Author: Maritime Current News

Maritime Trade & Economy

IMO Net Zero Framework Sparks Debate Over Trade Costs in Africa

African maritime and trade officials are weighing the economic costs and strategic opportunities of proposed global shipping decarbonisation reforms under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF), as concerns grow over potential impacts on freight rates, port competitiveness and trade flows across the continent. The debate took center stage on February 12, 2026, during the Regional African Port States Meeting on the IMO NZF held in Mombasa and convened by the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Sudan Ferry Sinks in Nile, 21 Confirmed Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue

At least 21 people have been killed after a passenger ferry capsized and sank in the Nile River in Sudan, triggering a desperate search and rescue operation for survivors. The tragic river accident occurred on Wednesday in the Tayba Al-Khawad area, north of Khartoum, when the vessel overturned while carrying 30 passengers between the villages of Tayba Al-Khawad and Deim Al-Qarai.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Hanwha Ocean and Canada Explore Industrial Cooperation under Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP)

Minister Skeete and a Quebec delegation visited Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding facilities in Geoje, South Korea, to explore cooperation opportunities related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), gaining firsthand insight into the KSS-III submarine proposed for Canada’s future fleet. The visit highlighted potential industrial collaboration between Canada and South Korea in the defense, naval shipbuilding, and submarine manufacturing sectors.

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Ports and Shipping

EBRD Completes Exit from Moldova’s Giurgiulesti International Free Port

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to complete the sale of Danube Logistics, the operator of Moldova’s Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP), to Romania’s state-owned Port of Constanta, marking a significant development in Black Sea and Danube regional trade. The transaction, expected to close imminently, follows the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) on 31 December 2025 for the sale of 100 per cent of EBRD’s shares in ICS Danube Logistics to Romania’s National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanta. Approval of the SPA was announced by the Port of Constanța on 12 February 2026, confirming that the Romanian port authority will become the sole owner of Danube Logistics.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

IMO Secretary-General Urges Global Enforcement of Maritime Safety and Environmental Rules under 2026-2027 World Maritime Day Theme

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a two-year global campaign for the 2026-2027 World Maritime Day theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” with a strong call for the worldwide implementation of maritime safety and environmental standards. Announcing the initiative, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized that the organization’s global regulatory framework must not only be adopted in principle but fully implemented to deliver concrete, real-world results across the shipping industry.

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Bilateral Trade & Strategic PartnershipsPakistan Maritime News

Pakistan, Bangladesh Explore Ferry Service and Direct Shipping Line to Strengthen Trade and Tourism

Pakistan and Bangladesh are exploring the launch of a ferry service and the establishment of a direct shipping line to enhance bilateral trade and tourism, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, in Islamabad. The two officials focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and boosting economic ties between the two countries.

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Pakistan Maritime News

Maritime Security Exercise Sea Guard-26 Culminates at Karachi

Maritime Security Exercise Sea Guard-26 culminated at Karachi with a debrief session. Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Chief of Staff, Pakistan Navy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
During the debrief, representatives of participating organizations were presented with an analytical review of the conduct of the exercise, encompassing various scenarios executed to validate information-sharing and response mechanisms among stakeholders against maritime sector contingencies.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

53 Migrants, Including Two Babies, Dead or Missing after Dinghy Capsizes off Libya

At least 53 migrants, including two infants, are dead or missing after a large rubber dinghy capsized off the coast of Libya, the UN migration agency said on Monday, marking another deadly incident in the central Mediterranean Sea.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the overcrowded vessel overturned in freezing waters north of the coastal town of Zuwara last Friday. The boat had departed from Zawiya at around 11:00 p.m. on Thursday and began taking on water approximately six hours later before capsizing.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

LNG Bunkering Suspended after Container Collapse at Port of Rotterdam

Operations at the Port of Rotterdam were temporarily disrupted on 6 February 2026 after a container stack collapsed aboard an ultra-large container vessel during cargo handling activities.
According to maritime industry reports, the incident occurred on the German-flagged Bangkok Express while it was undergoing discharge operations in the Nieuwe Maas area. A section of the vessel’s container stack gave way, causing multiple containers to fall.

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Naval Diplomacy & International RelationsPakistan Maritime News

Pakistan Navy Chief Undertakes Official Visit to Malaysia for Maritime Security Cooperation

Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf paid an official visit to Malaysia, underscoring Pakistan Navy’s commitment to strengthening cooperative maritime security and advancing naval diplomacy in the region. During the visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff held high-level engagements with the leadership of the Royal Malaysian Navy to deepen bilateral naval cooperation.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Thai Navy Rescues 16 Crew Members from Sinking Cargo Ship off Phuket

The Thai Navy successfully rescued all 16 crew members from a cargo vessel that was in danger of sinking off the coast of Phuket on February 7, according to Amarin TV. The operation was launched after authorities received an alert about the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Sealloyd Arc, which has a displacement of 4,339 tons, facing critical conditions near Koh Kaew Noi, about 10 nautical miles from shore.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Chile’s Ambassador Julio Cordano Elected Chair to Lead Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), tasked with developing an international legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, has elected Ambassador Julio Cordano of Chile as its new Chair. The announcement was made during the third part of the fifth session (INC-5.3) held at the Geneva International Convention Centre.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Chevron, Partners Return Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings to the Sea after Batangas Cleanup

Chevron Philippines Inc., together with government agencies, community groups and private partners, has released 146 olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings into open waters, marking another milestone in its long-running coastal conservation efforts at the Batangas terminal. The release comes five months after a large-scale shoreline cleanup helped restore the area as a safe nesting ground for the vulnerable marine species.

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