How Oman Is Converting Geopolitical Instability Into Permanent Strategic Architecture
Oman is turning recent geopolitical turbulence—particularly the Houthi blockade of the Red Sea and the Hormuz crisis—into a catalyst for long‑term strategic infrastructure. Muscat has fast‑tracked expansions at the deep‑water port of Duqm, added new free‑zone incentives, and secured multimillion‑dollar partnerships with China and European logistics firms. The government pledged roughly $5 billion (about $5.4 billion) for transport, energy and digital projects over the next five years. These moves aim to shift the economy away from oil and position Oman as a Gulf trade hub.
Asean Seas Lines Splits Vietnam–China–Philippines Service
Asean Seas Lines has restructured its HHX1‑SVP2 pendulum service, splitting the former Vietnam‑China‑Philippines loop into two dedicated routes. The HHX1 loop will focus solely on Vietnam, using two 1,100 TEU vessels that call at Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hai Phong and Da Nang...
Port of Portland Appoints New Chief Shared Prosperity and Legal Officer
The Port of Portland announced Krishna Walker as its new Chief Shared Prosperity and Legal Officer, a role that consolidates Human Resources, Legal and Records Management, Culture and Strategy, and Contracts and Procurement. Walker, who joins on May 4, 2026,...
Nippon Express, Nikon Renew SAF Air Cargo Agreement
Nippon Express and Nikon have renewed their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement for air cargo, extending the partnership from May through December 2025. The deal leverages Nippon Express’s NX‑GREEN SAF Program to generate CO₂ reduction certificates for Nikon’s shipments, directly...
How China Will Defend Its South American Shipping Foothold
China is bolstering its maritime presence in South America by expanding port assets such as Chile’s Chancay terminal, even as Hutchison’s forced exit from the Panama Canal entrances removes a rival Chinese foothold. State‑owned COSCO Shipping has secured long‑term concessions...
NRS Corporation Opens DG Warehouse in Shanghai’s Chemical Hub
Japanese logistics group NRS Corporation has launched a dedicated dangerous‑goods warehouse in Shanghai’s Jinshan District, a hub for chemical manufacturers. The 1,500 sqm facility, including 500 sqm of temperature‑controlled space at +2 °C to +8 °C, began operations on April 1, 2026. It can store over...
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions to Supply Cargo and Fuel Systems for Two New VLEC Vessels
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions has secured a contract from Hyundai Heavy Industries to supply cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for two new Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) vessels being built for a Malaysian shipowner. The order, booked in Q4 2025,...
Sidra Line Launches Black Sea Feeder Service
Sidra Line has launched a Black Sea Feeder Service (BFS) that links the Turkish ports of Ambarli and Izmit with Russia’s Novorossiysk. The new route functions as an extension of the carrier’s Turkiye North Africa Express, which already serves Misurata...
Cosco Launches North Africa Express
Cosco Shipping Lines has launched the North Africa Express (NAX) service, linking key Chinese ports with Libya. The service sails once every three weeks using three 80,000‑dwt vessels that together carry roughly 4,300 TEU. Its rotation visits Ningbo, Shanghai, Nansha,...
UAFL Adds Sohar Call to Middle East Express Service
United Africa Feeder Lines (UAFL) is expanding its Middle East Express (MEX) service by adding a call at Sohar, Oman. The feeder line already links key Indian and Pakistani ports with the Seychelles, Comoros and Mozambique, and now includes Sohar...
Rotterdam Bunker Volumes Fall as Fossil Fuels Drive Decline
Bunker sales at the Port of Rotterdam fell about 25% in Q1 2026 versus the same period a year earlier, driven primarily by a sharp drop in fossil fuel deliveries. Very‑low‑sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) plunged 44%, while high‑sulphur fuel oil (HSFO)...
