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Brazil Moves Ahead With Privatized Container Terminal at Port of Santos
Brazil is moving ahead with the long-delayed development of a new container terminal at the Port of Santos. Early this week, the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) directed the state-owned logistics company Infra SA to draw up a concession model for the STS10...
Maritime Crime and Piracy at Lowest Level in 30 Years
In the first nine months of 2024, reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery fell to the lowest levels since 1994, according to the latest report by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Despite the lowest number of reported incidents in three decades, IMB...
Hurricane Milton Interrupts Operations for the Florida Cruise Industry
Florida is preparing for the overnight impact of one of the worst hurricanes to ever come ashore in the state. While the state’s West Coast and Tampa Bay area is expected to take the brunt of the storm as it comes ashore, Hurricane Milton will impact the majority of...
Container Imports Projected to Level Off at Strong Volumes After ILA Strike
After a surge to get merchandise, equipment, and supplies into the U.S. ahead of the long-promised but short-lived International Longshoremen’s Association strike, the forecast is that container import volumes will level off for the remainder of 2024. Ports however...
Canadian Coast Guard Contracts to Remove Oil from Long-Forgotten WWII Wreck
As part of its efforts to protect Canada's oceans and waterways, the Canadian Government is bringing back to life the story of a long-forgotten wreck from the World War II era which continues to haunt the Inside Passage between Canada and Alaska. The Canadian Coast...
S. Korea Upgrades Ties With Philippines, Backs Manila’s Maritime Rights
South Korea has added its weight to the Philippines' effort to defend the rule of law in the South China Sea, where China's ambitions have created friction with coastal states. In a memorandum of understanding signed in Manila on Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon...
China Coast Guard Spotted in the Bering Sea, Farther North Than Ever
The U.S. military has been keeping a close eye on increased levels of Russian and Chinese activity in the North Pacific and the Bering Sea, even deploying an Army guided-rocket unit to Shemya Island in response. Over the weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard spotted an...
In North Sea, Pollution from Offshore Platforms “Grossly Underestimated”
Growing up in Aberdeen, Scotland, the shadow of the Piper Alpha disaster loomed large over our community. The tragic explosion of the oil rig platform in 1988 claimed the lives of 167 people. Back then, I was blissfully unaware of the ecological...
Amnesty International Wants Ship Loaded with Explosives for Israel Stopped
The human rights organization Amnesty International is calling for a small cargo ship to be blocked from entering ports in Europe due to the belief the vessel is transporting explosives bound for Israel. The group says that permitting the vessel to transport these...
Zero-CO2 Shippers Expect to Have Green Methanol Supplies by 2027
The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), a consortium of prominent container shippers who want to buy carbon-free ocean freight services, says that it expects the market to have enough methanol-capable boxships and green methanol fuel to support a...
CLdN Expands from Shortsea RoRo to Seize Opportunity in LoLo Ops
CLdN long known as a leader in Europe’s shortsea segment sees an emerging opportunity in the load-on / load-off (LoLo) container business. The company is moving aggressively to develop the market ordering the construction of 10 vessels just months after launching its...
Haiti’s Main Seaport Closed After Gangs Attack Shooting Ships and Workers
For the second time this year, Haiti’s main seaport has been closed due to violence from the armed gangs that have been terrorizing the country. This is despite the efforts by the police and army with the assistance of troops from Kenya leading to calls at the United...
Ports of Stockholm Joins Rush to Add Shore Power
Ports of Stockholm has joined a growing number of European seaports investing in shore power to cut emissions from cruise ships at berth. The port has now inaugurated Sweden's first facility for onshore power supply (cold ironing) for cruise ships, and TUI Cruises´...
Montreal Dockworkers Scheduled 3-Day Strike Coinciding with U.S. Strike
Dockworkers in Montreal, which have been without a contract for nearly 10 months, Friday morning filed a notice of a 3-day strike at two container terminals. Significantly upstream on the St. Lawrence River, a strike at the Port of Montreal would normally be a...
Hurricane Helene Shuts Down Florida’s Gulf Coast Ports
Hurricane Helene is making eight knots towards the Gulf Coast of Florida, transiting over warm water in conditions that are "very conducive" for strengthening, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of Wednesday night, the storm's winds averaged about 75...
