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NGO Sues Norway over Seabed Mining Approval
Environmental campaign group WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is moving to sue Norway for its controversial decision to open up vast parts of its continental shelf to deep seabed mining. According to WWF-Norway, the legal action is the last resort in an attempt to...
Shipping Industry May Create the Very First Global Carbon
In August 2023, Cambodia sent an official notice to the Mekong River Commission flagging the construction of a new major canal project on the Mekong River. The Mekong, long a source of regional bounty, has become a modern point of contention for the countries along...
Op-Ed: Mariner Shortage Could Put the Jones Act at Risk
Let’s take a little look at the American maritime industry today as it stands. In fact, why not have a look around at your own personal “work world.” In very simple terms, do you have enough trained employees to handle the work load you already have? And we are...
Climate Change May Be Fueling a Resurgence of Piracy Across Africa
In the churning waters off Nigeria, armed pirates in small skiffs speed towards a cargo ship. They clamber aboard, seizing control of the vessel and its valuable cargo. This isn’t a scene from a swashbuckling film; it’s a stark reality for seafarers in many parts of...
Software Issue Causes South Carolina to Close Charleston and Inland Ports
An unspecified “software issue” was being blamed for the unusual move of suspending all cargo operations at the Port of Charleston as well as South Carolina inland ports on Monday, May 20. The South Carolina State Ports Authority said that it is working with an...
Belgium Bans Exports of “Dirty Fuels” to West Africa
The Port of Antwerp will no longer be used by oil companies and traders to export so-called dirty fuels to West Africa. The Belgium government banned the export of toxic motor fuels that are highly harmful to public health and the environment. Belgium’s Minister of...
Three Crews from the UK’s RNLI Coordinate to Save Historic Sailing Vessel
The UK’s volunteer Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is being commended for its operation earlier in the week to assist a historic sailing vessel that was taking on water and requested urgent assistance. It became a 10-hour operation involving three of the...
ILWU Canada Delays Strike Notice for DP World’s Vancouver Terminals
Canadian officials are again preparing for a potential strike that would impact DP World Canada’s West Coast operation, including the second-largest Vancouver container terminal, while holding out hope for a new round of federal mediation. Yesterday, May 15, the...
IMO Urges More Efforts as World Marks Women in Maritime Day
Organizations around the globe marked the annual Women in Maritime Day, on May 18, highlighting the advancements women are making in the field while calling for continued actions for training and to support equality. The International Maritime Organization marked the...
Three Missing After Turkish-Owned Cargo Ship Sinks Off Romania
Romanian authorities have a search and rescue mission underway on Saturday, May 18, after a small, Turkish-owned general cargo ship sunk off the northern coast near the border with Ukraine. Three crewmembers, Syrian nationals, are reported missing while eight were...
Oregon’s Port of Portland Gets State Funds to Maintain Container Ops
The Port of Portland, Oregon’s only ocean-going seaport, announced it will reverse course and not suspend container operations. The move came after the state’s governor, Tina Kotek, released a letter on Thursday reporting she would provide stop-gap funding and would...
Refloating of Dali to Begin Sunday for Monday Removal to Baltimore Berth
The Unified Command overseeing the recovery operation in Baltimore reports that the removal operation for the Dali is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 19 with the vessel expected to begin the journey from the wreck site to the berth early on Monday, May 20....
Explosive charges set to bring down Key Bridge section
Small explosive chargers are being set for the controlled demolition of the piece of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge which lays across container ship Dali. The Key Bridge Response Unified Command said precision cuts to the bridge section and small charges was the...
Future proofing shipping against the next crisis
Turbulence across global supply chains is nothing new. But escalating geopolitical conflict and unpredictable weather events are raising the risks for ships, crew and cargo, demanding new levels of awareness and speed of response from both Masters and shipping owners...
Red Sea rerouting causing Asian port congestion
Fluctuating services configurations has seen congestion building at some ports as a combination of unexpected events and higher volumes increases pressure on infrastructure and the inland operations whose ability to cope with changeable volumes is causing backlogs and...
Port of Salalah offers overland route to avoid Southern Red Sea
ort of Salalah in Oman has launched a multi-modal service connecting to the Saudi Port of Jeddah as an alternative to rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope. From the Port of Salalah, an in transit overland route by truck connects to Jeddah located in the safer...
DP World makes first foray into landlocked Laos
Savan Logistics operates Savannakhet dry port part of the Savannakhet Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos, the first SEZ in the country. The 140,456 sq metre dry port includes 23,000 sq metres of warehousing with 11,000 sq metres of bonded space. Related: DP...
Salvors Remove Sections of Bridge from Dali Preparing for Bigger Lifts
In its latest update, the Unified Command highlights that the salvors are preparing for the removal of the piece of the bridge lying on top of the Dali as the recovery efforts proceed in Baltimore. Pictures released by the various teams on site show the...
