Maersk Raises Intermodal Fuel Fees in Australia and New Zealand Amid Energy Cost Surge
A.P. Moller‑Maersk announced a hike in its Intermodal Fuel Fee for Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 May 2026. The surcharge climbs 27% in New Zealand and 18% across all Australian states. Maersk attributes the increase to ongoing volatility in global energy markets, especially disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. The fee, introduced as a temporary measure in March 2026, will be reviewed monthly and could be adjusted further.
OOCL Orders 12 LNG Dual-Fuel Container Ships to Advance Green Fleet Strategy
OOCL has placed an order for twelve 13,600‑TEU container vessels equipped with LNG dual‑fuel engines, the first such ships in its fleet. The contracts were signed with Hudong‑Zhonghua Shipbuilding on 29 April 2026. The newbuilds aim to meet tightening emissions regulations, expand...
What Happens if the Blockade Holds?
The Strait of Hormuz has remained closed for three months, prompting Washington to ready its forces for a blockade that could last months. The closure already curtails roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil shipments, forcing carriers to seek alternative routes....
Baltic Sea Ports Convene in Hamburg to Advance Green Corridor
Senior representatives from ports, industry and policy groups gathered in Hamburg on April 23 to examine the energy transition and decarbonisation of transport across the Baltic Sea Region. The workshop, organized by Hamburg’s Senate Chancellery Baltic Sea Strategy Point and...
Hanseatic Global Terminals Appoints Paulo Ruy Tung as Senior VP Commercial in Latin America
Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) announced the appointment of Paulo Tung as Senior Vice President Commercial for Latin America, effective June 1, 2026. Tung, a business administration graduate from INSPER, previously led terminal and port procurement for Maersk across the region....
Inland Port Greer Drives Growth in Southeast Intermodal Logistics
Inland Port Greer solidified its role as a premier intermodal hub in the U.S. Southeast, handling nearly 200,000 rail moves in 2025—a record for the facility. A $55 million expansion boosted its annual rail capacity to 300,000 lifts, adding a larger...
Costamare Posts $75.3 Million Net Income in Q1 2026 and Orders 16 Newbuilds
Costamare Inc. posted Q1 2026 net income of $75.3 million, or $0.62 per share, with adjusted earnings of $76 million and liquidity of $644.4 million. Voyage revenue slipped 7.2% year‑on‑year to $201.6 million, pressured by lower charter rates and extra dry‑docking days. The carrier...
Fire Destroys Mobile Harbor Crane at Port of Itajaí – No Injuries Reported
A fire broke out on the night of April 25, 2026 at the JBS Terminais facility in Brazil’s Port of Itajaí, completely destroying a mobile harbor crane that was under maintenance. The blaze, fueled by roughly 12,000 liters of diesel...
Six Governments Accuse China of Weaponizing Maritime Trade
Six governments, led by the United States, issued a coordinated diplomatic statement accusing China of weaponizing maritime trade after a series of Panama‑flagged vessels were detained. The statement marks a shift from a commercial arbitration over canal‑port disputes to an...
COSCO SHIPPING Ports Reports Solid Q1 Growth as Throughput Nears 39 Million TEU
COSCO SHIPPING Ports posted solid Q1 2026 growth, handling 38.9 million TEU, up 8.9% YoY. Revenue rose 10.3% to $420.9 million and profit to $85.6 million, up 2%. Growth was driven by non‑controlling terminals (+10.6% throughput) and overseas assets (+19.8%)....
Trump Rejects Iranian Peace Proposal as Maritime Blockade Stiffens
President Donald Trump rejected Iran's latest peace proposal because it postpones nuclear negotiations, reaffirming a U.S. red line that nuclear issues must be addressed first. Tehran’s offer links reopening the Strait of Hormuz to an end of the U.S. naval...
MSC Updates FAK Rates From Far East to Europe, Mediterranean and Black Sea
MSC announced updated Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for shipments from the Far East to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Black Sea, effective May 15 through May 31, 2026. The new schedule lists $2,700 for a 20‑foot...
