Container Shipping News

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine the risk of bridge collapse from a vessel collision.The recommendation comes as part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.The NTSB found that the Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by the containership Dali on March 26, 2024, was almost 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the CMA CGM Group have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable shipping and innovation.The MoU was signed by Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, and Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. It renews an earlier MoU signed in 2022.Under the MoU, CMA CGM plans to expand its fleet and vessel tonnage, adding more vessels under the Singapore Registry of Ships, including four 23,000 TEU LNG vessels.

CMA CGM Group has announced a $20 billion investment to contribute to U.S. maritime economy and support the transformation of America’s domestic supply chain over the next four years.The announcement builds on CMA CGM Group’s 35-year presence in the U.S. Today, the Group operates in 40 states and employs 15,000 Americans. As a leading partner in U.S. trade, CMA CGM transports over 5 million shipping containers to and from the country each year.Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group…

The global ocean shipping industry that handles 80% of world trade is navigating a sea of unknowns as U.S. President Donald Trump stokes trade and geopolitical tensions with historical foes as well as neighbors and allies.That is the backdrop for this week's S&P Global TPM container shipping and supply chain conference in Long Beach, California, an annual event that marks the start of container shipping contract negotiating season.Attendees this year include industry heavyweights like container carriers MSC…

A.P. Moller - Maersk celebrated the name-giving of its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel in Mumbai on February 28 as a part of the vessel’s maiden voyage to India. The vessel, named Albert Maersk, is the eleventh vessel in Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on methanol.“India is among the world's fastest-growing major economies, with a thriving manufacturing sector, a booming e-commerce industry, and expanding exports. Shipping and logistics are high on India’s priorities…

U.S. proposals to hit Chinese vessels with high port fees would have a major impact on all firms in a container shipping industry in which most vessels are built in China, French-based shipping firm CMA CGM said on Friday.The U.S. Trade Representative's office has proposed charging up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports as part of its investigation into China's expansion in the shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors."China builds more than half of all container ships in the world…

VesselBot has highlighted the significant financial exposure for major container shipping lines under the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed Section 301 service fees targeting China's maritime sector.USTR is proposing to impose fees and restrictions on international maritime transport services related to Chinese ship operators and Chinese-built ships, as it has found China’s acts, policies and practices to be unreasonable and to burden or restrict US commerce.Of the global container fleet of approximately 6…

Capacity and its deployment dominate the outlook for shippers this year as they digest the impact of tariffs, the potential rebound in Red Sea traffic and the introduction of the new alliance Gemini, according to global consulting firm AlixPartners’ 2025 Container Shipping Outlook Report, “Navigating the Crosscurrents.”The tailwinds from the Suez Canal diversions, industrial action at ports, and a U.S. soft landing reversed early expectations in 2024 and resulted in container shippers enjoying one of their best years on record.

The input of incorrect container cargo weight data when developing the cargo loading plan led to shipping containers falling off the President Eisenhower container ship and others becoming damaged, the National Transportation Safety Board has found.On Feb. 6, 2024, the U.S.-flagged President Eisenhower lost 23 shipping containers overboard and another 10 were damaged as the vessel was drifting about 94 miles south of Oakland, California, while awaiting a berthing assignment. None of the lost containers contained hazardous materials.

Wärtsilä signed a Lifecycle Agreement with CMA Ships, a leading French shipping company and CMA CGM subsidiary. The agreement covers 14 large LNG-fuelled container ships already in operation. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q1 2025.The scope of the agreement with CMA Ships will ensure operational reliability while providing maintenance planning flexibility and long-term cost predictability. “The management of new fuels such as LNG can be complex and costly. This agreement with Wärtsilä will help us secure ship operations and optimize engine maintenance costs.

Canada’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services received a MAYDAY on Saturday from the MSC Baltic III as it ran aground located approximately 12 nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The vessel reported a loss of power, and unable to secure an anchor in the adverse conditions, grounded in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour. All 20 crew have been airlifted to safety.Weather in the area continues to be a factor as work is underway to assess the situation and determine the next steps.

