Author: Ruth M
The recent discovery of 38 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipping container of bananas at Piraeus Port underscores the continuing vulnerability of global maritime supply chains to organized crime. As one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean, Piraeus serves as a vital gateway for trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia — and that same connectivity makes it an attractive target for traffickers seeking to exploit the vast flow of legitimate cargo. This incident is emblematic of a wider trend: the increasing sophistication of drug smuggling networks that infiltrate commercial logistics systems. Concealment within perishable goods, particularly fruit shipments,…
Eritrea has taken a significant step toward enhancing its national capacity to respond to marine pollution incidents, with a new workshop bringing together senior government officials and operational experts to bolster preparedness for oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) spills. The national workshop, organized under the framework of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) technical cooperation initiatives, aimed to strengthen coordination among Eritrea’s maritime, environmental, and port authorities. Participants reviewed international best practices in pollution prevention, contingency planning, and emergency response operations, focusing on the requirements of the OPRC and OPRC-HNS Conventions. Sessions also addressed the development of a national…
Quito, Ecuador — Ecuador is signaling growing alignment with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) environmental agenda, even as its marine biofuel sector remains in the early stages of development. The South American nation, long known for its environmental stewardship and biodiversity, is now positioning itself within the broader global movement toward cleaner, low-carbon shipping. Although Ecuador has not yet unveiled a dedicated national policy for marine biofuels, its engagement in IMO-led sustainability programs and renewable fuel initiatives reflects an increasing commitment to greener maritime operations. Legal Foundations for Biofuels Ecuador’s legal framework for biofuel promotion dates back nearly two decades.…
October 17, 2025 The global “shadow fleet” a loosely regulated network of aging oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions and tracking systems has grown by 16 vessels in September, reaching an estimated 3,290 ships, according to new data from MarineTraffic. Over the past 12 months, this covert segment of the global fleet has moved more than 260 million barrels of oil across international waters, often operating under the radar of mainstream regulation. What Is the Shadow Fleet? The term shadow fleet refers to tankers that operate outside conventional maritime transparency and safety norms. These ships are typically older vessels—often beyond…
Beira, Mozambique — October 17, 2025 A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Beira after a crew transfer boat capsized alongside the oil/chemical tanker Sea Quest, leaving seven people unaccounted for. What Happened On Thursday, a small service vessel transporting incoming crew to the Sea Quest overturned at the outer anchorage near the Port of Beira. The Sea Quest, flagged in the Marshall Islands and managed by Scorpio Marine Management (India), was in position when the incident occurred. According to initial reports, 21 people were aboard the transfer boat at the time. Of those, 14…
Guinea’s bauxite exports surged by 23% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, defying expectations amid heavy rains and regulatory uncertainty, according to official data released this week. The West African nation, which holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves, shipped over 32 million tonnes during the quarter, driven by higher output from Chinese-backed and multinational mining ventures operating in the Boké and Kindia regions. The increase underscores Guinea’s rising dominance in the global aluminium supply chain despite logistical and weather-related disruptions. Industry analysts attributed the export boom to improved port handling capacity, expanded rail logistics, and consistent demand from major…
Japan has taken a bold step in maritime decarbonisation with the delivery of its first hydrogen dual-fuel tugboat. The vessel, named TEN-OH, was handed over on 15 October 2025 at the Tsuneishi Shipbuilding facility in Hiroshima. Innovation at the Heart: Dual-Fuel Hydrogen & Marine Fuel Systems TEN-OH is designed around a BEH2YDRO high-output hydrogen dual-fuel internal combustion engine (ICE), supported by a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage and supply system developed by JPNH2YDRO, a joint venture between the Tsuneishi Group and CMB.TECH. The tugboat stores approximately 250 kg of hydrogen in its tanks. During operations, the engines can run on a…
As the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) convenes this week to consider adoption of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), the contest over procedural rules has become nearly as contentious as the content of the regulation itself. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and a number of other states and industry blocs are actively pushing to alter voting thresholds and procedural safeguards in order to make it more difficult for the NZF to enter into force—even if a majority of member states support it. What’s at Stake The NZF, initially passed in principle at MEPC 83 in April 2025,…
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a foreign-flagged cargo vessel for anchoring without permission in national waters southwest of Pulau Undan, Melaka, on 11 October 2025. According to an official statement from the MMEA’s Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Maritime operations, the vessel was spotted during a routine patrol by the Patrol Boat KM Nyalau. Upon inspection, authorities discovered that the ship had anchored without prior approval from the Director of Marine Department Malaysia, a violation of the country’s maritime and navigation laws. Crew and Vessel Details The detained vessel carried 11 crew members, comprising Chinese and Indian nationals,…
Ukraine has seen a sharp decline in the tonnage of arrivals to its seaports, sinking by nearly 30% compared to the same period last year, in what analysts say is another sign of how three years of full-scale conflict have undermined the country’s agricultural export capabilities. Key Figures & Trends Between January and mid-2025, Ukrainian ports handled around 40 million tonnes of cargo, including approximately 20.3 million tonnes of agricultural goods such as grains and oilseeds. The decline is largely driven by reduced harvest outputs and limited access to key port facilities, with only about 10 out of Ukraine’s 18…