Jim Wilson

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...

Port of Auckland announced earlier this week that it anticipated a close on the sale of its Nexus Logistics subsidiary to Australian logistics giant Qube Holdings. Nexus Logistics provides integrated container logistics services across New Zealand, including container transport and handling via rail and road, container storage, wharf cartage, and port operations. “This sale occurs...

On November 25, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) signed an agreement with BHP Group Ltd (BHP) to renew a memorandum of understanding (MOU) initially concluded in June 2022. The renewal reinforces both companies’ commitment to support decarbonization and improving the safety of vessel operations through strengthened collaboration. The renewed MOU introduces the following updated...

The IMO Assembly is holding its 34th session at IMO headquarters in London fro 24 November to 3 December. The Assembly is the highest Governing Body of the Organization, consisting of all Member States, responsible for approving the work programme and deciding on the budget. The Assembly also elects the Council. In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General...