Jiangsu-based New Times Shipbuilding, a prominent privately owned shipyard in China, awaits governmental approval for its new drydock, anticipated to commence operations in Q1 2027. Gibson brokerage reports substantial interest from ship owners vying for berths for suezmax tankers, with bids reaching up to $80 million for these coveted slots. China reaffirmed its shipbuilding dominance, recording a significant surge in newbuilding orders from 52.9 million dwt to 78.8 million dwt in the past year, as per BRS data. This surge propelled China's orderbook from approximately 123 million dwt to around 161 million dwt, elevating its market share from 50.6% to 58.1%.    Following capacity reductions, various Chinese shipyards have initiated efforts to resume operations. Notably, Hengli Heavy Industries Group resumed activities at STX Dalian's former assets in January 2023. Wuhu Shipyard took over Samjin Shipbuilding Industry's facilities in August 2023, while Kouan Shipyard is undergoing restructuring. Additionally, new entrants like Jiangxi New Jiangzhou Shipbuilding Industry and Fujian Guanhai Shipbuilding, under Fujian's Jinshenglan Group, are operating. Quanzhou Shipyard, undergoing bankruptcy in 2019, has been revitalized with local government support.  

In a significant development since January, global liner Evergreen has ordered six 2,400 TEU ships from Huangpu Wenchong for an estimated $53 million each, according to MB Shipbrokers. Deliveries are set to commence in the second half of 2026. Additionally, COSCO is reportedly finalizing an order for dual fuel 11,000 TEU ships at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. Concerns about the surge in TEU capacity from Asian shipyards have led liner CEOs to curb ordering in recent months. Linerlytica data indicates that the containership fleet capacity currently stands at 29.37 million TEU, expected to surpass 30 million TEU by June due to record newbuild deliveries. Alphaliner's report reveals a record 50 new ships delivered last month, adding a substantial 333,000 TEU in capacity. This surpasses the entire fleet capacity of Pacific International Lines (PIL), the world’s 12th largest liner, highlighting the scale of recent developments in the shipping industry.  

On Wednesday, the 1st of May 2024, residents of the Togo Binongko District in the Wakatobi Regency of Southeast Sulawesi were startled to discover the MV DA HAO, a cargo ship, stranded along their coastline. The vessel, known for its routine voyages between East Nusa Tenggara, Timor Leste, and Papua, encountered a perilous situation when it caught fire while navigating the Banda Sea. Helplessly drifting with the ocean currents, it ultimately ran aground at the lighthouse cape on Binongko Island, Wakatobi, its stern engulfed in flames. Despite thorough searches, no crew members were found onboard. However, a passing ship en route from Singapore to Australia had already rescued the crew, which comprised eight Indonesian citizens and two Chinese nationals, ensuring their safety. Presently, the MV DA HAO remains stranded off the coast of Haka Village, prompting local authorities to undertake measures to address the situation and mitigate potential environmental risks.  

A Turkish product tanker, the K Onset, has been implicated in what authorities describe as the largest oil spill in Ceuta's history. The vessel, weighing 12,900 deadweight tons and built in 2006, leaked between 25,000 and 30,000 liters of fuel oil during a bunkering operation at the Levante dock on Tuesday evening. The spill, attributed to a crack in a fuel tank, prompted immediate emergency measures by the port authority, with anti-pollution booms deployed to contain the spread of oil. The vessel has since been detained at the port for necessary repairs, with the incident likely resulting in fines. Operated by Yildirim Group’s Chemfleet, the K Onset had arrived from Villagarcia, Spain. Despite no port state control detentions since 2011, the vessel has a history of deficiencies, including hull corrosion and engine faults, according to Equasis data. Insurance coverage for the vessel is provided through Steamship Mutual in the UK. Port operations have resumed normally following containment efforts, with ongoing monitoring of environmental impacts.  

A general cargo ship, identified as the SUN BRAVE, encountered a grounding incident while navigating in shallow waters near Nakato Island in the Kurushima Strait, Japan, on April 26, 2024.According to reports, the vessel was successfully refloated with the assistance of tugboats.Following the incident, it has been relocated to anchor at Imabari anchorage for further inspection and assessment of any damages incurred during the grounding. Authorities have acknowledged the possibility of General Average/Salvage and related Recovery issues arising from this maritime casualty. Efforts are underway to evaluate the situation and address any potential ramifications stemming from the incident.        

