The Port of San Diego was awarded a Green Fleet Leadership Award, for its dedication to exploring options for alternative fuels and reducing petroleum use and emissions in the San Diego region. The Port was placed in the Green Fleet Ally category.

The Environmental Protection Administration in Taiwan, instructed Taiwanese port authorities to reduce pollution as much as possible, after a severe air pollution was noticed in the country. Furthermore, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan announced an action plan to cut air pollution and foster renewable energy. 

The largest automated terminal, Shanghai Yangshan Port, started operations, under the fourth phase of the Yangshan deep-water port. The fourth phase will take up an area of 2,23 million square metres.

At the beginning of 2018, new challenges are noted for VLCC owners. Rates are sluggish, with insufficient volumes and an oversupply of tonnage being the main reason. Specifically, the Suezmax market has seen limited action, with Wafr being particularly quiet.

In 2017, shipping confidence continued its high rating. Oil prices reached their highest point in three years, while in the Baltic Dry Index a 50% rise was noticed in the second half of 2017, Richard Greiner said.

During its biannual meeting in London, last December, the International Association of Classification Societies focused on Quality issues. An agreement was reached to revise IACS internal benchmarking criteria for existing members, as well as an initiative to investigate the practical implementation of QSCS.

The Matola terminal has a storage capacity of 58,600 cbm, and can be further developed. It also has access to a jetty with a draft of 11.5 meters. Furthermore, it incorporates rail- and truck-loading facilities to serve southern Mozambique and neighboring countries.

At the beginning of 2018, Chinese COSCO Shipping initiated new projects, in order to improve the Greek port of Piraeus, Greece's largest port. These projects aim to enhance the relations between Greece and China and set the port as Asia's gateway  to Europe.

Namely the company signed an agreement with Petrorio for a one-year extension for the lease and operation of the FPSO Polvo. The period in question has been extended to the third quarter of 2019, from the third quarter of 2018, with the contract including options until the third quarter of 2022.

The expedition cruise ship is designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, aiming to enhance safety. The vessel will incorporate the X-BOW, a bow that can sustain inclement weather. Moreover, expanded fuel and water tanks will facilitate extended operations in remote areas.