USCG awards Bollinger and Finland's RMC contracts for up to six Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday awarded two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The contracts were awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (RMC) of Rauma, Finland,
New USCG cybersecurity rules raise stakes for operators As marine vessels become more modernized, they also become vulnerable to cyberattacks. Ransomware continues to pose a major threat, impacting a vessel's entire operational networks, until a ransom is paid. According to
MOL secures long-term financing for LBC Tank Terminals acquisition Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a long-term loan agreement to finance its acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals, strengthening its chemical logistics business. The financing was arranged with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and a syndicate of lenders. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) acted as the arranger. The loan provides stable, long-term funding for MOL's purcha
ClassNK grants AiP for MOL's cable jointing and burial vessel designs Tokyo - ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the designs of a cable jointing vessel and a cable burial vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), confirming their feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. Japan is expanding offshore wind power generation, taking advantage of islands and offshore areas with strong winds and limited site constraints. Many of these lo
PIL ships record 95-Tonne substation unit to Umm Qasr Pacific International Lines (PIL) has successfully delivered a 95-tonne substation unit from Jebel Ali, UAE, to Umm Qasr, Iraq. The shipment was completed on December 16 aboard Kota Rahmat , operating on PIL's dedicated Iraq Feeder Service (IQF). The project required specialized lifting equipment and precise coordination across both terminals. During discharge, a tandem lift operation was execute
China launches large-scale military drills around Taiwan China has announced major military drills around Taiwan, increasing pressure on the island. The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said it has deployed Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force units to areas surrounding Taiwan. The exercises are code-named Justice Mission 2025 and mark the first such drills since April. The command said the drills aim to warn what it described as "Ta
DP World's Port of Sokhna handles one million containers in 2025 DP World's Port of Sokhna reached a major milestone in 2025 by handling a record one million containers, underscoring its position as a key gateway for Egypt's global trade. The achievement reflects close coordination between commercial and operations teams. DP World said careful planning of berth capacity, yard availability, gate processes, and rail integration ensured smooth cargo flow and fast
ONE names Sixth "S" Series Vessel, ONE Satisfaction Ocean Network Express (ONE) celebrated the naming of ONE Satisfaction, the sixth vessel in its "S" series, during a ceremony in Japan on December 19, 2025. The 13,800 TEU container ship is designed to be methanol and ammonia-ready, reflecting ONE's focus on environmentally sustainable shipping. The vessel is scheduled to begin sea trials soon, with delivery expected in February 2026. The name ON
Maersk raises Peak Season Surcharge on Far East-East Africa Routes Maersk has announced an increase in its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on shipments from Far East Asia to East Africa. The revised surcharge will apply to cargo moving from China and Hong Kong to Kenya and Dar es Salaam. It will take effect from January 12, 2026. For shipments to Kenya, the PSS is set at USD 700 for 20-foot dry and reefer containers. The charge rises to USD 1,200 for all 40-foot and
Boluda Towage expands Australian operations to Port of Esperance Boluda Towage has launched harbour towage operations at the Port of Esperance, strengthening its presence in Australia. The move follows Boluda's acquisition of Mackenzie Marine & Towage, a family-owned company with more than 50 years of experience in Western Australia's towage sector. Boluda said the expansion supports its long-term strategy to build a strong presence across key Australian ports
CMA CGM revises FAK rates from India and Pakistan CMA CGM has announced new Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for shipments from North West India and Pakistan. The revised rates will apply from January 5, 2026, based on the gate-in date at origin ports, and will remain in effect until further notice. For shipments to North Europe and the Mediterranean, the rate is set at USD 1,800 per 20-foot container and USD 1,800 per 40-foot container. Rates to N
MSC revises South Africa-Europe Service MSC will introduce faster transit times from South Africa to Northern Europe for January and February 2026 sailings. The carrier will rename the Eastern Cape Express as the Western Cape Express. The service will now call at Cape Town instead of Gqeberha. MSC said the change will improve speed and reliability on shipments to key Northern European hubs. The updated rotation will provide quicker acc
Synergy Marine welcomes two Newbuildings as 2025 draws to a close Synergy Marine Group has expanded its managed fleet with the delivery of two new vessels at the close of 2025. The Kamsarmax Basic Progress has joined the global dry bulk fleet following delivery from Jinglu Shipyard in China. The chemical tanker Golden Calypso has entered service from Asakawa Shipbuilding in Japan. Synergy said the vessel names reflect its operating philosophy. Basic Progress re
World Container Index rises in late December Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) rose 1% last week to $2,213 per 40-foot container, marking its fourth consecutive weekly increase. The rise was driven mainly by higher rates on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trade routes. Spot rates from Shanghai to Genoa climbed 3% to $3,427 per container. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased 2% to $2,584. Asia-Europe spot rates have now remained st
MOL, SINOPEC and Marubeni sign MOU on marine biodiesel supply Mitsui O.S.K. Line signed a memorandum of understanding with China's largest fuel supplier SINOPEC and trading house Marubeni. This MoU will establish a long-term supply system for marine biodiesel fuel. Under the agreement, the partners will work to secure a stable and continuous supply of biodiesel fuel in China. MOL will promote the use of biodiesel in marine transport. Also, SINOPEC and Marub
d'Amico signs up MR1 newbuild deal in China Italian product tanker owner d'Amico International Shipping (DIS) has moved to renew its fleet with a fresh newbuilding deal in China, ordering two MR1 units at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). The company said its operating arm, d'Amico Tankers has signed contracts for a pair of 40,000 dwt vessels at a price of $43.2m each. The ...
