A Tanker of Molten Sulfur Vanished with 39 Crew in 1963
On February 4, 1963 the SS Marine Sulphur Queen, a World War II‑era T2 tanker, sent a routine position report from the Gulf of Mexico and then vanished without a distress call. The vessel was transporting 15,260 tons of molten sulfur at roughly 255 °F and carried 39 crew members. No wreckage or survivors were ever found, and the disappearance remains one of the most enduring maritime mysteries. Subsequent investigations blamed a combination of structural fatigue, cargo temperature stresses, and inadequate maintenance.
Hellmann Expands Automotive Logistics Network with New Dubai Hub
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has broken ground on a 28,000 sqm automotive logistics hub in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. The facility will handle spare‑part storage, high‑density bins and oversized components, expanding capacity for existing customers and future growth. Hellmann cites a...
Have Engine OEMs Got The Message in Rio?
Top engine manufacturers, including CFM and Rolls‑Royce, faced harsh criticism at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro for delivering powerplants that fall short of promised durability and for charging airlines premium prices. The LEAP‑1A’s early reliability problems...
Tesla Just Did Something in South Korea that No Foreign Carmaker Has Ever Done
Tesla achieved an unprecedented feat in South Korea by making the Model Y the best‑selling vehicle of May, outselling every domestic and imported car. The electric SUV moved 8,762 units, pushing the Kia Sorento to second place with 7,836 units. Tesla’s...
Eugenides Foundation Puts Seafarer Education at the Heart of Posidonia 2026
The Eugenides Foundation staged a high‑profile event at Posidonia 2026 to spotlight training and upskilling for the next generation of seafarers. It unveiled a new digital Maritime English learning and certification platform built with the British Council and RINA, and...
BMW M3 Electric to Be Unveiled at Le Mans on Race Weekend
BMW is set to unveil its first all‑electric M3 during the 24‑Hours of Le Mans race weekend, showcasing the model in a dedicated fan zone. The electric M3 will sit on the new Neue Klasse platform and feature a quad‑motor layout delivering...
How Three Simultaneous Shocks Are Reshaping Global Shipping
The article identifies three concurrent disruptions reshaping global shipping: dark transits that hide cargo in untracked routes, secondary rate contagion where freight price spikes spread from major lanes to secondary corridors, and a revived Houthi blockade in the Red Sea...
Special Report: The Reasons Spirit Airlines Failed Are Also Why United Wants American
United Airlines is showcasing a premium‑heavy Boeing 787‑9, dedicating two‑thirds of the cabin to first‑class and business seats, signaling a shift toward high‑yield travelers. At the same time, the U.S. aviation system is hitting capacity limits due to congested hub‑and‑spoke...
“K” LINE to Roll Out Electronic UMS Inspection System Across Managed Fleet
K LINE announced a phased rollout of an electronic Unattended Machinery Space (UMS) inspection system, beginning in July 2026. The solution replaces the traditional paper‑based checklist with a smartphone app, allowing one‑hand data entry during inspections. Centralized digital records will...
M.Video Expands Pick-Up Point Network by 5,000 in 2026
M.Video, Russia’s leading mobile and electronics retailer, announced plans to add at least 5,000 new pick‑up points by the end of 2026. The locations will be established through partnerships with third‑party operators and will serve as last‑mile delivery hubs for...
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Once Again Rejects Idea of Acquiring Another Carrier After Being Rebuffed By American Airlines
United Airlines chief Scott Kirby reiterated that United will not chase a merger after American Airlines’ board rebuffed his overture. He dismissed the notion of buying JetBlue, pointing to the carrier’s high debt and lack of financial sense. Kirby previously...
Supply Chain Modernization Is Now Strategy: What Pharma Leaders Must Get Right
Pharma supply chains have shifted from a back‑office function to a strategic revenue driver amid global disruptions, drug shortages, and cost pressures. Rafael Lander of PwC explains that modernizing logistics with AI forecasting, digital quality, and risk dashboards can boost...
