Latest posts
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Pirates Attack LPG Carrier, Kidnap Crew Off West Africa
An LPG carrier has become the latest target of the ongoing piracy off West Africa, with reports confirming that nine of the ship’s crew have been kidnapped and one injured. The vessel was underway bound for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, when it was boarded. Security group Vanguard reports the vessel was approximately 50 nautical miles west…
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The Shipping Irony: Maersk’s Volumes Rise but Profits Drop 80%
In a glaring illustration of the boom-and-bust cycle gripping global trade, A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping line, has reported a devastating drop in profits despite physically moving more cargo. The company’s core shipping business saw earnings fall by as much as 80-90% in 2023, signalling a definitive end to the unprecedented boom the…
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Adoption of Methanol as Alternative Fuel in Powering Vessels: Where is the Industry Now?
The race to decarbonise the world’s shipping lanes is entering a new, decisive phase. While the journey towards a zero-emission future is long, a clear and practical pathway is being charted. Methanol is gradually emerging as an alternative fuel of choice. The recent completion of a major engine retrofit for a COSCO containership highlights a…
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Flag-Hopping at Record Highs: Is Maritime Safety at Risk?
Flag-hopping is the practice whereby a ship owner or an operator frequently and strategically changes their vessel’s flag state (or registry) to circumvent legal, regulatory, or economic obligations. According to the latest data from maritime analytics company Windward, flag-hopping is now a standard operating procedure for a parallel shipping network designed to circumvent international sanctions.…
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Nuclear Power in Commercial Shipping — Could It Happen? And When?
In 1959, the United States launched the NS Savannah, the first nuclear passenger-cargo vessel, followed by Germany’s Otto Hahn in 1964, Japan’s Mutsu in 1969, and the Soviet Union’s Sevmorput in 1986, which remains in operation today. Although these ships proved the technical feasibility of nuclear propulsion, they failed commercially due to high costs, small…
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Shipyard Accident Causes Fatality: Prevention Tips
A routine maintenance operation turned tragic at Istanbul’s Tuzla Shipyards when the roro vessel Elmes suddenly rolled over on Thursday 9th of October. The capsizing, which happened around 14:30 local time, threw several workers into the water and triggered a large-scale emergency response. One worker, 46-year-old Ukrainian Vlasyuk Yevgen, was fatally trapped under an evacuation ramp hatch.…
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International Bodies Address Rising Criminalization of Seafarers and Safety Concerns
London, July 2025 — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), alongside industry stakeholders, recently convened in London to address pressing challenges facing seafarers, including growing incidents of criminalization and ongoing safety risks. Criminalization of Seafarers: A Call for Fair Treatment A key focus was the conference “Protecting Seafarers Against Criminalization: What…
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Panama Canal Water Levels Stabilize After Drought
After facing severe drought conditions in 2023 and 2024 due to El Niño, the Panama Canal has successfully maintained operations with a maximum draft of 15.24 meters (50 feet) during this year’s dry season. Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales expressed optimism, stating that the upcoming rainy season is expected to replenish water levels, ensuring stable operations ahead of the…
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Piracy Incidents Reach Five-Year Peak, Driven by Surge in Singapore Strait
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported a sharp 50% increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships in the first half of 2025, marking the highest mid-year tally since 2020. A total of 90 incidents were recorded, up from 60 during the same period in 2024, with the Singapore Strait emerging as…
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Nigeria Launches First Indigenous Container Shipping Line
In a landmark move for Nigeria’s maritime sector, Clarion Shipping West Africa has launched the country’s first fully indigenous container shipping line, aiming to strengthen regional trade and reduce reliance on foreign transshipment. The company officially inaugurated its service at Lagos’s Tin Can Island Port on 3rd July, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s shipping industry. A…