Pratik Bijlani – On September 19, 2024, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) took place at the West End Hotel in Mumbai, marking a key milestone for the organization. AMTOI, established in 1998, is a pivotal trade body representing companies involved in multimodal transport, logistics, and…
The Baltic Dry Index has been trading within a narrow range over the past few weeks, closing today at 1,890 points. After a brief attempt to break the 2,000-point mark earlier in September, the index has mostly moved sideways. Despite this, it remains significantly higher compared to both early August 2024 and early September 2023…
Pratik Bijlani – The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) has raised concerns over the lack of consistent reporting by national administrations on container inspections, a critical element in ensuring maritime safety. An analysis by CIG revealed that less than 5% of 167 national governments are submitting inspection results to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), despite a…
Pratik Bijlani – A new report by the Diversity@Sea pilot, a Global Maritime Forum (GMF) initiative, has highlighted seven critical areas where the maritime industry must urgently improve to enhance seafarer welfare. The report, “Improving Seafarer Well-being: Preliminary Findings from the Diversity@Sea Pilot Project,” comes at a time of growing concern over the working conditions…
Pratik Bijlani – The MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company continues its aggressive expansion strategy with the acquisition of two more secondhand container vessels from the German market. The Geneva-based liner giant, led by Gianluigi Aponte, has added the 1,440-TEU Cape Flint (built in 2006) and the 2,526-TEU Jan Ritscher (built in 1999) to its growing fleet,…
The era of post-cold war globalization has been marked by numerous shocks, including the 9/11 attacks, the global financial crisis, Covid lockdowns, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Each of these events sparked fears that global trade would come to a grinding halt, but surprisingly, the system has not only survived but thrived. Despite these challenges,…
Bangladesh witnessed substantial political turmoil in 2024, including a coup that transformed the country’s political landscape. This transition, while essentially a domestic issue, has had significant consequences outside its borders, particularly for the Indian ship recycling sector. Bangladesh’s coup occurred amid rising political instability and public unrest. The military intervened to depose the sitting administration,…
What would Donald Trump’s foreign policy look like if he wins a second presidential term? Foreign Policy Magazine outlines a contrarian view, as outlined here. It may border on wishful thinking; you can decide. The debate ranges between those who believe he will abandon Ukraine, withdraw from NATO, and herald a “post-American Europe”, and those…
The ship recycling industry is a complex and frequently contentious aspect of the global maritime industry. While this method is critical for the circular economy and resource conservation, it has also been linked to serious environmental and safety concerns. Accidents and mishaps are a sad part of all industrial operation, including ship recycling. These incidents…
