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Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Maritime Blogs East Asia

S.Korea prepares for tough US Trade Talks, Liberal Party issues caution

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 21, 2025

Han Duck-soo, the acting president of South Korea, said that he expects the trade talks to begin this week with the United States in Washington. However he added that the negotiations may not be simple. Han stated that the South Korean ministers of Finance and Industry will meet U.S. Treasury Sec.

Four dead after dredging vessel capsizes off Philippines, says coast guard

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 17, 2025

The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Thursday that four people, including one Chinese national, were killed and seven are still missing after a 25-person dredging boat capsized in a province of western Philippines two days earlier. PCG stated that the MV Hong Hai 16 had 2…

Philippines and China accuse one another of dangerous actions in the disputed South China Sea Shoal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 15, 2025

In the latest dispute over this waterway, China and the Philippines both accused the other of dangerous maneuvers on a disputed shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel had accelerated and performed manoeuvres…

Last week, South Korea's FLC purchased about 65,000 t corn from the U.S.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 10, 2025

The Feed Leaders Committee of South Korea (FLC) purchased around 65,000 tons of animal feed grain expected to come from the United States, in a private transaction late last week. This was done without launching an international tender. They…

Aukus nuclear submarines sale is under scrutiny after Trump tariffs rattle Australia

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 10, 2025

As U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs begin to take effect, there are new questions about the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia as part of the AUKUS Treaty. Washington is also concerned that the sale to Canberra could reduce the deterrence against China.

South Korea's trade envoy: Trump's tariff pause allows for negotiation

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Cheong In Kyo, South Korea's top Trade Envoy, said that President Donald Trump's tariff reprieve has provided room for negotiation as the country tries to reduce tariffs by talks. The trade ministry reported that Cheong had met with U.S. Trade…

Panama: US acknowledges Panama's sovereign right over the canal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Panama announced on Wednesday that the United States recognizes its sovereignty over the Panama Canal despite the harsh rhetoric of Washington. The two nations also announced an agreement to intensify U.S. Military Training in Central America. In the first Pentagon visit to Panama for decades, U.S.

China claims Philippines sent supplies to a warship in disputed atoll

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

China's Coast Guard said Thursday that it allowed a Philippine civil vessel to deliver supplies to a warship illegally grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. In a press release, the coast guard said that it had questioned and…

US soybeans will reach China despite tariffs

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Sources and shipping data indicate that China will receive approximately 3 million metric tonnes of U.S. soya beans in April-May. This is despite the new tariffs on American goods, which are set to choke off China's biggest U.S. import. Four…

South Korea's Industry Minister says that the country holds a'shipbuilding card" in US tariff negotiations.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Ahn Duk Geun, South Korea's minister of trade and industry, said that the potential for cooperation with Washington on the shipbuilding front is "a very important card" when negotiating with the U.S. about its tariffs. U.S. president Donald…

Pentagon chief: US will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters in Panama on Tuesday that the United States would retake the Panama Canal back from Chinese influence. Hegseth promised to intensify security cooperation with Panamanian forces after talks with the government of Panama.

USTR Greer: Not all Chinese shipping fees will be implemented

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the proposed multimillion dollar fees for Chinese-built vessels docking at U.S. port may not be implemented in full and they might not be cumulative. Greer said at a…

South Korea will buy around 80,000 metric tonnes of rice, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 7, 2025

European traders reported on Monday that the state-backed Agro Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation of South Korea has published international tenders for the purchase of about 80,000 tons metric tonnages (tonnages) rice. The deadline for submitting price offers to tenders is April 15, 2019.

Huntington Ingalls and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Sign MOU for Shipbuilding Collaboration

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 7, 2025

The companies announced on Monday that Huntington Ingalls, a U.S. military shipbuilder, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea have signed an agreement exploring opportunities to increase production for commercial and defense projects.

South Korea's KFA purchased about 65,000 T of corn in a private deal, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 3, 2025

According to European traders, the Korea Feed Association in South Korea purchased approximately 65,000 metric tonnes of animal feed corn on Thursday in a private transaction without launching an international tender. You can get corn from anywhere in the world.

Kremlin: Dmitriev, Putin's investment representative, may visit Washington

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 2, 2025

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that a visit by Kirill Dmitriev - the investment envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin - to the United States to meet with Donald Trump's officials is possible. However, it declined to provide any additional details.

Analysts say the latest North Korean ship is capable of carrying dozens missiles

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 2, 2025

Analysis of a satellite picture showed that North Korea's new warship class can accommodate dozens vertical launch cells for missiles the military has already developed. This would give their navy more power and create export opportunities.

Taiwan Coast Guard warns China of launching war games under a 'pretext.'

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 1, 2025

A senior Taiwan coastguard official has said that China may find a "pretext", such as sensitive dates like the anniversary of President Lai Ching Te's first year in office, which falls on May, to hold new wargames around Taiwan. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory…

South Korea's MFG purchased around 55,000 metric tonnes feed wheat, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 28, 2025

Major Feedmill Group of South Korea (MFG) bought about 55,000 metric tonnes of animal feed wheat from anywhere in the world on Friday, without holding an international tender. A consignment of goods was purchased for an estimated cost and freight (c&f)…

JLC and traders claim that China has set a second batch of export quotas for refined fuels at 12.8 million tonnes in 2025.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 28, 2025

China issued its second batch export quotas for refined fuels on Friday, with volumes lower than last year. This was confirmed by two sources from China and a consultancy. The second batch of allowances for last year included 14 million tonnes for gasoline…