Capital Clean Energy Carriers locks in $770m LNG carrier order in South Korea Capital Clean Energy Carriers (CCEC) has moved to further bulk up its LNG fleet, placing an order for three newbuildings at HD Hyundai Samho in South Korea. The Nasdaq-listed owner has secured three berths at the yard, with one vessel due for delivery in the third quarter of 2028 and the remaining two scheduled for ...
DHT trims vintage tonnage with twin VLCC sale Supertanker specialist DHT Holdings has struck a deal to sell two of its three oldest VLCCs, continuing a steady refresh of its fleet as asset values remain firm. The New York-listed owner is shipping out the 2007-built DHT China and DHT Europe for a combined price of $101.6m. Both vessels were built at Hyundai and ...
Winning in lead China is dominating the secondhand capesize market this year, and Winning is topping the buyer table. Winning Shipping is closing in on double-digit capesize purchases in 2025, emerging as the buyer of its six-vintage newcastlemax deals in as many months. The latest addition is an 18-year-old heavyweight, purchased for an undisclosed fee. The Chinese owner ...
Mandatory reporting of lost containers set to come into force Requirement introduced after IMO amendments to Solas
Jinjiang Shipping plans up to eight feeders to support Southeast Asia expansion Tight feeder supply and robust intra-Asian demand suggest continued medium- to long-term market strength
Japan eyes major shipyard consolidation to counter China's dominance The documents warn that China is strengthening its dominance in global shipbuilding, and argue Japan must rebuild 'international competitiveness' to...
China's live-fire exercises tighten Taiwan Strait risk calculus for merchant shipping More frequent exercises are raising regional risk
Red Sea return poses disruption threat to Asia-Europe trade Although the timeline is still uncertain, a resumption of the shorter Suez routing brings its own risks, with analysts warning of the potential for significant port disruption and upward rate pressure.
Domestic intermodal to benefit from new lanes, faster service in 2026 Those factors will lift volumes, but true organic expansion depends on a recovery in the truckload market.
CBP to let importers tie 'notify parties' to key portal communications The change, effective Jan. 2, allows importers to digitally designate customs brokers to receive bills, checks and liquidation notices on behalf of clients.
Evergreen to invest $174 million on new containers The Taiwanese carrier said the box orders were split between three different suppliers, including its own manufacturing subsidiary.
Red Sea return poses disruption threat to Asia-Europe trade Although the timeline is still uncertain, a resumption of the shorter Suez routing brings its own risks, with analysts warning of the potential for significant port disruption and upward rate pressure.
Australian shippers call for end to ocean carrier anti-trust immunity Current anti-trust protections "have enabled foreign-owned shipping lines to exert disproportionate control over pricing and service levels" in Australia's maritime industry, the head of a leading shipper group in the country says.
CMA CGM reworks India-Med loop rotation to streamline Red Sea operations The carrier is now including calls at Malta, Port Said (Egypt) and Beirut on the weekly Medex itinerary, replacing Valencia and Barcelona in Spain and For-sur-Mer in France.