On April 28, 2024, the bulk carrier CLIPPER KYTHIRA, encountered a fire in its cargo hold no.5 while docked at Southampton docks, UK. Initial reports indicate that the vessel's crew made efforts to extinguish the fire with assistance from the local Coastguard rescue team. However, as of April 29, the fire persisted, and the firefighting operation is expected to be prolonged.  Authorities have suggested that General Average/Salvage and Recovery issues may emerge due to the incident. The spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service conveyed that the temperatures inside the cargo hold are decreasing, as observed from external scans. Despite this positive development, firefighting crews are still present at the scene, diligently working to cool down the exterior of the vessel to ensure the situation remains under control. The situation remains under close observation as efforts to contain the fire continue.  

A fire incident has been reported aboard a 107-meter-long dry cargo ship, AK DISCOVERY, in the Dardanelles Strait, according to the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety. The vessel, en route from Egypt to Bulgaria, experienced complications in its engine room, prompting the intervention of coastal safety teams and the temporary suspension of vessel traffic in both directions along the strategic waterway.   Yangın söndürme çalışmalarına başlanılmıştır. pic.twitter.com/Cs987RLaso — KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) April 25, 2024  Rescue efforts were swiftly mobilized, with tugboats KURTARMA-3, KURTARMA-13, and TÜRKELİ, along with a pilot and KIYEM-1 fast rescue boat, dispatched to the scene to assist the distressed vessel. Amidst the operation, one crew member, out of the total 14 on board, was safely evacuated due to injuries.Authorities continue to combat the fire, prioritizing the mitigation of the situation and the restoration of normalcy to maritime traffic in the Dardanelles Strait. The incident underscores the importance of swift and coordinated responses to ensure the safety and security of vessels navigating through vital waterways.  

Image credit: myshiptracking.com Last night, the Liberian-flagged kamsarmax bulk carrier, YM Pioneer, encountered grounding in the vicinity of Bahia Blanca port, Argentina. According to reports from Independent Ship Agents of Buenos Aires, the vessel, weighing 81,900 deadweight tons, currently obstructs the navigation channel, prompting the Coast Guard to impose traffic restrictions between buoy 11 and buoy 1. Initial efforts to dislodge the vessel during the morning's high tide proved unsuccessful. AIS data indicates that the tug Toconado is presently assisting in the operation. The upcoming high tide, anticipated in the afternoon local time, presents an opportunity for a renewed endeavor to free the 229-meter-long ship from its grounded position. Constructed in 2021, the vessel is owned by Japan's Yamamaru Kisen and operated by Anglo-Eastern. It was transporting a cargo of corn destined for Malaysia at the time of the incident.

A Greek-flagged product tanker, the Minerva Antonia, found itself grounded during departure from the İskenderun Global Terminal, sparking immediate action from maritime authorities to avert potential damage and environmental risks. The Turkish General Directorate of Maritime Affairs made an official statement concerning the incident involving the Minerva Antonia grounding.At 23:35 on April 23rd, 2024, the Minerva Antonia encountered grounding while maneuvering to leave the İskenderun Global Terminal. Fortunately, no reports of damage or sea pollution have surfaced thus far. Efforts are presently underway to formulate a strategy for the safe extraction of the vessel from its grounded position.  

A massive search effort is currently underway by Chinese officials for four missing crew members after a vessel collided with a bridge on the Xijian river and subsequently sank. Overnight rescue operations successfully retrieved seven of the 11 crew members aboard the vessel.The unidentified vessel, was transporting a significant cargo of 4,900 tonnes of rolled steel on the river route between Fuzhou and Heshan. The region has been grappling with severe rain conditions and flooding since the weekend, as reported by state media.  The vessel struck one of the pillars of the bridge at approximately 9:20 p.m. local time, resulting in flooding within its cargo hold. Despite efforts to ground the vessel, it succumbed to the river's depths around 11:40 p.m. The Xijian river is a major tributary of the Pearl River.An inspection of the bridge revealed abrasions along its pillar, prompting Chinese officials to impose traffic control measures on the river. Subsequently, the bridge is undergoing further safety evaluations. Preliminary assessments attribute the incident to improper vessel operation exacerbated by the adverse weather conditions and strong river currents. Investigations into the matter are ongoing as authorities endeavor to ascertain the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.  