UK is Latest to Track Movement of Cargo Ship Laden with Ammonium Nitrate
The Malta-registered cargo ship Ruby continues to attract worldwide attention with the UK maritime authorities being the latest to be observing the ship’s movements. Laden with 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate which was reportedly destined for the Canary...
With Two Weeks Left and No Talks, Industry Prepares for ILA Strike
oday marks two weeks till the likely first day of a crippling strike for containers and Ro-Ro traffic at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports as the International Longshoremen’s Association has refused to resume negotiations on the master contract. With no signs of...
Russian Missile Damages Odesa Port and Docked Bulker
Reports are coming from Ukraine of a Russian missile strike on the city of Odesa that damaged port infrastructure and a vessel alongside loading. There are no reports of causalities in the port but four civilians were injured in the city. The governor for the region,...
Canadian Port Grows as Staging Point for U.S. Offshore Wind
The Port Argentia in the eastern reaches of Canada’s Newfoundland is using its strategic position and available land to develop a business in staging for U.S. offshore wind farms. Port officials reported they have signed a contract with Denmark’s Scan Global Logistics...
Turkey Gives Captain and First Officer Long Jail Time for Cocaine in Cargo
Strong condemnation is emerging after a Turkish court this week sentenced a captain and his first officer each to 30 years in jail after cocaine was found hidden in the cargo of their vessel. Turkish authorities focused on the command responsibility of the senior...
Denmark Sets Restrictions for Transit of Ammonium Nitrate Laden Vessel
The saga of the bulker Ruby, laden with a potentially explosive cargo, continues with the authorities in Northern Europe closely tracking the vessel’s movements. The resolution of the situation remains unclear as the ship continues to hold 20,000 tons of ammonium...
Report: Unsafe Crane Training Cost Second Officer His Left Leg
A ship-wide practice of using the emergency controls on a deck crane led to an officer losing his leg aboard a survey vessel in 2022, according to the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch. On August 16, 2022, the Kommandor Orca - formerly the...
Greece Sends Tugs as Salvage of Sounion is Believed to Have Started
Details about the salvage efforts for the burning Greek tanker Sounion in the Red Sea remain clouded in secrecy due to safety concerns, but indications are that the second effort got underway on Friday, September 13. Multiple clues point to an effort to...
Loose Cable Found During NTSB Dali Investigation Could Cause Blackouts
Without comment, the NTSB posted a 41-page document summarizing the findings of the Engineering Group formed to inspect the systems aboard the containership Dali which blacked out in March and destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge. The report lists...
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...
Local News
Malaysia, Indonesia to explore large-scale plantation projects in Kalimantan and South Papua
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — Malaysia and Indonesia intend to explore the potential for developing large-scale plantations in Central Kalimantan and South Papua. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) said the matter was discussed during a recent meeting...
My Take | Can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies as US tariff threats put jobs on the line?
US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats have caused no small amount of trouble for the rest of the world, as governments scramble to convince Washington to reduce the levies that have already jammed up global trade and thrown financial planning into a...
Pakistani begging networks spark global concern as Malaysia becomes new hub
A growing wave of concern is sweeping across Southeast Asia and the Middle East as transnational begging networks, reportedly orchestrated from Pakistan, continue to expand into new territories. Once considered a domestic problem tied to poverty and unemployment, the...
Denmark and Malaysia strengthen green transition alliance
The Danish Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DanCham) took part in a high-level networking reception on Tuesday 22 April 2025, highlighting recent progress in green collaboration between Denmark and Malaysia. The reception, hosted by Danish Ambassador H.E. Kirstine...
Malaysia pushes for Asean Halal Council at Jakarta talks to boost trade, harmonise certification
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Malaysia has proposed the creation of an Asean Halal Council to strengthen strategic cooperation in the regional halal industry, facilitate the entry of halal products between countries, and boost intra-Asean trade, which has yet to reach its...
China’s growing appetite for tree-ripened Malaysian durians fuels export boom
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian durian farmers are poised to capture a larger portion of China’s lucrative fruit market this year, driven by increasing Chinese consumer preference for naturally ripened produce, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Industry...
