Jim Wilson

Hutchison Ports Sydney earlier this week welcomed the arrival of two giant new quay cranes to the Port Botany container terminal.  Built to service container ships of the future with a capacity of over 15,000 TEU, these two behemoths can load and unload vessels with a beam of 23 shipping containers wide and can stack...

U.S. naval forces have attacked and disabled three ships within the last week that were allegedly attempting to run the U.S. blockade on Iran. Marivex On or about 08 June, U.S. Central Command (“Centcom”) disabled the Palau-flagged Marivex (IMO 9464156) as it transited international waters in the Gulf of Oman toward Iran.  An F/A-18 Super...

When the IMO adopted the non-mandatory MASS Code in May 2026, it marked a historic moment. Shipping Australia’s CEO, Capt. Melwyn Noronha commented: “let’s be honest, adopting the Code is the easy part in the entire process. The real test is whether it works when ships, systems, and people meet real-world conditions”. That challenge begins...

As the multi-sided Middle East conflict that began in late February rumbles on into its fourth month, both the Iranian and American blockades are in still in effect, there is a small amount of traffic flow moving through Omani and Iranian coastal waters. The US Navy has begun an air-based monitoring programme for ships interested...

By the IMO The 2010 HNS Convention establishes the first international compensation regime for accidents involving hazardous and noxious substances carried by sea. The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (2010 HNS Convention) is set to enter into force on 29...

Another great day for the Annual SAL Queensland Golf Day with beautiful weather was held on June 3rd. The event attracted 70 players, who enjoyed the camaraderie and laughter with many fine shots and… it has to be said… some less than fine shots! Winners of the SAL Cup this year were Blue Water Shipping...

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development. The MOU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC. The MOU...

SEA.AI has been awarded a public tender by Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, to supply AI-powered maritime machine vision systems to support marine research, conservation, and maritime safety. The company’s technology has been designed and developed to fill in what it says are gaps between human lookouts, radar and AIS....

Australia’s Coastal Research Infrastructure (CoastRi) initiative has attracted $58 million from the Australian federal government. The objective of CoastRi is to gather data from diverse sources to enable Australia to better understand, predict, and address opportunities and risk facing Australia’s coasts. CoastRi reports that coastal changes are ongoing and intensifying with widespread impacts such as...

Shipping has always changed slowly, until it doesn’t. At certain points, a new development becomes too significant to remain outside the regulatory system. There are moments in maritime history when the industry shifts in ways that affect not only ships, but the wider system around them. The transition from sail to steam, the move from...