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…
Insight… and perspective Shipping since 2020 has been shaped by events more than we have been used to. The Dry bulk market is no exception with Covid-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Middle East conflict major waypoints on how the environment unfolded. So-called ‘fundamentals’ gave way to outside factors which have reshaped them…
The Indian Union Budget for 2024 has introduced a series of incentives aimed at revitalizing and expanding the shipping industry, a crucial sector for the nation’s economic growth. These measures are designed to address longstanding challenges, enhance competitiveness, and align with India’s strategic maritime ambitions. A significant aspect of the 2024 Budget is the extension…
Delphine Estibeiro In an epistle to the Honourable Minister of Port, Shipping, and Waterways, Mr Sarbanand Sonowal, members of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) expressed their gratitude to Mr Sonowal for taking the initiative to resolve the seafarers’ long-pending pension demands. Mr Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the FSUI, stated that the long-pending…
China’s leadership is making a concerted effort to bolster its manufacturing sector, particularly focusing on higher-tech industries like batteries, EVs, and solar panels. However, this strategy appears to be encountering some challenges. Domestically, Chinese consumers are known for their frugality, while globally, there’s growing resistance to Chinese products. This trend is reflected in our forecast…