Author: Ruth M
Abyan, Yemen – August 4, 2025 — A migrant boat carrying an estimated 150 people capsized off the southern coast of Yemen on Sunday, leaving at least 54 people confirmed dead and dozens more unaccounted for, according to local authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The incident occurred near the district of Ahwar in Abyan province in the early hours of August 3, amid high winds and rough seas. Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden to reach the Gulf states. According to Dr. Abdul Qader Bajameel, Abyan’s…
August 4, 2025 – Geneva — Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container carrier, has unveiled a new standalone service called “Alpaca,” set to begin operations in September 2025, with a clear focus on strengthening trade links between Asia and Peru. The Alpaca service aims to provide faster, more reliable connectivity between major ports in China and South Korea and the South American west coast, especially Peru’s Port of Callao. The move comes as part of MSC’s broader strategy to bolster its presence in the Latin American market and cater to the growing demand for efficient logistics solutions for…
Western Australia — July 25, 2025 — Southern Ports has marked another milestone year by setting 13 new trade records across its three regional ports—Albany, Bunbury and Esperance—continuing its multi-year streak of record‑breaking throughput. Highlights from the Year Southern Ports achieved more than 30 million tonnes of total trade across 40 commodity types, up from around 35 million tonnes in the prior year’s combined tally. Notable Record Volumes Leadership Commentary Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks described the import records as indicators of regional investment, explaining that while the ports are traditionally export-focused, growing inbound trade is vital to support local…
August 3, 2025 — Sea of Japan — Russian and Chinese naval forces have launched a series of joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, deepening their strategic cooperation at a time of rising global tensions. The drills, officially titled Maritime Interaction–2025, will run for three days and involve a range of coordinated operations at sea. The exercises include live-fire artillery drills, anti-submarine warfare training, air defense maneuvers, and joint search-and-rescue operations. According to military officials, the Russian Pacific Fleet is participating with a large anti-submarine vessel, while the Chinese Navy has deployed two guided-missile destroyers, a diesel-electric submarine, and…
Callao, Peru — August 1, 2025 – Approximately fifty containers aboard the Evergreen Marine-operated, Taiwanese‑flagged vessel Ever Lunar fell overboard while the ship was anchored off the Port of Callao earlier today. According to Evergreen, the incident occurred at 9:40 a.m. local time (GMT−5) as the ship awaited berth entry. The vessel experienced sudden severe rolling—possibly triggered by heavy swell conditions influenced by a recent tsunami in Russia, rough winter seas, or sharp wave surges—which caused containers stowed at the stern to tumble into the sea. All crew members on board were reported safe. Evergreen confirmed it is cooperating fully with…
Hamburg, Germany — August 2, 2025The Port of Hamburg has announced that from the year 2027 onward, all cruise ships docking at its terminals will be required to plug into shore power instead of running onboard engines while at berth. Leading Europe on Clean Port Operations Since mid‑2024, Hamburg has already offered shore power facilities at major cruise and container terminals. The city became the first European port to supply renewable onshore electricity to ships—starting with trials and regular use at facilities including Steinwerder and Altona. These systems allow vessels to shut off internal diesel generators and connect to the…
New Delhi, August 2, 2025 — The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a decisive directive barring foreign governments, maritime authorities, institutions, and their representatives from conducting maritime training activities within India—whether in person or online—unless they obtain prior written approval from the Indian regulator. This move is aimed at protecting the integrity of India’s maritime training ecosystem and ensuring that all certifications issued to Indian seafarers under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, adhere to recognized standards. According to the new order, no training or assessment linked to STCW certification…
Baltimore, Maryland :The owners and operators of the container vessel MV Dali have filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), alleging that a manufacturing defect in the ship’s electrical systems was responsible for the catastrophic blackout that led to the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024. Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owns the Dali, and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the ship’s manager, filed the case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The lawsuit claims that Hyundai-designed switchboards installed on the vessel were inherently defective and improperly wired, ultimately leading to…
Mombasa, Kenya – August 1, 2025 The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing collaboration in support of Kenya’s Blue Economy and the broader maritime industry. On Thursday, the KMA Board of Directors—led by Chairman Hon. Ahmed Kolosh Mohamed and Director General Mr. Omae Nyarandi—visited the Port of Mombasa for a strategic meeting with KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto. The leaders held discussions focused on improving industry efficiency, identifying operational gaps, and aligning Kenya’s port and maritime services with global standards. Capt. Ruto emphasized the sector’s potential to create…
August 1, 2025 | Nairobi Global ocean freight markets are experiencing a sharp downturn as container rates plummet and shipping volumes soften earlier than expected. The shift follows a wave of frontloading by U.S. importers ahead of anticipated tariff hikes, disrupting the normal rhythm of the summer peak season. Spot rates on major Asia–U.S. trade lanes have dropped steeply over the past six weeks. Shipping data shows that rates to the U.S. West Coast, which peaked at over $6,000 per forty-foot container in early June, have since fallen to around $2,300. East Coast rates also declined significantly but remain above…