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IMO MSC 109: Key outcomes...
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) met for its 109th session at the IMO Headquarters in London from 2 to 6 December...
Somali Piracy Resurges After Monsoon...
Mike Schuler With the Indian Ocean monsoon season ending, Somali piracy activity is expected to rise. After a four-year...
Amidst Scandal, Adani Readies $2...
India’s Adani Group is reportedly planning to enter the European port market as it seeks to boost its presence...
DNV: Cost-efficient strategies can cut...
According to a new DNV white paper outlining FuelEU Maritime requirements and compliance strategies for shipowners, compliance with the upcoming...
Malaysia Evacuates Crew from Burning Car Carrier...
posted on: Dec 10, 2024
The Malaysian Coast Guard reported the evacuation of 19 crewmembers from a car carrier that caught fire on December 2. The crew of 18 Filipinos and one Malaysian were safely removed and transferred to shore by a Malaysian patrol boat. The vessel named Malaysia Star (9,300 dwt) was traveling within Malaysia from Port Klang to Kota Kinabalu in the northern part of the island of Borneo when it experienced problems. The fire was reported at 0840 local time Monday morning and the vessel dropped anchor approximately 9 nautical miles from Tanjung Laboh, Batu Pahat Johor, near the southern tip of the peninsular on the Malacca Strait. Fire fighting efforts were reported to be continuing after the vessel was evacuated (Malaysia Maritime) Malaysia Star is a locally owned and registered car carrier built in China in 1992. It has a capacity of 1,466 vehicles. Two Malaysia Maritime patrol boats and a vessel from...
Calm seas, connected crew: Sailing toward stronger bonds onboard...
posted on: Dec 10, 2024
Fostering strong social connections at sea becomes essential for a positive, productive, and collaborative environment, notes Maria Kostala, Claims Executive, Shipowners Claims Bureau (Hellas), Inc. – Claims Liaison office of the Managers of The American P&I Club. Are you eager to share good news with loved ones in person or decompress with friends over a warm cup of tea after work? In most jobs, a catch-up after hours is the norm, but for people working onboard, socializing in these ways is often out of reach. Instead, fostering strong social connections at sea becomes essential for a positive, productive, and collaborative environment. Crewmembers need to rely on each other and maintain bonds with those ashore to enhance their well-being. Encouraging both structured and informal activities and leveraging technology can enhance social life onboard and create an atmosphere that benefits both crewmembers and shipowners. The importance of social interaction onboard Life...
FMC Investigating Spain’s Alleged Port Access Denial of U.S.-Flagged Vessels...
posted on: Dec 10, 2024
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has launched a formal investigation into Spain’s apparent controversial port access restrictions targeting vessels suspected of carrying military cargo to Israel. The investigation comes after Spanish authorities reportedly denied entry to two U.S.-flagged vessels, including the Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar, both of which departed from New York during late October and early November. On November 7, a Spanish foreign ministry spokesperson told the Madrid-based El País that the U.S.-flagged ships “will not stop in Spain,” upholding a policy from May that prohibits vessels carrying military materials bound for Israel from docking in Spanish ports. The FMC, under its authority (46 U.S.C. § 42101; 46 U.S.C. § 41108(d)), investigates foreign government policies that may create unfavorable conditions for U.S. shipping interests. If such practices are confirmed, the Commission has the power to impose severe penalties, including daily fines and even barring foreign vessels from U.S. ports. “Information indicates...
Alaskan Fishing Vessel Capsizes in Icy Strait, Five Missing...
posted on: Dec 10, 2024
A search is under way for the crew of a commercial fishing vessel that capsized in frigid waters and severe weather off the coast of Couverden Island, Alaska. At about 0010 hours on Sunday morning, Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska received a VHF mayday call from the crew of the fishing vessel Wind Walker. The crew reported that they were capsizing off Couverden Point, about 60 nautical miles south of Haines. The crew dropped out of contact, and no further responses were heard over VHF. Shortly after, the Coast Guard received an alert from the Wind Walker’s EPIRB at a position in Icy Strait. The Coast Guard did not get a definite count on the number of crewmembers aboard, but people who knew the vessel reported that there should have been five fisherman working on Wind Walker at the time. The count has not been confirmed. Sector Southeast Alaska issued an urgent broadcast...
