Jim Wilson

Australia’s Commonwealth Government has released the Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), which outlines practical actions government and industry can take to continue decarbonisation of the maritime sector. The maritime sector already employs nearly 29,000 people and contributes $3.8 billion to the Australia economy annually, the Commonwealth states. Shipping Australia observes that such figures...

The global average for ship waiting times has nearly doubled between the first seven months of 2019 and the first seven months of the year, while ship reliability is declining according to international shipping experts, Drewry. And the cause? Ports. Drewry points out it it’s not just short-term weather issues as a larger and larger...

Capt Melwyn Noronha, CEO of Shipping Australia was pleased to meet with the Port Authority of NSW today (Thursday 27 August 2026) to help plan a Harbour Master-focused session at the Port Authority’s Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum (2026) which takes place next week! The event is a forum to provide port stakeholders with...

A tanker was hijacked approximately 136 nautical miles (approx 205km) east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, within the last 24 hours. The tanker broadcast a distress call on VHF 16 that they had been approached by an unauthorised vessel while travelling west in the Gulf of Aden. The UK Maritime Trade Operations unit has reported that the...

A seafarer has died following an attack on the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, Minoan Dignity, during an attack on the ship, according to international dry cargo shipping association INTERCARGO, which represents more than 500 companies. “Behind every vessel caught up in conflict are seafarers – civilians carrying out their professional duties, far from their homes and...

Political instability, cybersecurity, unilateral / regional regulation, administrative burdens, and rising barriers to trade, and  are among the biggest maritime risks according to a global survey of maritime leaders. The findings, reported by the International Chamber of Shipping in its Maritime Barometer Report 2025-2026, indicate that there is a more fragmented and less predictable operating...

By Susan Oommen* This is the first article in a series of three. Australia keeps arguing about how much freight should move to sea. The more useful question is which freight could. For as long as coastal shipping has been debated in this country, the argument has been conducted in aggregates. What share of the...

Simone Peacock has been appointed as the new CEO of the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia, starting 1 September. “Following a period of strategic reset, IFCBAA now has the foundations in place for its next chapter. After an extensive recruitment process, the Board has given its firm and unanimous support to Simone’s...

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, issued the following statement, following an incident involving a cargo ship (TIHAMAH) which was hit by a projectile off the coast of Al Mokha, Yemen. Several seafarer fatalities have been confirmed. “It is with sadness and regret to know that, once again, innocent seafarers...

Planning and preparatory work for key freight rail upgrades and a new grade separation in Perth’s south is underway to support the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana. A consortium of engineering firms, Arup Australia Projects Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd, has been appointed to form an integrated project team with Main Roads...