Philippine News

November 16 ------ Despite the existing uncertainty in global regulations for clean shipping, some decarbonization initiatives are setting ambitious targets for transitioning to alternative fuels. One such example is the South Africa-Europe iron ore shipping route, which could feasibly deploy ammonia-fueled bulk carriers as soon as 2029 and scale toward full decarbonization by 2035. These findings are contained in a feasibility study by the Global Maritime Forum, produced in

November 16 ------ Cruising is among the shipping segments pursuing new environmentally sensitive technologies, with exploration and luxury at the forefront. Large cruise ships have adopted LNG, scrubbers, and solar panels, while two newly launched expedition cruise ships will be among the most environmentally advanced to date. The ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, seeks to establish its position in the sector with the launch of the new Magellan Discoverer for the sustainab

November 15 ------ In November 2024, BIMCO launched a Ship Recycling Alliance to help accelerate safe and environmentally sound ship recycling of ships through the coordination of the voices of the ship recycling industry and the shipping industry. The alliance was also launched to help facilitate the global implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009 (HKC) prior to its entering into force in June 202

November 15 ------ The National Retail Federation, an industry trade group, issued its monthly report on expected import volumes through the major U.S. container ports, projecting that volumes will fall below two million TEU per month and continue a steady decline through the first quarter of 2026. With tariff uncertainty continuing but most holiday merchandise already in stores or warehouses, it projects that import cargo volume will see the usual end-of-year slowdown in Nov

November 14 ------ The VLCC market is currently booming and driving shipping’s strongest earnings performance in over two years. Spot earnings are reaching $100,000 per day on key routes, and analysts suggest this surge could reshape tanker deployment strategies well into 2026. Freight markets have surged, powered by a buoyant crude market, resurgent OPEC+ production, and tightening tonnage capacity. For VLCC owners, this marks not just a rally, but a key turning point, and o

November 14 ------ Japanese shipping major Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has announced plans to issue transition bonds in late November in an effort to accelerate its decarbonization projects. As explained, transition bonds are designed to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon society. This marks the company’s fifth issuance of such bonds, showing the evolving role of this financial instrument in the shipping industry. Specifically, the company’s transition bonds will have a

November 14 ------ Bahrain and Qatar have for the first time established a direct ferry link. Previously, GCC citizens who wished to travel between the two countries had to fly, or take a long land route through Saudi Arabia subject to border controls. The new ferry route, which went into service on November 6, makes the direct transit in 50 minutes. Initially, two return services will run each day, but from this modest start the operator wants to build a higher-volume servic

November 14 ------ Florida-headquartered Disney Cruise Line has held a naming ceremony for its third cruise ship fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). As disclosed, the 340-meter-long and 39-meter-wide vessel was formally named Disney Destiny at its homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Wish-class cruise ship, which features a gross tonnage of 144,000 and a capacity to carry up to 4,000 passengers, is the seventh vessel of its kind to be operated by th

November 13 ------ Three months after the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) came into force, the ship recycling industry looks much the same. The yards remain busy, the paperwork continues to grow, and the sweeping reform promised by the Convention has yet to take shape. This slow start is no surprise. The industry had more than a decade to prepare. Many shipowners, some had already aligned with the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR), which set stricter standards and

November 13 ------ When considering where to register commercial vessels, shipowners have a broad range of options, each with its own advantages. Among European flags, Estonia has emerged as a compelling choice thanks to its cutting-edge digital infrastructure, favorable fiscal policies, and streamlined administrative processes. A Maritime Nation Embracing Digital Transformation Estonia's seafaring traditions stretch back centuries, but its approach to ship registration refle

November 13 ------ The container sector continues to grow, with attention focused on the carriers’ total orderbook, which is more than 10 million TEU is the largest in history. While all the largest carriers continue to grow, two carriers, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and HMM, hit significant milestones in their strategies recently. MSC has for the first time topped the 7 million TEU capacity mark, making its capacity 50 percent larger than the second largest carrier, M

November 13 ------ ElbOil, a German-based company specializing in the trading, brokering, and hedging of marine fuels, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese companies Shandong Shunli Hydrogen Energy Technology, a subsidiary of Henan Shuncheng Group, and Shanghai Wenji Biotechnology, which is responsible for domestic trade procedures, to support the future production and distribution of green methanol. Starting in early 2027, the initiative is expected to

November 12 ------ The long-running debate over whether the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, 1989 (BC), and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC), are in conflict has divided policymakers, shipowners, and environmental advocates for years. It is often claimed that Basel’s strict export controls on hazardous waste contradict the HKC’s effort

November 12 ------ As tensions rise amongst the Houthi rebel leadership in Yemen, the Royal Saudi Navy (RSNF)'s Western Fleet has launched Exercise Red Wave 8. From flags on display at the opening ceremony in Jeddah, Djibouti, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan and the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) of Yemen are amongst the nations participating in the exercise. The operational focus of the training appears to be countering piracy and the Houthi threat, both in the Red Sea

November 12 ------ The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) and Oslo-headquartered classification society DNV have given fresh life to their long-standing collaboration focused on accelerating the development of a smart, greener and future-proof maritime sector. As announced, MPA Singapore and DNV renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to ‘bolster’ cooperation in maritime sustainability, digital innovation and talent development. The doc

November 12 ------ Danish technology company Topsoe has signed an offtake agreement to provide its solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technology for Spanish shipping and chemicals company Forestal del Atlántico’s Triskelion e-methanol plant in Galicia, Spain. As disclosed, the SOECs will be delivered from Topsoe’s manufacturing facility in Herning, Denmark, which is nearing the final stage of readiness for industrial-scale production. The agreement, which includes a 10-year

November 11 ------ European shipping emissions surged last year to their ‘highest’ level since official monitoring began back in 2018, fresh data published by the EU’s Transport & Environment (T&E) shows.   According to the EU MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) system, which measures emissions from ships of 5,000 GT and above calling at European ports, 2024 set a brand-new record with emissions jumping by 13% despite trade volumes remaining flat.   Although the use

November 11 ------ After days of pursuit, forces with EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy have caught up with a pirate-occupied dhow in the Indian Ocean, containing the risk its operators posed to shipping.   "The Pirate Action Group (PAG) linked to recent incidents is being monitored closely by the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and there is currently no threat from this group to merchant vessels," the EU's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) said in a statem

November 11 ------ Naval architecture and marine engineering company AURELIA Design and climate-tech company CALCAREA have joined forces to bring ocean-based carbon capture to commercial shipping.   The collaboration seeks to combine AURELIA’s expertise in green ship design and e-systems integration with CALCAREA’s carbon removal process.   The partnership will focus on CALCAREA’s limestone weathering technology, a system that accelerates a natural process where CO2 reacts wi

November 11 ------ A dozen fishermen are missing after two Chinese vessels capsized off the coast of South Korea over the weekend, prompting a large-scale search effort.   The first vessel - identified only as the "A" - capsized at about 0650 hours Sunday morning at a position about 70 nautical miles from Gageo. Out of the 11 people on board, six crewmembers were rescued by a good Samaritan vessel and were in good health.   The Korea Coast Guard dispatched rescue assets and r