The Drewry World Container Index (WCI), a widely used independent global benchmark for index-linked ocean freight contracts, declined 1% to $1,919 per 40ft container on Thursday, 19 February 2026. This marks the sixth consecutive weekly drop, driven by falling spot rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.
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Colombia, Senegal and South Africa have been selected as 2026 partner countries of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) GreenVoyage2050 Programme, a technical cooperation initiative supporting the implementation of the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy. Under the programme, GreenVoyage2050 will assist the three countries in developing National Action Plans, which will serve as strategic roadmaps outlining national measures to reduce GHG emissions from shipping. The support provided through the GreenVoyage2050 Programme and IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) will be tailored to each country’s priorities, including expert technical guidance, stakeholder engagement, and administrative coordination.
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Barbados is taking significant steps to reduce shipping emissions by exploring green shipping corridors. The first phase involves a pre-feasibility study commissioned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to identify opportunities for sustainable maritime transport. An initial online meeting on February 12 brought together the Government of Barbados and key national stakeholders, including the Maritime Transport Administration, the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, and Barbados Port Inc., to discuss the framework of the Barbados Green Shipping Corridors: Pre-Feasibility, Policy and Regulatory Pathways study.
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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has advanced its efforts to eliminate plastic pollution from ships by 2030, as its Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response agreed on an updated draft 2026 Strategy and Action Plan on Marine Litter during its 13th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 February 2026. The draft strategy, finalized at PPR 13, will be submitted for adoption to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84), scheduled to meet from 27 April to 1 May 2026.
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Two crew members have died following an engine room fire aboard the Singapore-registered bulk carrier MANDY off the coast of China, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
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Maritime cooperation emerged as a key focus during high-level talks between the United States and Sri Lanka, as the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, met with Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence on 19 February. The discussions highlighted the changing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, with both nations recognizing the importance of strengthening collaboration to address emerging maritime challenges. Both parties stressed the need to enhance maritime domain awareness, improve information sharing, and coordinate effectively to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
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The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Qatar Ports Management Co. have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing maritime and logistics cooperation to drive regional and international trade growth.
The agreement was signed by Mawani President Suliman Al-Mazroua and Qatar Ports Management Co. CEO Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji, in the presence of Qatari Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah. The move underscores both sides’ shared commitment to advancing the ports and logistics sector, improving operational efficiency, and supporting stronger trade flows across the Gulf region.
In a world where trade routes are growing worldwide and supply chains are becoming more and more intricate, cargo security between the port and the ultimate destination is a key concern. Cargo security is not the only threat posed of missecured loads; drivers, logistics employees, and other road users are also at risk, and according to research, improperly secured cargo is a cause of a considerable portion of transportation accidents. Good load-securing standards have thus formed part of modern-day logistics, particularly for experts dealing in maritime routes, intermodal transport networks, and the global supply chain.
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Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest private port operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Port of Marseille Fos to strengthen India–European Union trade connectivity and enhance cooperation across the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
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UAE-based port operator AD Ports Group has joined a 30-year concession to design, build, and operate a new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Douala in Cameroon. The agreement strengthens the company’s footprint in Africa and signals a major capacity expansion at the country’s largest maritime gateway.
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Maritime decarbonization legislation continues to intensify, placing growing demands on shipowners and operators to deliver transparent, traceable data demonstrating reduced carbon footprints and regulatory compliance. In response, Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) has upgraded its Maress software to version 2.0, enhancing fuel efficiency, emissions monitoring, and operational insights for offshore vessels.
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Hungary and Slovakia have requested Croatia’s assistance to secure Russian oil supplies after flows via Ukraine were halted, prompting Hungary’s MOL company to release strategic crude reserves. The disruption, which started on January 27, has been attributed to a Russian attack on a Ukrainian pipeline, with Kyiv and Budapest exchanging accusations over responsibility. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha shared images on X showing Druzhba pipeline infrastructure on fire, while Hungary countered that Ukraine had cut power to the section of the pipeline. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Ukraine of delaying the pipeline’s restart to pressure Hungary regarding its stance on Ukraine’s EU membership.
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China’s imports of Russian crude oil are set to reach a new record high in February 2026, marking rising Chinese demand even as India scales back its purchases of Russian oil, according to traders and ship-tracking data. China’s Russian oil imports are estimated at around 2.07 to 2.083 million barrels per day in February, up sharply from January’s estimated 1.7 million bpd, driven largely by independent Chinese refiners snapping up heavily discounted cargoes amid shifting global trade patterns.
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Gharo – Pakistan’s aquaculture sector marked a significant milestone as the Giant Freshwater Prawn Farmers’ Day & Technical Roadshow, themed “Unlocking Pakistan’s Aquaculture Export Potential through High-Value Species,” was successfully held at Pak Gharo Agri & Livestock Farms (PGA&LF) in Gharo in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the leadership of Director General Mr. Athar Khokhar. The event spotlighted new strategies to enhance fisheries exports, promote high-value aquaculture, and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
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An international seminar organized by the IMO Future Fuels and Technology Project explored the latest developments in biofuels for the maritime sector, addressing both opportunities and challenges in using plant-based, waste oil, or agricultural residue fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. The seminar, held at IMO headquarters in London on 12 February, aimed to provide information and insights to policymakers and industry stakeholders on alternative fuels and emerging technologies, without engaging in formal policy negotiations.
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