I Want To Take The New Newark Cap-Haïtien Flight, SFO Plans A Video Game Lounge, And BA Pauses Starlink Rollout
British Airways has halted its Starlink satellite‑internet rollout on the remaining seven Boeing 787‑8s, pushing installations to October after equipping five aircraft. San Francisco International Airport issued a request for proposals to create a video‑game lounge in Terminal 3 East, signaling a push...
Wizz Air Will Become Europe’s First Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier With Starlink In-Flight Internet
Wizz Air announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to equip its entire Airbus A320 fleet with broadband‑quality in‑flight Wi‑Fi, with rollout slated to begin in 2027. Unlike many full‑service carriers, the Hungarian ULCC has not confirmed the service will...
Seattle Transit Measure Renewal 2026
Seattle Mayor Bruce Wilson unveiled a proposal to replace the expiring Seattle Transit Measure with a new 0.3% sales tax that would raise about $138 million each year for the next decade. The plan earmarks $96.1 million for expanded bus service—boosting funding...
Chile May 2026: Mitsubishi L200 #1, Riddara RD6 at World Best
Chile’s May 2026 light‑vehicle market saw a modest 0.5% YoY rise to 24,449 units, pushing the YTD total up 4.7% to 126,998. Chinese marques surged, now representing 34.9% of sales – a 4.1‑point increase – with Changan (+33.1%) and Mitsubishi...
Airbus’ Next New Airplane Part 5. The Airbus New Generation Single Aisle.
Airbus is outlining a Next Generation Single‑Aisle (NGSA) slated for entry between 2028 and 2030, built on proven “Technobricks” and the CFM RISE engine option. The design aims to avoid the fuel‑cost‑down‑only approach of the A320neo/A321neo and Boeing 737 MAX, delivering lower operating...
Saudi Arabia April 2026: MG (+41.5%), Haval (+30.7%), Jetour (+29.7%) Defy Market Down -21.9%
Saudi Arabia’s light‑vehicle market contracted 21.9% YoY in April, with total sales falling to 50,993 units and year‑to‑date down 23.8% to 217,741. While Toyota’s share slipped to 29%, Chinese marques surged: MG rose 41.5% to capture 4.4% of the market...
Readers Speak: Diplomacy Seen as Key to Hormuz Shipping Future
A recent Container News poll asked industry participants what will shape shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Respondents voted diplomatic progress as the most decisive factor, outpacing Iran’s transit regulations, U.S. military pressure, and Oman’s mediation role. The poll reflects...
Lorenzo Shipping Records Softer First-Quarter Performance
Lorenzo Shipping Corp posted a weaker first‑quarter 2026, with ocean‑freight revenue slipping 16% to PHP 224.8 million (about $3.7 million) as volumes fell 8%. Despite the revenue dip, profitability improved: EBITDA narrowed to a negative PHP 43.9 million (≈‑$723 k), a 58% year‑on‑year gain, and net...
Reader Comments-Open Forum, Week of June 8
Locatory.com data shows rising stress in global aircraft parts supply chains, especially for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320ceo fleets. Engine‑critical components such as CFM56 parts, IDGs, bleed‑air valves and avionics are in high demand. Boeing 777 faces acute shortages of GE90 components after...
2026 Shenzhen Auto Show Closes, Next Edition Set to Begin on June 5, 2027
The 2026 Shenzhen Auto Show wrapped up after a ten‑day run that drew 810,000 visitors and secured 39,253 vehicle orders worth roughly $1.22 billion. Hosted at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, the event spanned 300,000 sq m across 11 halls, showcasing...
Getting Paid by Flat Rate Movers
In 2023 the author hired Flat Rate Movers for an interstate relocation, only to receive sub‑standard service that damaged personal property and the home. The company and its insurance partner refused to engage, leaving the claimant to file a protracted...
Japan’s Major Ports Handle 1.21 Million TEUs in March
Japan’s six major ports moved 1.21 million TEUs in March, a modest 1.2% year‑on‑year increase. Export activity led the rise, climbing 4.8% to 616,578 TEUs, while imports slipped 2.2% to 594,926 TEUs. Tokyo remained the largest gateway, handling 353,753 TEUs, but...
