Hellas Aphrodite crew rescued as Somali piracy incidents surge Incidents of Somali Basin piracy are surging. This morning the UKMTO Operation Center gave an update on a November 6 incident 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia, in which the master
Ferry leaders chart the industry's future at FERRIES 2025 Marine Log's 38th annual FERRIES 2025 conference, held November 4-5 in Jersey City, N.J., brought together ferry operators, shipyards, naval architects, technology suppliers, and government and community leaders from across North America
Wärtsilä, Sinocrew open Beihai Maritime Simulation Hub Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services have opened an advanced maritime simulation centre in Beihai, China, to train seafarers for the next generation of sustainable cruise operations. The facility features Wärtsilä's latest simulation technology and provides hands-on, decarbonisation-focused training. Both companies also signed an MOU to establish the first Maritime Advancement in Simulation, T
Why pausing Chinese crane tariffs could raise concerns in the US? One-year suspension of penalties on Chinese port equipment contradicts FBI warnings and bipartisan security concerns
Wan Hai Lines vessel rescues two survivors adrift in the Pacific Ocean Wan Hai Lines has announced that its vessel WAN HAI A19, while transiting the Eastern Pacific Ocean, successfully rescued two people adrift at sea on November 6, 2025 (UTC). The ship received a search and rescue request from the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Alameda (RCC Alameda) after a distress alert was issued regarding two survivors whose boat had sunk. The WAN HAI A19 imm
Cavotec Q3 2025: Strong order backlog and improved profitability Cavotec reported stable order intake and stronger profitability in its Industry segment for Q3 2025, supported by solid demand for electrification and emission-reduction solutions. Q3 2025 highlights: Order intake rose 0.5% to EUR 36.3 million. Revenue declined 18.8% to EUR 35.8 million. Operating result (EBIT) was EUR -0.5 million, with an operating margin of -1.4%. Adjusted EBIT totaled EUR
CMA CGM announces vessel change on AAXE service CMA CGM has announced an upcoming vessel substitution on its AAXE service. The CMA CGM BAIKAL will phase out in Singapore at the completion of voyage 546N, and will be replaced by CMA CGM ROSSINI, which is set to phase in at Tanjung Pelepas on the 549S voyage, with an estimated time of departure on 2 December 2025. The CMA CGM ROSSINI will carry all export cargo to Australia, ensuring continued s
Shimizu Port container throughput rises 3% in October The Port of Shimizu in central Japan handled 31,388 TEUs of loaded oceangoing containers in October, a 3% increase year on year as Japan International Freight Forwarders Association reported, based on Shizuoka Prefectural Government's Shimizu Port Authority. Exports rose 6.8% to 14,418 TEUs, while imports remained steady at 16,970 TEUs. Empty containers fell 24.8% to 4,230 TEUs. Domestic containe
Sea-Intelligence: Transatlantic is poised for a crash In issue 739, Sea-Intelligence analysed the Transatlantic Westbound trade, finding that, as things stand, it is poised for a sharp decline in vessel utilisation. The Transatlantic Westbound trade is already under significant pressure. Spot rates from Rotterdam to New York are now lower than at any point in the measurable past, apart from the extreme dip in late 2023. This is compounded by weaken
BIO-UV Group appoints Navaltecnica as exclusive distributor in Italy BIO-UV Group has appointed Navaltecnica Srl as its exclusive distributor for ballast water and shipboard water treatment systems in Italy. The agreement strengthens BIO-UV Group's presence in Southern Europe and expands its reach into Italy's maritime market. Under the deal, Navaltecnica will promote and support the full BIO-SEA ballast water treatment range, along with BIO-UV Group's drinking an
Singapore and South Korea launch green and digital shipping corridor Singapore and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. The agreement aims to advance zero-emission shipping and enhance maritime digitalization between the two nations. The MOU was signed by Jeffrey Siow, Singapore's Acting Minister for Transport, and Chun Jae Soo, South Korea's Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. The initiative bu
UAE expands its commercial grip on Syria's ports Abu Dhabi's dual-terminal investment reveals calculated bet on post-conflict reconstruction and regional realignment
Mombasa reaps gains as Tanzania's political turmoil reshapes regional trade Kenya's maritime gateway absorbs diverted cargo as election unrest shuts down rival port, exposing regional infrastructure fragility
AD Ports acquires 20% stake in Latakia Container Terminal AD Ports Group has acquired a 20% stake in the Latakia International Container Terminal (LICT). The deal was signed with CMA CGM Group for AED 81 million (USD 22 million). LICT is Syria's main maritime gateway. It handles over 95% of the country's container traffic, mainly agricultural and industrial goods. The terminal currently handles 250,000 TEUs and plans to expand to 625,000 TEUs by 2026. T
MSC enhances Levante Express MSC has announced the enhancement of its Levante Express service, introducing new direct port calls at Bremerhaven, Limassol, and Beirut. This development reinforces MSC's commitment to strengthening its Europe-East Mediterranean network and offering broader port-to-port connectivity across key trade lanes. The new direct call at Bremerhaven provides a faster and more efficient gateway into Germa
