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The Panama Canal is ‘climate dependent’
The Panama Canal has reduced its maximum draught to 44 feet and is cutting the number of daily transits to 31 compared to 36 – 38 normally as it battles an extended dry season. Explaining the decision for an additional reduction in the daily transit maximum to 31 from...
Container lines set out EU ETS surcharges
Indications of charges to be levied by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM to cover the costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) have been released this week, with estimates ranging from €7 to €105 per teu. Nick Savvides | Oct 13, 2023 From January the EU...
Fighting in Gaza Could Lead to Shipping Disruption in Strait of Hormuz
As suspicion grows of Iranian involvement in the planning of the terrorist attacks in Israel last weekend, analysts are turning their attention to the potential for the conflict to spread to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important...
War in Israel: The new geopolitical flashpoint for ocean shipping
Wars and pandemics — geopolitical and global health crises causing widespread suffering and death — have the side effect of hiking profits in certain industries. Wars inflate returns for defense contractors. The pandemic was a bonanza for certain pharmaceutical...
Rotterdam Reduced Port Fees for Early Adopters of Future Sustainable Fuels
The Port of Rotterdam announced it will begin offering a substantial port fee reduction for ships that bunker sustainable fuels as part of its efforts to support the early adoption of new green fuels including methanol and in the future ammonia. The effort is ahead of...
Panama Canal cuts again daily transits as drought continues
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced it will reduce daily transits to 31 from 32 as a severe drought continues and may last until next year. To avoid delays and ship backlogs, the ACP will also offer a new schedule for the Neopanamax locks and the Panamax...
Cartagena is the largest transhipment hub in the Caribbean
The Port of Cartagena Group (SPRC) is Colombia’s main export port, connecting over 840 ports in 140 countries making it the largest hub and most connected port in Latin America and the Caribbean. Michele Labrut | Oct 06, 2023 SPRC operates 3 port facilities...
ITF recovers nearly $120 million in unpaid seafarer wages over 3 years
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) recovered some $36 million in unpaid wages to seafarers in 2022, a figure very similar to the previous year. Publishing figures on World Maritime Day the ITF said it had recovered $118.5 million in wages to...
Surge in Chinese Trade Leads to Pileup of Empty Containers in Russia
Russia's trade with the West has plummeted since the invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions, and it has quickly substituted commerce with China instead. That exchange, however, is not evenly balanced - and it is resulting in a steady accumulation of empty...
Panama Canal adjusts freshwater charge
The Panama Canal has announced that it will modify the variable component of the Fresh Water Charge (FWC) which will take effect on 1st October. As part of the Canal's efforts to manage the maximum draught available for transit through the Canal, The Panama...
Container freight rates to hit 2016 levels
Overcapacity and stalling demand are driving container shipping rates to new lows, according to the latest Market Pulse report from consultant Linerlytica. Nick Savvides | Sep 27, 2023 Asia to Europe rates are already below 2019 levels and there is a real risk...
Container shipping has a Europe problem and it’s getting worse
With all the attention on U.S. consumers and inventory levels, Europe’s importance to shipping lines can get lost in the shuffle. The Asia-Europe trade is pivotal to container shipping operators — and this trade is now under severe pressure. Judah Levine, head of...
Trouble ahead: Container shipping rates sinking further into the red
Trans-Pacific spot rates have fallen by double digits over past month It’s not looking good for container shipping lines. Peak season is running out of whatever limited steam it previously had. Spot rates are sliding into loss-making territory. Rates “continue to lose...
New fuels, new risks
New fuels, new risks The rise of alternative fuels both for vessel propulsion and as part of cargo such as electric vehicles is resulting in new risks for marine insurers. Marcus Hand | Sep 20, 2023 The emerging risks come against the backdrop of a generally positive...
Container shipping market back in 2019
Alan Murphy, CEO and founder of Copenhagen supply chain analyst Sea Intelligence, has warned of widespread service cancellations on major trade lanes across the Pacific Ocean and between Asia and Europe between now and the end of the year. Paul Bartlett | Sep 22, 2023...