PIL Launches Ubuntu Express to Boost Asia–South Africa Connectivity
Pacific International Lines (PIL) has launched Ubuntu Express (UBX), a new weekly container service linking key Asian ports with South Africa. The rotation runs Shanghai‑Ningbo‑Kaohsiung‑Shekou‑Singapore‑Durban‑Cape Town, with the first sailing departing on May 28, 2026. The service aims to meet rising demand...
MSC Launches New Feeder Service Linking Lekki and Lomé
MSC announced a new weekly feeder service that will connect Lekki, Nigeria, with Lomé, Togo, bolstering Gulf of Guinea connectivity. The service launches on May 30, 2026, using the vessel MSC Rabat IV. The rotation will call at Apapa, Tincan/Lagos, Lekki...
ONE Updates Emergency Fuel Surcharge Across Global Trade Lanes
Ocean Network Express (ONE) will implement a revised Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) across all major trade lanes starting May 1 2026. The surcharge is set at $120 per TEU for dry containers and $160 for reefers on long‑haul headhaul, with backhaul rates...
MSC Expands Inland Rail Network in Australia to Improve Supply Chain Efficiency
MSC has launched an inland rail service in Australia that links its Sydney and Melbourne terminals to regional hubs such as Minto, Ettamogah, Griffith and Bomen. The new offering moves containers by rail instead of long‑haul trucks, aiming to ease...
Sea-Intelligence: March 2026 Global Schedule Reliability Joint-Highest for the Year
Sea‑Intelligence’s March 2026 Global Liner Performance report shows schedule reliability climbing to 62.2%, the joint‑highest level recorded this year. The metric improved 3.9 points month‑over‑month and 5.2 points year‑over‑year, while average vessel delays trimmed to 5.48 days. Hapag‑Lloyd topped the...
How Iran’s Speedboat Doctrine Could Redraw Shipping Risk Worldwide
Iran recently seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz using coordinated speedboat swarms, a tactic it describes as a replicable doctrine. The operation demonstrated how low‑cost, fast‑moving craft can overwhelm standard maritime security measures. Analysts warn that the...
How One Strait’s Closure Made Panama the World’s Most Expensive Waterway
On Feb. 28, Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz prompted a Singapore‑based vessel operator to book a transit through the Panama Canal, incurring a record $4 million charge. The high reservation fee, driven by limited slot availability and surge pricing,...
Matson Expands Share Repurchase Program
Matson Inc. announced an expansion of its share repurchase program, adding three million shares and extending the buyback window through December 31, 2029. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per common share payable on June 4, 2026. Since the program’s inception...
Boluda Towage Expands Southeast Asia Footprint with Seatrium Acquisition
Boluda Towage has acquired Seatrium Group’s towage assets in Singapore, adding a fleet of harbour tugs and service contracts for the shipyard’s operations. The deal expands Boluda’s footprint across Singapore and Malaysia, bringing its total fleet to 156 tugboats serving...
Scottish Ports Group Publishes Six Policy Priorities
The British Ports Association released a policy briefing on behalf of the Scottish Ports Group outlining six priorities for the incoming Scottish Government. The priorities target faster planning and marine consents, clearer regulation for floating offshore wind, opposition to a...
Cyclus Marine and Lloyd’s Register Partner on Responsible Ship Recycling Framework
Cyclus Marine and Lloyd’s Register have signed an MoU to develop a global, transparent ship‑recycling framework. The partnership will create standards for assessing yards, conduct audits, train workers, and promote responsible practices. With aging fleets and tighter sustainability rules, demand...
Incheon Port to Offer More Loans to Defray Surging Freight and Fuel Costs
Incheon Port Authority (IPA) announced a US$6 million loan program to help shipping companies and freight forwarders offset soaring bunker fuel and freight costs. The financing is delivered through the Shared Growth Mutual Fund, a low‑interest scheme the port has run...
Bolloré Reports Q1 Revenue Growth Driven by Energy Segment
Bolloré Group posted Q1 2026 revenue of €815 million (≈ $889 million), a 6.5% organic rise driven primarily by its Energy division, which generated €731 million (≈ $797 million) – up 7.9% thanks to higher oil prices despite modest volume declines. The Industry segment slipped 3.2%...
