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Global News
Nigeria’s Calabar Port Hasn’t Received a Large Container Ship in 25 Years
With Nigeria considered Africa’s largest economy, it goes without saying that its maritime sector has to play a substantial role in facilitating the country’s trade. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s maritime sector - especially the public-owned port system - continues to reel...
Shipping Trade Groups Call on UN to Protect Seafarers
Sixteen commercial maritime industry associations joined together in a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres calling for action while saying the current situation where merchant ships and their crews are being targeted is “intolerable”...
New York Ends Third Wind Round Without Awards Due to Material Modifications
In the latest setback to U.S. plans to accelerate renewable energy development, New York State regulators today reported they closed the third round of offshore wind solicitation with no final awards. Last fall, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul had hailed the round as...
Danish Ferry Forced to Maneuver to Avoid Russian Warship
Danish media is widely reporting an incident this morning that involved a high-speed passenger ferry that was forced to maneuver when a Russian warship failed to yield or acknowledge the ferry which was underway at full speed. Shipping operator Molslinjen is...
Japan Plans Next Generation Containership for Zero Emissions and Efficiency
A Japanese consortium made up of coastal shipping company Imoto Lines and marine software company Marindows is launching a government-backed effort to develop a next-generation containership. Plans call not only for the vessel to address decarbonization with the...
Is China Ready to Put Solar Panels Out at Sea?
China is increasingly seeking to put solar panels on the seas off its coastline, with some state-run companies experimenting as far offshore as 30 kilometers. A global leader in renewable energy, China has already been looking to the ocean to meet its future power via...
Vessel Condition, Human Error Blamed for Loss of Thai Navy Frigate
The Royal Thai Navy has completed its investigation into the sinking of the frigate Sukhothai in 2022, blaming a combination of bad weather, vessel condition and human error for the casualty. On the night of December 18, 2022, the 36-year-old frigate Sukhothai...
Cruise ships sailing into the port of Seattle for the 2024 season will plug in to shore power at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.
After a $44 million investment in shore power infrastructure and equipment, all three cruise berths at Pier 66 are now electric. In effect, this advances plans by the facility to become the greenest port in North America with the 2024 Cruise Season seeing more vessels...
DP World Sets Up Latin America’s First E-Truck Charging Station
DP World’s terminal at the Port of Callao, Peru has begun using the first electric charging station for trucks in Latin America. The new infrastructure is part of the port operator’s decarbonization plans at Callao, with an aim of reducing over 2000 tons of carbon...
Repurposing Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Could Reduce Poverty
Each year, governments around the world give billions of dollars to their fishing sectors. These public funds – around $35.4 billion annually, according to 2018 estimates – pay for everything from building ports to research and development. Some subsidies...
East Coast’s Biggest Crane Barge Hoists Giant Piece of Baltimore Bridge
For the first time, contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have brought in the East Coast's biggest crane barge to remove a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The large section of the main span was located in the federal navigation channel, and...
Red Sea crisis has negative impact on gas ship CII ratings
The firm’s statistics recorded 64 LNG carriers navigating through the Gulf of Aden and Suez Canal during January and February 2023. In the same period this year, the number had fallen to just seven. In the reverse direction, 59 vessels took the Suez/Gulf of...
X-Press Feeders signs green shipping corridor MoU with major European ports
Belgium’s Port of Antwerp Bruges, Estonia’s Port of Tallinn, Finland’s Ports of Helsinki and HaminaKotka, Latvia’s Freeport of Riga and Lithaunia’s Klaipeda Port all signed the agreement with the carrier. Collaboration under the agreement begins with the establishment...
End-April target to reopen Port of Baltimore to smaller container ships
The Port of Baltimore could re-open to container ships of up 4,500 teu by end April as work continues to clear the wreckage of the Key Bridge after it was struck by the vessel Dali. Barry Parker | Apr 08, 2024 The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), the agency...
Global names back association to promote nuclear power in shipping
NEMO will be headquartered in London and will officially start activities in the second quarter of 2024. The association aims to assist nuclear and maritime regulators in the development of appropriate standards and rules for the deployment, operation, and...
Tangshan port adds two large bulker berths
The northern Chinese port of Tangshan in Hebei province is planning to build a 300,000 tonnes-class bulk cargo berth and a 300,000 tonnes-class ore berth. These two new berths will bring 25.6 million tons annual cargo handling capacity to the port having a...
T&E survey shows lines profiteering over EU ETS charges
A study by the Brussels-based Transport & Environment group analysed 565 journeys taken by 20 vessels to and from Europe operated by four of the world’s largest carriers, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and CMA CGM, and found that the lines were over-charging in more...
