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US Firm Says Mexican Authorities Illegally Seized Its Port Terminal

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U.S. construction materials firm Vulcan Materials Co said on Monday that Mexican security forces illegally took possession last week of its port terminal in southern Mexico, as an extended legal battle over its nearby limestone mining activities plays out.The incident took place last Tuesday night at

Seafarer Abandonment Is on the Rise

© Deborah Benbrook / Adobe Stock

In troubling news for the maritime sector, new data from RightShip shows reported rates of seafarer abandonment is on the rise with no signs of slowing down.U.K.-based RightShip, which provides an online safety and environmental risk management system for the global maritime industry, said 9,925 seafarers

Gas Tankers Stranded near Russia due to Crimea Bridge Restrictions

Kerch Strait ©MarineTraffic (filtered to only show tankers)

Several tankers loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been unable to cross under Russia's Crimea bridge due to security restrictions, traders said on Friday, prompting suppliers to use other routes out of Russia.The 12-mile (19 km) road and rail bridge, which was personally opened by President Vladimir Putin in 2018,

Denmark Investigates Yacht Linked to Nord Stream Blasts

A harbor in Christiansö  (© konradkerker / Adobe Stock)

Danish police have searched for a yacht on a tiny Baltic Sea island near the Nord Stream pipeline blast sites, the local administrator said on Thursday.German authorities confirmed on Wednesday they had raided a ship in January that may have been used to transport explosives used to blow up the pipelines.

Drug Bust Nets $677 Million of Cocaine from Vessel Off Australia

(Photo: Western Australia Police Force)

A joint U.S. and Australian law enforcement operation busted an international drug ring after intercepting 2.4 tonnes of cocaine aboard a vessel off the coast of South America that had been bound for Australia.The cocaine, linked to a Mexican drug cartel, had a street value of around A$1 billion ($677 million),

New US Sanctions Target Iranian Shipping

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The United States imposed new sanctions on Thursday on Iranian or Iran-linked shipping and petrochecmical companies, including two shipping firms based in China, the Treasury Department's website showed.The sanctions also target 20 shipping vessels linked to firms in China, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates, the website showed.

Ukraine Traders Seek Transparent Rules for Cargo Queue Under Grain Export Deal

© Elena / Adobe Stock

Ukrainian grain traders union UGA asked the government on Wednesday to provide transparent rules on how cargo ships should queue before loading at Ukrainian Black Sea ports under a grain export deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey."It is extremely important that work in Ukraine is open and transparent," UGA said in a statement.

Italy: Police Arrest Three Alleged Traffickers after Fatal Migrant Boat Wreck

Wooden boat that smashed apart on rocks off southern Italy on Sunday - Credit: Italian Coast Guard - Screenshot

Italy has arrested three people who they believe trafficked up to 200 migrants aboard a wooden boat that smashed apart on rocks off southern Italy on Sunday, killing at least 64 people, police said on Tuesday. Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Lippolis said a Turkish man and two Pakistani nationals had sailed

Australia Bans MSC Containership Over Safety Deficiencies

© Rutger Hofma / MarineTraffic.com

A Liberian-flagged containership operated by MSC Shipmanagement Ltd (MSC) has been banned from Australian ports for 90 days over a long list of safety failures and deficiencies, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.AMSA said it issued a refusal of access direction notice to the MSC Kymea

Ukraine to Set up $500 Million Insurance Fund for Cargo Ships

© Valentin Kundeus / Adobe Stock

Ukraine will offer compensation for possible damages to civilian vessels entering its ports, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Friday, as Kyiv tries to boost exports that are vital for its war-hit economy.Ukraine is a major producer and exporter of agricultural products, metals and chemical

Singapore Companies Should Manage Own Risks in Russian Oil Trade, Minister Says

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Companies in Singapore will have to consider and manage any potential impact on their business activities, transactions, and customer relationships when dealing with Russian crude oil and refined products, a government official said on Friday.Russia's oil trade faces multiple restrictions imposed by

UK Fines Svitzer $2.4 Million Over Crewman Fatality

© Rob Foy / MarineTraffic.com

A.P. Moller - Maersk's towage arm Svitzer has been fined £2 million ($2.4 million) in the U.K. after pleaded guilty to safely failures that led to a crewmember fatality.Svitzer Marine Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to operate a vessel safely and failing to provide a safe system of work, causing

Supreme Court Sides With Offshore Worker in Overtime Case

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An oil rig supervisor who earned more than $200,000 a year working for Houston-based Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc is entitled to overtime pay, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday in a decision with costly implications for the oil and gas industry.The court in a 6-3 decision authored by liberal

Squire Patton Boggs Partners with The Baltic Exchange

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Law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) has partnered with freight market information organization The Baltic Exchange to provide a vessel sale and purchase (S&P) transaction closing service for the global shipping industry. The service will be led by SPB’s 30-strong Commodities & Shipping Group co-chaired by Chris Swart and Barry Stimpson,

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