Twenty crew members were safely rescued after a fire broke out aboard the Sea Harvest fishing vessel, MVF Armana, while it was sailing approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Town, Western Cape, on Sunday. The fire occurred during the early morning hours on the 62-year-old vessel, initially raising concerns that it might sink. However, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC), based at the South African Maritime Safety
Category: Shipping News
Maersk Optimistic About Suez Canal Reopening Amid Regional Conflict
As the Middle East teeters on the brink of wider conflict, Danish shipping giant Maersk remains optimistic that it’s not a question of if, but when, the vital Suez Canal will regain its prominence in maritime trade. On November 19, it will mark one year since Yemen’s Houthi rebels hijacked the roll-on roll-off carrier Galaxy Leader in the southern Red Sea, forcing its crew at gunpoint to head to the
South Africa’s Container Throughput Declines Amid Operational Challenges and Court Ruling
Following a relatively stable performance at the end of September, the beginning of October saw an 8% decline in container throughput at South African ports, dropping from a daily average of 8,072 to 7,384 containers week-on-week. The latest Cargo Movement Update, compiled by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Business Unity SA, indicated that port operations were primarily hampered by inclement weather, equipment breakdowns, and shortages. The report
Escalating Attacks in the Black Sea Threaten Global Shipping and Food Security
The Black Sea has become a perilous zone for merchant vessels as Russian military forces intensify their attacks on Ukraine’s export routes, according to reports from the BBC and Reuters. Recent escalations have seen a surge in assaults on commercial vessels, marking the fourth attack in less than a month and posing a serious threat to global supply chains. Following a relatively calm period for shipping, these renewed hostilities highlight
Chancay Port Set to Become Major South America-Asia Shipping Hub
Peru’s Chancay Port, envisioned as a key trade link between South America and Asia, is set to begin shipping two container vessels per week by the end of November, according to Carlos Tejada, general manager of Cosco Shipping Chancay Peru, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Cosco Shipping. The port will initially provide a direct route to Shanghai, with potential expansion to other Asian destinations based on demand. Tejada explained that
Cargo Ship Awaits Inspection After Running Aground Off Isle of Wight
A cargo ship that ran aground on a sandbank after losing power is currently anchored off the Isle of Wight, awaiting an underwater inspection. The ONE Maneuver grounded on Bramble Bank at approximately 15:50 BST on Tuesday after departing from Southampton. The bright pink containership was successfully refloated with the assistance of tugs and moved off the southeast coast of the island. Ocean Network Express (ONE) reported that there have
US Port Strike Threat Prompts Shipping Lines to Impose Surcharges
Shipping companies are preparing for a potential strike at US ports along the East and Gulf Coasts as negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance remain at a standstill. Major carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), have announced surcharges in anticipation of the disruption. These companies expect continued strong cargo traffic during the peak season but are warning of global port
Ocean Carriers Report Strong Q2 Profits Amid Diverging Market Dynamics
In Q2, the world’s leading ocean container carriers posted substantial operating profits, though market conditions have resulted in varying performance across companies. Maersk Ocean shifted from a Q1 loss of $161 million to a profit of $470 million in Q2. Similarly, Hapag-Lloyd saw its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improve to $485 million. However, these positive results were outpaced by Asian carriers like Evergreen, which reported operating profits of
Crane Collapse Temporarily Halts Operations at Yantian Port
Operations at the Port of Yantian were temporarily suspended following the partial collapse of a ship-to-shore (STS) crane onto a feeder container ship operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The incident occurred around 08:40 local time in Shenzhen, involving the MSC Riona, a 1998-built feeder vessel with a capacity of 1,730 TEU, which was on an intra-Asia route when the collision happened. Local reports indicate that the crane was
South Africa Investigates Oil Spill in Algoa Bay
The South Africa Incident Management Organisation (Imorg) has launched an investigation into an oil spill believed to have originated from a container cargo vessel anchored in Algoa Bay last week. In a statement released on Monday, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) reported that the spill was first detected by a vessel anchored at number 2 in Algoa Bay. The crew noticed oil-like blobs and an oily sheen on