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EU and Turkish Shipping Company in Standoff Over Weapons Inspections
The EUNAVFOR went public with its concerns regarding a Turkish shipping company as it remains at odds with Arkas Line over requests for vessel inspections. One of the line’s Turkish-registered containerships refused a request from EUNAVFOR IRINI for an inspection on...
Rules Proposed to Manage Cruise Passenger Overtourism in Greece
The association representing cruise ship operators in Greece is proposing a set of actions that will help to manage the flow of cruise tourists. It comes after the Prime Minister earlier in the year said the time had come for restrictions, especially in the most...
Cargo Ship Lost in WWI Found During UK Wind Farm Survey
Teams working on the geological surveys for a planned floating offshore wind farm to be located off the northeast coast of Scotland are reporting an “added bonus” from their work. They believe they located the wreck of a WWI-era cargo ship in remarkably good condition...
Tentative Contract After Longshore Union Stops Hamburg Port Operations
Germany’s labor union Ver.di and the employers of longshore workers reported today they have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract after months of disputes and “warning strikes.” Today’s agreement after the fifth round of talks came as the union had staged...
New England Selects 2.9 GW of Offshore Wind for Massachusetts/Rhode Island
After what they are calling a rigorous selection process, Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced the results of the first multistate wind power solicitation selecting a total of nearly 2.9 GW offshore wind power. The states are reporting it as a key step in New...
60-Year-Old Ferry Losses Prop as BC Ferries Struggles with Aging Fleet
Canada’s BC Ferries is increasingly feeling the pressure of operating an aging fleet after one of its flagship vessels lost its propeller, leading to service cancelations coming at the end of a busy summer season. The ferry operator that bills itself as one of the...
UK Warns of Impostors Seeking Information from Vessels in the Red Sea
UK authorities overnight issued a warning to all vessels transiting the Red Sea of impostors seeking information from ships and demanding that they begin AIS transmissions. Vessels are being cautioned to use security protocols to confirm the identity of any contacts....
New Concept Ocean Energy Support Vessel to be Built in Spain
Norwegian offshore support company Østensjø has ordered a new concept offshore support vessel to be built in Spain at the Astilleros Gondan shipyard. Called an Ocean Energy Support Vessel (OESV), the company reports it is a more versatile design for a broad range of...
Canadian Shipbuilders Calls for 100 Percent Tariff on Chinese-Built Ships
The Canadian Marine Industries and Shipbuilding Association (CMISA) this week issued a call for the Canadian government to impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-built ships as a step to protect domestic capabilities and national security. The move comes after Canada...
Salvage Plan Prepared as Greece Warns of Oil Leak from Sounion
The salvage plan is being prepared with a salvage team organized as they race against time to prevent an environmental disaster in the Red Sea from the burning Greek tanker Sounion. After contradictory statements and images from the various authorities regarding...
Bahamas Formalized Agreement to Create Global Leader in Ship Repair
The government of the Bahamas highlights that it signed a Heads of Agreement with the Grand Bahamas Shipyard to formalize the ongoing work to revitalize the repair facility and expand its capacity. The yard which is owned by Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean...
Third Collision Incident Between Chinese Coast Guard and Philippines
For the third time over the last two weeks, Chinese and Philippine forces have faced down each other’s vessels resulting in a collision and accusations from both sides. The Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5205 and the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa...
USCG Clears Regent’s Wing-in-Ground Craft for Full-Scale Human Testing
he application of wing-in-ground technology is a step closer to reality as the U.S. Coast Guard approved the application from Regent, a manufacturer of the craft, to test its full-scale prototype including with humans on board. This comes just two years ago Regent...
Cargo Ship Blacks Out and Becomes Wedged Across St. Lawrence Seaway
A Dutch general cargo ship outbound from Canada blacked out Thursday evening in one of the channels of the St. Lawrence Seaway south of Montreal, Canada. The vessel is currently wedged at a 45-degree angle across the waterway blocking navigation. The...
China Launches New Generation of Energy-Efficient Inland Cargo Ships
Chinese officials are highlighting the launch of the first of a new generation of highly energy-efficient inland cargo ships. The vessels feature a standardized design for mass production and will be the leaders in the modernization of China’s inland operations. The...
US Launches Sweeping Sanctions on Russian Economy Including Arctic LNG 2
Timed to coincide with tomorrow’s celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day and to support the G7 initiatives, the United States today announced one of its broadest and most comprehensive sanction packages targeting the Russian economy and companies ranging from China...
