Latest posts
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Pirates Board Bitumen Tanker off African Coast
In a concerning incident, the Panama-flagged bitumen tanker BITU River was briefly commandeered by pirates approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of São Tomé and Príncipe. The vessel, operated by Rubis Asphalt, was en route from Lomé, Togo, to Douala, Cameroon, when three unauthorized individuals boarded it. Reports indicate that shots were fired during the attack, but thankfully,…
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Outlook of Global Maritime Industry in the Face of Tariffs Tensions
The global maritime industry is currently navigating through a complex landscape shaped by escalating trade tensions and protectionist measures. The United States has recently proposed significant tariffs and fees targeting Chinese-built and Chinese-flagged vessels. The new proposal by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) includes a $1 million per U.S. port call fee on Chinese vessel…
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Captain Arrested Following North Sea Ship Collision
The captain of a cargo ship has been arrested after his vessel collided with an oil tanker in the North Sea. The incident involved the Portuguese-flagged Solong and the US-registered Stena Immaculate, which crashed off the East Yorkshire coast at approximately 10:00 GMT on Monday 10th March 2025. The Police confirmed the arrest of the 59-year-old captain on…
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Key Maritime Trends in 2025
The maritime industry, responsible for over 85% of global trade, continues to undergo significant evolution and transformation. Key trends that would shape 2025 include: 1. CybersecurityAs ships become increasingly connected, cybersecurity would continue to be a strategic priority for maritime companies. Investments in secure software and crew IT training, along with adherence to IMO cybersecurity…