Ship Abandoned off Yemen Listing and Leaking Oil as Crew Reaches Djibouti...
posted on: Dec 8, 2024
The crew from the Panama-flagged cargo ship ISA Star arrived in Djibouti on Friday, December 6 after having left their vessel at the northern reaches of the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen. While the crew is reported to be in good condition, warnings have been issued that their vessel continues to drift and is a hazard to navigation in the area. A photo released by the French forces that organized the rescue clearly shows a trial of oil from the ship. The French command for the Indian Ocean reports it received the call from EUNAVFOR Aspides on Thursday, December 5 to provide assistance to the cargo ship after the captain advised the ship was flooding in its engine room. According to the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, the captain reported that they were facing an escalating emergency and that the crew intended to abandon ship without their belongings, even their passports and...
Alternative-fueled vessels: DNV reports latest AFI numbers...
posted on: Dec 8, 2024
DNV has now released the November figures from its Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform. They show that 27 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels were placed in November 2024. Although this was a slightly slower month for new orders for alternative-fueled vessels, it follows a record-breaking month in October, and a strong surge in activity since the summer months. LNG continues to be the main driver, accounting for 23 vessels of the 27 vessels, with most of these (15) coming from the container segment. It was a strong month also for the car carrier segment, with six new LNG-fueled vessels added to the orderbook. Four new orders for ammonia-fueled vessels were also registered in the AFI reporting. Although this was a slightly slower month for new orders for alternative-fueled vessels, it follows a record-breaking month in October, and a strong surge in activity since the summer months. “Although these results show a slowdown...
Cargo Ship Grounds in Norway Loaded with Military Supplies for Poland...
posted on: Dec 8, 2024
The DFDS Ro-Ro cargo ship Finlandia Seaways (8,700 dwt) grounded last night, December 5, departing Norway. It quickly became apparent it was no ordinary casualty as the Norwegian military established a security zone and confirmed the vessel was loaded with military equipment being sent to Poland for the protection of NATO allies. Norway’s Defense Force chartered the Danish-registered cargo ship from DFDS and it was seen loading military supplies under tight security near Kristiansund, Norway. The vessel departed on December 4, but late on Thursday, December 5, grounded in the narrow Karmsundet Strait near Haugesund, north of Stavanger in southwest Norway. Tugs were dispatched to hold the vessel in place due to high winds in the area with some reports indicating there was a small intake of water. The vessel’s rudder and propeller were damaged. There is a crew of 23 aboard but no reports of injuries and the captain reported...
US to probe Spanish port for reportedly refusing shipments of arms to Israel...
posted on: Dec 8, 2024
The United States Federal Maritime Commission is investigating three incidents in which Spain refused port entry to ships reportedly carrying weapons to Israel, two of which were US-flagged, the commission and media reported. “The commission is concerned that this apparent policy of denying entry to certain vessels will create conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade,” it said in a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday. Spain could be subjected to millions in fines if it has been found to have interfered with commerce. The maximum fine is $2.3 million per voyage. Spanish ships may also be barred from entering US ports in response. The commission said it had been made aware on November 19 that ships, including those enrolled in the US-run Maritime Security Program, had been denied entry. The Washington Times named two ships as Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar. source :...
Bangladesh’s new LNG purchase policy draws Shell, BP, Glencore and Aramco...
posted on: Dec 7, 2024
Shell, BP, Aramco and Glencore are among nearly two dozen firms Bangladesh has approved as suppliers of spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) as it seeks to boost competition and cut costs, the country’s top energy official told Reuters. Bangladesh’s spot market was previously dominated by Vitol, Gunvor and Excelerate Energy, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, the country’s de facto energy and power minister. But after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, the interim government is moving to an open instead of private tender. The country of 171 million people, which made its first LNG import in 2018, bought 5.2 million metric tons in 2023, up 19% from the previous year, and analysts expect its demand to keep rising as population increases and domestic gas output falls. Bangladesh spends about 60 billion taka ($504 million) a year on LNG imports, mainly to run power plants, with more...
চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরের বাইরে যাচ্ছে কনটেইনার ডেলিভারি ব্যবস্থা...
posted on: Dec 7, 2024
চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরের ভিতরে আমদানি কনটেইনার খুলে আর পণ্য ডেলিভারি দিতে রাজি নয় কর্তৃপক্ষ। সরাসরি (অনচেসিস) আমদানিকারকের চত্বর বা বেসরকারি ডিপোতে শতভাগ কনটেইনার পাঠানোর সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া হয়েছে। এই উদ্যোগ বাস্তবায়িত হলে কনটেইনার জট থেকে স্থায়ীভাবে মুক্তি মিলবে বলে আশা করছে বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ ও ব্যবহারকারীদের (স্টেকহোল্ডার) অনেকে। এ ছাড়া প্রতিদিন হাজার হাজার গাড়ি ও পরিবহনশ্রমিক বন্দরের ভিতরে প্রবেশের ফলে যে বিশৃঙ্খলা ও নিরাপত্তাহীনতা তৈরি হয়, তা থেকে রেহাই মিলবে। বাড়বে হ্যান্ডলিং সক্ষমতা। ভিড়তে পারবে এখনকার চেয়ে আরও বেশি জাহাজ। বিদ্যমান অবকাঠামো দিয়েই বর্তমানের তুলনায় আরও ৩০-৪০ শতাংশ বেশি কনটেইনার হ্যান্ডলিং সম্ভব হবে। বিশ্বের শীর্ষস্থানীয় বন্দরগুলোর সঙ্গে টেক্কা দিতে পারবে দেশের প্রধান এই সমুদ্রবন্দর। প্রসঙ্গত, গত বছর ৩০ লাখ ৫০ হাজার ৭৯৩ টিইইউএস (২০ ফুট সমমান) কনটেইনার হ্যান্ডলিং করা চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরের অবস্থান বিশ্বের ১০০ শীর্ষ বন্দরের তালিকায় ৬৭তম। চট্টগ্রাম বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষের চেয়ারম্যান রিয়ার অ্যাডমিরাল এস এম মনিরুজ্জামান বলেন, সব এফসিএল (ফুল লোডেড) কনটেইনার বন্দরের ভিতরে খুলে পণ্য খালাসের পরিবর্তে বেসরকারি ডিপো অথবা...
Trade Corridor Wars: Escalating Competition Between China, Russia, Iran and the West...
posted on: Dec 7, 2024
Contemporary conflicts are increasingly orchestrated across multiple nations and domains, manifesting in many ways, from conventional ground engagements to strategic influence operations. The informal coalition of China, Iran, Russia, and most recently North Korea (CIRN) represents a counter-influence regional network, challenging the geopolitical and economic sway of the United States and the broader West. While North Korea has joined Russian forces in Ukraine and is mostly visible for its political and military posturings, China, Iran and Russia are closely working together on building a new trade and investment platform to support their political agenda. Although we are not yet living a full-scale global war, a global economic confrontation is underway, which could be a prelude to overt military hostilities. This paradigm shift arguably began in 2022, when Russia blocked Ukraine’s access to Black Sea trade routes, obstructing its critical export channels to the global market, a move that was...
Crew of cargo ship rescued in Red Sea, EU naval force says...
posted on: Dec 7, 2024
ATHENS, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The crew of Panama-flagged cargo ship MV ISA STAR have been rescued in the Red Sea after sending a distress signal, the EU’s Aspides naval mission said. “All crew members aboard the MV ISA STAR have been rescued and will be transported to Djibouti, the nearest safe port of call,” Aspides said in a statement posted on Facebook. The vessel had reported flooding in the engine room and the master requested assistance, it said, as its crew of 20 were forced to abandon it. Advertisement · Scroll to continueReport this ad One maritime security source told Reuters that the ship experienced engine problems and another source said that it had reported an internal explosion. Details on the current condition of the vessel were not immediately available. The ship was about 100 nautical miles off the port of Hodeidah, Yemen, when it called for assistance,...
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Bangladesh needs a neatly-crafted maritime policy Bangladesh needs a neatly-crafted maritime policy Ghulam Suhrawardi | March 08, 2025 00:00:00 Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made – Robert N. Rose aptly captures the essence of maritime transport—a sector not merely pivotal as a business but fundamental to the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. […]
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