Philippine News

November 25 ------ Since October 2023, the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group that seized control over much of the country over a decade ago, have waged a campaign against shipping vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden, attacking over 100 commercial maritime vessels. The Houthis have long cited Israel’s war in Gaza as the raison d’être for its campaign, claiming that the attacks on Israeli ships or any vessels conducting business at Israeli ports are inten

November 25 ------ This week will be a tense one at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s London headquarters overlooking the River Thames in London. At the IMO's 35th General Session, delegates will vote on November 28 to elect 20 Category C members of the IMO's Council. Category A and B members of the Council are selected on the basis of calculation, for having the largest interests in shipping services and in international seaborne trade. But Category C members a

November 25 ------ Last week, passengers aboard the cruise ship Carnival Dream reported that one of the vessel's lifeboats broke away from its davit and fell into the water while the ship was berthed at Cozumel, Mexico. The dropped boat was on the starboard side, opposite the pier, according to Cruise Hive. It fell into the water and drifted up to a wharf, where it was retrieved. The remainder of the lifeboat's bow was still hanging from the davit's falls. "The team on Carniv

November 25 ------ South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the intermediate holding company for HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding business, has inked a ‘major’ contract with compatriot maritime transport company HMM for eight 13,400 TEU dual-fuel boxships. As disclosed, the order for the ultra-large container vessels, which was revealed on November 23, was signed under an agreement valued at a whopping $1.46 billion. Officials from HD Hyundai have called

November 24 ------ Maritime investigators are yet again highlighting the dangers associated with free-fall lifeboats on commercial vessels after an inadvertent release sent a lifeboat flying into the water and caused serious injuries to a crewmember. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report on a lifeboat incident involving the bulk carrier Golden Zhejiang, highlighting that cases of accidental lifeboat release remain prevalent and ofte

November 24 ------ As part of a brand-new environmental strategy, starting from 2026, vessels that sail emission-free in and out of the Norwegian Port of Oslo are to be exempt from quay fees while plugged into shore power. Officials from the Port of Oslo have explained that those ships that are sailing in an eco-friendly manner and, therefore, accomplish a “high environmental score” are to earn additional discounts, while the vessels that have not yet adopted any green soluti

November 24 ------ Increased production of LNG in West Africa and the United States, and delays in discharges at Egyptian LNG terminals, has prompted a short squeeze on LNG shipping availability. Rates have increased dramatically over the past three weeks. LNG freight was being offered at $170,000 per day on the follow in the London market on the morning of November 21. This represents a 150 percent rise in rates in comparison with the Atlantic $75,000 per day rate being quot

November 24 ------ The chief officer working aboard a Turkish-owned tanker is being detained as the authorities investigate a poisoning incident. One crewmember was killed and two others remain in critical condition due to a buildup and release of toxic gases aboard the vessel, which was anchored in the Sea of Marmara. The emergency call went out at approximately 1730 on November 19, reporting that one crewmember had collapsed, and two others were injured. The Turkish Coast G

November 23 ------ Medical supply company ANP Pharma is taking the lead in helping mariners stay on the right side of medical compliance through its in-house consultancy service. “Failure to comply with medical regulations carries significant consequences,” says Ella Isiraojie, Business Development Manager at ANP Pharma. “Beyond financial penalties and reputational damage, in the most serious cases non-compliance can result in legal actions such as criminal prosecution and im

November 23 ------ With the Coast Guard's final cybersecurity rule in effect as of July 16, 2025 and the training mandate due January 12, 2026, the marine transportation system is being pushed to treat cyber risk as an operational reality. Two voices, one from a maritime technology company and one from a safety-and-risk leader, point to the same answer: If the industry wants resilience, it must move beyond checklists toward engineered controls, measurable hygiene and contract

November 22 ------ The Philippines prides itself as a leading shipping nation, with its seafarers representing more than a quarter of the world’s maritime workforce. However, the economic impacts of the manning industry on the country’s economy has largely remained a matter of conjecture. A new study is now creating a clear picture of the industry, and has gone ahead to challenge authorities to ensure the global merchant shipping industry does not lose confidence with its sea

November 22 ------ Swiss-Dutch marine engineering giant Allseas has commissioned a new study on the economic benefits of offshore nuclear powerplants, a new specialty it is developing in cooperation with TU Delft and nuclear energy services company NRG Pallas. In June, Allseas announced plans to build a 25-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) designed for marine propulsion, auxiliary power and microgrid applications. The company intends to adapt high-temperature gas-cooled re

November 21 ------ The drone strikes on drug smuggling boats have not been holding back the Coast Guard's performance in daily cocaine seizures, according to a top commander for the region. If anything, the numbers have been going up, as demonstrated by the new record set by USCGC Stone's crew over the last few months. The volumes captured are better than ever; if smugglers are deterred by the threat of lethal strike, it hasn't yet affected boat traffic. "The drugs you see he

November 21 ------ South Korea’s HD Hyundai has become the world’s first shipbuilder to build and deliver 5,000 ships, marking half a century since its first vessel delivery in 1974. On November 19, 2025, the company held a ceremony in Ulsan to celebrate the milestone. The 5,000th vessel delivered by HD Hyundai is the second offshore patrol vessel built for the Philippine Navy, the Diego Silang. Launched in March and delivered to the Philippine Navy in October, the vessel mea

November 21 ------ The United Seamen’s Service recognized Crowley mariners with honors at the 2025 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards. As one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the industry, the AOTOS awards spotlight outstanding maritime achievement and pay tribute to American seafarers whose courageous actions and commitment to safety have made a profound impact on the industry and the welfare of those at sea. The crew of the tanker Stena Immaculate was presented wi

November 21 ------ The Korean Coast Guard held a briefing on yesterday’s grounding of a passenger car ferry, reporting a litany of failures and saying it is pursuing charges, including gross negligence. It said the first officer, who was responsible for navigation, was distracted by his cell phone and failed to perform his duties, while the captain and helmsman are also under investigation. The first officer of the ferry, identified as a Korean in his 40s, was in charge of th

November 20 ------ In an unusual move, the Department of Justice filed a motion in federal court seeking to intervene in the pending legal action by the cruise industry against the State of Hawaii. The action is in keeping with the Trump administration’s position that denies climate change and seeks to block individual state efforts, which it sees as damaging to federal policy and commerce. The motion was filed in the U.S. District Court in Hawaii, arguing that the federal De

November 20 ------ The tanker Talara has been released after five days in Iranian custody, along with the crew - but not the cargo, according to the operator. Talara was seized last Friday by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at a position in the UAE, off Khor Fakkan. After boarding by helicopter, IRGC personnel diverted the ship to the coastal waters off Bandar Abbas, a typical destination for foreign-flag ships captured by Iran. The IRGC has claimed responsibilit

November 20 ------ A ceasefire agreed between Cambodia and Thailand in August is in jeopardy after Thai soldiers were wounded by mines in an area of Thai territory occupied by Cambodian squatters. The ceasefire agreed between the two countries called for a withdrawal of heavy weapons from the areas of dispute, but did not resolve discrepancies between the de facto and the de jure border in a number of areas. The 13-point agreement was signed under the umbrella of the ASEAN or

November 20 ------ Norway’s TMC Compressors has been selected to supply a complete compressed air system for a dozen alternative fuel-ready containerships being constructed for German shipping titan Hapag-Lloyd in China. As disclosed, China’s Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding is currently building the twelve 16,800 TEU vessels, which are due to be handed over between 2027 and 2029. Nearly exactly one year ago, Hapag-Lloyd ordered 24 LNG dual-fuel boxships worth a staggering $4