Container line blank sailings surge for Golden Week period
The number of blank sailings by container lines during China’s Golden Week has surged sharply according to analysts Sea-Intelligence. Despite concerns that shipping lines were failing to act ahead of the seasonal lull around the week-long Chinese Golden Week holidays...
Critical years ahead for container shipping
Increasing congestion at container depots and the end of the 2M alliance in January 2025 could see further supply chain disruption and another shake-up in carrier collaboration and operations. MSC and Maersk announced the break up of their alliance earlier this year,...
ESG Index for shipping launched at LISW
As shipping companies face mounting pressure to introduce or strengthen their environmental, social, governance (ESG) strategies, a new framework has been developed to assist in this process. Speaking at The Time for Change is Now, a joint WISTA UK and Seatrade...
Shipping needs 40% of global zero carbon fuels to meet 2030 target
In its latest research into the energy transition DNV estimates that between 44 and 62 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) production will be produced by 2030 with an estimated demand for carbon neutral fuels of 17 Mtoe by that date. Highlighting the challenges...
Vessels turned away from Brazil’s Port of Santos due to congestion
BTP was reported to have been unable to receive two scheduled container ships for operation last week. BTP is a joint venture between APM Terminals, part of AP Moller Maersk, and MSC’s Terminal Investment’s Ltd (TIL). Both vessels attempted to divert to the other two...
Capital Gas Ship Management Orders Two Very Large Ammonia Carriers
Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. announces the order for the world's first two 88,000 CBM (?) very-large ammonia carriers (VLAC) with KSOE. The innovative vessels will be constructed at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and are scheduled to be delivered by the...
Industry unites over battle against invasive species in cargoes
Shipping lines, shippers, and governments are working together to combat the global issue of pests carried in containers and bulk cargoes that can cause billions of dollars in crop damage. Nick Savvides | Aug 25, 2023 The spread of invasive species via the...
Containerships largely unaffected by Panama Canal delays
The number of vessels waiting to transit the Panama Canal has grown, however, containerships with reservations have seen minimal impact in terms of waiting times. Marcus Hand | Aug 31, 2023 The restrictions on transit numbers and draught put in place by the Panama...
Port of LA container volume improvement stalls in July with 27% drop
The improvement in volumes at the Port of Los Angeles came to abrupt end in July. Marcus Hand | Aug 24, 2023 An improving trend in monthly volumes at the Port of LA which had seen June volumes down just 5% year-on-year, compared to a 43% drop in February, has not...
Panama Canal Restrictions Likely to Last for the Next Year
The backlog at the Panama Canal has eased slightly but the drought is likely to mean the restrictions continue for at least the next 10 months (file photo) PUBLISHED AUG 25, 2023 3:44 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Restrictions on the draft of vessels and the...
As Japan Begins Releasing Water From Fukushima, Should We be Concerned?
PUBLISHED AUG 27, 2023 3:46 PM BY EDMOND SANGANYADO Japan’s decision to release water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant has been greeted with horror by the local fishing industry as well as China and several Pacific Island states....
Shandong Port Group creating port cluster of over 40 million teu
Shandong Port Group (SPG) is to accelerate efforts to establish a world-class port cluster in the Chinese province. Michele Labrut | Aug 23, 2023 “Currently, a coastal port cluster has formed in Shandong, with Qingdao Port as the leader and Rizhao Port and...
Ports Without the Right Infrastructure Need a New Shore Power Solution
PUBLISHED AUG 20, 2023 8:49 PM BY ROBERT SCHLUTER There's a growing demand for shoreside power, but many ports lack the electrical infrastructure to support traditional systems. A new solution is required. A series of global supply chain shocks have tested the...
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,...
Taiwan inaugurates first automated container terminal at Kaohsiung port
The seventh Taiwanese container terminal - jointly developed by Taiwan International Ports Corporation and the shipping line Evergreen Marine Corporation – has been officially inaugurated at the port of Kaohsiung. Katherine Si | Aug 15, 2023 With a depth...
Shipping Industry Joins Relief Efforts for Maui Delivering Supplies
PUBLISHED AUG 11, 2023 5:29 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The shipping community is joining in to provide relief and support after the devastating fires swept parts of the island of Maui this week. Even before the fires have been fully extinguished, the industry...