Qatar Airways’ Plans to Create a Oneworld Hub in Doha Fall Into Disarray as American Airlines Permanently Axes Route
Qatar Airways' ambition to turn Doha into a oneworld hub hit a setback after American Airlines permanently cancelled its Philadelphia‑Doha nonstop service. The move follows Qatar’s fleet constraints caused by an Airbus paint‑defect issue and delayed Boeing 777X deliveries, limiting...
United Frequent Flyers Took Part in a Drama Fueled Marathon Flying to Every Hub in the Airline’s Network in a...
On June 6, about 60 United Airlines frequent flyers attempted the “United 7 Hub Run,” a marathon that required flying to each of United’s seven hub airports within 24 hours. The group started in Newark at 6 a.m. but faced cascading delays at Dulles, Chicago,...
New AI Delay Alerts Expose How Airlines Use Weather Claims To Deny Stranded Passengers Hotels And Meals
Airlines are deploying AI‑generated delay alerts that reveal the true causes of flight disruptions, exposing a long‑standing practice of labeling controllable issues as weather‑related. United Airlines leads the effort, sending AI‑crafted videos that explain mechanical or staffing delays, while American...
Thailand Implements New Restrictions For Power Banks In Passenger Carry-Ons
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has tightened power‑bank rules for air travelers, effective immediately. Carry‑on devices are limited to 100 Wh (20,000 mAh) and must not exceed two units per passenger, with any battery between 101 Wh and 160 Wh requiring airline approval. Checked...
BNSF Launches RELOAD Program to Increase Empty Container Utilization
BNSF Railway has introduced RELOAD, a program that lets imported containers carry U.S. domestic cargo to the West Coast before returning overseas. Targeting ocean and intermodal carriers, the initiative builds on BNSF’s Matchback service to improve equipment balance and container...
Philippine Airlines Just Announced It Will Join Oneworld—A Major New Asia Partner For American Airlines Flyers
Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced it will become a member of the oneworld alliance in 2027, joining carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways and Qantas. The move follows recent codeshare agreements with Alaska Airlines and Qatar Airways and expands PAL’s...
Cornwall Airport Newquay Launches Direct Tenerife Package Holidays for 2027
Cornwall Airport Newquay has teamed with Murray Travel to launch a direct charter package to Tenerife, with two flights scheduled for 5 March and 12 March 2027. The offering goes on sale at the Royal Cornwall Show on 4 June 2026, giving Southwest England residents...
PHEV Sales Continue to Record Phenomenal Growth in South Africa
Plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) sales in South Africa exploded in Q1 2026, rising 430% year‑over‑year to 1,277 units, outpacing battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) which grew 97% to 544 units. Overall new‑vehicle sales increased 12.4% YoY to 114,482 units, while new‑energy vehicles (NEVs) captured...
Osaka Port Container Volumes Dip 0.5% in April
The Port of Osaka handled 180,600 TEUs in April, marking a 0.5% year‑on‑year decline and its first contraction in five months. Export volumes slipped 2.9% to 83,371 TEUs, while imports rose 1.7% to 97,229 TEUs. Loaded container traffic stayed flat...
The TSA Is Testing New Biometric System to Make Program That Allows Pilots and Flight Attendants to Skip Airport Security...
The Transportation Security Administration has begun field testing a biometric facial‑recognition system to replace the decade‑old Known Crewmember (KCM) program with a new Crewmember Access Point (CMAP) that the agency will fully manage by the end of 2026. CMAP will...
Boeing Employee Tells Why the Company Didn’t Develop the 757 Instead of the Older 737
The article relays former Boeing engineer Glenn Tomchik’s explanation for why Boeing continued the 737 line instead of expanding the 757. He cites the 757’s high production cost driven by heavy landing gear, large engines, and limited fuel‑tank options, making...
PortSide Stories: Cape Town
The Port of Cape Town sits at the southern tip of Africa, linking the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and serving as a pivotal maritime gateway for container cargo, fresh produce, and cruise vessels. Its position on one of the world’s...
British Airways Pauses Ultra-Fast Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout Until October With Just Five Planes Equipped
British Airways has halted its ultra‑fast Starlink Wi‑Fi rollout until at least late October, citing an inability to find aircraft downtime amid a packed schedule. The airline managed to equip only five Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliners before the pause, far behind...
