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On July 2, 2025, proceedings into the sinking of the 'Felicity Ace' have been scheduled to begin at the Braunschweig Regional Court. The ship, fully loaded with thousands of luxury cars from Porsche, Audi, and others, was en route from the port of Emden to Davisville, when it caught fire on Feb 16, 2022, in the Atlantic south of the Azores. Around two weeks later, the "Felicity Ace" sank despite all firefighting and salvage attempts. The damage is estimated at around €400 million. The Volkswagen Group was particularly hard hit. Its destroyed vehicles had been worth around €200 million. The ship also carried lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous substances on board. There were many plug-in hybrids and even purely electric vehicles on board. The Captain quickly had claimed that batteries for the electric cars werwere the cause of the fire, Batteries from the VW subsidiary Porsche were particularly suspected. Porsche is said to have sent around 1,000 vehicles onto the ship. So far, the cause has never been determined – but the suspicion remained. Therefore, the ship's owner was now taking legal action in Braunschweig, together with the shipping company and marine hull insurers. There are a total of seven plaintiffs. The two defendants are companies of the Volkswagen Group. They, in turn, deny responsibility for the fire, claiming that If the crew had acted more prudently, the "Felicity Ace" would not have been lost.

The US Coast Guard interdicted 10 migrants aboard a 25-foot white Sea Ray vessel in the vicinity of Point Loma on June 22, 2025. At approximately 10:55 a.m., the 'Benjamin Bottoms (WPC-1132)' monitored a vessel displaying suspicious behaviour. A small boat was launched from the Coast Guard Cutter with a boarding team aboard to interdict the vessel. The boarding team discovered 10 people aboard the vessel, all claiming Mexican nationality. The Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Los Angeles–Long Beach arrived on the scene to assist with the operation. The vessel was brought to Ballast Point, where the mirgants were transferred to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol Imperial Beach Boat Station Unit. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4223709/coast-guard-interdicts-10-aliens-in-the-vicinity-of-point-loma/

The UK government and the Port of Southampton have teamed up to launched the UK’s first Port Economic Partnership (PEP), a way of creating stronger links between ports and government in order to long-term trade and economic growth. For the partnership, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) will work with ABP’s Port of Southampton to focus on leveraging public and private sector investment and ensuring that planning processes are as efficient as possible. The unique partnership was launched this week during an event at London International Shipping Week. The creation of PEPs was outlined back in January as part of the launch of the UK’s ‘Maritime 2050 – Navigating the Future’ strategy, envisioning creating a strong business environment for ports which, in turn, will help trade and benefit the UK economy.

The government of the Panama has officially approved the modification of the Panama Canal tolls structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal board of directors and a period of consultation with shipping line clients. The approved modifications include the tolls charged to neopanamax dry bulk vessels carrying iron ore, neopanamax dry bulk vessels transiting in ballast, the vehicle carrier/roro segment, and for the liquid bulk segment (including oil and product tankers, chemical tankers, LPG and LNG vessels).