Cavotec Reports Strong Order Intake but Weaker Q1 Financial Performance
Cavotec said its Q1 2026 order intake more than doubled, reaching €59.7 million (about $65 million), driven by strong demand in its Ports & Maritime division. Despite the surge, revenue slipped 15.3% year‑on‑year to €32.8 million ($36 million) and the company posted an operating...
AD Ports Group Completes Warehouse Sale to Aldar
AD Ports Group finalized the sale of three KEZAD Logistics Park warehouses to Aldar for $177 million, covering 161,000 sq m of space. This follows a $155 million Aldar purchase in 2025 and a $80 million KEZAD Free Zone 3 sale earlier in 2026. The two...
What if a US-Iran ‘Joint Venture’ Emerges: Four Trajectories for Global Shipping
Former President Donald Trump floated the idea of a U.S.-Iran joint venture to collect tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, sparking speculation about how such a partnership could reshape global shipping. Analysts outline four possible trajectories: a formalized toll regime,...
Kuehne+Nagel Q1 2026 Profit Beats Forecast on Cost Cuts, Strong Logistics Growth
Kuehne+Nagel posted a stronger‑than‑expected Q1 2026, with net turnover of CHF 5.6 billion (≈$6.2 billion) and EBIT of CHF 343 million (≈$378 million). The results were driven by cost‑cutting measures introduced in October 2025 and solid growth in Air, Road and Contract Logistics. Sea Logistics saw EBIT...
Hapag-Lloyd Introduces Emergency Operations Charge for Feeder Services in Middle East
Hapag‑Lloyd will add a $35 per TEU Emergency Operations Charge (EOO/EOD) to offset soaring costs from third‑party feeder services in the Middle East. The surcharge, separate from its existing Emergency Fuel Surcharge, targets price pressure caused by regional geopolitical tensions...
AD Ports Group and New York University Abu Dhabi Partner on AI for Smarter Ports
AD Ports Group has entered a multi‑year partnership with New York University Abu Dhabi to create a high‑fidelity AI intelligence engine for port operations. The system will combine stochastic AI models with spatial analytics to improve vessel arrival forecasts, berth...
Iran Releases Footage of Seized Container Ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released video showing the IRGC Navy seizing two civilian container vessels, the Liberia‑flagged EPAMINONDAS and the MSC Francesca, in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22. The ships were immobilised earlier that day before Iranian...
Shipments Stranded in Strait of Hormuz as Security Risks Halt Vessel Movements
Escalating security threats in the Strait of Hormuz have halted vessel movements, leaving several container ships stranded. Maersk reports that cargo bound for and from South Africa is transshipped at Jebel Ali, while the CMA CGM Antonio remains anchored off Dubai. Shipping lines...
How the Shadow Fleet Keeps Outrunning Its Regulators
The Container News investigation reveals that the illicit "shadow fleet" of vessels is increasingly using registries in Nicaragua and Equatorial Guinea to mask true ownership and tonnage. In the latest quarter, fraudulent ship registrations rose 17%, indicating a rapid expansion...
India’s Maritime Ambition: Rewriting the Bay of Bengal
India is accelerating its maritime strategy in the Bay of Bengal to counter China’s growing port network across the Indian Ocean. The government has announced plans for multiple deep‑water ports, a new naval base at Sagarika, and a strategic partnership...
CMA CGM Announces FAK Rate Increase From Asia to Mediterranean Routes
CMA CGM announced a temporary increase in its Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for shipments from major Asian ports to the Mediterranean, effective May 15‑31, 2026. The new pricing sets 20‑foot container rates at $3,300‑$3,500 across most Mediterranean sub‑regions, with...
What To Know About Your Options When Debt Becomes Hard To Manage
When debt pressures mount, the article outlines a step‑by‑step framework for Canadians to regain control. It starts with a full cash‑flow review, then suggests informal budgeting tweaks before moving to formal mechanisms such as consumer proposals or bankruptcy. Each option...
