1. VIKAND strengthens support for Mercy Ships with crew medical and vaccination reviews. VIKAND, a global leader in maritime healthcare solutions, is pleased to announce its support for Mercy Ships, a renowned international non-governmental organisation operating hospital ships that provide free, lifesaving surgeries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/07/vikand-strengthens-support-for-mercy-ships-with-crew-medical-and-vaccination-reviews/
2. Trump’s Mexico, Canada tariffs are ‘clearly’ going to cause inflation, says shipping giant Maersk. As a result of President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada, prepare for higher prices to hit soon.
That is the message from shipping giant Maersk about the escalating trade war between North American nations. While the White House says inflation is not a concern, Maersk’s view of the U.S. economy matches that of retailers and trade groups that the new tariffs on Mexico and Canada — and retaliatory tariffs from these countries — are an inflationary threat to the U.S. economy.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/07/trumps-mexico-canada-tariffs-are-clearly-going-to-cause-inflation-says-shipping-giant-maersk/
3. JAXPORT completes first of two vehicle berth expansions at Blount Island. Contractors for the Jacksonville Port Authority have completed a year-long construction project to expand vehicle Berth 22 at the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal. The berth is the first of two vehicle berth projects in a $60 million total initiative to increase efficiencies and accommodate additional vehicle vessel calls.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/07/jaxport-completes-first-of-two-vehicle-berth-expansions-at-blount-island/
4. A.P. Moller Capital buys into Philippine logistics firm. A.P. Moller Capital has agreed to acquire 40% of the Philippine logistics company AC Logistics (ACL) from Ayala Corporation.
Established in 2021, ACL offers supply chain solutions covering cold chain solutions, freight forwarding, national distribution, and contract logistics.
https://splash247.com/a-p-moller-capital-buys-into-philippine-logistics-firm/
5. Shipping in the crosshairs as trade uncertainty hits all-time high. At no point since tracking began on the subject have global trade policies been more uncertain than right now, according to one index developed in the US. The Trade Policy Uncertainty (TPU) Index (see chart below) developed by four employees at the Federal Reserve Board analyses the frequency of joint occurrences of trade policy and uncertainty terms in major newspapers, firms’ earnings conference calls, and aggregate data on tariff rates in a way that is similar to existing volatility indices in mainstream financial markets, spanning equities and derivatives.
https://splash247.com/shipping-in-the-crosshairs-as-trade-uncertainty-hits-all-time-high/
6. Korean boxship loses containers overboard in stormy Bering Strait. The 4,228 teu SM Portland hit stormy weather on Wednesday in the Bering Strait on a voyage from Asia to Vancouver and reported 115 containers had either been damaged or lost. The Korean-flagged vessel is making for Canada where the coast guard will inspect the ship with vessel tracking data placing it off Alaska today.
https://splash247.com/korean-boxship-loses-containers-overboard-in-stormy-bering-strait/
7. Female seafarers helpline launches. International maritime charity Sailors’ Society has set up a dedicated helpline for female seafarers.
Launching on International Women’s Day (March 8) the 24/7 helpline will allow female cadets and seafarers to speak in confidence to a female member Sailors’ Society team.
https://splash247.com/female-seafarers-helpline-launches/
8. Sanctions Are Tangling, Not Stopping, China’s Iran Oil Trade. Successive rounds of sanctions on companies and tankers said to be aiding Tehran are finally slowing the flow of Iranian oil to China, as costs rise and more traders are compelled to engage in risky efforts to circumvent US measures.
https://gcaptain.com/sanctions-are-tangling-not-stopping-chinas-iran-oil-trade/
9. Philippines Uncovers Chinese Spy Network Tracking Military In South China Sea. Philippine authorities have uncovered a network of hundreds of alleged Chinese spies, a senior official said, a much more extensive operation than previously disclosed that adds to tensions between the countries.
https://gcaptain.com/philippines-uncovers-chinese-spy-network-tracking-military-in-south-china-sea/
10. Seaspan Shipyards Awarded Shipbuilding Contract for Heavy Polar Icebreaker for Canadian Coast Guard. North Vancouver-based Seaspan Shipyards has secured a contract to construct a new heavy polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).
The vessel, representing the first polar icebreaker built in Canada in over 60 years, will be constructed at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
https://gcaptain.com/seaspan-shipyards-awarded-shipbuilding-contract-for-heavy-polar-icebreaker-for-canadian-coast-guard/