On Juen 23 at noon, the 'Wan Hai 503' remained under tow at position 10°03.17'N, 074°58.16'E, approximately 72 nautical miles from the Indian coastline, making a course of 350° at 1.5 knots. The vessel continued to emit grey smoke from Bay 14 and thick white and grey smoke between the Bays 27-33, with light white smoke observed near Bay 38. Boundary cooling operations and fire watch were ongoing, carried out in rotation by the tugs 'Boka Winger', 'Saroja Blessing' and 'Water Lily'. The tug 'Offshore Warrior' was maintaining position through the primary tow arrangement. Thermal imaging conducted earlier the day recorded temperatures peaking at 64.7°C between Frames 93 and 103, correlating with intermittent flare-ups observed during the recent days. Two of the forward hatches remained open, with Hold No.4 partially opened for ventilation and access. Draught measurements indicated that the vessel remained stable with forward draught readings at 10.6 metres (port) and 10.4m (starboard), while the midship markings were submerged at approximately 12.6 metres. The aft draught remained submerged but unchanged. Despite visual perception of increased trim aft, onsite assessments attribute this to weather conditions, with no significant structural changes reported. The salvors have confirmed that the engine room atmosphere was gas-free, allowing safe access for ongoing inspections and future dewatering operations. Emergency generator activation remaineds pending due to non-functional batteries; replacements have been dispatched onboard the tug 'Saksham' and were to be delivered shortly. Firefighters and salvage teams were coordinating to access the vessel’s forecastle via multiple routes, with ongoing discussions regarding safe boarding options. Yokohama fenders have been mobilised to facilitate safe personnel and equipment transfer. The process to reinforce tow arrangements remained underway. The salvors were planning to replace the current tow line with more robust towing gea, which has been stored onboard the 'Saksham' andwas expected to depart shortly. The 'Offshore Warrior' will complete bunkering operations at sea to sustain extended towage. Simultaneously, dive inspections of the hull were planned to assess potential ingress points and enable engine room dewatering. The 'Atlantis Virgo', carrying critical fire suppression materials (Pyrocool) and additional tow gear, departed Fujairah and is en route, with an ETA as of June 29, to enhance onboard fire management and long-term stabilisation efforts. The vessel' had a slight list of approximately 4°, confirmed through bridge-level inspection. Intermittent flare-ups within the cargo holds were attributed to residual burning of stored commodities as advised by fire experts. Boundary cooling remained the primary firefighting strategy to minimise additional water ingress and manage heat build-up. A complete extinguishment of internal fires is considered viable only upon access to port facilities equipped for container removal and deep access. Environmental concerns persisted due to onboard heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) inventories. ITOPF assessments indicated a risk of persistent oil pollution affecting adjacent states should containment fail. The Directorate has reiterated to salvors the urgency of finalising dewatering operations, reinforcing tow arrangements, and moving the casualty a minimum of 100 nautical miles southwest, off Trivandrum, within the next 48 hours. This directive prioritises reducing coastal environmental risks during the monsoon period. Port of refuge options continued to be explored. Salvors were instructed to formalise this within 48 hours while progressively relocating the vessel further offshore, as a precautionary measure. Preparations for potential oil removal operations were to commence immediately, aligned with weather conditions and vessel stability. A structured salvage timeline and comprehensive risk mitigation plan remained awaited from the salvors. The Directorate will enforce necessary measures to safeguard Indian waters and coastal interests should these actions not progress satisfactorily within stipulated timeframes.

On June 20, 2025, the 'Chang Min' caught fire at the ENL Consortium Terminal in Apapa, while it was unloading a variety of cargo such as compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, tires, construction machinery and other various products that were combustible, from cargo hold 2. Following distress alerts at 5:55 p.m., the Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA) activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from the Cobra Base in Onipanu. Multiple fire and emergency responders respoinded to the scene and found flames coming out of the cargo hold. The Cobra Response Team, alongside all other responders at the scene, undertook debrief from the crew to give more information to Emergency Response Teams as to the instruction that the compartment be totally shut to eliminate oxygen supply, while initial dampening down was being conducted. A fire response plan was agreed upon by the emergency responders on a method to combat the fire in the safest possible way to eliminate secondary incidents and also ensure the safety of all firefighters, and reopening of the affected cargo hold to enable fire teams to the fire location of fire and the ship's deck plan. While the fire brigades fought the blaze from the shore, several tugs with fire fighting equipment assisted in containing it. Fire fighters were able to seal the hold before they entered the hold and battked the flames.The fire was put out through a combined effort from the LASEMA Response Team-Onipanu, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Fire Unit. There were no reports of injuries or pollution. The extent of damage was unknown, and an initial investigation has not been able to determine the source of ignition of the fire. Port operations at the ENL Terminal remained safe and stable. The 'Chang Min' had sailed from Rizhao on May 5 and arrived in the port on June 17.