Mozambique Leases a Port Terminal to Landlocked Malawi
In a rare move, Mozambique is planning to lease part of its northern port of Nacala to neighboring landlocked Malawi. The deal seeks to boost trade ties between the two countries. To formalize the initiative, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and his Malawian...
Indian Dockworkers Set Date for Strike After Three Years of Negotiations
Globally port workers have expressed their frustrations during contract negotiations and called for significant wage increases after working through the pandemic to keep global commerce functioning. The latest problems emerged in India where the six labor unions that...
Volumes Soar at SoCal Ports Setting Records as Shippers Accelerate Pace
Defying forecasts of a potentially slowing U.S. economy, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach each had record volumes in July in part as imports accelerated to avoid potential disruptions due to the Red Sea as well as a possible fall port strike on the U.S. East...
German LNG Terminal Operator Sues EU Over Competitor’s Subsidy
Two years after Germany rushed to launch its first onshore LNG import terminals, the operators are struggling to gain the upper hand in the market as they move from temporary operations toward the future energy markets. The operator of the first terminal opened at...
South Africa Commissions New Tugs and Launches in Port Renewal Plan
Transnet National Ports Authority, the government operator of South Africa’s ports, celebrated the commissioning of five new tugboats for the port of Durban on Thursday, August 15. The vessels, along with two launches received last week, are part of the renewal plan...
USCG Polar Icebreaker Healy Returns to Seattle After Fire Suspends Mission
The U.S. Coast Guard’s polar icebreaker Healy returned to Seattle prematurely on August 16, approximately two months into her 2024 mission after having suffered a fire. The Coast Guard's statement is downplaying the incident saying that no one was injured,...
Giant Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Delivered to Cadeler
Cadeler, which already attests to being the world’s largest operator in offshore wind installation, operations, and maintenance services, took delivery today, August 16, on the first of its new larger installation vessels. It comes just three months after the company...
Volumes and Freight Costs Surge as Retailers Accelerate U.S. Imports
Retailers are rushing to get inventories into the United States reports the National Retail Federation in part due to the fears of a U.S. East Coast dockworkers strike and to guard against the ongoing disruptions due to the diversions away from the Red Sea. The result...
Port of Hueneme Partners to Introduce Stack Caps to Reduce Emissions
California’s Port of Hueneme, which is used by commercial shippers for cargo including fresh produce and vehicles as well as the military, is launching a new partnership to reduce at-berth emissions through the use of a capture and control technology. The port is...
Port of Virginia Expands Intermodal Rail to Reach Midwestern Markets
After two years of work, the Port of Virginia's central rail yard project is operational and in service at Norfolk International Terminals. The yard expands the port's ability to compete in Midwestern containerized freight markets, which are served in large part by...
New Research Gives Crews Insight Into Underwater Noise in Real Time
German propulsion company Schottel has completed a research project for Transport Canada and BC Ferries to investigate solutions for underwater noise. Ship noise is a major issue in the Salish Sea because of its effects on the region's endangered orca population. The...
Gearbox Failure, Pilot Error Caused V-22 Crash off Japan
A disintegrating metal gearbox was responsible for the crash of an Air Force CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft off Japan last November, which killed eight servicemembers and prompted a large-scale subsea salvage response, according to the Air Force. On the...
New Fears India’s Chabahar Port Deal Could Run Afoul of U.S. Iran Sanctions
Almost two months after India signed a 10-year agreement to develop and operate Iran’s Chabahar Port, details have emerged that parts of the deal are being kept confidential to avoid U.S. sanctions. This was revealed last week by the Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime...
New Strike Threats Loom in August Over Canada’s West Coast Ports and Rails
Labor disputes impacting both the operations of Canada’s West Coast ports and the two leading railroads are due to come to a head in August. Experts warn of the potential of more disruptions as Canada is already dealing with the impact of wildfires near the main rail...
Uniper First to Offer BioLNG from Rotterdam’s Gate Terminal
With demand continuing to grow for green solutions using biofuel options, German energy major Uniper reports it has become the first shipper at Rotterdam’s LNG hub to offer liquified biomethane. The company is calling it a critical step to fully integrate...
Philippine Coast Guard Brings Tanker Spill Under Control
The Philippine Coast Guard and its salvage response partners have been making progress on preventing pollution from the sunken tanker Terra Nova, which went down in rough weather from Typhoon Gaemi on July 25. Terra Nova has an estimated 370,000 gallons of petroleum...
Maryland Briefly Close Bridge as MARAD Reserve Vessel Losses Steering
It has happened again, or maybe officials have just become very sensitive to all reports of a vessel reporting momentary problems. Thursday midday Maryland officials according to a report in the Baltimore Sun suspended all vehicle traffic on the busy Chesapeake Bay...