ADNOC L&S to join MSCI Emerging Markets Index ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) will join the MSCI Emerging Markets Index on November 25, 2025. The inclusion could attract over $200 million in passive inflows and boost the company's global visibility. In August, ADNOC L&S completed a $317 million secondary offering. This increased the free float to about 22% and quadrupled daily trading volumes. The offering was seven times oversubscrib
GEODIS joins EU I3FLOAT project to boost floating wind innovation GEODIS has joined the European I3FLOAT consortium, a major initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) program. As a technology supplier, GEODIS will provide expertise in transport, logistics, and installation planning over the project's 36-month duration. The I3FLOAT consortium brings together 24 partners from eight European regions to strengthe
Orca AI unveils Co-Captain: Real-Time "Waze for Ships" Maritime technology leader Orca AI has unveiled Co-Captain, a new feature in its operational platform that allows vessels to share navigation data in real time. The innovation helps ships anticipate hazards, respond to emerging risks, and navigate with greater confidence. A Growing Network of Connected Ships Co-Captain links a rapidly expanding fleet of 1,000 Orca AI-equipped vessels, with hund
MITSUI E&S secures 15 cranes order from Westports Malaysia MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. has secured an order for 15 Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes from Westports Malaysia. The order was placed in June 2025 and covers the MITSUI-PACECO Transtainer cranes. Westports operates the main container terminals at Port Klang, about 50 kilometers southwest of Kuala Lumpur. As Malaysia's largest trading port and a major transshipment hub, Port Klang sits on the strategic Strait
LR to classify Australia's first Hunter Class Frigates Lloyd's Register (LR) will provide Naval Classification services for the first three Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. The contract comes from BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA). The Hunter class ships are based on the UK Type 26 design. They are being built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. LR will ensure the design and construction meet its Naval Ship Classif
Container shipping's paradox where geopolitics fuels growth The world's largest container carriers are ordering ships at an unprecedented pace not because global trade is booming, but because it's fracturing
Ten organizations launch Maritime Simulation Project Ten organizations have launched a joint project titled "Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry." The initiative officially began on October 1, 2025. Participants include MTI Co., Ltd. (NYK Group), Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, JAMSTEC, Japan Marine United, MITSUI E&S, NMRI, Tsuneishi Akishima Laboratory, Osaka University,
ABS partners with KATS to advance smart ship technologies ABS has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS). The partnership aims to promote international standardization of smart ship and shipyard technologies, covering shipbuilding as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The collaboration will include joint workshops and seminars to share knowledge. Both organizations will work to stren
Bureau Veritas backs nuclear-powered maritime decarbonization Bureau Veritas (BV) has signed a Declaration of Cooperation to accelerate nuclear technologies for maritime applications. The agreement was made with the New Energies Coalition and more than 30 European companies at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. The declaration promotes a European initiative to develop safe, sustainable, and low-carbon solutions for the maritime sector. It emphasizes the
EuroHoldings announces agreement to acquire product tanker vessel EuroHoldings Ltd. announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to acquire a 49,997 DWT product tanker vessel, M/T Hellas Avatar, built in 2015 in South Korea, from an affiliated party. The vessel will be purchased for $31.83 million, with delivery expected in mid-November 2025. An independent committee of disinterested directors was formed to evaluate and approve the transaction,
AET expands dual-fuel fleet with suezmax pair at Samsung Heavy AET has placed an order at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for two LNG dual-fuel suezmax tankers, further expanding its fleet of lower-emission vessels. The Singapore-based tanker arm of Malaysia's top shipping line, MISC, said the latest deal marks a key step in its push to operate dual-fuel ships across all key tanker segments - aframax, ...
Emboldened Somali pirates spark fear in the Indian Ocean The threat of Somali piracy is re-emerging in the Indian Ocean, with recent incidents highlighting the increasing sophistication and reach of pirate groups. Yesterday's hijacking of the Malta-flagged Hellas Aphrodite-carrying gasoline from India to South Africa-marked the first merchant vessel boarding of the year, with the ship still stationary and its crew reportedly sheltering in ...
Under pressure from the US, Gunvor pulls out of Lukoil deal Swiss-based commodity trading giant Gunvor has decided to bail from the intended buy of all international assets from Russia's Lukoil after receiving blowback from Washington. Lukoil announced in late October that it received an offer from Gunvor to purchase Lukoil International. The company revealed that the key terms of the transaction had been previously agreed ...