Port of Oakland March Volumes Rebound
The Port of Oakland handled 198,667 TEUs in March 2026, up from 163,254 TEUs in February, as vessel calls rose to 86 from 72. Imports and exports were nearly balanced, each around 99,000 TEUs. Year‑on‑year March volume fell 8.6%, and...
CMA CGM Adjusts BAF on France–Tunisia Ro-Ro Service
CMA CGM will revise its Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) for the ro‑ro South service linking France and Tunisia, effective May 1 2026. The new surcharge sets full rolling units at €649 (≈$708) per unit, empty units at €430 (≈$469), other rolling cargo...
CentrePort Realises First Operational Benefits of Private 5G Network
CentrePort has rolled out its private 5G network across key equipment, installing Peplink modems on reach stackers, empty container handlers and fully electric internal movement vehicles. The upgrade replaces unreliable public 4G connections that created dead zones, delivering uninterrupted connectivity...
Rotterdam’s Secure Chain Expands in Shortsea Sector
In 2026 Rotterdam’s shortsea sector accelerated its shift to the Secure Chain digital container release system, with eleven shipping lines now involved. Four lines—CMA CGM Short Sea, Boluda, Mann and Sea‑Cargo Agencies—have fully transitioned away from PIN‑based releases, using Secure Chain...
Singapore Launches 2026 Maritime Technology and Research Roadmap
Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority, together with the Singapore Maritime Institute, unveiled the 2026 Maritime Technology and Research Roadmap during Singapore Maritime Week. The plan allocates over US$74 million for R&D across four priority areas—autonomous port operations, alternative energy delivery, smart...
Ankeri Expands to Singapore
Ankeri announced the opening of a new office in Singapore, extending its global footprint beyond Reykjavik and Hamburg. The Singapore location targets the Asia‑Pacific market, where many operational and commercial shipping decisions are made. By establishing a local presence, Ankeri...
South China Sea Becomes a Contested One
China has accelerated its military buildup across the South China Sea and into the Western Pacific, turning what was once a territorial dispute into a strategic effort to dictate commercial shipping routes. New Chinese directives limit how merchant vessels navigate...
The Portal Opens but the Supply Chains Will Not Return
The U.S. Treasury has launched a tariff‑refund portal after a court‑ordered settlement that ends a long‑running legal dispute with importers over duty rebates. The system, designed to automate retroactive refunds, marks the final regulatory step in the controversy. However, analysts...
Port of Long Beach Awards Contract to Improve Heavy Haul Route Infrastructure
The Port of Long Beach has awarded a $5.5 million contract to Sully‑Miller Contracting to widen and realign the Heavy Haul Route, the key corridor for oversized and overweight trucks. Construction is slated to start in May 2026 and finish early...
Konecranes Expands Fleet at Lomé Container Terminal
Konecranes will deliver nine new lift trucks to Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) in Q2 2026, comprising two SMV 4632 TC5 reach stackers and seven SMV 7/8 ECC90 empty‑container handlers. The addition supports LCT’s ongoing expansion and rising cargo volumes, replacing older equipment with machines that...
DP World Positions Multimodal Corridor Integration as Strategic Response to Supply Chain Disruption
DP World is rolling out a corridor‑based logistics model that stitches together sea, rail and road networks to create more resilient trade routes. The strategy responds to heightened geopolitical risk, port congestion and climate pressures reshaping global supply chains. DP...
Readers Speak: U.S. Blockade Seen as Regional Shipping Disruption
A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports is prompting industry analysts to anticipate a pronounced regional disruption in Gulf container shipping, while global trade routes are expected to stay largely intact. A recent Readers Speak poll shows most respondents foresee...
Khorfakkan Port Boosts Pakistan–UAE Trade Connectivity
Khorfakkan Port in the UAE has launched the Khorfakkan Pakistan Express (KPX), a weekly container service that directly links Karachi with the Gulf’s eastern coast. Operated by Gulftainer’s GT Lines, the route offers one of the fastest transit times between...