Inland shipping in India, a major component of the country’s transport network, is facing a number of legal difficulties that jeopardise its efficiency and development. Despite its potential to boost economic growth and provide a sustainable alternative to road and rail travel, the sector is hampered by a number of legal and regulatory challenges. These…
Macro Environment South America’s largest economy, Brazil, saw its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grow by 1.4% in the second quarter of 2024, significantly surpassing expectations. Compared to the same period in 2023, Brazil’s GDP increased by 3.3 percent. The industrial sector was the top performer from April to June this year. Conversely, agriculture experienced a…
Pratik Bijlani – On August 30, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA) staged a graduation ceremony for GME Batch 41 and ETO Batch 15 at Karjat, Mumbai. The celebration marked a significant milestone for the graduates, as they completed their pre-sea training course and prepared to begin their maritime careers. The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) course at AEMA…
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…