Performance Shipping secures $78m Repsol deal for new suezmax pair Greek tanker owner Performance Shipping has fixed two newly acquired 2019-built suezmaxes to Repsol Trading on three-year time charters, adding fresh employment stability and expanding its list of blue-chip customers. The 157,000 dwt P Bel Air and P Beverly Hills, both built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea, will deliver to Performance Shipping ...
ExxonMobil extends Aker Solutions' Hebron maintenance deal Norway's Aker Solutions has signed a five-year extension for brownfield maintenance and modification services on the Hebron platform with ExxonMobil's Canadian arm. The contract is an extension to the original engineering, procurement, and construction enabling agreement awarded in 2015. Aker Solutions has delivered platform-wide upgrades and modifications to the Hebron platform since 2015. The w
Splash Wrap: Pirates, crews and cyberstorms Compared to recent months, geopolitics did not muscle into many Splash headlines this week, the final days of the tit-for-tat port fees levied by the US and China, which are set to come to an end on Monday. The most shocking news came from the Horn of Africa, where emboldened Somali pirates, deploying skiffs and ...
Seadrill nets new rig contracts in Gulf of Mexico and Angola Offshore rig owner Seadrill has revealed in its fleet status report that it won several new deals for its rigs. The 2013-built drillship West Vela was awarded two new contracts. The first is a one-well contract with Walter Oil and Gas in the US Gulf. The estimated term is 65 days, with the contract expected to commence ...
Vitol mourns the loss of shipping CEO Kit Kernon Oil-and-products trading giant Vitol today announced the passing yesterday of Kit Kernon, CEO of its shipping arm Vitol International Shipping (VIS). Kernon, aged 56, died in Singapore, sources say, from a suspected heart attack while out jogging. Since 1997, he helmed Vitol's shipping division, building it into a market-leading platform and steering the company's transition ...
Korean AI fire system passes sea trials South Korea has unveiled a breakthrough in shipboard fire safety technology, successfully trialling an AI-based autonomous firefighting system capable of detecting and extinguishing oil fires aboard naval vessels without human intervention. Developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) under the leadership of Dr Hyuk Lee at its AX Convergence Research Center, the ...
Divided we flounder: IMO's regulatory reckoning Wolfgang Lehmacher makes the case for making the UN body stronger. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) could be sailing into a storm of its own making. After its Net Zero Framework ran aground amid global squabbling, the regulator's critics smell blood in the water. The chorus calling for radical change reached fever pitch when Dr ...
Suppression is not the same as eradication An attempted hijacking or kidnap on Hellas Aphrodite ultimately failed, and shipping's best management practices worked, but this problem isn't...
Europe takes tentative first STIP on the long road to clean fuel supplies The EU's Sustainable Transport Investment Plan promises to build momentum for clean fuel uptake, but suggestions and loosely worded commitments...
Marlow links up with Green Marine for alternative fuels crew training Training initiatives will start in Philippines, and 'very soon' in Europe
MSC 'anti-anti-suit injunction' win confirms primacy of English jurisdiction clauses Nigerian consignee's legal action in home country deemed irrelevant
Economou contracts four VLCCs at Hengli Firm quartet of 306,000 dwt vessels is added to one of the largest tanker construction programmes of any independent shipowner
Asian VLCC rates poised for gradual declines despite recent uplift But VLCC rates are expected to remain higher than late-September to mid-October with winter demand, increased Opec+ production
Ship recycling activity hits five-month low amid steel market weakness Vessel beachings in October included seven tankers, five bulk carriers and three containerships
AD Ports acquires minority stake at Latakia GFS, a container feeder company which is majority-owned by AD Ports, is poised to begin services that call at the...
The Daily View: Grim predictability
Hellas Aphrodite crew liberated by navy The ship's crew were liberated by a EU Navfor vessel after several hours in the vessel's citadel
Fujian Guohang axes newbuild bulker pair in fleet strategy shift The move comes as Fujian Guohang seeks to realign its fleet strategy amid shifting trade flows
Scorpio Tankers to replace 2014-built MRs with Chinese newbuilds in $180m deal The deal continues chief executive Emanuele Lauro's strategy to modernise the fleet while reducing debt
VLGC win streak continues as geopolitics pumps up rates yet again No matter what happens in the next two months, 2025 will go into the books as a very good year...
Daily Briefing Somali piracy threat returns with dramatic boarding | Maersk confident of market balance despite orderbook and possible Suez return |...
US retailers throttle back on imports amid uncertain consumer sentiment The latest Global Port Tracker report warns of double-digit declines in imports for the rest of the year and no growth in early 2026.
Trump support likely to get UP-NS deal approved: ex-STB chairman Daniel Elliott III told a webinar that the proposed $85 billion merger is "leaning more toward approval" because of the White House's support.
Value unlocked by Gemini will clear path for premium charge: Maersk CEO With its unit costs falling in the aftermath of its alliance with Hapag-Lloyd, the carrier is becoming more confident in discussions with customers on charging a premium for services that in Q3 came with schedule reliability of around 90%.
