Jim Wilson

Australia has completed an AUD$28.6 million to help the archipelagic nation of Tonga to upgrade the Queen Salote International Wharf at Nuku’alofa Port. Further funding was provided by the Asia Development Bank and the Kingdom of Tonga in a A$138.3 million project. The ports handles over 98% of Tonga’s imports and will be vital infrastructure...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, “K” Line, MOL, NYK Line and NSY have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a standard design framework to develop and carry out the initial design of  liquefied CO2 carriers and next generational alternative fuel ships using greener fuels. The company, MILES, will operate as a platform and will be...

Roll-on Roll-off specialist Wallenius Wilhelmsen has announced two significant contract extensions that, together, are valued at close to USD$500 million. “The renewed contracts are a testament to the strength of long and strong standing partnerships with shared commitment towards zero emissions and developing integrated supply chains,” says Pia Synnerman, Chief Customer Officer at Wallenius Wilhelmsen....

International container shipping giant, Maersk, has announced it will trial a 50-50 ethanol-methanol fuel blend so as to diversify its low-emission fuel base. The 50-50 trial will take place aboard the container ship Laura Maersk, a dual-fuel vessel. Back in October-November, Maersk tested a 10-90 ethanol-methanol blend in the same ship. “The goal is to...

Japanese shipping major, MOL, and Japan’s to marine fuels seller, Marubeni, have joined hands with China’s largest fuel supplier, Sinopec Zhejiang Zhoushan Petroleum. The three giants have signed an MoU to help establish a long-term supply system for marine biodiesel fuel. MOL will work to expand the use of biodiesel in China, while Sinopec and...

The American Bureau of Shipping, ENEOS Corp, NYK  Line, and SEACOR, have begun a joint study to develop a methanol bunkering and supply chain across the U.S. Gulf Coast, a joint statement from the group reads. “The four parties aim to establish the first commercial-scale ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operations in the U.S,” a statement reads. ENEOS...

Leonard Sampson, the Chief Executive of the Port of Tauranga, has complained that a lack of infrastructure development approval is proving detrimental to shipping in New Zealand and that nation’s economy. “We are currently turning away shipping services that want to call at Tauranga, which is negatively impacting the New Zealand economy,” Mr Sampson said...

Update on shipping and ports in New Zealand Shipping Australia thanks our counterparts, Shipping New Zealand, for providing leads on several of the items below.  Contact Shipping New Zealand for further details. NZ Maritime Legislation Review gets underway Wellington’s Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon James Meager MP (Member for Rangitata, National Party)  is considering...

Australia was re-elected to the International Maritime Organization Council on 28 November 2025. A seat has been secured by Canberra which nominated in Category B – one of the ten Member States of the IMO which has the largest interest in international seaborne trade. The other countries elected in this category are Brazil Canada France...

By the IMO Pacific Island countries have reaffirmed their commitment to saving lives at sea, following the 10th Pacific Regional Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop held in Suva (Fiji). This biennial event (11-15 November) gathered authorities from across the region to advance regional SAR capability. Hosted by the Government of Fiji, the workshop convened representatives...