Investigation Highlights Increasing Dangers to Crews of Heat Exhaustion
A newly released report into the death of a crewmember aboard a Maltese-registered bulk carrier and the hospitalization of three others in July 2023 points to the impact of climate change on crewmembers and the challenges due to their working schedule which does not...
New Fears India’s Chabahar Port Deal Could Run Afoul of U.S. Iran Sanctions
Almost two months after India signed a 10-year agreement to develop and operate Iran’s Chabahar Port, details have emerged that parts of the deal are being kept confidential to avoid U.S. sanctions. This was revealed last week by the Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime...
First Phase of Salvage of Capsized Bulker Completed Reports SAMSA
South African officials reported that the first phase of the recovery effort for the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy has been completed. With a break in the harsh winter weather, they report progress is being made while cautioning that another cold front is due...
Study: Warming Waters Will Cause Serious Declines in Regional Fisheries
Global fish catches are likely to plunge if the planet warms by just a few degrees, according to one of the most comprehensive attempts to model this understudied topic. The projections are based on the quantity of fish in the sea, rather than focusing on...
Oil Spill Spreads as Second Tanker Sinks in Manila Bay
A second tanker has gone down off the coast of the Bataan Peninsula, threatening even more pollution in the Manila Bay area. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the tanker Jason Bradley sank off the municipality of Mariveles - at the bay's entrance - on the...
One Knot at a Time
Seals are important for the role they play in containing pressure and eliminating leakage and contamination. Bearings reduce friction and are key components for transferring motion. When functioning properly, seals and bearings are the furthest thing on the chief...
Blaze on two tankers – all crew rescued or involved in firefighting
A total of 62 seafarers from a Hafnia product tanker and VLCC ablaze in the South China Sea have been either rescued or accounted for. Marcus Hand | Jul 19, 2024 The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was alerted to a fire onboard both...
Advancing the maritime industry: the critical need for digital transformation
Ship repair and maintenance businesses have traditionally lagged in new technology deployment. However, the prism through which we view and solve the challenges of these complex physical assets needs updating, writes Peter Jackson, vice president, Business...
Barcelona first Med port to have shore power
The Port of Barcelona’s first phase of an offshore power system will enable two ships to be connected simultaneously at Hutchison’s BEST terminal. Marcus Hand | Jul 18, 2024 The first onshore power supply system (OPS) in the Port of Barcelona was opened on...
Container shipping market outlook for H2 2024
Spot container freight rates have surged to unexpected highs in the first half of 2024 due the Red Sea crisis, what will happen in the remaining months of the year. Marcus Hand | Jul 18, 2024 In a five-part series mid-year we take stock of shipping markets in the...
Hub and spoke versus direct services in container shipping: an analysis
The Red Sea crisis has prompted shipping lines to re-consider the hub and spoke strategy and increase their direct services allowing the carriers to absorb excess capacity and reduce their vulnerability to port congestion. Antonella Teodoro and Nick Savvides | Jul 17,...
US Imports Remain High With Signs of Softening of Container Spot Prices
Container import volumes remain strong at U.S. ports and significantly ahead of 2023 levels despite the first signs of softening in the spot market prices. Yet the outlook remains strong spurred on by the resiliency of the U.S. economy and consumers' willingness...
IMB: Violence Against Crew on the Rise Amidst Drop in Piracy
The safety of crews on merchant ships is increasingly becoming a major concern owing to the rise in violent attacks despite a notable decrease in maritime piracy incidents, according to the latest update from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting...
Iran Releases Chevron-Chartered Tanker Held for 15 Months After Taking Oil
Tracking services and the AIS signal from the Marshall Island-flagged tanker Advantage Sweet show the vessel underway and bound for Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates nearly 15 months after the tanker was detained by Iranian forces. The latest AIS data...
How a Gulf of Alaska Test Range Helped Israel Defend Itself From Iran
At the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska, in 2019, the Israelis successfully tested an anti-ballistic missile system that intercepts weapons in space. Now, in the Israel-Hamas War, it’s finally being used in battle, pushing military conflict above the...
Carrier Roosevelt Arrives in Red Sea Area of Operations
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on July 12 that the supercarrier USS Theodore Roosevelt has arrived in the 5th Fleet area of operations taking over for the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower which left the Red Sea area in late June...
Shipping Industry Needs to Improve to Prevent Injury and Suicide Says Gard
A new report examining key trends within crew-related insurance claims identifies concerns with an increase in injuries as well as a “worryingly high number” of the percentage of deaths caused by suicide among seafarers. While there is a positive trend in...
Local News
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...