MAGPIE Project Showcase Port Innovation and Sustainability
The EU‑funded MAGPIE project opened a public exhibition at Portlantis, the interactive experience centre at the Port of Rotterdam. The showcase displays tangible innovations—including an offshore charging system, a hybrid shunting locomotive and automated truck‑charging infrastructure—through physical models and augmented‑reality...
MB Energy Secures Permit for Ammonia Import Terminal in Hamburg
MB Energy received a permit to build and operate an ammonia import terminal at the Blumensand tank site in the Port of Hamburg, creating Germany’s first large‑scale ammonia hub. The facility is planned to handle up to 600,000 metric tonnes...
Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, placing the waterway under strict military management. The move follows Tehran’s accusation that the United States continues to restrict Iranian ports and impede freedom of navigation....
PortSide Stories: Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo is Mexico’s largest container hub, handling the nation’s highest TEU volumes and serving as a daily gateway between Asian manufacturers and the Americas. Modern terminals and efficient customs keep turnaround times low, while extensive rail and...
Explainer: Chokepoints as Instruments of Power
The article explains how maritime chokepoints—narrow sea passages such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Panama Canal—have evolved from simple logistical hurdles into powerful geopolitical tools. It outlines the historical shift from post‑World War II insurance‑driven concerns...
Rhenus Logistics Expands Asia–LATAM Trade with Record Growth
Rhenus Logistics handled over 170,000 TEUs in 2025, placing it among the top three providers on the Asia‑Latin America trade lane. The firm ranked No. 1 for Far East inbound shipments to Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay, underscoring its leadership in key...
Pilbara Ports Breaks Ground on Seafarers Centre
Pilbara Ports has begun construction on a AUD 21 million Seafarers Centre at Port Hedland, the world’s busiest iron‑ore export hub. The facility, built by Benchmark Construction, will cater to roughly 150,000 seafarers each year, offering lounges, a library, meditation rooms, Wi‑Fi,...
ONE Updates LUX Service Rotation
Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced a permanent revision to its Latin East Coast Europe Express (LUX) service, removing Felixstowe from the rotation and ending southbound calls at Paranaguá. The new schedule, effective with the Navios Vermilion’s arrival in Rotterdam on...
MSC Updates Asia–US East Coast Services
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced revisions to its Asia‑US East Coast network, affecting the Empire, Amberjack and Emerald services. The Empire rotation drops Qingdao and adds Norfolk and Port Everglades, while Amberjack adds Qingdao, removes Yantian and Xiamen, and swaps...
Six-Week Rally Ends as Drewry WCI Slips 3% to $2,246
Drewry’s World Container Index slipped 3% to $2,246, ending a six‑week rally driven by bunker fuel spikes after the February Middle East conflict. Rates fell across Asia‑Europe and Transpacific lanes, with Shanghai‑New York at $3,552 and Shanghai‑Los Angeles at $2,810. Carriers announced...
AD Ports Group Leverages Integrated Network to Keep Gulf Trade Flowing
AD Ports Group activated its integrated five‑cluster logistics network to keep Gulf trade moving amid heightened Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Since February it has rerouted cargo across land, rail, sea and air, handling over 54,000 TEUs at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan...
How Djibouti, Berbera, and Salalah Redrew the Map of Indian Ocean Trade
The Red Sea crisis forced major carriers to bypass the Suez Canal, redirecting vessels to alternative ports along the Horn of Africa. Djibouti, Somaliland’s Berbera, and Oman’s Salalah captured significant volumes of container traffic, reshaping the regional port hierarchy. The...
Hormuz Analysis: Two Blockades, Zero Neutrality
The Strait of Hormuz now operates under two parallel, state‑run shipping corridors—one administered by Iran and the other by the United Arab Emirates. Both sides have imposed de‑facto blockades, forcing vessels to choose a politically defined route rather than a...
Swire Shipping Updates Terminal Handling Charges Across Europe
Swire Shipping announced a revision of its terminal handling charges (THC) across nine European markets, effective April 23, 2026. Rates vary by country and cargo type, with the United Kingdom charging £240 ($310) for standard containers and £310 ($403) for...
