Global News

Transporting people & cargo through space may start in Maine

Transporting people & cargo through space may start in Maine

Green 4 Maine is negotiating with HyperSpace Propulsion to make the former Loring Air Force Base their headquarters for their future SPACESTAR spaceplanes. There must be an easier way to space!” — Richard Lugg, FounderPORTLAND, MAINE, UNITED STATES, August 16,...

Govt decision makers need to value shipping’s key role: UGS

Govt decision makers need to value shipping’s key role: UGS

Be it war, pandemics or other global disruptions, it is shipping that links the world, allowing for the smooth flow of vital goods, and the link that keeps the global economy ticking, declared Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) President Melina Travlou. David Glass | Aug...

Panama Canal to reduce daily vessel transits due to drought

Panama Canal to reduce daily vessel transits due to drought

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced it will reduce daily vessel transits due to an ongoing drought and help conserve water. Michele Labrut | Jul 27, 2023 Starting from 30 July 2023, the daily transit capacity of the Panama Canal will be adjusted to an...

Dry bulk shipping market outlook H2 2023

Dry bulk shipping market outlook H2 2023

Any hopes that the dry bulk shipping market would improve in the first half of 2023 have failed to materialise as a bounce back in Chinese demand did not happen as expected. So, what does the second half of the year hold in store? Marcus Hand | Jul 21, 2023 In the...

Armed robbery on the rise in Singapore Strait

Armed robbery on the rise in Singapore Strait

SINGAPORE (ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES) – An Asia sea crime watch group has reported seeing a rise in armed robbery in the Singapore Strait for the first half of 2023, amid a worsened socio-economic situation in the region. There had been 38 incidents in one of the world’s...

Is IMO 2020 shipping regulation worsening global warming?

Is IMO 2020 shipping regulation worsening global warming?

Pollution-reducing regulation may be having negative side effect It is scorching out there. High-temperature records are being broken daily. Oceans off some shores are as hot as bathwater. What is to blame? The list of culprits and possible culprits includes fossil...

China container ports handle 122 million teu in Jan – May

China container ports handle 122 million teu in Jan – May

The ports in China have achieved positive growth both in container and cargo throughput during the first five months of this year. Katherine Si | Jul 03, 2023 From January to May, China’s ports posted a container volume of 122 million teu, an increase of...

Autonomous learners and autonomous ships

Autonomous learners and autonomous ships

Equipping seafarers with better language skills is essential for shipping’s transformation and enables the next generation of maritime leaders, writes Catherine Logie, Director, Direct to Consumer Services, Ocean Technologies Group. Catherine Logie | Jun 30, 2023...

Canadian dockers issue strike notice

Canadian dockers issue strike notice

Members of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Canada have issued a 72-hour strike notice that that will see industrial action begin around 0800 hrs on 1 July. Nick Savvides | Jun 29, 2023 Unionised dockers voted overwhelmingly for strike action on 9 and...

How could sooner-than-expected Russian defeat impact shipping?

How could sooner-than-expected Russian defeat impact shipping?

Speculation grows on post-Ukraine war scenarios for ocean shipping The situation in Russia and Ukraine — and its potential effect on global trade flows — is changing fast. On Friday, the EU released details on its new sanctions package targeting Russia’s crude exports...

World Moves Closer to a Global Plastics Treaty

World Moves Closer to a Global Plastics Treaty

PUBLISHED JUN 25, 2023 5:05 PM BY CHINA DIALOGUE OCEAN [By Emma Bryce] Each year, an estimated 200 tonnes of plastic drifts down the River Seine through Paris and into the sea. It’s a tiny fraction of the 14 million tonnes that tips into the...

Day of the Seafarer 2023: A Message From Wallem

Day of the Seafarer 2023: A Message From Wallem

PUBLISHED JUN 23, 2023 6:39 PM BY JOHN-KAARE AUNE On the Day of the Seafarer 2023, Wallem would like to express its gratitude to the many talented men and women worldwide whose unwavering commitment to their profession helps to keep ships sailing and goods...

Digital solutions for Smart Bunkering

Digital solutions for Smart Bunkering

Short deliveries are a real issue in bunkering and Ascenz Marorka is the first to introduce a digital monitoring solution for mass flow meters. Ascenz Marorka | Jun 19, 2023 Introduction In 2022, an independent study[1] conducted by the consulting company BLUE Insight...

81% drop in first quarter container line EBIT

81% drop in first quarter container line EBIT

First quarter container line EBIT dropped by 81% on-year in the first quarter 2023, but still remains above pre-pandemic levels. Gary Howard | Jun 09, 2023 Figures from Sea-Intelligence showed that while revenues decline 35-70% year-on-year in the quarter, EBIT of...

Container export dwell time at Chinese ports falls 62%

Container export dwell time at Chinese ports falls 62%

Dwell times for export containers at China's ports have fallen to under five days while import dwell times have risen in recent weeks. Gary Howard | Jun 05, 2023 According to data from FourKites, ocean dwell times – the difference between gate times and vessel...

Trans-Pacific spot container shipping rates are inching up

Trans-Pacific spot container shipping rates are inching up

Shipping lines’ latest round of general rate increases partially successful Shipping lines have pulled Asia-U.S. spot rates off the floor, but it’s a slog: two steps up, one step back, another two steps up, a slide back again. The general rate increase (GRI) on...

Ship financing in uncertain times

Ship financing in uncertain times

A long-term perspective is essential for financing maritime portfolios in a period of extraordinary market volatility. Michael de Visser | May 26, 2023 Discussing ship finance, one of the key themes at Europort 2023, Michael de Visser, Managing Director of...

Protecting Ports for a Secure Global Supply Chain

Protecting Ports for a Secure Global Supply Chain

A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted the importance of defending against port cyber attacks. The article outlines upcoming regulations which will encourage more action to prevent attacks. Ports are a significant point within the maritime supply...

Study: Melting Antarctic Ice Could Slow Vital Ocean Currents

Study: Melting Antarctic Ice Could Slow Vital Ocean Currents

A new study has found that melting Antarctic ice is slowing one of the world’s significant deep ocean currents, which could have a wide-reaching impact on marine ecosystems. Antarctica is a unique landscape and its environment has a huge impact on the rest of the...

Recession, geopolitics and costs top supply chain fears

Recession, geopolitics and costs top supply chain fears

A recession in the US, geopolitical tensions and rising operating costs were the top concerns among supply chain professionals, according to a recent survey. Gary Howard | May 10, 2023 Container xChange surveyed 1200 supply chain professionals, asking what disruptions...

Imports Continue Slow Climb Despite Cuts in 2023 Forecast

Imports Continue Slow Climb Despite Cuts in 2023 Forecast

Retail import levels are continuing a slow but steady rise from the three-year lows experienced at the beginning of 2023. The National Retail Federation however continues to lower its forecasts cutting its projections for the second quarter and for the first half of...

AD Ports Group expands dry bulk fleet, moves into tankers

AD Ports Group expands dry bulk fleet, moves into tankers

AD Ports Group is expanding its shipping fleet with the acquisition of five bulk carriers and three crude oil tankers. “The five bulk carriers, to be purchased for $125 million, form part of the long-term agreement with Saif Powertec, signed in April 2022, for the...