Vehicle carriers, ro/ro operators relieved to be included in pause on US port fees Car carriers and ro/ro operators had been left in limbo since the deal to postpone reciprocal US and Chinese port fees was announced during the meeting of presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30.
In search of the disconnect between freight rates and charter rates The ability to redeploy ships means that no trade operates in a bubble, but in the short term at least, each trade has its own supply and demand dynamics, notes Jeremy Masters.
Increased capital investment to accelerate project cargo demand Renewed interest in oil and gas-related projects, as well as power generation infrastructure for data centers, will boost breakbulk cargo volumes.
Wavelength podcast: Is piracy rising again off Somalia? Plus, China stockpiles crude and just how easy is it to sabotage a subsea power cable?
Charter rates for modern LNG carriers surge into $70,000 per day range Forecasting likely pattern for next few weeks remains tricky
German shipowner breaks ranks to back IMO carbon delay Postponement of the Net-Zero Framework sparks mixed reactions in German shipping
V.Group's new shareholders start with a loss due to costs of $676m takeover Ship management giant's new holding company has filed accounts for part of last year
US strikes on narco vessels could fuel drug trafficking on commercial ships, warns insurer Trump administration has intensified attacks against suspected smuggling operations
Three killed after blaze on Maersk-chartered container ship Fire broke out as vessel was unloading
Latsco tanker crew released from citadel after failed pirate boarding Pirates abandoned attempt to capture seafarers after staging first boarding of big commercial vessel since 2024
AET inks dual-fuelled suezmax tankers at Samsung Heavy Industries Malaysian company will control 15 LNG dual-fuel tankers by early 2029
International Seaways divestments linked to Champion Tankers One has already taken on Champion branding and the Norwegian flag
Venture Global inks long-term LNG sales deal with new Greek entity US and Greece cement a new supply route to European gas buyers
IMO Net-Zero win may have to wait for Trump to lose, says Norway's lead negotiator Sveinung Oftedal believes a Plan B will be adopted, but it is a matter of timing
Lukoil crude tanker loadings cancelled by Iraq as sanctions fear spreads Deal involving crude from Russian company's West Qurna-2 field reportedly dropped
Tanker tribes flock to Dubai as Bahri Week prepares for kick-off Attendees in bullish mood with tanker rates riding high
Somali pirates target LNG carrier after Latsco tanker attack Gang using a hijacked fishing boat is still on the prowl in Indian Ocean
Croatian shipowner tied to Greek tanker in first expansion move in 10 years Tankerska Plovidba said to be snapping up a six-year-old aframax from Samos Steamship
Gunvor pulls out of Lukoil deal amid intense pressure from US US Treasury criticism ends the prospect of a mega-deal involving Russia's second-largest oil producer
Samsung Heavy Industries inks tanker newbuildings worth $200m Shipyard has achieved 83% of its annual order target
Columbia and AD Ports launch ship management operation with 34 vessels Noatum CSM launches joint venture with UAE event
Vietnamese authorities hold MPP vessel following collision Hong Kong-managed Sea Noble was involved in an incident with two fishing vessels
Heidmar profit edges up as it agrees deals to manage newbuildings Pankaj Khanna-led company has been busy expanding the fleet in recent weeks
Latsco tanker crew 'safe' after pirate attack with warship on the way The crew of the 50,000-dwt Hellas Aphrodite (built 2016) remains at the ship's citadel in the Indian Ocean
Stolt-Nielsen finance chief Jens Gruner-Hegge to leave after 33 years Long-serving executive retiring next year as transition begins
'Attractive and robust': Maersk upgraded by Arctic after forecast hike DNB Carnegie keeps sell rating after third-quarter earnings
Vietnamese authorities hold MPP vessel for collision investigation The Hong Kong-managed Sea Noble suspected of sinking two fishing vessels
China bucks US tariff headwinds as foreign trade grows in first 10 months of 2025 Global exports rose despite 16% drop in trade with US
Pioneer Bulk buys capesize bulker to ready itself for Guinean iron ore mine Company pays $28.3m for the Rosemary from Korea Line
China poised to pounce on more crude to keep filling strategic storage reserves Assessing Beijing's goals can be difficult, but it appears ready to jump back in to build stocks
Retailers expect container import decline to accelerate in '26 Container ports will see a more pronounced import slowdown to start 2026, the National Retail Federation predicts.
DHL Forwarding chief Robertson put in charge of group digital strategy DHL Global Forwarding has made some big changes in its digital strategy and Americas region organization.
Cargo airlines, shippers face mixed impact from FAA flight restrictions The U.S. government's mandate for a 10% reduction in flight activity at major airports for safety reasons will cause headaches for air logistics operators, but the impact on supply chains could be limited.
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