Baltimore Welcomes its First Container Ship Since Bridge CollapseSteamer that “Went Missing” 115 Years Ago is Located in Lake SuperiorBaltimore Welcomes its First Container Ship Since Bridge Collapse
The mystery of a wooden steamship that went missing 115 years ago on Lake Superior with 14 sailors onboard has finally been solved. After painstaking research, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) confirmed they had located the final resting place of...
Belgium and Namibia to Develop Africa’s First Hydrogen Ship, Infrastructure
Partners from Belgium and the African nation of Namibia mapped out a plan to develop the continent’s hydrogen infrastructure for the production and export of the energy source as well as launching Africa’s first hydrogen-fueled vessel. It is part of an ambitious plan...
Houthis Escalate Threats Against Shipping Launching “Fourth Stage”
The leader of the Houthi movement called for a further escalation of the attacks on shipping citing the potential attack on the city of Rafah and as Western pressure grows on Hamas to accept the terms of a proposed ceasefire. The statements came during their weekly...
Cape of Good Hope Diversions Threaten CII Grades – and Show Value of Data
The shipping industry has been enveloped by a sustained period of intense geopolitical volatility. Previous challenges - like the emergence of the Russian ‘dark fleet’ and the reduction in traffic through the Panama Canal - have now been superseded by the mass...
Baltimore Welcomes its First Container Ship Since Bridge Collapse
On Saturday, the Port of Baltimore received its first container ship since the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge one month ago. The arrival is an important milestone for Baltimore businesses and longshoremen, who have been heavily impacted by the closure...
Ammonia as an alternative fuel gathers pace, safety concerns remain
One the most noticeable changes attending Singapore Maritime Week from 12 months earlier was how much further ammonia has moved up the agenda as a zero-carbon fuel for the future. Marcus Hand | Apr 23, 2024 There was far more discussion about ammonia as a...
Mixed signals on container freight rates as Red Sea alarm subsides
reight rate indices are sending mixed messages but most of the latest indicators show a steady decline in rates as lines and shippers negotiate annual contracts on the transpacific. Nick Savvides | Apr 24, 2024 Linerlytica, however, reported this week that “the stage...
Asia’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Commissioned by Ørsted in Taiwan
Ørsted along with officials of the government of Taiwan gathered today to celebrate the commission of the first sections of the Greater Changhau offshore wind farms. In addition to being the largest of its kind in Asia, the wind farm doubled Taiwan’s offshore wind...
Nigeria’s Calabar Port Hasn’t Received a Large Container Ship in 25 Years
With Nigeria considered Africa’s largest economy, it goes without saying that its maritime sector has to play a substantial role in facilitating the country’s trade. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s maritime sector - especially the public-owned port system - continues to reel...
Shipping Trade Groups Call on UN to Protect Seafarers
Sixteen commercial maritime industry associations joined together in a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres calling for action while saying the current situation where merchant ships and their crews are being targeted is “intolerable”...
New York Ends Third Wind Round Without Awards Due to Material Modifications
In the latest setback to U.S. plans to accelerate renewable energy development, New York State regulators today reported they closed the third round of offshore wind solicitation with no final awards. Last fall, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul had hailed the round as...
Danish Ferry Forced to Maneuver to Avoid Russian Warship
Danish media is widely reporting an incident this morning that involved a high-speed passenger ferry that was forced to maneuver when a Russian warship failed to yield or acknowledge the ferry which was underway at full speed. Shipping operator Molslinjen is...
Japan Plans Next Generation Containership for Zero Emissions and Efficiency
A Japanese consortium made up of coastal shipping company Imoto Lines and marine software company Marindows is launching a government-backed effort to develop a next-generation containership. Plans call not only for the vessel to address decarbonization with the...
Is China Ready to Put Solar Panels Out at Sea?
China is increasingly seeking to put solar panels on the seas off its coastline, with some state-run companies experimenting as far offshore as 30 kilometers. A global leader in renewable energy, China has already been looking to the ocean to meet its future power via...
Vessel Condition, Human Error Blamed for Loss of Thai Navy Frigate
The Royal Thai Navy has completed its investigation into the sinking of the frigate Sukhothai in 2022, blaming a combination of bad weather, vessel condition and human error for the casualty. On the night of December 18, 2022, the 36-year-old frigate Sukhothai...
Cruise ships sailing into the port of Seattle for the 2024 season will plug in to shore power at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.
After a $44 million investment in shore power infrastructure and equipment, all three cruise berths at Pier 66 are now electric. In effect, this advances plans by the facility to become the greenest port in North America with the 2024 Cruise Season seeing more vessels...