Wartsila says fuel price parity possible by 2035
In its report – ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’ – the Helsinki-based company declared that decisive emissions policies such as the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) from January this year, and...
OceanScore boss warns of ETS compliance issues
Grell cites demarcation of responsibility between owners, managers, and charterers, the buying and selling of EU Allowances (EUAs), charter party terms, and data management, as some of the issues that have not yet been properly addressed by many shipping firms. ...
Ports of Southampton and Singapore explore green partnership
The two ports discussed various areas of potential cooperation regarding sustainable maritime transport during the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework (UKSGEF). The meeting was seen as paving the way for further discussions on green and digital shipping cooperation...
Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
However, some shippers and forwarders believe an electronic payment system favours the shipping lines, who can use the system to make late payment charges, adding another minor revenue stream to their income. Container Trade Statistics calculates that around 173m...
The ‘vastly different’ time horizons of shipping bosses and investors
Did container liner execs recklessly binge on newbuilding orders, needlessly sabotaging their own bottom lines (and stocks) for years to come? Are some public tanker companies shortchanging their own shareholders by not returning enough capital via dividends and...
Taiwan International Port upgrading terminal facility at Kaohsiung
TIPC is to invest NT$4.47 billion ($139.8 million) to upgrade infrastructure at the third and fifth container terminals of Kaohsiung port which will significantly increase the terminals handling capacity and operational efficiencies. Draught will be deepened and...
Decarbonisation set to boost Middle East oil producers and VLCCs
The analysis will please the small group of VLCC owners who have embarked on something of a VLCC spending spree in recent weeks. Through the course of 2023, VLCCs on order had fallen to a long-time low. The few contracts that were placed were at significantly higher...
Port of Los Angeles container volumes up 60% in Feb
The Port of Los Angeles handled 781,434 teu in February this year compared to 487,846 teu in February 2023. “Market confidence in our gateway is as strong as it’s ever been,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka at a media briefing. “We’ve...
Wartsila says fuel price parity possible by 2035
In its report – ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’ – the Helsinki-based company declared that decisive emissions policies such as the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) from January this year, and...
Saudi launches port community system
The President of the General Ports Authority, Omar bin Talal Hariri, explained that the launch of the PCS is part of MAWANI’s effort to channel technology to serve the maritime transport system, raise the efficiency of the operational performance of the Saudi...
Dearth of tonnage drives ship recyclers to chase small vessels
Bangladeshi breakers lead the way, followed closely by recyclers in Pakistan, but they are bidding on low-quality units with components already removed, poor steel, corroded ballast tanks and permanent ballast., according to GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of...
DP World launches global freight forwarding network
DP World said that with businesses seeking increased control over their supply chains, its expansion comes at a pivotal time for the global logistics and supply chain industry. By expanding its freight forwarding offering, with a focus on air and ocean freight. DP...
World first use of ammonia fuel in trial on Fortescue vessel in Singapore
The dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel, owned by Australian mining group Fortescue, was loaded with liquid ammonia at Vopak’s terminal on Jurong Island in Singapore for the fuel trial. The Fortescue Green Pioneer was loaded with five cubic metres...
Houthis vow to expand attacks against shipping into the Indian Ocean
The official spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces Commander Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi announced on the Houthi’s Telegram channel that the group intends to spread its sphere of operations across a region that covers thousands of square miles. The commander...
Dearth of tonnage drives ship recyclers to chase small vessels
Bangladeshi breakers lead the way, followed closely by recyclers in Pakistan, but they are bidding on low-quality units with components already removed, poor steel, corroded ballast tanks and permanent ballast., according to GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of...
Empty container availability fears slide as demand wanes.
Growth in empty repositioning since 2019 had seen an increase of 20% in terms of teu moved in 2023 compared to four years ago, but also the growth in full containers has increased globally by 2.5%, with an 8% increase in teu miles, according to one analyst using...
Argentina plans $550 million new port in Rosario
"We're announcing an investment for the construction of a new agro-industrial port in Timbues, on the Parana River," presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni told a news conference, referring to a town some 50 km north of the city of Rosario,” Reuters reported. "The...
ICTSI reports 4% container volume growth in 2023
The company said the increase in consolidated volume was mainly due to the contribution of Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) in Manila, improvement in trade activities, and new services at certain terminals. But volumes were impacted by the...
