Have Disabled Iranian Ship Communications
A shadowy group of cyber hackers is claiming that it launched a massive attack and has successfully disabled communications for much of Iran’s merchant fleet. While the report cannot be independently verified, the group which calls itself Lab Dookhtegan is known and...
AAPA, BIMCO Warn of Side Effects From U.S. Port Fees for Chinese Ships
America's seaports have weighed in against the Trump administration's steep proposed fees on Chinese-built shipping, which could amount to an additional $3.5 million per port call if fully implemented. In comments to the Office of the United States Trade...
America Gets Serious About Shipping
Ships move 80 percent of global trade. Without them, people would be poorer, and few appreciate the critical role they play in our everyday lives. In December, a bipartisan group of U.S. Congressmen introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Posterity...
German Shipowners Cite Vital Role of Shipping Calling for New Support
The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) released its annual report on the strength and vital role of shipping in the country’s economy and security. Citing “turbulent times” the group which represents the largest part of the German merchant fleet is calling for new...
Back from “Deep Freeze”
The U.S.-flagged cargo ship Ocean Giant returned to Port Hueneme, California on March 12, completing a more than 6,000 nautical mile journey from New Zealand. It was the final leg of her annual deployment to Antarctica as part of the resupply mission known...
UK Charges Captain of Solong with Gross Negligence Manslaughter
The Humberside Police and the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division confirmed late on Friday that the captain of the containership Solong has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the...
Japanese Partners Advance Designs for Large Ammonia Carrier
A partnership of Japanese companies continues to accelerate its efforts to develop ammonia transport as the efforts continue to move forward to complete the development of ammonia as a fuel for industry and the maritime sector. The designs received initial design...
Video: Sanctioned Shadow Tanker Struck by Containership off Turkey
One of the mysterious tankers operating in the shadow fleet and sanctioned late last year was involved in an incident off Turkey late on Friday, March 7. Turkish authorities have not commented on the allision where the tanker was hit by a Turkish-owned containership,...
Sovcomflot Cites U.S. Sanctions as Profits Again Plummet in 2024
Russia’s energy shipping company Sovcomflot reported financial results on Friday, March 7, citing the continuing impact of Western sanctions on its operations and warning that the pressures on its operations were likely to increase this year. This came as Donald Trump...
Korean Boxship Crossing North Pacific Reports Lost and Damaged Containers
South Korea’s SM Line issued a customer alter on March 5 reporting that one of its vessels has experienced damaged and lost containers in a Pacific storm. The SM Portland (51,314 dwt) has resumed its voyage bound for Vancouver where it will be inspected by...
U.S. Coast Guard Offloads Six Tonnes of Cocaine in Miami
On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Valiant offloaded nearly six tonnes of cocaine onto a pier at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, just three miles from the city's famous nightclub district - but the drugs are not for distribution. The giant $140 million...
Report: Trump Seeks Allies Support to Penalize Chinese Shipbuilding
The Trump administration is reported to be building out its plans to penalize China for its subsidy of the shipbuilding industry by seeking international support while also linking it to the rebuilding of U.S. shipbuilding and breaking China’s monopoly on...
Panama’s Attorney General Finds Hutchison’s Port Contract Unconstitutional
Panama’s Attorney General weighed in during the ongoing debate over Chinese control of the Panama Canal telling the country’s Supreme Court he has determined the contract with China’s Hutchison Port Holdings is unconstitutional. He is asking the Supreme Court to...
Crewmember Requires Medical Evacuation as Ships are Robbed off Singapore
Authorities in Singapore responded to an “unauthorized boarding” of a chemical tanker in the Singapore Strait friday morning, February 28, and evacuated an injured crewmember. It was the latest in a spike of crimes along the Singapore Strait, but the first...
China Rejects Giant Shipment of Chilean Cherries That Got Stranded at Sea
The worst fears of Chile's cherry growers have come to pass: Chinese customs authorities have rejected a huge shipment that got stranded at sea when the Maersk Saltoro broke down in the Pacific. About $60-130 million worth of cherries were stuck on board the...
Alliance Launched to Promote Smart Containers and Enhance Trade Security
In response to the growing challenges of illicit trade and supply chain security, a new industry alliance is being launched to drive the adoption of cutting-edge smart container technology. Known as the Smart Container Alliance, the group reports its goal is to unite...
Bulgarian Bulker Saves 34 Fishermen From Burning Boat in the Indian Ocean
A Bulgarian bulker has rescued 34 fishermen from a burning vessel off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to the shipowner. Eleen Armonia, a 2008-built bulker owned by Eleen Marine, was under way from Singapore to the Cape of Good Hope when the crew spotted smoke...
South Korean Firm Begins Construction of New Cebu Port in Philippines
After a long delay, the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) in the Philippines has finally kicked off. The Transportation Secretary Jamie Bautista in company of other senior government officials this week led the groundbreaking ceremony...
Russia Recommends Increased Port Security Citing Threat from NATO
Russia’s Security Council cited increasing threats to the country’s ports and seabed infrastructure calling for increased efforts to protect its assets. This comes after NATO and neighboring countries have increased patrols in the Baltic after several incidents in...
US-Sponsored 30-Nation Naval Exercise Concludes in Bahrain
With a closing address given in Bahrain on February 20, Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), has brought to a close International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, completing the ninth iteration of this international naval...
At Seatrade Qatar, Shipping Stakeholders Debate IMO 2050 Target
The global maritime industry is creating an avenue for effective transition of the industry into a more sustainably driven maritime environment. With the just concluded Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference, maritime leaders considered factors and strategic...
