Jim Wilson

A ship was abandoned and then sunk after it was subjected to multiple rocket-propelled-grenade attacks near the Bab Al Mandeb, the 20.7km wide waterway between Africa and Arabia. The name “Bab Al Mandeb” is commonly translated into English as “the Gate of Tears,” or “the Gate of Grief”. The attack began on on Sunday 06...

IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez has expressed “dismay” over the recent “deplorable” attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. “After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” Secretary General Dominguez said. “Innocent seafarers and local populations are the...

“The work wasn’t done in the first time,” Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, told guests at the Bulk Liquids Industry Association Gala Dinner, recently. She was critiquing the developments (or, rather, the lack thereof) in Australia’s productivity. “The fact that the first substantial act of the second...

A final concept design has been unveiled for the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct, which will produce over 600,000 tonnes of green ammonia, and also hydrogen. The precinct will be built on a 220-hectare parcel of land on Kooragang Island, that was formerly the site of a steelworks. The site is on the side...

Proposed new rules that would see car carriers calling in United States port hit with steep fees should be withdrawn, the World Shipping Council has told the U.S. Trade Representative. Referring to the part of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Notice that imposes fees on vehicle carriers, the WSC has declared in a further submission to...

IMO’s Safety Committee (MSC110) met in mid- June and progressed work on the non-mandatory Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code. Key outcomes included finalisation of 18 Chapters of the Code. Other critical aspects, such the human elements, will be addressed through an intersessional working group. The non-mandatory MASS Code is expected to be finalised and...

By the International Maritime Organization. Dr. Rosalie Balkin has been named as the winner of the International Maritime Prize for 2024.  The decision was announced today by the International Maritime Organization Council during its 134th session (7-11 July 2025).  She will receive the award at an official ceremony in November 2025. Nominated by the Government...

Australia’s competition watchdog has declared that it will not oppose DP World’s proposed acquisition of Silk Logistics because the purchase is unlikely to engage in discrimination and won’t substantially lessen competition. “Although DP World Australia may be able to engage in subtle forms of discrimination without adversely affecting its primary function as a container terminal,...

A preliminary feasibility study to set up a green shipping corridor between Australia and South Korea was announced in a Korean-language statement earlier this week by the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. A spokesperson from Australia’s Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts confirmed the development in response...

Shipping Australia Queensland held its Annual Golf Day on 25 June 2025. After two postponements it was great to finally get on the course which held up reasonably well from the previous saturated conditions. The postponements caused a few cancellations as changing dates did not always suit previously booked parties. Still, we were very pleased...