Container ship operator CMA CGM is revising steering guidance across its fleet after ambiguous procedures contributed to one of its ships colliding with a navigational beacon in the Yarra River, Victoria, Australia, an ATSB investigation report notes.Departing the Port of Melbourne on 25 May 2023 under the conduct of a harbor pilot, container ship CMA CGM Puccini contacted the navigational beacon after swinging wide in a turn when its rudder began responding erratically to helm orders.The ship was slowed and returned towards the middle of the channel…

Starting March 1, 2025, ocean common carriers of containerized cargo are expected to file documented export strategies with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on an annual basis.The increased obligation is one of several notable developments on the horizon for the ocean shipping industry in 2025, says the Venable LLP international trade team.As Venable explains in its latest advisory on expected trade laws in 2025, these expected changes will impact operations across a wide range of stakeholders…

DP World’s ports and terminals handled a record 88.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, up 8.3% year-on-year, despite macroeconomic headwinds and concerns over the outlook for global trade.The global logistics business, which now can handle over 100 million TEU across operations in 78 countries, benefitted from long-term infrastructure investment, contributing to strong growth and new services calling at its terminals.While the Red Sea crisis posed a significant challenge to global shipping in 2024…

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that the Premier Alliance Agreement (No. 201435) can take effect on February 9, 2025.The Premier Alliance is replacing THE Alliance, but does not include Hapag-Lloyd which instead entered the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk.The new arrangement allows Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Yang Ming to share vessels on trade lines between the United States and Asia, the Middle East and Europe.The cooperation is comprised of mainline services across the major East – West Tradelines: Asia – North America West Coast…

Container shipping liner Hapag-Lloyd will be able to cope with the advent of U.S. tariffs on Chinese products, its chief executive told reporters on Tuesday."It is too early to push the panic button," CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said in the remarks published on Wednesday, when additional 10% tariffs kicked in, and made before U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that his country to take over the Gaza Strip."Fortunately we are able to react when transport flows change," he said, adding foreseeable events were easier to handle than the unexpected ones…

A.P. Møller - Maersk has decided to initiate a share buy-back program of up to DKK 14.4 billion (around $2 billion) to be executed over a period of 12 months.The purpose of the program is to adjust the capital structure of the company ultimately through cancellation of shares repurchased. It was in February last year due to market uncertainties caused by disruptions in the Red Sea.The first phase of the share buy-back program will run from February 7 to August 6, 2025. The shares to be acquired will be limited to a total market value of DKK 7.2 billion (around $1 billion).

Costamare has reported a net income of $290.7 million as part of its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, also noting its plans to renew its owned fleet.Gregory Zikos, Chief Financial Officer of Costamare, said: “In the container ship sector the Red Sea crisis led to diversions via the much longer Cape of Good Hope route. These diversions, together with strong cargo demand, absorbed the incremental new building capacity. The commercially idle fleet remained low during 2024 and at the start of 2025.

Two separate breakaways of container ships berthed at the Port of Brisbane, Australia, after heavy rains highlight the importance of robust emergency and risk management arrangements, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation.The May 2022 incidents occurred after an unprecedented stretch of rainfall resulted in significant freshwater inflows into the Brisbane River following several controlled water releases from dams located upriver.This resulted in strong currents through the Port of Brisbane…

French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM will continue to avoid the Red Sea even though it considers the region is more stable following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, it said on Saturday.Shipping executives remain cautious about a return to the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, leading most shipping companies to divert vessels to other routes.CMA-CGM said in a statement the improved stability was "a positive but fragile sign" for the industry, and safety was a priority."Given the ongoing tensions and a

On February 1, Maersk A/S (Maersk), an entity under A.P. Moller - Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd AG (Hapag-Lloyd) launch their operational collaboration Gemini Cooperation. The ambition is to deliver a flexible and interconnected ocean network with industry-leading schedule reliability above 90 percent once fully phased in.Around 340 vessels will be phased in and be a part of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared ocean network with the first sailings taking place on February 1, and more vessels will gradually sail on the new schedules.“We are now ready to commence the phase-in of the new network.

The Port of Oakland experienced a solid 2024, processing 2.26 million TEUs (twenty-foot containers), representing a 9.5% increase over 2023.The 2024 cargo data reflects a long-term growth trend in consumer spending in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the rest of the country.“Consumer demand has remained resilient, driving higher import volumes through the Port,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “This performance underscores the port’s strong foundation for continued growth and its critical role in global trade.”On the full container side…

Middle East ceasefire and Lunar New Year will see ocean container freight rates fall further in February - with carriers now taking action to slow the market decline.Latest data from Xeneta – an ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows average spot rates from the Far East stand at USD 3 795 per FEU (40ft container) into North Europe and USD 5 085 per FEU into the Mediterranean – down 22% and 13% respectively since 1 January.Early data suggests spot rates will fall further on 1 February…