(Sept. 8, 2019) – As Carnival Cruise Line continues to work closely with its partners to deliver relief to the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands recovering from Hurricane Dorian, it also plans 41 calls to Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays for the remainder of September as those destinations eagerly await cruise guests. Bahamian officials have expressed great appreciation for the support Carnival and its employees and guests have provided but also stressed that the other parts of The Bahamas are open for business and stand ready to welcome guests.

Among a string of new eco-friendly initiatives, the Marseille Fos port authority is to spend €20 million over the next six years to extend shoreside electrical connections for berthed vessels to every ferry, cruiseship and repair quay within the Marseille eastern harbour, the company said in its release. Already available on the Corsica ferry quays, the network will be expanded in two phases to cover North Africa ferry quays and the shiprepair hub by 2022 and the cruise terminal between 2022 and 2025. The zero-emissions investment - backed by national and regional government – recognises the need to maintain the port’s value to the economy while improving the city’s waterside air quality.

The court in The Hague has fully acquitted the crew of the 'Coxswain', the couple Jeremie and Natacha Bourdon from Douai, France, of guilt for the collision with the tanker 'Somtrans' on May 26, 2018. on the Dordtsche Kil. The ship had sunk and was later declared a constructive total loss. The Bourdon couple was rescued. The court in Rotterdam had previously ruled that the 'Coxswain' was 20% partly to blame, which meant that they would not get paid all their damages and might even have to pay extra. The court had initially ruled that they had taken action too late to prevent the collision. However, the court of appeal has now come to a different conclusion. The skipper of the 'Somtrans' was fined 2500 Euros because he had initially seen the barge, but had not kept it sufficiently in sight.

On the afternoon of June 22, 205, the 'Emma', en route from Millingen with a cargo of 1767tons diesel, ran aground on the left river bank of the Rhine while entering the Mainz-Mombach Industrial Port and got stuck in pos. 50° 02' N 008° 13' E, presumably due to excessive unloading (approx. 30 cm above the guaranteed depth) and low entry speed.. The tanker was unable to free itself. No one was injured, and no diesel leaked out. 13 firefighters with three vehicles, a multi-purpose boat, and a fireboat, as well as the Mainz water police with a boat and three officers, attended. To free the ship, the crew in coordination with the water police, and the Mainz Fire Department initially attempted to shift the weight by pumping the fuel between the tank compartments. However, this attempt was unsuccessful. The fire department then attempted to tow the ship free, along with the Mainz/Wiesbaden fireboat, but this also failed. After further consultationsit was decided to terminate the fire department's operation. The water police remained on site. The entrance to the Mainz-Mombach industrial port was closed to large vessels due to the ship's position. Another tanker, which also originally intended to unload in Mainz, was diverted to Frankfurt by the charterer. The 'Emma' was finally refloated on June 23 at 6.40 p.m., after a part of the cargo of diesel had been lightered onto another barge, and entered the port basin short time later with own power. Reports with photo and video: https://www.mittelhessen.de/lokales/mainz/stadt-mainz/zu-viel-ladung-tanker-liegt-vor-mombach-auf-sandbank-fest-4734536 https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/117719/6060355

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which caused widespread devastation across the Bahamas, Norwegian oil giant Equinor is setting about cleaning up the spills from its South Riding Point oil terminal on Grand Bahama. The South Riding Point oil terminal has sustained damage from the hurricane and oil has been observed on the ground at the terminal site and in neighbouring areas. The size of the spill is not yet clear. Equinor has secured vessels and equipment for oil spill response in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, and from various ports across southeast Florida.

Last month, an investment of USD 31 million in asset replacement and capacity improvements over the past year at the Port of Salalah paid off. The Port recorded the highest productivity ever achieved in the region, APM Terminals said in its release. The Port of Salalah is Oman’s major regional gateway port and transshipment hub, located on the Arabian Sea. With an annual capacity of around 5 million TEU, the port set a new productivity record this month, delivering 412.97 Port Moves per Hour (PMPH) on vessel Cap San Tainaro. The Port handled 3,820 moves in a port stay of 9.25 hours.