Nautilus calls for Red Sea transit halt after True Confidence attack
The appeal comes after three seafarers were killed when bulk carrier True Confidence was struck by a missile in the Red Sea on March 6. “We believe it is time for those shipowners who are continuing to transit through the Red Sea to reassess the necessity...
South Africa Buys Tugboats as Efforts Proceed to Improve Port Efficiency
South Africa’s ports operator Transnet reports it is moving forward with a fleet renewal program as part of an overall effort to tackle the perennial challenges of inefficiencies that have placed the ports at the bottom of international rankings and led to massive...
Heavy Lift Alliance Gets Bigger With Addition of Intermarine
Three years ago, heavy lift operators Jumbo and SAL lifted a page from the liner sector and entered into an alliance agreement. That model has been successful enough that they are now adding a third member, Intermarine, which operates smaller multipurpose vessels in...
Rubymar Sinks in Red Sea 13 Days After Houthi Attack Damaged Bulker
The bulker several damaged in a Houthi attack and abandoned by its crew finally succumbed to its damage reportedly sinking after having drifted since the February 18 attack. The government of Yemen issued a statement reporting the sinking of...
Ukraine and UK Brokers Extend Affordable War Risk Insurance to All Cargoes
Ukraine has won an agreement with the major insurance brokerage networks in the UK to expand the current war risk insurance program to cover ships carrying all non-military cargo. Previously the program was limited to grain and foodstuffs but will now permit Ukraine...
Fearing Long-Term Problems in Red Sea, Cruise Lines Change Plans
The cruise industry is starting to rethink its plans into 2025 as increasingly they believe the problems in the Red Sea will persist. It is a view shared by the commercial shipping industry, but with travelers making vacation plans cruise lines need to think longer...
Unifeeder adds two more methanol feeder vessels.
The 1,250 teu pair are due for delivery in 2026, one each from German shipowner Elbdeich Reederei and Norwegian shipowner MPC Container Ships (MPCC). The deal builds on charters made in October 2023 for two similar vessels from Elbdeich Reederei. X-Press feeders...
Shipping associations welcome EU Red Sea operation Aspides
The Council of the EU announced that the defensive operation will have an initial one year duration and a mandate to protect commercial vessels against attacks at sea by providing situational awareness and accompanying ships in the region. In its announcement, the EU...
BYD expanding fleet with seven new car carriers by 2025
Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD is planning to put seven new car carriers into operation in the coming two years to meet the growing export demand. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD stated in Guangdong Provincial High-quality Development...
Baltrader cement carrier to be fitted with Norsepower Rotor Sail
The German Government is funding the installation of a Rotor Sail on Baltrader’s new cement carrier CemCommander this summer. The project attracted funding from the German Federal Government’s Directive "Sustainable Modernization of Coastal Vessels" (NaMKü) programmed...
Shenzhen provides subsidies to LNG carrier operators.
The southern Chinese port city of Shenzhen is offering subsidies to LNG operators to boost its development as an LNG trading hub city. According to the notice from Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen is going to actively explore new LNG trading...
Houthi attacks on shipping in Red Sea continue
A 58,800 dwt Supramax bulker was fired on by Houthis as it transited the Gulf of Aden, some 85 nautical miles southeast of Aden, causing minor damage to the vessel, but there were no crew casualties or injuries according to the latest reports. Lycavitos operated by...
Seafarers can refuse to sail through Red Sea, but a lot of planning needed
With the continued, and worsening threat to shipping while transiting the region from Houthi rebels in Yemen, the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) has agreed to expand the High Risk Area to include the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Stephen...
No change in Panama Canal restrictions before April
The Deputy Administrator for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Ilya Espino de Marotta, says the waterway does not expect changes to current vessel transit restrictions until at least April. The ACP will assess water levels after the dry season before making any...
Container leasing rates reach for the skies
US shippers are diverting east coast cargo, already shifted from the Panama Canal to via Suez, to west coast ports, boosting southern California port volumes and raising box leasing prices through the roof. Online box leasing and trading company Container xChange...
Local News
Malaysia My Second Home programme open to applications from any country, not just China, says Tiong
KUALA LUMPUR (March 8): Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sin has emphasised that the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is not meant only for Chinese nationals but is open to applicants from any country worldwide. He said that through...
Most heavy vehicle licences suspended last year for violating safety, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 247 heavy vehicle operation licences were suspended last year, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke. For violating road safety standards, 23 vehicle permits were also suspended, Loke added. He noted that suspensions can be up to 90 days for...
