News
Global News
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...
Transporting Carbon: Steering a Course to a Sustainable Future
The United States has taken the lead in the international race to capture carbon dioxide (CO2). According to reports, the U.S. will have the capacity to capture 164 million tons of carbon by 2035, which is almost the equivalent of Europe, Canada and the...
Australia and China Square Off in Latest Case of Pacific Expansionism
The government of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is taking steps that it sees as countering China’s expansionist move across the region. Australia is moving to increase its influence in the region to counter China and today China responded angrily after an...
Crew Rescued as MSC Containership Blacks Out in Storm and Driven Ashore
Multiple teams from Canada responded Saturday morning, February 15, after an MSC containership issued a mayday call during a strong winter storm. A helicopter from the Canadian SAR team was able to rescue the 20 crewmembers, but unconfirmed reports are that five of...
Process Uses Industrial Lasers for Rust, Paint, and Coating Removal
Successful trials were conducted in December 2024 on a new system that uses industrial laser technology to remove rust, paint, and other coasts from the hull of a ship. The goal is to create a system that is more environmentally friendly and the project also...
Updated: SS United States Completes First Move as Final Journey Begins
The famous ocean liner the ss United States started her final journey today moved from the Philadelphia dock where she had sat while preservations tried to find the vessel a future. Plans called for the liner to depart Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Monday,...
AD Ports to Battle DP World for Cargo Business at Port of Luanda, Angola
The Port of Luanda in Angola is set to become a battleground of competition for two giant Arab companies after AD Ports officially commenced operations at the port under a long-term concession. AD Ports, the Abu Dhabi-based operator, announced that it has begun the...
Shanghai Port Handled Record 5 Million TEU in January as U.S. Imports Surge
Officials in Shanghai are hailing a new record throughput for the port in January 2025 while saying that the ports are a “barometer” of foreign trade. It comes after a record volume at the port in 2024 and is the fourth monthly volume record set in the past 40 months...
Panama Canal Rejects Claims of Free Passage for U.S. Government Ships
The war of words between the United States, the government of Panama, and the Panama Canal Authority continues with officials in Panama saying they were “surprised” by the U.S. posting on X claiming “U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without...
Frustrations as Departure of Famed Ocean Liner SS United States Delayed
Excitement over the impending departure of the famed ocean liner ss United States was building last week before a further delay appeared prolonging her stay in Philadelphia. The new owners of the liner, Florida's Okaloosa County, have been trying for months...
Korean Shipbuilders Top Chinese in January After Return to Profits in 2024
The rivalry between China and South Korea’s shipbuilders continues to heat up. While there is growing concern due to China’s apparent domination of the market, South Korea’s shipbuilders achieved strong results in 2024 and continue to carve out the high-end market....
AD Ports to Battle DP World for Cargo Business at Port of Luanda, Angola
The Port of Luanda in Angola is set to become a battleground of competition for two giant Arab companies after AD Ports officially commenced operations at the port under a long-term concession. AD Ports, the Abu Dhabi-based operator, announced that it has begun the...
Two Sunken Tankers at Kerch Strait Were Refueling Russia’s Dark Fleet
The two river-sea tankers that broke up near the Kerch Strait last month were part of a flotilla that bunkers Russia's "dark fleet," including at least three U.S.-sanctioned deep sea tankers, according to Russian investigative news outlet IStories. Many of their...
How to Get Ready for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Cybersecurity Rule
On January 17, the US Coast Guard released its much-anticipated final rule on cybersecurity in the US Marine Transportation System, which establishes mandatory minimum cybersecurity requirements for the maritime sector. The new regulations are effective July 16,...
Norway Releases Reefer Cargo Ship After Investigation into Cable Damage
Norwegian authorities late on Friday, January 31, reported they have released a Norwegian-owned reefer cargo ship used in the fish trade after a day-long investigation. It was the latest vessel to be detained in the growing investigations into damaged cables in the...
Canada Aims to Restore Reliable Ferry Service on Critical Route to PEI
Canada is hoping to restore reliable ferry transport on the critical Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Nova Scotia route following the arrival of ro/pax ferry MV Northumberland. The government acquired the ferry in November 2023 as an interim replacement for the...
Russian Tanker Abandoned in Poland Draws Renewed Interest
A Russian-registered product tanker languishing in the Port of Gdynia is drawing renewed interest from Polish authorities. According to a report on Poland’s Radio ZET, new security concerns as well as safety issues with the tanker were raised in light of the ongoing...
Vessels Approached and Hailed as Iran Stages Persian Gulf Naval Exercise
Reports coming from the Persian Gulf and the area around the vital Strait of Hormuz indicate that one vessel was approached and others contacted and instructed to alter course toward Iranian territorial waters. The incidents came as Iran highlighted its naval...
WinGD Reports Ammonia Engine Progress Targeting First Deliveries in June
The competition to deliver the first ammonia-fueled engine continues to report progress with Swiss-based WinGD now reporting it expects to complete final validation in time for the first engine deliveries in June 2025. After achieving results with a single-cylinder in...
Sistership to Containership Dali Breaks Down in Pacific
One of the sisterships to the containership Dali which destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge is reporting engine troubles in the Pacific. The vessel which is also managed by Synergy Marine and sailing under charter as the Maersk Saltoro is...
Local News
Sabah needs Transport Ministry to boost logistics, economic growth
LABUAN (June 11): The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia (CILTM) Sabah Section has called for the establishment of a Ministry of Transport in Sabah, emphasising the critical role of logistics and transport in driving economic growth and social...
