Tag: Mediterranean Sea

The World Sustainability Foundation (WSF) has presented the results of a major study on the issue of ship-whale collisions. 

After the International Maritime Organization (IMO) declared the Mediterranean an Emission Control Area for sulphur, effective from May 2025, a group of NGOs is now pushing to also establish an Emission Control Area for nitrogen oxides (NECA).

According to Gibson, the shipping industry is preparing for significant changes in tanker trade, as the entire Mediterranean Sea is set to become an emissions control area (ECA) starting May 1, 2025.

Peninsula has announced the LNG refueling of the car carrier, Thor Highway, using its LNG bunker vessel, Levante LNG. This operation was conducted for their customer, 'K' LINE, in Gibraltar.

A new analysis of ship traffic data presented by OceanCare and Quiet-Oceans shows that more than 80% of the distances travelled by merchant ships in the north-western part of the Mediterranean Sea in 2023 were at speeds of more than 10 knots.

Yemen's Houthi movement has recently escalated its attacks on vessels in the Red and Mediterranean seas, targeting three ships with ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats.

On 1st July, Yemen's Houthi group announced they had conducted military operations targeting four ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

As per every ECA, ship operators need to reduce the sulfur content of marine fuels, from the current global ceiling of 0.5% m/m to 0.1% m/m while in the Mediterranean Sea by 1 May 2025 at the latest.

According to Reuters, Maersk is facing considerable terminal congestion at ports in Asia and the Mediterranean, leading to significant delays in its vessel schedules. As explained, due to congestion, the world’s second-largest container shipping company will cancel two westbound sailings from China and South Korea scheduled for early July. Maersk’s announcement comes amidst global supply chain disruptions and increased costs caused by strikes on commercial vessels near the Suez Canal by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Due to significant terminal congestions in Mediterranean and Asia ports, we are experiencing substantial delays in our vessel schedules. This congestion has resulted in extended waiting times at various ports, impacting our ability to maintain regular schedules. ..Maersk said. As a result, the following blank voyages will be introduced in the upcoming weeks. The company said that they understand that this situation may cause inconvenience and disruption to your supply chain plans, and they sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Data from the company also shows congestion at ports in China, Dubai, Spain, and the U.S. High winds and unexpected weather conditions have disrupted cargo shipments at Chinese ports, Reuters highlights.

Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for launching assaults on three vessels in the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Arabian Sea, as stated by the Iran-aligned group on 24th May, Reuters highlights.