Vietnam Bets on a New Transshipment Order
Vietnam’s cabinet approved the construction of the Can Gio megaport, a deep‑water facility designed to serve as a new transshipment hub for the region. The project targets an initial capacity of roughly 15 million TEU per year and will sit just south...
Explainer: The Pivot West and the Veto that Could Stop It
Saudi Arabia is redirecting a significant share of its crude output toward Europe, reducing shipments to Asian markets as European refiners seek to replace Russian supplies. The shift, estimated at roughly two million barrels per day, reflects higher spot prices...
CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges Steps Down
Jacques Vandermeiren stepped down as CEO of the Port of Antwerp‑Bruges after eight years, having overseen the historic merger of Antwerp and Zeebrugge ports. The board is entering a new strategic phase focused on cost efficiency and sustainable value creation....
Bunker Costs only Upside in Transpacific Contract Negotiations
Shipping lines are keeping transpacific contract rates at or below 2025 levels, despite recent index gains, by offering a higher floating bunker surcharge. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index rose 8% week‑on‑week to $2,552 per FEU on the Shanghai‑US West Coast...
Why Freight Forwarders Are Becoming Essential for Growing E-Commerce Brands
E‑commerce brands that scale internationally quickly outgrow parcel‑only shipping, facing complex customs, carrier coordination, and warehouse handoffs. Freight forwarders step in as single‑point partners, handling mode selection, compliance paperwork, and end‑to‑end visibility. Their services lower landed costs, accelerate transit, and...
Dachser Reports Growth in 2025 Despite Market Headwinds
German logistics provider Dachser posted record revenue of about €8.3 bn (≈$9 bn) for FY 2025, a 3.1% increase year‑over‑year. Tonnage and shipments grew 5.8% and 3.6% respectively, driven primarily by a 7% rise in road‑logistics revenue to €6.9 bn. Food‑logistics surged 10.1% to...
SCA Rescues Crew After Barge Fire in Suez Waiting Area
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) quickly contained a fire on the barge SUEZ 2 while it was transferring oil to the vessel RAWAN in the E10 waiting area. Marine units, led by tug AMIN ZEID, rescued three of four crew members and...
Port of Los Angeles Closes First Quarter with Decline
The Port of Los Angeles reported first‑quarter throughput of 2,388,843 TEUs, aligning with its five‑year quarterly average despite a volatile trade backdrop. March volumes showed a 3% dip in total TEUs versus 2025, with imports slipping 1% while exports climbed...
Study Quantifies Economic Impact of DP World’s Batangas Port Operations
Independent research commissioned by DP World quantifies the Batangas Integrated Port’s contribution to the Philippine economy, showing it supported 2,340 jobs nationwide and generated roughly $27.8 million in economic activity in 2024. The terminal, operated by Asian Terminals Inc., directly employs...
Eimskip Cleared as Prosecutor Files Charges Against Company
Iceland’s District Prosecutor has ended the investigation into Eimskip’s chief operating officer concerning the sale of two vessels, lifting his defendant status. Simultaneously, the prosecutor filed indictments against the corporate entities Eimskipafélag Íslands hf. and Eimskip Ísland ehf., seeking convictions and legal...
ONE Launches MAX Service
Ocean Network Express (ONE) has launched the Mediterranean Africa Express (MAX) service, a weekly container route linking Far East Asia, Northern Europe and West Africa. The service uses Algeciras and Tangier as primary transshipment hubs and calls ports including Dakar,...
Maersk Revises Cargo Insurance and Cargo Care Rates
Maersk announced higher rates for its Maersk Cargo Insurance and Maersk Cargo Care services covering ocean shipments to and from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Israel. The new pricing, which varies by coverage tier and cargo type,...
