1. Assarmatori’s high-level visit to Brussels – Stefano Messina Chairman “Maritime transport is essential to Europe’s security and cohesion we must overcome the excesses of the Green Deal to unleash new momentum.” “Maritime transport is a key pillar in guaranteeing Europe’s security and cohesion. This is especially true for Italy, which possess one of the world’s leading ferry fleets in terms of tonnage, freight capacity, and passenger transport. This strategic segment must be protected, starting with correcting the distortions caused by the ETS system and other excesses of the Green Deal,” said Stefano Messina, Chairman of Assarmatori – the Italian shipowners’ association, at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Brussels.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/02/assarmatoris-high-level-visit-to-brussels-stefano-messina-chairman-maritime-transport-is-essential-to-europes-security-and-cohesion-we-must-overcome-the-excesses/
2. ABS and MPA deepen collaboration to accelerate maritime innovation and workforce excellence. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the American Bureau of Shipping) have renewed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in research and development, talent development, workforce upskilling, support for startup maritime businesses, and regulatory alignment.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/02/abs-and-mpa-deepen-collaboration-to-accelerate-maritime-innovation-and-workforce-excellence/
3. K Line publication of ESG DATA BOOK 2024. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, is pleased to announce a publication of ESG DATA BOOK 2024.
ESG DATA BOOK has been issued since FY2021 to summarize policies, systems, specific initiatives and relevant data related to “K” LINE Group’s environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) aspects. It has been published as a tool for dispatch of information to, and for communication with, stakeholders who are interested in the Group’s ESG initiatives.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/02/k-line-publication-of-esg-data-book-2024/
4. MOL signs of Memorandum of Understanding for consideration of investment in Green Ammonia Production Project in India. IHI Corporation, Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., and Tokyo Century Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore investment opportunities in a green ammonia production project currently under development in India (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”).
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/02/mol-signs-of-memorandum-of-understanding-for-consideration-of-investment-in-green-ammonia-production-project-in-india/
5. Ambrey announces the launch of Ambrey Global Specialty AGS. Ambrey announces the launch of its new specialist marine war MGA –– Ambrey Global Specialty. AGS is a Lloyd’s Coverholder with capacity provided by a panel of Lloyd’s of London insurers led by MS Amlin. AGS will specialise in ‘spot breach’ marine hull war risks insurance, utilising Ambrey’s unique data and insights to provide intelligence-led risk mitigation and financial security for its maritime industry clients and their operations in the world’s high-risk areas.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/04/02/ambrey-announces-the-launch-of-ambrey-global-specialty-ags/
6. Winning buys its first cape of the year. Vintage cape sales are dominating S&P headlines. One Chinese company stands out in the segment: China’s Winning Shipping, the world’s largest bauxite shipping company. Sources tell Splash that the active outfit is currently in the market for more tonnage and has just purchased the 2007 Imabari-built, 180,000 dwt Cape Unity for just over $22 m—its first reported purchase this year. The ship has been sold by Daiwa Kisen.
https://splash247.com/winning-buys-its-first-cape-of-the-year/
7. Top Japanese shipping brands collaborate to create tech research facility in Osaka. Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United along with ClassNK and MTI, the research arm of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) are joining forces to establish the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS) at the Techno Alliance Building within the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Osaka.
https://splash247.com/top-japanese-shipping-brands-collaborate-to-create-tech-research-facility-in-osaka/
8. Seafarers struggle to get any shore leave. A new report from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust (ITFST) and the World Maritime University (WMU) highlights the continuing absence of shore leave for the world’s seafarers.
Analysing the data from 5,879 seafarers who responded to the ITFST’s Shore Leave Survey, WMU researchers concluded that more than a quarter of seafarers did not get any shore leave at all, and a third only got ashore once or twice during their entire contract, based on an average of 6.6 months onboard.
https://splash247.com/seafarers-struggle-to-get-any-shore-leave/
9. Genco CEO Says Trump’s China Ship Fees Will Hammer Farmers, Not China. The largest US-based dry bulk shipper said it is prepared to pass on costs to US exporters or position its ships elsewhere if proposed US fees on Chinese ships go into place. Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. has no ships built in the US and does have “a lot of Chinese-built ships,” Chief Executive Officer John Wobensmith said in an interview on Bloomberg Television. He said the company is prepared if Trump goes ahead with fees to counter China’s maritime dominance.
https://gcaptain.com/genco-ceo-says-trumps-china-ship-fees-will-hammer-farmers-not-china/
10. Fog Hampers Port Houston Operations in February. Port Houston experienced significant operational disruptions in February due to widespread fog, leading to a 13% year-over-year decline in container throughput. The port handled 325,424 TEUs during the month, with loaded imports and exports dropping by 14% and 16% respectively.
https://gcaptain.com/fog-hampers-port-houston-operations-in-february/