In the vast and relentless world of global shipping, seafarers serve as the beating heart of international trade. They ensure that over 90% of the world’s goods are transported across oceans safely and efficiently. Despite its critical importance, shore leave has become increasingly elusive, shaped by a web of operational, logistical, and regulatory pressures. Beyond…
Just after midnight on the U.S. East Coast, President Trump enacted sweeping tariff hikes on nearly all major trading partners, marking what his administration calls “Liberation Day.” But for global shipping and logistics, the move signals turbulence ahead. With effective U.S. tariff rates now exceeding 17% — the highest since the Great Depression — the…
A lot of things are transported throughout the world by ships. But living at sea isn’t simple. There are a lot of severe safety guidelines that crews have to follow, and they have to be ready for everything. They rely on voluminous health, safety, environment, and quality (HSEQ) manuals, company regulations, and crucial papers like…
The Three Bees Research Foundation (TBRF), a Chandigarh-based NGO, is making waves in the maritime industry by empowering youth and promoting environmental sustainability. Founded by Master Mariners and Chief Engineers with over 34 years of global sailing experience, TBRF has been conducting outreach seminars across Punjab and North India, covering over 90 schools. The organization’s…
In a significant step towards holistic maritime education, Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT), Chennai inaugurated its newly built Sports Complex at its Pre-Sea Campus in Kalpakkam on 29th July. The state-of-the-art facility was declared open by Mr Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, in the presence of senior…
The Succession Question Hanging Over China’s Future “For more than a decade, Chinese politics has been defined by one man: Xi Jinping,” write Tyler Jost and Daniel Mattingly in the forthcoming issue of Foreign Affairs. “Xi probably has years, perhaps even more than a decade, before he steps down.” But as the search begins for…
DP World, one of India’s largest private rail freight operators, has launched two new domestic rail services linking Bhimasar and Hazira in Gujarat to Kolkata in West Bengal. These new services are designed to accelerate cargo movements between India’s western manufacturing clusters and key eastern trade hubs, bolstering the Make in India initiative and supporting…
Delphine Estibeiro – The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Mumbai branch hosted its Annual Students Awards Ceremony on July 26th at Celebrations Sports Club, Mumbai, a grand celebration of academic excellence and industry achievement. The event was attended by esteemed guests, industry professionals, and students, all coming together to recognize and honour outstanding performance. Capt…
On 31st July, the Indian Maritime University – Navi Mumbai Campus (T.S. Chanakya) welcomed 225 new cadets to its B.Sc. Nautical Science and Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) programmes, marking the beginning of their professional maritime journey. Selected through the IMU Common Entrance Test (CET), these aspiring officers were accompanied by their proud families as…
