Ngqura Container Terminal to Welcome Its Largest-Ever Vessel, MSC Nicola Mastro Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is set to mark a historic milestone this week with the arrival of the ultra-large container vessel MSC Nicola Mastro at the Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT), located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. This event represents a significant step forward for both the terminal and the region. Measuring 400 metres in overall length and 61 metres
Category: Shipping News
Container Losses Double in 2024 as Red Sea Crisis Forces Global Shipping to Riskier Cape Route
Cape Route Chaos: Surge in Containers Lost at Sea as Global Shipping Reroutes Around Africa Global shipping has entered a period of heightened operational risk, with the number of containers lost at sea more than doubling in 2024 compared to the previous year. New data from the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) attributes the increase to a surge in vessels rerouting around the
Panama Canal Strengthens Fleet with Two New High-Performance Tugboats
Panama Canal Expands Fleet with Energy-Efficient Z-Tech Tugboats to Enhance Transit Safety and Efficiency As part of its ongoing strategy to boost operational efficiency and ensure safe, reliable, and competitive services, the Panama Canal has added two advanced tugboats to its fleet. Named Isla Carenero and Isla Parida, the new vessels each measure 27 meters in length and 12 meters in beam. These tugboats will play a vital role in
Greek ship sinks off Yemen after Houthi attack, crew being rescued, sources say
The Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C has sunk after a Houthi attack off Yemen, four maritime security sources told Reuters on Wednesday, and efforts to rescue the crew were under way. Some of the crew were in lifejackets in the water and at least five people have been rescued so far, two of the sources said. Source: Reuters
Samsung Heavy Secures $637M Deal for New LNG Facility in Mozambique
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries, the world’s fifth-largest shipbuilder according to Lloyd’s List, has secured a $637 million contract to construct a cutting-edge offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility for a European client operating in Mozambique. The agreement, which marks another significant milestone in Africa’s growing LNG sector, involves the construction of a floating LNG (FLNG) platform to tap into Mozambique’s vast offshore gas reserves. The deal follows Samsung’s earlier
Cargo Ship Morning Midas Sinks After Fire in Pacific Ocean
A cargo ship that caught fire earlier this month in the Pacific Ocean has sunk, according to its managing company. The Morning Midas, a 600-foot (183-meter) car and truck carrier, was transporting approximately 3,000 vehicles — including around 800 electric vehicles — when it caught fire on June 3 near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. The fire began on a deck carrying electric vehicles, which contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are typically
Mozambique Approves Concession for Strategic Chongoene Port Terminal
Mozambique’s government has approved a decree authorizing the Ministers of Transport and Logistics, and Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries to sign the concession contract for the construction of the Chongoene Port Terminal in Gaza province, located in the southern region of the country. The decision was announced in the final communiqué of the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, confirming the government’s intention to move forward with the project through a public-private
West Africa Welcomes Record-Breaking MSC Megaships in Global Trade Shift
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has made maritime history by becoming the first shipping line to deploy 24,000 TEU megaships on routes serving West Africa—marking a major milestone in the region’s integration into global trade networks. According to Container News, MSC has introduced two ultra-large container vessels—the MSC Diletta and MSC Türkiye—on its Africa Express service. This route connects major Asian export hubs, including China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, to
Maersk Sana Adrift for Two Weeks After Engine Room Explosion Off Bermuda
A salvage tug is en route to the Maersk Sana, a Maersk-operated container ship that has been drifting in the Atlantic Ocean since an engine room explosion occurred last week. The vessel, positioned approximately 250 nautical miles east of Bermuda, experienced the explosion on April 28 while sailing from Newark to Singapore. Maersk confirmed in a statement issued on Monday, May 5, that the tug had departed from Europe on
Red Sea Gateway Terminal Eyes Fresh-Produce Terminal at Port of Durban
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) is considering a bid to develop and manage a new fresh-produce terminal at South Africa’s Port of Durban, as part of its broader push into African port infrastructure. This follows a request for proposals issued by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) for the planning, construction, and operation of a major brownfield development within the port’s Maydon Wharf precinct. The selected operator will receive