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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...
France Faces More Port Strikes to Protest Lack of Action on Pension Reforms
The long-running dispute between the French government and the powerful trade unions over proposed pension reforms is again prompting threats of port strikes across the country. The government has been pushing for pension reforms and changes to France’s work rules...
Retailers Continue to Front-Load Imports into U.S. Ports
Retailers are continuing to front-load their imports which is driving up the volumes seen at major U.S. ports. The National Retail Federation in its monthly read on container volumes expects the rush to get merchandise into the country will continue in part started by...
Video: USCG Icebreakers Aid Great Lakes Bulkers as Winter Sets In
It is the end of the season on the Great Lakes and with the deep cold that has set across the region this week, the U.S. Coast Guard extended its ongoing icebreaking operations to aid two bulkers caught in the ice flows. It is part of an annual tradition on the lakes...
China Calls Shipbuilding Report “Obvious Unilateralism and Protectionism”
Chinese officials ranging from the ministries of commerce and foreign affairs to the shipbuilding association each condemned the U.S. Trade Representative’s report on the shipbuilding industry. They used some of their harshest language saying the report contains false...
Carriers Adopt New Standard to Prevent Deadly Charcoal Fires
The shipping industry is taking proactive steps to implement improved safety measures for transporting charcoal, ahead of mandatory IMO regulations in 2026. Experts have long warned that misdeclared, poorly handled, and poorly packed dangerous goods are one of the...
Germany’s First Fully Electric Seagoing Vessel Completes Trials
The first fully electric seagoing vessel in Germany, a catamaran ferry, has completed its acceptance trials and is preparing to be deployed. It joins a growing number of battery-powered ferries that are demonstrating the growing opportunities for electric power. The...
Maritime Trade Leads Revival of Ukraine’s Export Economy
Ukraine's export economy posted a 13% increase in value and a 29% rise in tonnage, according to year-end data released by Ukraine's economy ministry. The war-torn nation exported 129 million tons of goods valued at $41 billion, outpacing 2023's figures of 100 million...
DP World’s Global Footprint Crosses 100 Million TEU Mark
Ports operator and logistics giant DP World is celebrating a major milestone: it now has 100 million TEU in container handling capacity across its global footprint. Over the past four and a half decades, the Dubai-based conglomerate has been aggressive in bidding for...
Local News
Johor leads Malaysia in growth for the first time, charting a new economic era
MALAYSIA: Johor has emerged as Malaysia’s fastest-growing state in 2024, recording an economic growth rate of 6.4% compared to the national average of 5.1%, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s July 2025 report. In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 13),...
Finance Ministry defends exemption, says to stop ship, plane owners from registering abroad as Malaysia’s neighbours don’t tax leases
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The service tax exemption on ship and aircraft leasing was not done discreetly, with the exemption aimed at maintaining local industry competitiveness, says the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF emphasised that the imposition of such a tax...
Finance Minister II : Budget 2026 will address cost of living
PUTRAJAYA: The government’s upcoming 2026 Budget will focus on safeguarding public welfare while addressing structural economic challenges, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Speaking at the opening of the Budget 2026 consultation sessions here...
Focus On US Tariff Impact On Asia
After US President Trump’s 1 August tariff deadline came to an end and as investors watch what will happen in the US-China trade talks, Swiss private bank Julius Baer shares its insights on the impact on Asia’s asset allocation and economies. After the market...
Top global leaders to attend Asean Summit
CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the attendance of an unprecedented gathering of global leaders at the Asean Summit, including US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril...
Vietnam eyes expanded exports to Halal markets via Malaysia gateway
Vietnam is seeking to boost exports to Halal markets through Malaysia, which is viewed as a strategic gateway to the global market, heard a business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on August 7. Vietnam – Malaysia trade reached 14.2 billion USD in 2024. In the first half of...
Westports posts stronger earnings in 2Q, sees resilient demand ahead
KUALA LUMPUR: Westports Holdings Bhd sees resilient global trade and regional shipping trends driving future demand, according to executive chairman Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam. “The US economy remained resilient despite trade tariffs, whereas the region’s...
Malaysia SME Association presses Putrajaya for urgent SST review in wake of US tariffs
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The SME Association of Malaysia has urged the government to urgently review the Sales and Services Tax (SST) framework in response to a new 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States. The association said the tariff, which...
Malaysia’s data centre boom set to create over 30,000 jobs by 2030
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s data centre boom is becoming a powerful engine for employment, with projections indicating significant job growth by the end of the decade. According to the Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA), the sector is set to create 30,900 jobs...
Malaysian manufacturers optimistic as sector nears stabilisation, demand improves
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Malaysia's manufacturing sector moved closer to stabilisation in July as business conditions showed the softest deterioration in five months, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data. The seasonally adjusted Malaysia Manufacturing PMI rose...
‘Malaysia moving at own pace’
COUNTRIES like Singapore and South Korea have integrated artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance, predictive logistics and cyber command structures into their militaries. How does Malaysia’s cyber and AI modernisation trajectory compare with regional peers and...
People-centric initiatives boost MSME sector in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Recent government measures aimed at easing financial burdens on Malaysians are expected to provide significant relief to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcements include continued fuel...
Malaysia: how proactive enforcement measures and harsh penalties are shaping a culture of compliance
In summary This article provides an overview of what is considered engaging in cartel behaviour in Malaysia with reference to recent decisions made by the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC). Discussion points What amounts to cartel behaviour What are the...
Johor drives transport upgrades, Singapore links
Johor government is doubling down on efforts to upgrade its public transport systems, especially at key cross-border checkpoints, in a move to boost connectivity with Singapore ahead of Visit Johor 2026. With over 60,000 daily commuters crossing between Johor and...
Malaysia’s export-oriented businesses fret as deadline for US tariff deal draws near
KUALA LUMPUR – As Malaysian trade negotiators race against the clock to seal a deal that could reduce the Trump administration’s 25 per cent tariff rate before the Aug 1 deadline, the business community continues to grapple with the uncertainty. Given the...
China-Malaysia visa-free agreement: A golden gateway for tourism and logistics
In a world where travel often feels like a maze of forms and border checks, the recent extension of the mutual visa-free agreement between Malaysia and China is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. For five more years, citizens of both countries can now move across...
Malaysia’s export-oriented businesses fret as deadline for US tariff deal draws near
BANTING: The government is actively exploring ways to expand biodiesel usage nationwide as part of its push for cleaner and more sustainable fuel alternatives, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He noted that while Malaysia’s...
SEKO Logistics Launches New Singapore Logistics Hub to Strengthen APAC Operations
SEKO Logistics (SEKO), the leader in end-to-end global logistics, today announced the relocation of its Singapore corporate office and warehouse to new facilities – marking a major milestone in the company’s Asia Pacific growth strategy. Strategically located in the...
As Scope 3 reporting deadline looms, Malaysian SMEs under pressure to provide sustainability disclosures
There is increasing pressure on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia to provide better sustainability disclosures. As Malaysia forges ahead with its 2050 net zero climate ambition, new policies are prompting businesses to embed sustainability...
DSV opens Singapore facility to boost logistics with Johor
Danish logistics giant DSV has launched a new facility in Singapore aimed at strengthening cross-border logistics with Malaysia. The Redlion2 facility will support the flow of goods across the Causeway and work in tandem with DSV’s Sunway City warehouse in Johor. The...


































































