At the OECD International Transport Forum in Leipzig, Germany, the annual gathering of the world’s transport ministers from more than 50 countries (22-24 May), the views of the global shipping industry were represented by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the principal global trade association for shipowners.
continue reading "Serious Economic Challenges"

A number of security providers have been forced to suspend operations in Nigeria following the implementation of new laws governing the private maritime security sector.
continue reading "Changing Face of Nigerian Security"

It is being reported that both Estonia and Slovenia are set to end their participation in the European Union anti-piracy operation Atalanta, and alarm bells are ringing that this could see more nations back out from their security roles.
continue reading "Nations Withdraw"

Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University, reaffirmed its place as a world-leading training platform for seafaring pilots, masters and ships officers when it officially welcomed its eighth scaled ship model to its fleet last week.
continue reading "Warsash Model Trainer"

History, according Sir Winston, is written by the victors  – in shipping its the shipowners who all too often try to write the “facts”, and so it is with increasing concern that owners in the form of the International Group of P&I Clubs are eagerly claiming that MLC does not  require financial security for seafarer wages.
continue reading "Shipowners Wriggle on Wages"

A luxury cruise ship ran aground in Oban Bay after entering the town’s harbour on the wrong side of a warning buoy.
continue reading "Run Aground"

The release earlier this month of an official Chinese government report showing that the threats that country faces come mostly from the sea serves to underscore the importance of safeguarding national security through effective maritime security—including state-of-the-art counter-piracy efforts.
continue reading "Chinese Security Crisis"

As predicted, Germany has become the latest flag state to adopt a national certification process for private maritime security companies seeking to place guards onto vessels flying their flag.
continue reading "Germans Join Certification Charge"

Despite the high fiving and triumphal rhetoric about beating pirates there are many who believe they could be set to a comeback and there are major concerns about the problems off West Africa.
continue reading "A Slight Return"

A merger of three colleges which has “saved” £7.4 million has been hailed as a success. The Scottish Funding Council said the “complex merger” of Glasgow’s Central College, Metropolitan College and College of Nautical Studies was “implemented very successfully”.
continue reading "College Merger Success"

Disciplined underwriting increases UK P&I Club free reserves to new high. The UK P&I Club, one of the largest and oldest providers of mutual liability insurance to ship owners, today announces its financial results for the year ended 20 February 2013.
continue reading "UK P&I Back on Track"

UK Shipping minister Stephen Hammond has stated the government is working towards a resolution on the use of floating armouries.
continue reading "UK Tackles Critics"

Fifteen crewmen were rescued from a cargo ship that caught fire 13 nautical miles off the Sharjah coast.
continue reading "Ship Fire Erupts"

A report published by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) details best practice in establishing and operating port levies around the world. The report, Port levies and sustainable welfare for seafarers, documents how levies make a real difference to welfare organisations and the services that they are able to provide for seafarers, at a time when funding for seafarers’ welfare is under pressure.  
continue reading "Port Levies Help Seafarers"

Four leading charities supporting seafarers and their families are set to benefit from the inaugural London International Shipping Week (LISW), taking place in the UK capital this September.
continue reading "London Helping Shipping and Charities"