Philippine News

October 24 ------ The cruise industry has roared back since the pandemic, as almost everyone in the travel industry is well aware. AAA and Tourism Economics, however, published new numbers to show just how strong the industry is, and specifically the significance of the U.S. market to the industry. In a new report, they highlight that the industry is expected to mark the fourth consecutive year of record cruise passenger volume in 2026. They note as well that 2025 is turning

October 24 ------ European, Chinese, and South Korean financiers have over half of their portfolio tied to oil and gas carriers that are most at risk of becoming stranded assets in the global rush to shift to a low-carbon energy system, a new report by UCL’s Energy Institute Shipping and Oceans Research Group suggests. As the global economy moves toward decarbonization, the maritime transport industry is staring at the abyss of stranded assets, i.e., vessels that lose value b

October 24 ------ A growing trend to ship combustible cargoes such as lithium batteries in refrigerated containers has prompted VIKING Life-Saving Equipment to develop HydroPen Reefer – a new version of its widely adopted ‘drill and spray’ solution for fighting container fires inside the box. In contrast to conventional exterior firefighting methods, HydroPen’s unique drill and nozzle attaches to a ship’s hose and uses water pressure to drill through the container shell and f

October 24 ------ Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 has yet again demonstrated its determination to fight illicit activities in the waters of the Middle East. The international task force, which is under the command of Saudi Arabia, seized drugs worth a staggering $972.4 million during two operations in the Arabian Sea in the span of 48 hours. During an operation code named Al Masmak, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook conducted boarding operations of two dhows that led to the seiz

October 23 ------ The Embassy of the Philippines located in Washington, D.C., issued a statement on October 21, reporting that it has been in contact with the U.S. authorities over the reports of denial of entry encountered by Filipino seafarers at U.S. ports. There have been multiple reports of incidents involving seafarers with work visas since the Trump administration began its crackdown on illegal immigrants in the United States. The embassy says it has been in touch with

October 23 ------ There had been reports that companies were considering restructuring steps in the face of the uncertainties created by the special port fee programs introduced by the U.S. and China. Several companies, based on recent stock exchange filings, have quietly taken several steps targeting their ownership profile and composition of their boards to reduce the risk of being deemed a “U.S.-controlled” company by the Chinese authorities. Lawyers pointed to the ambigui

October 23 ------ There was some mystery in mid-October when most Iranian-owned tankers simultaneously turned on their AIS location systems, having mostly travelled in the “dark” since 2018 when the United States re-imposed sanctions. The Iranian leadership remains in a highly nervous state after the 12-Day War in June, issuing a flow of contradictory statements and evidently fearing a resumption of Israeli and American attacks. But it was difficult to see the logic in Irania

October 23 ------ The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Shanghai green shipping corridor, a “first-of-its-kind” initiative connecting ports between California and China, has achieved new milestones. As disclosed, the green shipping corridor, which is facilitated by C40 cities (a global network of mayors working to tackle the climate crisis by endeavoring to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030), has delivered on its envisioned phase I targets. The milestones include the expans

October 22 ------ Governments at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to delay the planned adoption of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for one year in a vote at the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC E.2) in London. The postponement of the world’s first global carbon pricing system on any international polluter—global shipping—is seen as a major setback in meeting the maritime industry’s decarbonization targets. The decisio

October 22 ------ The diplomatic arm of the European Union is reported to be working on a new plan to further increase the inspections of the shadow tanker fleet that supports the Russian energy industry, according to a draft document seen by Reuters and POLITICO. The outlets are reporting that the position builds on the efforts by France, Estonia, Germany, and other member states, which have already stopped suspect vessels. The European External Action Service (EEAS) will be

October 22 ------ China is extending its new “special port fees” to visiting cruise ships, raising questions about whether the cruise industry will retreat from its planned port calls due to the costs. The new fees started on October 14 as a reciprocal to the U.S. port fees introduced under the program established by the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office in response to China’s dominance of the shipbuilding industry. The U.S. program is targeting China-owned and operated ship

October 22 ------ Australia’s Port of Melbourne and China’s Port of Shanghai have joined forces to establish a green shipping corridor. The ports formalized their partnership with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on October 19 in China, culminating from a nearly two-decade-long partnership between the Port of Melbourne and Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC), which commenced in 2006. The joint initiative, supported by the C40 Cities Climate Leadershi

October 21 ------ The IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships convened as scheduled today, October 20, as the shipping industry remains confused over last week’s decision to adjourn for one year the discussions on the Net-Zero Framework. Some participants are feeling relief while many were disappointed and pointed to the near-term uncertainties that everyone hoped would have been resolved. The working group, however, is going

October 21 ------ Cruise Iceland, which was set up to promote the country for cruise tourism, is warning that a government head tax imposed in 2025 is driving away the cruise lines. The group highlights that bookings for cruise ship port calls are down in 2026 and will further decline in 2027 unless the government reconsiders its position. Iceland saw a strong growth in its tourism business based on its successful promotion campaign. The Icelandic Tourism Board reports a tota

October 21 ------ U.S. and Chinese officials are reporting that good progress has been made in the early phases for the launch of the first green shipping corridor on the Pacific. The sponsors of the project highlighted the progress during a conference in Shanghai while China’s Ministry of Transport also outlined steps it will be taking to expand green shipping. The concept for the corridor followed an agreement at the UN’s global climate conference in Scotland (COP26 in 2021

October 21 ------ French shipping colossal CMA CGM has marked the delivery of its newest container vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) as complete. As disclosed in a social media post, the CMA CGM Syracuse’s formal entrance to the Marseille-based maritime transport company’s fleet was officiated in South Korea on October 16. The ceremony was reportedly held at an HD Hyundai Samho yard. The vessel, which will be sailing under the French flag, boasts an overall length

October 20 ------ The explosion on October 18, aboard an LPG tanker Falcon continues to be under investigation, with the authorities discounting the media speculation of an attack by the Houthis. The Houthis also took the unusual step of quickly issuing a denial, saying that they had not been involved in the incident.   Initial reports coming from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a company security officer had informed them that the vessel was struck by an “unkno

October 20 ------ Maritime officials in Ecuador have reached an agreement concerning a national information network aimed at connecting ports, vessel operators and environmental authorities to help address the rising issue(s) of biofouling.   The development is reportedly one of a set of ‘vital’ outcomes that stemmed from a recent workshop delivered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and held together with the Maritime Technology Cooperation Center Caribbean (MT

October 20 ------ South Korea’s Jeju Port celebrated the opening of a new trade route to China, which also marked the first arrival in 57 years of a containership to Jeju. The semi-autonomous island, which lies to the south of the Korean peninsula, highlights that the new service with China will be an economic boost to the region.   The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries approved the route in late July and completed the operational plan in October. The plan calls for weekly ser

October 20 ------ A medical transport vessel has gone missing in the Makassar Strait, leaving three people mysteriously unaccounted-for. In an era of ubiquitous AIS, VHF and EPIRB access, the wholesale disappearance of an official vessel - without a distress call - is an uncommon occurrence.   The vessel went missing while transiting between two tiny islands in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. It departed Pulau Tinggalungang - on the western edge of the Flores Sea -