Govt approves RM60m for Sultan Azlan Shah Airport expansion, says Minister Nga
IPOH, January 31 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government has approved an RM60 million allocation for the expansion of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here. Nga said this was a special Chinese New Year gift for Perakians from Prime Minister...
Global LNG: Asian spot LNG little changed on ample stocks, mild weather
KUALA LUMPUR: Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices were little changed this week, as ample inventories and mild weather capped demand from East Asian buyers. The average LNG price for March delivery into north-east Asia rose slightly to $14.00 per million...
13MP: Govt committed to enabling policies to drive growth in key industries – Rafizi
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is committed to prioritising enabling policies over direct intervention to drive creativity and growth in key industries for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said. He said the focus would be on...
MOH Proposes Jumpstarting Local Pharmaceutical Investments with Three-Year Contracts
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has suggested three-year contracts to incentivise local pharmaceutical companies to produce certain off-patent drugs that currently only have single product registration holders (PRH). MOH deputy secretary-general...
Malaysia has strategic advantage to become Southeast Asia’s supply chain hub: SIS CEO
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has the strategic advantage to become Southeast Asia’s supply chain hub as the global supply chain paradigm is shifting and expanding from China to other countries in the region. The chief executive officer of US-based Synergies Intelligent...
Opportunity for Malaysia to seize its moment in Southeast Asia e-commerce boom: Blackbox Research
PETALING JAYA: Southeast Asia is experiencing a transformative e-commerce boom, with Malaysia emerging as a key player in this digital revolution, according to a report. Business Opportunity for Malaysia to seize its moment in Southeast Asia e-commerce boom: Blackbox...
Johor-Singapore SEZ’s faces toughest test – slashing immigration clearance delays, says Malaysian minister
[KUALA LUMPUR] The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone’s (JS-SEZ) biggest challenge is slashing immigration clearance time to 20 minutes – a crucial step to transform the congested Causeway into a seamless link for talent and trade and meet the SEZ’s ambitious...
BP Batam Responds to Malaysia-Singapore SEZ Agreement, Sees Strategic Opportunities
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority (BP Batam) has responded to the recent agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Johor, Malaysia. The agreement has prompted some business leaders...
Rafizi: RDCI overhaul in the works for a more competitive Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 16 — The Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), is working to improve the Research, Development, Commercialisation, and Innovation (RDCI) ecosystem in the country, addressing existing...
Malaysia Freight Logistics Market Trends in 2025: Sustainable Practices and Emerging Opportunities | MRFR
MALAYSIA, January 16, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ --The Malaysia freight logistics market is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector integral to the country’s economic growth. The sector facilitates the movement of goods across both domestic and international...
Amir Hamzah: JS-SEZ to drive Malaysia-Singapore growth, unlock billions in economic potential and create 100,000 skilled jobs in 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is a testament to Malaysia and Singapore’s shared vision of complementing each other’s strengths to drive economic progress, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Amir Hamzah...
Singapore less exposed to US tariff risks
Singapore’s trade balance might be less susceptible to tariff risks expected under US president-elect Donald Trump’s second term. Within the ASEAN-6 countries, Singapore is the only economy that runs a consistent trade deficit against the US. This may render...
Japan’s PM in Malaysia, Indonesia to strengthen defense, economic ties
TOKYO, Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting Malaysia and Indonesia to bolster defense and economic partnerships with key Southeast Asian nations amid rising tensions with China in the region. This trip, Ishiba's first for bilateral talks outside...
Singapore-Malaysia SEZ promises a production powerhouse
Sixty years ago, Singapore’s separation from Malaysia marked the painful collapse of a bold political experiment. What began as a union based on the promise of a shared future and a common market fell apart under the weight of irreconcilable political objectives and...
Port of Tanjung Pelepas becomes ‘the first’ in Malaysia to exceed 12 million TEUs in 2024
As disclosed, the 12 millionth TEU was recorded on the evening of December 23, 2024, surpassing its previous record of 11.2 million in 2021, which, at the time, was said to represent an annual increase of 14%, compared to 2020’s 9.8 million TEUs. “By...
Saving big, but at what cost? Retreaded and Chinese tyres dominate Malaysia’s lorry fleet
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — Retreaded tyres and imported tyres from China have become the top choice among heavy vehicle operators, dominating 80 per cent of the commercial vehicle tyre market. Their affordability makes them highly sought after, with costs significantly...
Bus and lorry companies facing shortage of drivers
PETALING JAYA: Bus and lorry services companies are grappling with a critical shortage of drivers, threatening their viability and sustainability, said Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali. He said the affected sector, which...