DNV and NTUA Expand Maritime Cooperation with New Research Agreement
DNV and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) signed a memorandum of understanding at the Posidonia 2026 exhibition to deepen cooperation in maritime research, education and innovation. The agreement creates a framework for joint projects in advanced maritime technologies,...
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Diverts Back to Austin With Mysterious Metal Debris in Engine
Southwest Airlines diverted a 21‑year‑old Boeing 737‑800 back to Austin‑Bergstrom after pilots reported metal debris and damage in the right‑hand engine. The aircraft, operating flight WN‑375 to Phoenix, climbed to 13,000 feet before descending and circling before landing safely about 40...
DNV and Kongsberg Maritime Partner on Vessel Data Exchange Standard
DNV and Kongsberg Maritime have signed an agreement to link Kongsberg’s fleet management solution with DNV’s Veracity platform using the Operational Vessel Data (OVD) interface standard. The integration creates a secure, standardized pipeline for exchanging operational vessel data, preserving customer...
Circle Group Expands Logistics Digitalization Project with Autotrasporti Pigliacelli
Circle Group has signed an agreement with Italy’s Autotrasporti Pigliacelli to roll out its Milos® Suite across the carrier’s intermodal logistics network. The digital platform will link the transport management system with ports, rail terminals, airports, logistics hubs and customer...
Tesla Model 3 Has a Tasty Supercharging Incentive, but It’s Ending Soon
Tesla is granting a free year of Supercharging to buyers of the Model 3 Premium (RWD and AWD) and Performance trims, priced between $42,490 and $54,990. The promotion expires on June 15, leaving roughly ten days for interested customers. At current peak...
Boeing CEO Confirms TAC Report It Is Studying Hiking 737 Production to 70-Jet Monthly Rate
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed the company is studying a boost in 737 production to 70 jets per month, up from the current plan of 63. The study will assess supply‑chain constraints and manufacturing resilience, but no firm decision has...
Southwest Airlines Adds Nine Routes, Including International Expansion to Costa Rica
Southwest Airlines announced nine new routes launching in early 2027, including eight domestic flights and its first recent international service to Liberia, Costa Rica from Nashville. The schedule adds nonstop connections to leisure‑focused markets such as Miami, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Portland,...
Ferrari CEO’s Self-Driving Stance Echoes Elon Musk’s — Sort Of
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna announced that the automaker will not pursue fully autonomous vehicles, insisting its supercars are meant for manual, spirited driving. He argues that Ferrari’s low‑volume, high‑price models are built for driver engagement, not for self‑driving technology. The...
New York State Authorizes Land Value Tax: Billions for Transit | Niskanen
New York State’s FY 2027 budget authorizes a land‑value tax that captures appreciation from public transit projects. The measure follows the rail‑plus‑property model used in Japan, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions, linking real‑estate gains to infrastructure funding. Analysts estimate the tax...
Link Ridership Soars 46% After Crosslake Connection Opening
Sound Transit’s Link light rail recorded 4.68 million boardings in April 2026, a 46 % jump after the March opening of the 2 Line Crosslake Connection. The surge made Link the busiest light‑rail network in the United States for the first time in...
Explainer: Is Greece Becoming a Shipbuilding Power?
Greek shipyards, long viewed as a declining sector, are experiencing a turnaround after a landmark contract was signed at the 2026 Posidonia maritime exhibition. The deal, reportedly worth around €500 million, involves the construction of ten LNG carriers for a major...
Pegasus Airlines Flight Evacuated After Power Bank Catches Fire During Taxi in Ankara
Pegasus Airlines flight PC 2474 from Ankara to İzmir was evacuated after a passenger’s portable power bank began emitting smoke while the aircraft was taxiing. The crew halted the A320neo, deployed emergency slides and fire crews extinguished the device with...
Air Transat Expands Spain Network Through New Partnership With Iberia
Air Transat announced an interline partnership with Iberia that unlocks more than 20 additional Spanish destinations through seamless connections at Madrid‑Barajas Airport. The deal complements the carrier’s existing five‑city Spanish network and a new winter route to Las Palmas, boosting...