Malaysia should reintroduce GST at rate that won’t burden people, says economist
KUCHING (June 13): Malaysia should reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) because it will provide a “sustainable and predictable source of revenue”, said economist Datuk Dr Madeline Berma. The Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (Masa) fellow said GST is a broad-based...
Johor leads Malaysia’s Q1 2025 investments with RM30.1bil, says exco
JOHOR BARU: Johor has emerged as Malaysia’s top investment destination for the first quarter of 2025, recording RM30.1bil in approved investments, according to Lee Ting Han (pic). The state investment, trade, consumer affairs, and human resources committee chairman...
Government confirms rice exports to Malaysia, stocks safe
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono has assured that the government's plan to export two thousand tons of rice to Malaysia per month will not impact the country's domestic rice stocks. "Insha'allah (God willing), (it is) safe," he told...
Johor Port invests RM72.3 mil in new cranes to enhance customer service, operational efficiency
JOHOR Port Berhad (Johor Port), a member of MMC Group, has signed a ceremony for the procurement of four Level Luffing cranes to be installed at its Conventional Terminal. The signing ceremony, held on June 4 in Johor Bahru, was formalised by Johor Port...
Malaysia’s public transport usage only at 20pc, says transport minister as he pushes ‘Road to Rail’ initiative
PETALING JAYA, June 5 — The percentage of public transport usage in Malaysia has only reached 20 per cent to date, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the figure remains below the 40 per cent target outlined in the National Transport Policy 2019-2030. “The...
Singapore to acquire 2 Malaysian-owned land parcels as long-term solution to congestion at Woodlands Checkpoint
SINGAPORE: Singapore will be acquiring two land parcels owned by the Malaysian Government as a long-term solution to the chronic congestion at Woodlands Checkpoint (WCP). The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) officially gazetted the acquisition...
MMAG’s logistics arm joins collaboration on entrepreneur commercial vehicle programme
KUALA LUMPUR: An indirect subsidiary of MMAG Bhd has inked a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) with Mpire Global Bhd, JAC Auto ( Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Cheongfuli (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd in relation to an entrepreneur programme for commercial vehicle ownership. In a...
In a move to strengthen international cooperation and agricultural growth, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has hosted the Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Aiyub Bin Omar, in Calabar.
The high-level diplomatic engagement focused on enhancing bilateral trade and deepening collaboration in the agricultural sector, particularly in oil palm development. Welcoming the delegation at the Governor’s Office, Governor Otu highlighted the historical...
Malaysian logistics company seeking investment expansion in Cambodia
The CEO of a publicly-listed Malaysian company has expressed an interest in exploring further investment opportunities in Cambodia in the fields of technology and logistics. He met with Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss the matter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May...
Bukit Aman logistics director visits Ba’kelalan Police Post to assess border readiness
MIRI (May 30): Director of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Logistics and Technology Department, Dato’ Seri Sahabudin Abd Manan, led a working visit to the Ba’kelalan Police Post in Lawas on Wednesday (May 28) to review the logistics and operational preparedness of...
Indonesia to export 2,000 tons rice to Malaysia in B2B deal
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia will export 2,000 tons of rice per month to Malaysia, with the commodity primarily sourced from West Kalimantan, the province closest to the neighboring country. Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman announced on Friday that the rice export...
Malaysia moves to clean up its street food scene with shiny new kiosks topped with solar panels
KUALA LUMPUR - Mr Syed Nurul Fakhri was selling nasi kandar under a flimsy canopy in Petaling Jaya city for five years, setting up his stall in the mornings and packing things up in the evenings to avoid his utensils from being stolen overnight. That routine changed a...
ECRL extension to Sungai Golok would complete eastern ASEAN rail link – MiTrans
KUALA LUMPUR: Extending the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to Sungai Golok would complete the missing eastern corridor of the Singapore–Kunming Rail Link (SKRL), unlocking Malaysia’s strategic potential in cross-border logistics, an expert said. Malaysia...
End of electric vehicles, hydrogen and gasoline, China and Malaysia joins hand together to produce…, will challenge Elon Musk Tesla?
As the world is moving more towards electric vehicles, the hope of new fuel which is also green can reduce the dependency of electricity and run the cars on methanol. China and Malaysia can change the future of the alternative fuel sector. The new fuel that the two...
PM engages with leading Malaysian companies to foster investment, economic cooperation
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held working sessions with prominent Malaysian corporations and business associations in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, to promote related investment and collaboration in Vietnam. The PM, who is on an official visit to...
Malaysia unveils floral tunnel to honour leaders at Asean Summit
KUALA LUMPUR: A striking 320-metre floral tunnel erected at the patio area of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) is more than mere decoration - it symbolises Malaysia’s warm welcome to Asean leaders attending the 46th Asean Summit from May 26 to 27. Chief...
PM Anwar attends roundtable meeting with Russian industry leaders
MOSCOW (May 14): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continued the agenda of his second day of official visit to Russia by attending a roundtable meeting with industry leaders of the Russian Federation. The meeting, which began at 9am here, was attended by 24...
Malaysia’s automotive industry undergoes major transformation with renewable energy policies
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – New policies promoting renewable energy in Malaysia are sparking significant growth and reshaping the landscape of the country’s automotive industry towards sustainability and innovation. Speaking at the Automechanika Kuala Lumpur 2025,...
One death every 36 hours in Malaysia from lorry crashes, with speeding and poor maintenance key causes, study shows
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — A new study has revealed that fatal road accidents involving heavy vehicles like lorries and trailers have claimed at least 1,457 lives over the past six years, with highways emerging as the deadliest routes. At least one life is lost every 36...