Shipowners’ association highlights financing as key to growing Malaysia’s shipping industry
SIBU (April 20): Malaysia’s reliance on foreign ships highlights the demand for shipping services, which local industry players can meet with sufficient government support, said Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (Masa) chairman Mohamed Safwan Othman. He emphasised that...
Malaysia, China to deepen strategic cooperation in four key sectors
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and China will deepen economic cooperation by focusing on four key sectors - the digital, green, blue, and tourism economies - with efforts aimed at enhancing integration across industrial, supply, value, data, and talent chains. In a joint...
How logistics fuels Asean 2025’s sustainable and inclusive future
AS Malaysia strides into 2025 on a high note, it formally assumes its role at the Asean Chairmanship under the theme of “Inclusion and Sustainability”, serving as a rallying call for regional peace, stability, and prosperity in an evolving global landscape. Transport...
Embracing disruption, driving transformation: Malaysia’s strategic response to Trump tariff turbulence
IN a recent op-ed (“Trump Tariff Shock: Resilience, Not Retaliation,” 7 April 2025), EMIR Research argued that President Trump’s sweeping tariffs—targeting Malaysia and others—reflect political posturing more than sound economic strategy. Crucially, Malaysia’s refusal...
Malaysia: regulators scrutinise price-fixing cartels and antitrust risks in the digital landscape
In summary This article provides an overview of developments in competition law from 2024 to 2025, including the status of proposed amendments to introduce a cross-sectoral merger control regime in Malaysia, the application of merger control via sectoral laws and...
Malaysia furniture exporters in race to beat Trump’s 90-day tariff window
MUAR (AP) – In southern Malaysia, furniture manufacturers are in a race against United States (US) President Donald Trump’s tariffs. After threatening to impose a 24 per cent tax on all goods imported from the Southeast Asian country, Trump said he would cut rates 10...
Trump tariffs: Singapore economy could be hit hard by trade slowdown but there may be a silver lining, say analysts
SINGAPORE: Singapore's small, open economy could be hit hard by a US-led global trade slowdown, analysts warned, even if the country may gain a relative advantage due to significantly higher tariffs being imposed on its regional peers. Their comments followed US...
Malaysia’s manufacturing PMI falls in March amid global trade uncertainty
KUALA LUMPUR: The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Malaysia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell from 49.7 in February to 48.8 in March, indicating a slight slowdown in sector health. S&P Global Market Intelligence's Usamah Bhatti said Malaysian...
Malaysia’s rail port project targets a European trade corridor shake-up
Perlis Inland Port aims to offer Southeast Asia a viable land-based trade alternative to the instability of current shipping routes A sprawling inland port under construction in Malaysia’s northern state of Perlis is being touted as a game-changer for global...
Danish companies in Malaysia unite to accelerate green transition
A new strategic initiative spearheaded by the Danish Embassy in Malaysia has brought together major Danish companies to advance the green agenda in the country. The initiative, called the Green Transition Alliance, officially kicked off on Wednesday 3 April 2025...
Malaysia retail industry posts 3.5% sales growth in Q4’24, misses forecast:Survey
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s retail industry recorded a less-than-expected growth rate of 3.5% in sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. According to a survey compiled by Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) and conducted with members of the...
Thailand Drafts Law To Speed Up $29 Billion Transport Link
Mar 22, 2025 (Bloomberg) –Thailand unveiled draft legislation to create a special economic zone in the south of the country that would pave the way for a multibillion-dollar transport project linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The bill would establish a commission...
Malaysia’s Aerodyne Group eyes drone production in Uzbekistan
Aerodyne’s CEO, Kamarul Muhamed, recently met with Uzbekistan's ambassador to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoev, to discuss potential cooperation. The talks focused on integrating drone technology into Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector. Initially, Aerodyne plans to introduce...
Malaysia emerging as key hub in Asean’s digital future
Driven by rapid digital adoption and increasing foreign investments, Asean is one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets. The World Economic Forum projects that the region’s digital economy will grow from US$300 billion to an estimated US$1 trillion over...