Jim Wilson

A collision between two tankers that led to an oil spill and a raging shipboard fire in the Gulf of Oman (to the south of Iran), was an accident, according to an official statement both from the United Arab Emirates, and also from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (part of the UK Royal Navy). Initial...

Shipping Australia does not have any information credibly pointing toward the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and we note comments by independent, commercial, maritime security consultancies that there is a low probability of Iran closing the Strait. Speculative commentary has appeared in the general media, which appears to have been driven by financial analysts,...

Geopolitical instability is the biggest headache for the third year running and it is raising the risk of a world recession, maritime leaders believe. Regulations are a “pressing concern” and are said to have the greatest impact on operations for the fourth year running, the ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2024-2025 states. Risks of global recession strengthen;...

Fremantle Ports has announced  maintenance dredging plans to remove 10,000 m3 of sediment for roughly five days from 23 June. The dredger Modi R ((IMO: 8876091; Denmark-flag; LOA 63.4 metres), is a trailing suction hopper dredger, and the hydrographic survey vessel Rind R (MMSI: 503686400), will be in operation for 24 hours during the project...

Complaints by seafarers to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention have fallen by 19%, AMSA has said. Most complaints, about 34%, were filed in Western Australia and the second-most, 43% were filed in Queensland. Of the 173 complaints received in 2024, 109 complaints were submitted directly by seafarers. Small...

Ship-to-ship ammonia transfer can be safe and practicable, provided that recommended safeguards and operational controls are implemented, the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation has said. The Centre has based its comments upon lessons learned from a pilot project carried out in September last year. Landmark trial A pilot project on the ship-to-ship transfer of liquid...

By the International Maritime Organization IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the global shipping industry’s need for significant investment in technology and alternative fuels to achieve a net-zero transformation and drive sector-wide change at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco on 08 June. The global shipping industry is preparing for a net-zero transformation that will...

A swathe of countries from around the world have ratified the High Seas Treaty, which is (or will be) a new international treaty aimed at preserving biodiversity in the high seas beyond the jurisdiction limits of countries. About 18 Countries ratified the High Seas Treaty at the UN Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, in...

Shipping Australia Limited announces that Sustainable Numbers Pty Ltd has resigned as the company’s auditor, effective 2 May 2025. The Board of Directors has appointed Trigons Business Advisory Pty Ltd (Registered Auditor Number 535683) as the new auditor.

International Maritime Organization assessments are paving the way for setting up Single Maritime Windows across the world, with the IMO reporting its consultants have carried out missions in Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau. The IMO reports that it carried out stakeholder meetings, and will provide reports that will provide the basis for further development, including...