Johor’s readiness in question as RTS Link nears completion: Infrastructure, traffic, rising land prices, and cost of living concerns grow
JOHOR BAHRU: Even before the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) deal was finalised, OCBC had already observed companies looking to establish a presence in Johor. Now, with the RTS Link nearing 50 per cent completion and...
Bintulu Port’s 6.4 pct growth cements its status as regional logistics powerhouse
KUCHING (Feb 24): Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB) has achieved an impressive growth trajectory, recording a 6.4 per cent increase in total cargo throughput, reaching 52 million tonnes in 2024, up from 48 million tonnes in 2023. This milestone underscores BPHB’s...
Kale Malaysia Maritime Single Window launched at Port Klang
Kale Logistics Solutions's Malaysia Maritime Single Window (MMSW) was officially launched by Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport, Malaysia on February 17, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The implementation of Kale’s MMSW at Port Klang has meant an immediate...
MV Malaysia Star owners say can’t release vehicles stranded after fire due to legal, financial hurdles
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — The owners of the MV Malaysia Star have cited legal and financial obligations as the primary reasons why vehicles aboard the vessel have yet to be released following a recent fire. According to a statement issued their lawyers today, the...
Economy Ministry expects JS-SEZ blueprint completion by Q3 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 — The much anticipated Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) blueprint is expected to be completed by the third quarter this year, the Economy Ministry said today. The ministry led by Rafizi Ramli said that funding for the economic zone’s...
Customs’ digitalisation efforts enhance efficiency, integrity, says industry expert
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has been lauded for its efforts in enhancing efficiency and integrity through the digitalisation of customs processes, particularly with the implementation of the Import Export Support Document System (SDSIE)....
‘Heavy vehicle ban drives down logistics industry’
KUALA LUMPUR: Five trade associations representing around half of Malaysia’s heavy vehicle owners and operators are asking the government to reconsider the restricted hours for heavy vehicles on three major expressways. In a press conference here yesterday, they said...
Logistics sector must take advantage of govt support to adopt Industry 4.0 – Loke
SUBANG JAYA: The logistics sector must take advantage of government support, such as the income tax exemption for smart logistics complexes, to further uplift the sector and encourage the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He...
Malaysia’s Industrial Transformation: 3000 Smart Factories by 2030
The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) has announced its goal to establish at least 3,000 smart factories by 2030 as part of Malaysia’s industrial transformation under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030). This ambitious initiative...
SG’s logistics rents fall by 6.2% in H2 2024
Singapore’s logistics rents fell by 6.2% in the second half of the year 2024 (H2 2024) but remained unchanged year-on-year (YoY), according to a Knight Frank report. Despite this, Singapore is amongst the markets expected to see growth in the next 12 months,...
More choices, more competition: Loke stands by Puspakom overhaul
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has defended the government’s decision to open up the motor vehicle inspection industry to new players, ending Puspakom’s long-standing monopoly. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Exio Logistics Hub...
PM reminds civil servants to uphold integrity
PUTRAJAYA: The recent arrest of several Customs officers in connection with a vape smuggling syndicate at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) should serve as a reminder to the civil service that integrity is crucial, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar...
Malaysia has a new singular border control agency — what is the AKPS and what does it do?
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Malaysia now has a single agency in charge of border control, known as the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS). The agency was established this month to oversee all international borders. AKPS currently manages 22...
Step up and target RM63.1b halal exports in 2025, DPM Zahid tells Malaysian companies as global race heats up
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 — Despite being recognised as a leader in the global halal industry, Malaysia must not rest on its laurels, as other nations are now competing to dominate the halal market, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasised...
With Singapore SEZ, CM says Johor will be more than just data centres
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will encourage the industry diversification needed for the state to shield itself from global trade uncertainties, said Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. In an interview with Channel News Asia,...
How businesses can maximise the newly signed Johor-Singapore SEZ deal
A year after the initial memorandum of understanding, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement is now signed, presenting significant opportunities for businesses looking to expand cross-border operations. "The intention behind this agreement is...
Eye on Malaysia’s evolving climate reporting
KUCHING (Jan 26): Human activities have undeniably caused global warming, fuelling record-setting wildfires, historic floods, prolonged droughts and scorching heatwaves. Indeed, 2025 has started off with a bevy of bad news, like the deadly wildfires across Los...
MCBA offers more seamless entry into Malaysia, says DPM Fadillah
SEPANG: With the formation of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA), the government wants logistics for trade and travellers entering the country through its international entry points to be more seamless, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Speaking at...





































