Readers Speak: Uncertainty Clouds Return to Strait of Hormuz
Recent container vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz have sparked debate about a possible normalization of the route. A Readers Speak poll reveals that industry participants remain uncertain, with most viewing the movements as isolated and conditional. Respondents stress...
“K” LINE Takes Full Ownership of Wind Service Subsidiary
K LINE has taken full ownership of its wind‑service arm, K Line Wind Service, after buying out Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha on March 31, 2026. The subsidiary, founded in 2021, operates work and geotechnical survey vessels for offshore wind projects. Full ownership lets K LINE...
How Hutchison Arbitration Against Maersk Rewrites the Panama Calculus
CK Hutchison has initiated arbitration against A.P. Moller‑Maersk over alleged breaches related to Panama Canal transit agreements. While the case may not yield a favorable judgment for Hutchison, the filing serves as a strategic signal to the shipping industry about...
NorthStandard Adds Iran Conflict Layer to GlobeView for Maritime Risk Updates
NorthStandard has launched an Iran Conflict layer on its GlobeView platform, delivering real‑time maritime risk intelligence for the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The layer aggregates incident reports, port conditions and guidance into a single view, eliminating the...
CMA CGM Announces New Peak Season Surcharges on Key Trade Routes
CMA CGM announced new Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) effective early May 2026 on several high‑traffic lanes. From May 7, shipments from North Europe, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea and North Africa to Australia will incur $350 per TEU on direct services...
U.S. Navy Implements Blockade of Iranian Ports
On April 13, 2026, U.S. Central Command announced a full blockade of all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The restriction applies impartially to ships of every nation, but it does not impede...
TVL Marine to Launch Hong Kong–Taiwan Service
Taiwanese shipowner TVL Marine will debut a dedicated short‑sea service linking Hong Kong with Taiwan’s major ports, slated to start in June. The route will be operated by a single 1,000‑TEU vessel making a rotation that includes Hong Kong, Keelung,...
MSC Extends Emergency Fuel Surcharge Amid Global Fuel Market Disruption
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced it will keep its Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) unchanged but extend it through April 30 2026, citing ongoing turbulence in the global marine fuel market tied to recent Middle East developments. The surcharge covers cargo originating from...
OPCSA Expands Hybrid RTG Fleet in Canary Islands
Operaciones Portuarias Canarias (OPCSA) has placed an order for four additional diesel‑hybrid Rubber‑Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes from Konecranes, with delivery slated for Q4 2026. The new machines bring the terminal’s hybrid fleet to 18 RTGs, building on an 2025 investment of...
Wärtsilä Signs 10-Year Lifecycle Agreement with Margaritaville at Sea
Wärtsilä has entered a ten‑year Lifecycle Agreement with Margaritaville at Sea, covering the existing vessels Paradise and Islander and the upcoming cruise ship Beachcomber slated for 2026. The contract provides long‑term maintenance, reliability planning and technical support, while the new...
Xiamen Feihongshun Shipping Orders Two Newbuild Vessels
Chinese non‑operating owner Xiamen Feihongshun Shipping has placed orders for two new container vessels, a 4,400‑TEU ship from Jiangsu Zhiyuan Shipbuilding and a 3,300‑TEU vessel from Ningbo Boda Shipbuilding. The contracts are valued at roughly $42.7 million and $30 million respectively, totaling...
The Strait of Hormuz Has Entered a New Phase of Its Administered Closure
A two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire has partially reopened the Strait of Hormuz, allowing limited vessel movement after weeks of tension. However, roughly 800 ships remain trapped in the chokepoint, and Iran’s naval command structure appears degraded, hampering coordinated operations. Both parties...
Multiple Owners Place New Container Vessel Orders
Several European and Greek shipowners have placed new‑building orders for feeder and mid‑size containerships at Chinese yards, highlighting ongoing investment in the segment. Peter Döhle contracted two 3,100 TEU vessels at about $48 million each for 2029 delivery, while Venergy Maritime added...