DP World Sets Up Latin America’s First E-Truck Charging Station
DP World’s terminal at the Port of Callao, Peru has begun using the first electric charging station for trucks in Latin America. The new infrastructure is part of the port operator’s decarbonization plans at Callao, with an aim of reducing over 2000 tons of carbon...
Repurposing Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Could Reduce Poverty
Each year, governments around the world give billions of dollars to their fishing sectors. These public funds – around $35.4 billion annually, according to 2018 estimates – pay for everything from building ports to research and development. Some subsidies...
East Coast’s Biggest Crane Barge Hoists Giant Piece of Baltimore Bridge
For the first time, contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have brought in the East Coast's biggest crane barge to remove a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The large section of the main span was located in the federal navigation channel, and...
Red Sea crisis has negative impact on gas ship CII ratings
The firm’s statistics recorded 64 LNG carriers navigating through the Gulf of Aden and Suez Canal during January and February 2023. In the same period this year, the number had fallen to just seven. In the reverse direction, 59 vessels took the Suez/Gulf of...
X-Press Feeders signs green shipping corridor MoU with major European ports
Belgium’s Port of Antwerp Bruges, Estonia’s Port of Tallinn, Finland’s Ports of Helsinki and HaminaKotka, Latvia’s Freeport of Riga and Lithaunia’s Klaipeda Port all signed the agreement with the carrier. Collaboration under the agreement begins with the establishment...
End-April target to reopen Port of Baltimore to smaller container ships
The Port of Baltimore could re-open to container ships of up 4,500 teu by end April as work continues to clear the wreckage of the Key Bridge after it was struck by the vessel Dali. Barry Parker | Apr 08, 2024 The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), the agency...
Global names back association to promote nuclear power in shipping
NEMO will be headquartered in London and will officially start activities in the second quarter of 2024. The association aims to assist nuclear and maritime regulators in the development of appropriate standards and rules for the deployment, operation, and...
Tangshan port adds two large bulker berths
The northern Chinese port of Tangshan in Hebei province is planning to build a 300,000 tonnes-class bulk cargo berth and a 300,000 tonnes-class ore berth. These two new berths will bring 25.6 million tons annual cargo handling capacity to the port having a...
T&E survey shows lines profiteering over EU ETS charges
A study by the Brussels-based Transport & Environment group analysed 565 journeys taken by 20 vessels to and from Europe operated by four of the world’s largest carriers, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and CMA CGM, and found that the lines were over-charging in more...
Wartsila says fuel price parity possible by 2035
In its report – ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’ – the Helsinki-based company declared that decisive emissions policies such as the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) from January this year, and...
OceanScore boss warns of ETS compliance issues
Grell cites demarcation of responsibility between owners, managers, and charterers, the buying and selling of EU Allowances (EUAs), charter party terms, and data management, as some of the issues that have not yet been properly addressed by many shipping firms. ...
Ports of Southampton and Singapore explore green partnership
The two ports discussed various areas of potential cooperation regarding sustainable maritime transport during the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework (UKSGEF). The meeting was seen as paving the way for further discussions on green and digital shipping cooperation...
Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
However, some shippers and forwarders believe an electronic payment system favours the shipping lines, who can use the system to make late payment charges, adding another minor revenue stream to their income. Container Trade Statistics calculates that around 173m...
The ‘vastly different’ time horizons of shipping bosses and investors
Did container liner execs recklessly binge on newbuilding orders, needlessly sabotaging their own bottom lines (and stocks) for years to come? Are some public tanker companies shortchanging their own shareholders by not returning enough capital via dividends and...
Taiwan International Port upgrading terminal facility at Kaohsiung
TIPC is to invest NT$4.47 billion ($139.8 million) to upgrade infrastructure at the third and fifth container terminals of Kaohsiung port which will significantly increase the terminals handling capacity and operational efficiencies. Draught will be deepened and...
Decarbonisation set to boost Middle East oil producers and VLCCs
The analysis will please the small group of VLCC owners who have embarked on something of a VLCC spending spree in recent weeks. Through the course of 2023, VLCCs on order had fallen to a long-time low. The few contracts that were placed were at significantly higher...
Local News
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...
Duo aims to make Malaysia regional and global leader in drone technology and innovation
KUALA LUMPUR:The Malaysia Drone Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MDCoCI) is poised to revolutionise the country’s drone sector, said president Shanmugam Thanggavilo and founder Elanggovan Thanggavilo. The duo said they aim to make the country a regional and global...
Intra-Asia index brings clarity to largest container shipping trade
In what is the world’s largest trade by volume, and deployed capacity, it was an anomaly that the intra-Asia trades did not have a dedicated spot index to match the other major tradelanes out of Asia to Europe and the US. Philip Damas, MD and head...