Philippine News

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

November 19 ------ Philippine officials told the Associated Press that they completed a mostly peaceful resupply mission to their outpost on the beached vessel BRP Sierra Madre in the South China Sea after previous confrontations with the Chinese. The latest resupply mission, the 12th in the past year, was observed by the Chinese and timed to the start of a joint Philippine, U.S., Japan exercise led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The Philippines and China have long been

November 19 ------ A severe windstorm in southern Argentina damaged multiple fishing vessels in ports around the region on Monday, including three smaller vessels that sank in the harbor at Caleta Olivia, Santa Cruz. With a low-pressure system arriving from the Pacific and blowing over the Andes, gusts in parts of southern Argentina hit speeds upwards of 80 knots, according to the nation's government weather service. Swells rolling in from the Atlantic hit hard for smaller ve

November 19 ------ Last week, a container barge parted its tow wire and ran aground on a reef in the Bahamas, reportedly attracting looters from nearby communities. According to the operator, the barge Brooklyn Bridge broke away from its towing vessel due to severe winds while en route from Florida to Puerto Rico. The barge then drifted aground on a reef off Abaco, at the northern end of the island chain. The operator commissioned a dive inspection and confirmed that there wa

November 19 ------ Switzerland-based turbocharger producer Accelleron and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Marine Solution, a marine technology provider operating under HD Hyundai, have entered into an agreement aimed at ‘boosting’ the integration of ship management and optimization tools. Under the terms of the contract the parties have signed, Accelleron and HD Hyundai Marine Solution are to explore closer integration as well as “further efficiencies” across digital tools, includin

November 18 ------ The 21-member crew of the seized tanker Talara are safe after their capture by Iranian forces, according to third-party manager Columbia Shipmanagement. "All crew members are reported to be safe and accounted for. The vessel is now safely anchored off the coast of Bandar Abbas," the company said in a statement. "Columbia Shipmanagement is working with regional partners to urgently resolve the situation and secure the release of our crew." Talara was seized

November 18 ------ South Korea’s Busan Coast Guard is recounting the details of a rampage staged by three crewmembers aboard a cargo ship anchored offshore. The local District Court issued an arrest warrant for three Vietnamese nationals working aboard the ship, charged with assault, threatening colleagues, intimidation, and property damage. The Coast Guard reports it acted fearing that the incidents could lead to additional crimes, including potentially a murder. The inciden

November 18 ------ Greenpeace is calling for an end to the uranium trade between France and Russia after reporting that it has resumed after a nearly three-year hiatus. The group released pictures of containers with spent uranium being loaded onto a cargo ship in the port of Dunkirk and bound for Russia. At least 10 containers of uranium, clearly marked with dangerous cargo symbols, were observed arriving in the port of Dunkirk, France, on Saturday, November 15, and being loa

November 18 ------ Norwegian container tonnage provider MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has entered into contracts with China’s shipbuilder Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry for the construction of four 4,500 TEU container vessels. As informed, the contract price per vessel is $58 million and the agreement includes options for two additional units at the same price. The first containership will be delivered in the first half of 2028. Each vessel will operate under a 10-year time

November 17 ------ Last week’s Manila Dialogue demonstrated that the Philippines is far from cowed or isolated in the face of China’s continued bullying in the South China Sea. But it also highlighted the limitations of transparency as a stand-alone strategy against Beijing’s maritime encroachment. The dialogue’s focus on international law has broader relevance for Australia. This annual meeting about the South China Sea is a fairly new addition to the regional conference sce

November 17 ------ The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is optimistic that transits are gradually returning to normal after the canal witnessed the passage of three mega ships operated by CMA CGM in a span of one week. Just a day after the UN Security Council overwhelmingly voted to renew sanctions against the Yemeni Houthis’ who have been waging attacks on commercial vessels forcing them to avoid the Red Sea, SCA now believes the situation is easing and mega ships are making trans

November 17 ------ Animal advocacy groups have been raising the alarm over the situation aboard livestock carrier Spiridon II, which was stranded off the Turkish coast for weeks due to irregularities in paperwork. 58 cows have already died, with another 140 pregnant cows suffering miscarriages. Shortly after publication of a report on the situation by Sky News, the vessel weighed anchor and got under way. Spiridon II was stranded in the Turkish waters for 24 days, and the aut

November 17 ------ A two-stroke ammonia engine manufactured by German marine engine producer Everllence (formerly known as MAN Energy Solutions) is all but ready to hit the maritime industry market. As disclosed, Everllence’s dual-fuel ME-LGIA (-liquid gas injection ammonia) engine, which was unveiled for the first time at a recent maritime conference, is now prepared for newbuilding orders. As noted, the inaugural unit of the ME-LGIA engine is set to be handed over in the fi