Road Freight Transportation Market Is Thriving Worldwide During The Forecast Period 2023-2030
PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, August 11, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- "Road Freight Transportation Market" [2023-2030] Research Report Analysis and Outlook Insights | Latest Updated Report | The Road Freight Transportation Market is segmented into Regions, Applications...
Russian Warship Fires Shots to Stop Neutral Merchant Ship: Kremlin
PUBLISHED AUG 13, 2023 7:40 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE In a step change for the escalating war risk for shipping in the Black Sea, a Russian patrol ship has fired upon and boarded a foreign-flagged ship on the route from the Bosporus to the Danube, according to...
New Tech Makes Maritime Domain Awareness Affordable for Small Nations
PUBLISHED AUG 6, 2023 4:50 PM BY THE STRATEGIST [By David Brewster] Understanding what’s happening in the maritime domain, known as maritime domain awareness or MDA, is an essential element for any country that wishes to govern its maritime zones. But in the...
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’s Limits Force New “Largest” Boxship to Offload Before Transit
Ever Max became the largest capacity containership to transit the Panama Canal on August 1 but was required to offload boxes due to the draft restrictions (AMP) PUBLISHED AUG 2, 2023 6:11 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The transit of the new containership Ever...
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...
China Launches First 700 TEU Electric Containership for Yangtze Service
PUBLISHED JUL 28, 2023 4:06 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE China completed the float out of its first 700 TEU pure power containership. The vessel, which is being built for COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, is part of an effort to use electric-powered vessels...
Four Companies in Shipping and Logistics Emerge as Bidders for HMM
PUBLISHED JUL 26, 2023 3:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Four bidders have emerged as potential buyers from HMM as the first round of the process begins in South Korea. Media reports are suggesting that the government favors one of the largest conglomerates to...
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
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...
Op-Ed: Black Sea Grain Deal Must Resume, Even if it Means Concessions
Grain terminal damaged by Russian missile strike, July 2023 (Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture) PUBLISHED JUL 23, 2023 3:48 PM BY THE LOWY INTERPRETER [By John Denton] Earlier this week, Russia announced that it would suspend its participation in the Black...
Port of LA box volumes continue rebound in June, down 24% in H1
Container volumes at the Port of Los Angeles continued to bounce back in June and were just 5% below the record number seen a year earlier. Marcus Hand | Jul 13, 2023 The Port of LA handled 833,035 teu in June this year its strongest month since July last year, and 5%...
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...
Work Resumes at Canadian West Coast Ports as Federal Terms End Strike
The nearly two-week old strike at Canada's West Coast ports came to an end as federal mediators presented terms to the union and employeers (file photo) PUBLISHED JUL 13, 2023 5:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Canada’s 13-day port strike impacting more than 30...
Australia Bans Second Briese Heavylift Ship in Ongoing Safety Effort
Australia banned the BBC Pearl for 180-days in an ongoing safety effort (AMSA) PUBLISHED JUL 10, 2023 2:00 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Australia is continuing what its safety authority is calling “a crackdown on unsafe and unseaworthy vessels,” issuing the fifth...
California Will Invest $1.5 Billion in Port Infrastructure Upgrades
California announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in the states ports and supporting infrastructure (file photo) PUBLISHED JUL 6, 2023 5:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE California announced plans for a statewide investment program designed to enhance the...
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
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
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...
Local News
RI, Singapore, Malaysia seek ways to make maritime navigation safe
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia are continuing to strengthen cooperation to improve maritime safety in the straits of Malacca and Singapore. The cooperation has been carried out through the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) forum,...
Singapore, Malaysia deploy aircraft to support relief operations in Philippines – Manila Standard
Military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia arrived in the Philippines on Saturday to assist with ongoing relief operations following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. A C-130 cargo aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and a...
Budget 2025 roundup: 20 quick facts entrepreneurs in Malaysia need to know
Following the theme of “Ekonomi MADANI: Negara Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera”, Budget 2025 has been tabled on October 18, 2024, by Malaysia’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. If you missed it, here are the must-know topics for...
