Jim Wilson

Attacks by the Houthis on seafarers and commercial ships transiting the Red Sea was condemned by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization, which met at the IMO HQ recently. “IMO Member States are unequivocal in their condemnation of these reckless attacks. The maritime industry sustains the supply chains that are the lifeline...

Delegates to the 108th Maritime Security Committee meeting at the International Maritime Organization in London tackled the topics of autonomous ships and also maritime cyber risk management. Robot ships on the agenda The Committee advanced work on the development of the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) code to ensure that robot ships will operate “safely...

Solar Technology Australia has won an AUD$672,000 contract from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to help maintain aids to navigation. AMSA Executive Director of Response Mark Morrow commented that ““Solar Technology Australia is an experienced provider of aids to navigation products and services. We look forward to the company starting work on our network shortly.”...

Shipping has “lost” the Red Sea, one prominent shipping commentator has declared and his views may well be justified given that Suez Canal traffic is now apparently down by 4/5ths, according to analysis seen by Shipping Australia. With innocent seafarers killed, ongoing attacks on ships by drones and missiles – over 65 attacks since mid-November...

Shipping Australia took part in an online celebration earlier this week of the UN’s World Oceans Day, which is officially observed on 08 June each year. Oceans Day was first declared as 8 June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum, a parallel event at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development....

Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh, a member of the Shipping Australia Secretariat, attended the WISTA NSW Breakfast and Coffee Chat recently and discussed autonomous shipping and aspects of artificial intelligence. On June 6, 2024, representatives from various companies and organisations, including Swire Shipping, CSL, Port Authority of NSW, and Shipping Australia, gathered for the WISTA NSW Breakfast catch-up...

A step forward for international maritime safety occurred in London recently during the meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (No. 108). From January 2026, ship’s masters must report the loss of freight containers lost overboard to ships in the vicinity, to the nearest coastal state and to the flag state administration. If...

Mining conveyor belts and loading equipment have been set on fire, a seaport was shut because of riots, ship operations were suspended, the army was called in to secure the port, and the airport has been shut, in the Pacific islands of New Caledonia. Civil unrest ignited over proposed voting reforms; it is understood that...

Mitsui OSK Lines and group company MOL Drybulk have announced a plan to install wind propulsion systems  on seven new build dry bulkers / multi-purpose vessels, which will be operated by MOL Drybulk. Most of the vessels will be equipped with the “Wind Challenger” system. Mitsui OSK Lines equipped this system on the Shofu Maru...

MPC International and LinerGame have partnered to introduce an innovative simulation-based training solution to Oceania. The Liner Shipping Game is designed to enhance strategic thinking and provide a deeper understanding of the complex operations within shipping lines. Offered in workshop format,  workshops cover essential topics such as operational logistics, digitalisation, and decarbonisation and also offer...