1. Greek shipping investments slowed in 2024 despite container, LPG ordering rally. Greek shipping companies focused on preserving their dominance in the tanker market, signing significant newbuilding contracts. They also capitalised on the revitalised container vessel sector, channeling substantial investments into this segment.
https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/greek-shipping-investments-slowed-in-2024-despite-container-and-lpg-ordering-rally-83422
2. Engage Marine expands fleet following multi-port licence award. Engage Marine has ordered newbuild harbour tugs for delivery in 2025 after securing towage contracts covering several Australian ports. The independent Australian owner has expanded its towage services and fleet in the nation, successfully competing with international operators to win these contracts.
https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/engage-marine-expands-fleet-following-multi-port-licence-award-83429
3. Revisiting national security in the context of global commerce. The erosion of trade agreements, particularly through the invocation of national security exceptions, poses significant challenges to the international economic landscape. The recent rejection of Nippon Steel’s proposed $15bn acquisition of US Steel exemplifies this trend, highlighting the risks associated with broad interpretations of national security that can be used to justify protectionist measures.
https://splash247.com/revisiting-national-security-in-the-context-of-global-commerce/
4. US east coast port talks set to resume. Talks are set to resume tomorrow between employers and dockworker unions across the US east and Gulf coasts in a last-ditch bid to avert a strike pencilled in for January 15.
Following a three-day strike last October, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) reached an agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on wages, suspending their walkout until January.
https://splash247.com/us-east-coast-port-talks-set-to-resume/
5. Value of global merchant fleet leaps by two-thirds in the 2020s to cross $2trn mark for first time. The remarkable appreciation in ship assets in the 2020s has seen the value of the world fleet, including vessels on order, jump above $2trn for the first time, according to data from Clarksons Research. The global merchant fleet, including the orderbook, was worth $1.2trn in 2020 by comparison.
https://splash247.com/value-of-global-merchant-fleet-leaps-by-two-thirds-in-the-2020s-to-cross-2trn-mark-for-first-time/
6. INTERCARGO Annual Review details progress in safety, sustainability and growth. The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) marked a transformative year in its 2023-2024 Annual Review, launching major initiatives while reaching record membership levels amid growing industry challenges.
https://shipmanagementinternational.com/intercargo-annual-review-details-progress-in-safety-sustainability-and-growth-2/
7. China’s recasting of UCO trade: Minimal impact on chemical shipping. China eliminated the 13% export tax rebate on the popular feedstock for biofuels-used cooking oil (UCO) on 1 December 2024, aiming to increase domestic supply as the country intends to implement a 2% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend requirement in 2025
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/01/07/chinas-recasting-of-uco-trade-minimal-impact-on-chemical-shipping/
8. Incheon Port surpasses 3.5 million TEUs in container throughput for this year. According to the IPA, there were concerns about meeting the target as the throughput performance from September to November showed a slowdown compared to the same period last year. However, on Dec. 22, Incheon Port exceeded its previous record of 3.46 million TEUs set last year, continuing its upward trend and surpassing 3.5 million TEUs.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/01/07/incheon-port-surpasses-3-5-million-teus-in-container-throughput-for-this-year/
9. Danish Shipping new regulation FuelEU Maritime comes into force on 1 January. FuelEU Maritime aims to promote the use of green and low-emission fuels within EU shipping. Danish Shipping supports the new regulation but highlights the need for global climate regulation of the shipping industry.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/01/07/danish-shipping-new-regulation-fueleu-maritime-comes-into-force-on-1-january/
10. Pangaea Logistics Expands Bulk Fleet with $271M Acquisition. Pangaea Logistics Solutions (NASDAQ: PANL) has successfully expanded its existing fleet with fifteen handy-size vessels from Strategic Shipping Inc. (SSI), a privately held company managed by M.T. Maritime Management (USA) LLC located in Southport, Connecticut.
https://gcaptain.com/pangaea-logistics-expands-bulk-fleet-with-271m-acquisition/