New minimum wage will cause job loss says enterprise association
PETALING JAYA: The increase in the minimum wage to RM1,700 from Feb 1 next year is expected to disrupt the operations of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta). Its president, Datuk Willian...
Explained: What will the expanded SST affect and when?
KUALA LUMPUR, October 18 — The federal government is expanding the scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to further improve the nation's tax revenue in the Budget 2025. The expansion will be implemented starting May 1, 2025. Here are the key points from Prime...
Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Agency to take over operations of five entry points from Feb 2025
Operations will begin in phases, starting with the Rantau Panjang entry point from 1 January 2025. As part of efforts to improve border control, the Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Agency (AKPS) will assume control of the country's five entry...
Solving the Southeast Asia Logistics Puzzle
Southeast Asia is growing as a driving force in global trade. Its logistics sector has faced several stress tests in recent years. Here’s one factor that can make a difference. Southeast Asia has long been the go-to area for manufacturers seeking cost-effective...
Adopt EV and AI to enhance customer service, minister Fahmi urges delivery and logistic firms
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has called on delivery and logistics companies today to utilise technologies such as electric vehicles (EV) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance services for customers. He said this in line with Pos...
Malaysia committed to exploring new business opportunities in Laos
VIENTIANE: Malaysia is committed to exploring new business opportunities in Laos that could benefit both countries and is looking forward to enhancing bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. The sectors include defence, banking and...
Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia, UAE enhance trade prospects after concluding CEPA negotiations
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have successfully concluded the negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), set to eliminate or reduce tariffs, lower trade barriers, foster private-sector collaboration, and create...
Mandanas announces: Batangas is logistics hub for ASEAN
THE ASEAN-Batangas Access Zone (ABAZ) was officially turned-over Friday to the provincial government of Batangas, making the province the logistics hub for Southeast Asian countries. ASEAN consisted of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines,...
JCorp launches new container operations at Tanjung Langsat Port
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Corporation (JCorp), through its subsidiary JLand Group (JLG), has launched new container operations at the Tanjung Langsat Port (TLP), Johor, aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global oil, gas, and logistics industries. JCorp said in...
Foreign competition to perk up domestic shipping
It has finally happened. A foreign shipping firm has decided to throw its hat into the Philippine domestic shipping arena, which has been plagued for decades with the high cost of doing business, lack of economies of scale and poor port infrastructure. This has made...
2025 Budget: Priorities renewable energy, environmental management – Experts
KUALA LUMPUR: The use and research of renewable energy, support for research, and the enforcement of environmental management are key aspects that should be prioritized in the 2025 Budget, ultimately driving sustainable growth related to environmental, social, and...
Loke: Govt optimistic KLIA can become regional cargo hub
SEPANG: The government is optimistic that Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has the potential to become the region’s cargo hub, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said KLIA has all the necessary factors to continue to grow and become the cargo...
E-Invoicing: Are we really ready?
IT HAS been just over a month since the mandatory e-invoicing system was introduced on Aug 1 for Malaysian taxpayers with an annual turnover exceeding RM100 million. While the launch had a rough start with taxpayers initially struggling to access the Inland Revenue...
Increase in blank sailings to disrupt global shipping: Dimerco
Carriers will ramp up blank sailings by over 1.5 times, adding 53 more cancellations between weeks 38 and 42 compared to the previous five weeks, according to the latest update from Dimerco. "Drewry's weekly analysis on September 13 reported that 90 blank sailings...
Malaysia welcomes cooperation between telco companies and local media organizations to develop AI applications – Fahmi
BEIJING: Malaysia welcomes the collaboration of telecommunications companies with any local media organizations to develop artificial intelligence (AI) applications to help produce content, as well as report efficiently and effectively. Communications Minister Fahmi...
Westport’s development to strengthen Malaysia as global maritime and logistics hub
PORT KLANG: The development of Westport Holdings Bhd’s phase two container terminal expansion from terminals 10 to 17 is a significant step to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global maritime and logistics hub. Westports executive chairman and group managing...
National single window initiative to boost M’sia, China trade
KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) is confident that Malaysia’s national single window (NSW) trade initiative will harmonise with China’s customs system and facilitate business and trade operations by reducing red tape, coordinating and...