Author: Ruth M

The Port of Kingston, Jamaica’s primary maritime hub and one of the busiest transshipment ports in the Caribbean, has suffered significant disruption and suspected infrastructure damage following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa — a Category 5 storm that made landfall on the island on October 28, 2025. The hurricane, which struck with sustained winds exceeding 185 mph (295 kph) and storm surges reaching up to 13 feet (4 metres) along the southern coast, unleashed severe flooding, power outages, and extensive coastal destruction across Kingston and its surrounding parishes. Authorities ordered the full closure of all seaports, including Kingston, as…

In the early hours of August 30, 2024, the 333-metre Singapore-flagged container ship Maersk Shekou was being guided into Fremantle Port’s inner harbour under the direction of two harbour pilots and assisted by four tugs. While the vessel was manoeuvring, it struck the three-masted sail-training ship STS Leeuwin II, which was berthed alongside Victoria Quay. The impact dismasted the Leeuwin II and caused extensive damage to both the vessel and nearby port infrastructure, including the roof of the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Two crew aboard Leeuwin II sustained minor injuries. Bridge Resource Management Failures The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)…

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 14 seafarers after a foreign-flagged cargo vessel suffered a main engine failure and became adrift off the island nation’s southern coast earlier this week. According to official reports, the vessel encountered mechanical difficulties while transiting through the busy Indian Ocean corridor, prompting a distress call that was swiftly responded to by the Sri Lanka Navy’s Southern Command. A naval patrol craft was dispatched to the scene, where the crew members were safely transferred to shore after several hours of coordinated rescue efforts. No injuries were reported among the 14 crew, who are believed to…

Lagos, Nigeria – October 31, 2025 Nigeria’s major seaports have once again failed to feature in Lloyd’s List Top 100 Global Ports Ranking for 2025, underscoring deep-rooted inefficiencies, infrastructural challenges, and policy gaps that continue to weaken the nation’s maritime competitiveness. The annual report — regarded as one of the world’s most authoritative port performance benchmarks — included four African ports in this year’s list: Tanger Med in Morocco, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt, and Lomé Port in Togo. Notably, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, did not make the cut, despite its strategic…

Dar es Salaam / Mombasa – October 31, 2025 East Africa’s maritime logistics network has been thrown into disarray after Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam suspended all operations amid widespread civil unrest following the October 29 general elections. The shutdown has crippled regional supply chains, forcing traders and shipping lines to divert cargo to Kenya’s Port of Mombasa, which is now experiencing a sudden surge in traffic and operational pressure. Officials at the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) confirmed that port operations including container handling, fuel discharges, and bulk cargo movements have been halted indefinitely. The decision followed escalating demonstrations…

Rare earths, tariffs, and global supply chains dominate talks at Busan meeting In a pivotal diplomatic encounter that could reshape the trajectory of global trade, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on October 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea, marking their first face-to-face dialogue since the U.S. presidential transition. The high-stakes meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and sought to ease months of economic and geopolitical tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The Busan meeting comes amid escalating disputes over technology exports, tariffs, and access to rare earth…

Odisha High Court Order Grounds Panamanian-Flagged Vessel; Highlights Growing Financial and Environmental Risks in Maritime Operations The cargo vessel MV Magnet Team, a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, has been arrested at Paradip Port in Odisha, India, following an order issued by the Odisha High Court over unpaid maintenance dues amounting to ₹2.11 crore (approximately USD 250,000). The vessel, reportedly carrying a cargo of coking coal from Russia, was detained at the Paradeep International Cargo Terminal (PICT) berth earlier this week under judicial supervision. According to court documents and port authorities, the arrest stemmed from a civil suit filed by a service…

Rijeka, Croatia — A new chapter in European maritime logistics has begun with the official inauguration of Rijeka Gateway, a state-of-the-art container terminal jointly developed by APM Terminals and ENNA Group. The event, attended by over 300 guests including Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, marks the opening of the most advanced container terminal in the Adriatic region—solidifying Croatia’s position on Europe’s strategic logistics map. After two years of intensive construction, the terminal commenced commercial operations in September 2025, symbolizing the largest private logistics infrastructure investment in Croatia’s history. The €600 million project combines…

Kochi, India – October 29, 2025:India’s naval hydrographic capability is set for a major leap forward as the Indian Navy prepares to commission INS Ikshak, the third ship in its Survey Vessel (Large) series, on 6 November 2025 at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The event will be presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, underscoring the Navy’s growing emphasis on indigenous development and advanced maritime domain awareness. A Landmark in Indigenous Naval Construction Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, INS Ikshak represents over 80 percent indigenous content, aligning squarely…

DP World has officially inaugurated the Sokhna Logistics Park in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to become a global logistics and industrial hub. The new facility is designed to enhance Egypt’s trade infrastructure, streamline supply chain connectivity, and accelerate economic growth across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. A Strategic Leap for Egyptian Trade The Sokhna Logistics Park is situated just 10 kilometres from Ain Sokhna Port, one of Egypt’s key maritime gateways on the Red Sea. The park spans over 300,000 square metres in its first phase, with an investment…