Author: Ruth M
Shanghai / London — 23 October 2025 — The London P&I Club has formally opened a Representative Office in Shanghai’s Pudong Free Trade Zone, marking the first time an International Group (IG) P&I mutual has established a permanent representative presence in mainland China. The office will provide local claims handling, loss-prevention, technical support and training for Chinese members and brokers as part of the Club’s broader strategy to deepen its Asian footprint. The Facts Why the Timing Matters Setting up a Shanghai representative office is both symbolic and practical. Shanghai’s Pudong district is central to China’s efforts to deepen financial…
ADS Maritime Holding Plc has announced its return to active ship ownership with the acquisition of the M/V Fjeld Saga, a 2013-built Kamsarmax bulk carrier of approximately 82,900 deadweight tonnes (dwt). The move marks a notable strategic shift for the Norwegian-based maritime investment company, which had previously maintained a light-asset model focused on minority stakes and commercial management arrangements. A Calculated Re-Entry into Dry Bulk Shipping According to a company disclosure, the acquisition was concluded on market terms, with the vessel expected to be delivered to ADS Maritime between November and December 2025, subject to the consent of the existing…
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to revitalising and empowering the country’s indigenous shipping industry, positioning it as a cornerstone for national economic growth and maritime independence. Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Lagos, Oyetola emphasised that Nigeria must reclaim its rightful place as a leading maritime nation on the continent, highlighting the importance of local participation in shipping, ship ownership, and crewing. “Our goal is to create a resilient ecosystem where Nigerian shipowners can compete globally, ensuring that the benefits of our maritime resources remain within our borders,”…
Dubai’s steady ascent as a maritime powerhouse has long been anticipated — but few expected the pace of growth to accelerate quite this fast. The latest Lloyd’s List Top 100 Ports 2025 rankings and performance figures from across the UAE paint a compelling picture: the Gulf’s ports are not merely holding their ground amid global headwinds — they are surging ahead. A Region Rising, Led by Dubai and Abu Dhabi Khalifa Port’s remarkable climb to 39th position, up from 95th just six years ago, is more than a success story for Abu Dhabi; it underscores a broader transformation across the…
In a surprising twist for global shipping observers, a significant portion of Iran’s oil tanker fleet has reappeared on maritime tracking systems after years of operating under the radar. Satellite and AIS (Automatic Identification System) data indicate that numerous Iranian-flagged vessels have reactivated their transponders, marking their first coordinated return to visibility in nearly seven years. The brief resurgence — first detected in mid-October by maritime intelligence platforms such as TankerTrackers.com and MarineTraffic — saw up to 80% of Iran’s National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) fleet transmitting real-time position and voyage data. The development comes amid shifting geopolitical tides, tightening…
The maritime world reacted with a mix of disappointment and resignation last week as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) once again deferred decisive action on its Net-Zero Framework (NZF) — the proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that would anchor the shipping industry’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The highly anticipated meeting, viewed as a pivotal opportunity to turn ambition into enforceable regulation, ended with delegates agreeing to postpone adoption until 2026 — a move that, while frustrating, had been widely anticipated given the deep-seated political and technical divisions among member states. Fractures…
Mombasa, Kenya – October 20, 2025 The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced an 80% waiver on storage charges for long-stay containers at the Port of Mombasa, in a move aimed at easing congestion and encouraging cargo clearance. In a notice dated 15th October 2025, KPA Managing Director Captain William K. Ruto said the amnesty applies to both domestic and transit containers that have remained at the port for more than 21 days from the date of the notice. The waiver will remain in effect until 6th November 2025. Under the new directive, domestic containers will be eligible for an…
Ports across the United Republic of Tanzania are stepping up efforts to enhance their preparedness against maritime security threats, following a series of targeted training sessions held in Dar es Salaam. The training, organized under the framework of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, brought together port security officers, harbour masters, and representatives from the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC). Participants engaged in both theoretical sessions and practical drills aimed at improving coordination during potential security incidents. Key exercises simulated scenarios such as unauthorized access to restricted areas, stowaway detection, and…
Negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have collapsed without consensus on the long-awaited Net-Zero Framework (NZF), leaving the global shipping industry facing renewed uncertainty over the timeline and structure of its decarbonisation pathway. Delegates meeting at the extraordinary session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London were unable to reconcile differing positions on how to implement the framework, which aims to translate the IMO’s 2023 greenhouse gas strategy into a legally binding roadmap. Stalemate Over Market Measures and Deadlines The talks reportedly faltered over key elements of the proposed framework, including carbon pricing mechanisms, fuel standards, and…
Date: 18 October 2025Location: Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, approximately 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden What Happened On 18 October 2025, the Cameroon-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker MV Falcon reported an explosion onboard, followed by a severe fire. The ship, fully laden with LPG, began drifting and issued a distress call after the blast. Initial assessments by the EU naval mission Aspides indicated that about 15% of the vessel’s structure had been burned. Rescue, Crew, and Casualties The Falcon had 26 crew members on board — 25 Indians and one Ukrainian. Of these: Search and…