First Commercial Installation Awarded for Michelin’s Inflatable Wind Sail
France’s Michelin Group confirmed the recent awarding of its first commercial contract for its innovative inflatable wind sail for shipping. The first installation will be on a new patrol boat for France. The new vessel will be built by the Socarenam shipyards with...
Local News
Malaysia, Singapore play up joint economic zone amid US tariff worries
Malaysia and Singapore are accelerating the rollout of their new joint special economic zone in a bid to hedge against rising global trade uncertainty under US President Donald Trump’s administration. Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s minister of investment, trade, and...
Manufacturers call for national action plan to tackle worker
KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has proposed that the government formulate a National Action Plan on Labour Quarters to address the shortage of proper accommodation for workers, especially in key industrial areas and logistics...
Malaysia to help boost road, rail networks in push for closer ties
The government is forging closer cooperation with Malaysia on infrastructure improvement and cross-border connectivity, focusing on linking roads and rails, says Transport Minister Suriya Juengrunreangkit. He welcomed his Malaysian counterpart, Anthony Loke, in...
Malaysia, Indonesia to explore large-scale plantation projects in Kalimantan and South Papua
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — Malaysia and Indonesia intend to explore the potential for developing large-scale plantations in Central Kalimantan and South Papua. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) said the matter was discussed during a recent meeting...
My Take | Can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies as US tariff threats put jobs on the line?
US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats have caused no small amount of trouble for the rest of the world, as governments scramble to convince Washington to reduce the levies that have already jammed up global trade and thrown financial planning into a...
Pakistani begging networks spark global concern as Malaysia becomes new hub
A growing wave of concern is sweeping across Southeast Asia and the Middle East as transnational begging networks, reportedly orchestrated from Pakistan, continue to expand into new territories. Once considered a domestic problem tied to poverty and unemployment, the...
Denmark and Malaysia strengthen green transition alliance
The Danish Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DanCham) took part in a high-level networking reception on Tuesday 22 April 2025, highlighting recent progress in green collaboration between Denmark and Malaysia. The reception, hosted by Danish Ambassador H.E. Kirstine...
Malaysia pushes for Asean Halal Council at Jakarta talks to boost trade, harmonise certification
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Malaysia has proposed the creation of an Asean Halal Council to strengthen strategic cooperation in the regional halal industry, facilitate the entry of halal products between countries, and boost intra-Asean trade, which has yet to reach its...
China’s growing appetite for tree-ripened Malaysian durians fuels export boom
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian durian farmers are poised to capture a larger portion of China’s lucrative fruit market this year, driven by increasing Chinese consumer preference for naturally ripened produce, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Industry...
Shipowners’ association highlights financing as key to growing Malaysia’s shipping industry
SIBU (April 20): Malaysia’s reliance on foreign ships highlights the demand for shipping services, which local industry players can meet with sufficient government support, said Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (Masa) chairman Mohamed Safwan Othman. He emphasised that...
Malaysia, China to deepen strategic cooperation in four key sectors
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and China will deepen economic cooperation by focusing on four key sectors - the digital, green, blue, and tourism economies - with efforts aimed at enhancing integration across industrial, supply, value, data, and talent chains. In a joint...
How logistics fuels Asean 2025’s sustainable and inclusive future
AS Malaysia strides into 2025 on a high note, it formally assumes its role at the Asean Chairmanship under the theme of “Inclusion and Sustainability”, serving as a rallying call for regional peace, stability, and prosperity in an evolving global landscape. Transport...
Embracing disruption, driving transformation: Malaysia’s strategic response to Trump tariff turbulence
IN a recent op-ed (“Trump Tariff Shock: Resilience, Not Retaliation,” 7 April 2025), EMIR Research argued that President Trump’s sweeping tariffs—targeting Malaysia and others—reflect political posturing more than sound economic strategy. Crucially, Malaysia’s refusal...
Malaysia: regulators scrutinise price-fixing cartels and antitrust risks in the digital landscape
In summary This article provides an overview of developments in competition law from 2024 to 2025, including the status of proposed amendments to introduce a cross-sectoral merger control regime in Malaysia, the application of merger control via sectoral laws and...
Malaysia furniture exporters in race to beat Trump’s 90-day tariff window
MUAR (AP) – In southern Malaysia, furniture manufacturers are in a race against United States (US) President Donald Trump’s tariffs. After threatening to impose a 24 per cent tax on all goods imported from the Southeast Asian country, Trump said he would cut rates 10...
Trump tariffs: Singapore economy could be hit hard by trade slowdown but there may be a silver lining, say analysts
SINGAPORE: Singapore's small, open economy could be hit hard by a US-led global trade slowdown, analysts warned, even if the country may gain a relative advantage due to significantly higher tariffs being imposed on its regional peers. Their comments followed US...
Malaysia’s manufacturing PMI falls in March amid global trade uncertainty
KUALA LUMPUR: The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Malaysia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell from 49.7 in February to 48.8 in March, indicating a slight slowdown in sector health. S&P Global Market Intelligence's Usamah Bhatti said Malaysian...
Malaysia’s rail port project targets a European trade corridor shake-up
Perlis Inland Port aims to offer Southeast Asia a viable land-based trade alternative to the instability of current shipping routes A sprawling inland port under construction in Malaysia’s northern state of Perlis is being touted as a game-changer for global...
Danish companies in Malaysia unite to accelerate green transition
A new strategic initiative spearheaded by the Danish Embassy in Malaysia has brought together major Danish companies to advance the green agenda in the country. The initiative, called the Green Transition Alliance, officially kicked off on Wednesday 3 April 2025...
Malaysia retail industry posts 3.5% sales growth in Q4’24, misses forecast:Survey
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s retail industry recorded a less-than-expected growth rate of 3.5% in sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. According to a survey compiled by Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) and conducted with members of the...