The Suez Canal Authority has responded to a distress call from a small cargo ship, the Labatros, off the northern terminus of the canal. The vessel, registered in Tanzania and owned by a Lebanese company, lost stability this morning, April 23, prompting concerns of potential capsize. Managed by Egypt’s Assiut Agency, the Labatros, with a tonnage of 3,000 tons and a length of 308 feet (94 meters), was bound for the southern Egyptian port of Adabiya. مقتطفات لسفينة البضائع LABATROS بعد نجاح وحدات الإنقاذ البحري التابعة لهيئة قناة السويس في إنقاذها من الغرق الكامل .#suezcanal pic.twitter.com/Cu3zm5Wpes — هيئة قناة السويس Suez Canal Authority (@SuezAuthorityEG) April 23, 2024 Two Suez Canal tugs and another vessel were dispatched to aid the 12 crewmembers aboard. The ship was observed with an increasing list to starboard in the northern anchorage near Port Said, prior to joining the northern convoy for transit. Presently anchored near Port Said, the Labatros undergoes technical assessment by the Suez Canal Authority to determine the cause of the list and ensure crew safety, with ongoing monitoring for potential pollution.

Assembly work for China’s second large domestically-built cruise ship commenced on April 20 at the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding yard. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the ship's construction aims to streamline efficiency by 20% compared to its predecessor, the Adora Magic City. This project marks China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) continued advancement in cruise ship construction, following the success of the first domestically-built vessel, Adora Magic City, which entered service in January 2024. CSSC, in collaboration with Fincantieri, is enhancing the design and technology of the new cruise ship, expanding its length to 1,119 feet and accommodating 2,144 staterooms. The vessel will feature advanced environmental protection systems and desulfurization technology. The endeavor underscores China's ambition to compete with established European shipbuilders in the cruise industry. Adora Cruises, formerly a joint venture with Carnival Corporation, now operates independently, symbolizing China's growing presence in the global cruise market.  

In a recent maritime incident off the eastern coast of Sicily, a collision occurred involving two vessels, notably the Peter Doehle-managed containership EF Olivia and the Turkish-owned general cargo ship, Hayriye Ana.The EF Olivia, weighing 42,200 deadweight tons (dwt), was en route to the Italian port of Augusta. Constructed in 2006 and currently registered in Portugal, the vessel suffered a midships hull breach at or below the waterline. Conversely, the Hayriye Ana, an 8,300 dwt vessel registered in Liberia, was voyaging from Istanbul to A Coruna, Spain.   Collisione in mare a 14mn da #CapoPassero tra un cargo liberiano e una portacontainer portoghese. La #GuardiaCostiera ha inviato mezzi navali, un elicottero e un Atr42 per intervenire in caso di soccorso e monitoraggio ambientale. Le 2 unità navigano ora verso le coste siciliane. pic.twitter.com/23vfI18Xd7 — Guardia Costiera (@guardiacostiera) April 22, 2024 Following the collision, the Italian Coast Guard, or Guardia Costiera, swiftly dispatched a helicopter, airplane, and vessel to the area, commencing monitoring operations. Despite the incident, no pollution has been reported thus far. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, with the extent of damages and potential implications for maritime safety subject to ongoing assessment.  

Turkey’s Ciner Shipping has expanded its bulk carrier orderbook with four kamsarmaxes, adding to its fleet of 24 vessels. The Istanbul-based company has inked a deal for 82,000 dwt scrubber-equipped units at Hengli Shipbuilding in Dalian. Deliveries are slated to commence from March 2027, with sources estimating a price tag of approximately $38 million per vessel. This move follows Ciner's recent order of ultramax vessels at New Dayang Shipyard, each priced at close to $34 million. With these additions, Ciner now has a total of 26 bulker newbuilding projects underway in China. The expansion of their fleet underscores Ciner's commitment to strengthening its presence in the global shipping market, particularly in the bulk carrier segment.  

A high-speed ferry, the Isola di Procida, encountered an incident upon arrival in Naples, resulting in multiple injuries among passengers. Initial reports indicated 44 passengers injured, with 29 hospitalized. One passenger, initially critical, was later upgraded to stable condition.Caremar, the shipping company, activated emergency protocols, with Italian authorities still assessing hundreds of passengers onboard. Investigations and interviews are underway. Departing from Capri, the Isola di Procida, a 1,900-ton ferry built in 1990, typically accommodates 620 passengers and 45 cars for its one-hour trip to Naples. Passengers reported windy conditions and waves up to 6.5 feet, attributing the incident to strong gusts while maneuvering into the dock. Over 100 healthcare personnel responded to treat injured passengers, amidst reports of challenging docking conditions due to strong winds. The vessel sustained damage, prompting an investigation by the Port of Naples Authority and the Coast Guard, focusing on possible mechanical failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions during docking.