Christiania Gas celebrates safe return of nine abducted crew members Seafarers in repatriation process after 3 December abduction from LPG tanker off West Africa
Yang Ming seals newbuild deal worth $160m for four ultramax bulkers Taiwanese owner's Kuang Ming subsidiary to build vessels with Japanese yards
Fresh Somali piracy threat to shipping unlikely to end soon, warns UN International and regional cooperation holds the key to limiting the danger from ship seizures, says expert panel
Final Baltimore bridge costs 'could leave shipowners with huge bill' Insurance broker Tysers says spiking costs for rebuilding work could outstrip the pooling and reinsurance system
Bourbon AHTS ignites bidding frenzy in China Vessel auctioned at $2.62m above the reserve, while PSV sold at its starting price
Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express expand global terminal businesses Deals emerge after reports MSC's bid to buy Panama ports has hit a wall
CMB.Tech linked to fresh capesize sale as it braces for low-carbon newbuildings European owners take advantage of multi-year price highs for mid-aged capesizes
Seacon Shipping snags series of bulker newbuilding resales Shipowner uses Chinese leasing to buy six ultramax resales after offloading contracts for six small MPP newbuildings onto German owners
Go Honest goes shipless after scrap sale of only vessel Company ends two-year adventure as a shipowner as it ditches small general cargo ship
Beijing tightens grip on Taiwan 'life or death' shipping lanes in war game Live-fire zones encircle key ports and sea routes around island closer than 2022 edition
Expedition cruise ship runs aground on South Pacific reef Initial reports show Coral Expeditions-operated vessel suffered no hull damage during incident off Papua New Guinea
Salvors avert VLCC grounding after South China Sea engine failure Early intervention prevented spill risk from fully laden crude carrier
Shipping's newest trading force plots evolution from tanker operating to ownership Switzerland's AB Commodities has a clear plan to develop vital freight presence
Terrified seafarers quitting as piracy threat rises, psychologist says Alex Dimitrevich has studied how attacks - and the fear of them - affect crew members
Year-End Housekeeping for Small Carriers The end of the year sneaks up on small carriers faster than most people realize. One minute you're grinding through the end of the season, chasing loads and keeping wheels moving. The next thing you know, it's late December and everyone is talking about filings, renewals, and "stuff you're supposed to do." Year-end actions are less about compliance boxes and more about understanding your operatio
How Portcast turns supply chain visibility into actionable intelligence Over the past few years, visibility has become table stakes. Every platform claims to offer real-time tracking and dashboards packed with data. Yet operations teams are still firefighting, still scrambling to explain delays, and still missing service level agreements. Nidhi Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Portcast , sees the problem clearly. "Operators shouldn't spend their days narrating problems o
Zim sale review in "advanced stages", rejects CEO bid Zim Integrated Shipping Services confirmed it is evaluating a number of buyout proposals but ruled out an acquisition led by its current chief executive. The company (NYSE: ZIM ) in a statement said that its board of directors is evaluating proposals from "multiple strategic parties" to acquire all the shares of the Haifa-based container carrier. The board said it rejected as "undervalued" a revi
The 10 Playbook Stories That Defined Trucking in 2025 - And Why They All Point to the Same Truth If 2025 taught the trucking industry anything, it's that the pressure wasn't coming from just one direction. It wasn't only rates. It wasn't only regulation. It wasn't only technology or labor or compliance. It was all of it - at the same time. The most-read Playbook stories of the year weren't random. They followed a clear pattern. Each one pulled back a layer of the industry that small carrier
US rail shipments down 7% in last full week Rail traffic on U.S. railroads totaled 487,138 carloads and intermodal units in the last full week of 2025, down 7% compared with the same period a year ago. Total traffic for the week ending Dec. 20 was 206,674 carloads, according to the Association of American Railroads, down 10.5% y/y. Intermodal units numbered 280,464 containers and trailers, a decrease of 4.3%. Grain led just two carload gai
GATX, Brookfield complete buy of Wells Fargo rail leasing GATX Corp. announced that it and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. have received all required regulatory clearances to complete the transaction to acquire Wells Fargo's rail operating lease portfolio. The transaction announced in May will be completed through a joint venture between GATX (NYSE: GATX ) and Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE: BIP ), the former said in a release, to close on or a
Midwest LTL carrier shutting down after 91 years Standard Forwarding Freight, the less-than-truckload carrier previously known as Standard Forwarding, is ceasing operations less than a year after DHL Freight sold it . Some of the company's drivers said they were notified on Sunday that the carrier would close on Wednesday. A recorded message on the company's main phone line says it is "no longer scheduling pickups" and to send an email to custo
Truckers east of I-35 advised to stay home Staying warm and off the road is better than Ezra As Winter Storm Ezra intensifies across the central and eastern United States, the freight industry faces a severe threat from high winds that could blow over trailers, disrupting operations and endangering drivers. The storm, which began escalating on Sunday, is unleashing gusts of 50+ mph in parts of the Upper Midwest, with impacts stretching ea
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