Latest news with #maritimeTrade
Japan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Two cargo ships sink after deadly Houthi attacks in Red Sea
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have left three crew members dead and sunk two cargo vessels in a fresh wave of assaults by the Tehran-backed group along the crucial maritime trade route. Liberian-flagged MV Eternity C sank Wednesday after sustaining "significant damage' and had lost all propulsion, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a liaison between the U.K. Navy and commercial shipping. The Houthis claimed responsibility. U.S. officials said some surviving crew has been kidnapped. "After killing their shipmates, sinking their ship, and hampering rescue efforts, the Houthi terrorists have kidnapped many surviving crew members of the Eternity C,' the U.S. Embassy in Yemen said in a statement, calling for the sailors' immediate and unconditional release. The Houthi group earlier said it rescued a number of the ship's crew members, provided them with medical care and transported them to a safe location. The vessel was a bulk carrier carrying grains to Somalia for the World Food Program, and was targeted Monday after completing the trip. The attack represents one of the deadliest carried out by the militant group since it began targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea in 2023 over Israel's war on Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C sinks after it was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea on Tuesday. | ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTER / via AFP-JIJI The assaults are also the first Houthi attacks on vessels in the maritime region since late last year, and come just weeks after Israel's military confrontation with Iran and as the Jewish state's war on Hamas is still raging. The violence could add to the anxieties of crews being asked to sail through the Red Sea, an unavoidable area when using Egypt's Suez Canal to cut between Asia and Europe. If the attacks worsen, the violence could boost oil prices, freight rates and insurance costs as it snarls supply chains. On Sunday, the Houthis used missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire to target another Liberian-flagged vessel, called Magic Seas, the UKMTO said. In a televised statement, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the assault on that vessel, an Ultramax owned by Greece's Stem Shipping. Twenty-two individuals on board were rescued, the United Arab Emirates said. That vessel has also sunk, U.S. officials said Wednesday. The U.S. "will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping,' U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Wednesday in a statement. The attacks resulted in the "tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured and the complete loss of the MV Magic Seas and its cargo,' she said. The Joint Maritime Information Center, which comes under the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, said the owners of the Eternity C had other ships that called in Israel, at least one of which was there in early June. The JMIC also said that Magic Seas had visited Israel before, along with recent visits by ships of the same beneficial owner. The owners of Eternity C and Magic Seas could not immediately be reached for comment on their fleets' prior port calls. Explosions pummel the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas, which was attacked in the Red Sea by Houthi-affiliated fighters. | ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTER / AFP-JIJI The attacks also draw into question a ceasefire with the group announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in May following an intense U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Houthis had threatened to return to targeting vessels in the Red Sea following the U.S.' decision to join an offensive by Israel on Iran's nuclear sites. The attack on the Eternity C happened about about 51 nautical miles (94 kilometers) west of Yemen's Hodeida, not far from where the Magic Seas was also struck. The Houthis said the Magic Seas was targeted because it had called on Israeli ports in the past. Stem Shipping said it had stopped sailing through the Red Sea route after the Houthis attacked the Sounion, a Greek-operated oil tanker, in August last year. The company only restarted after the U.S. announced the truce. The Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on Hodeida, Ras Issa and Al-Salif ports on the Red Sea and a power plant in Hodeida on Sunday, according to a post on its X account, following the attack on the Magic Seas.
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Hamad Port launches new shipping service with arrival of MSC Charleston
Doha: Mwani Qatar announced that Hamad Port, Qatar's Main Gateway to World Trade, welcomed today MSC CHARLESTON, marking the inaugural voyage of the new direct CHINOOK-CLANGA service by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). This milestone highlights the accelerating growth of maritime trade through the port and strengthens Qatar's position as a leading regional logistics hub, in alignment with the Ministry of Transport's strategic plan. In a statement, Mwani Qatar explained that the new service represents a key strategic development, offering direct weekly sailings to major ports in East Asia and the West Coast of North America. This improves the flexibility and efficiency of supply chains while supporting Qatar's expanding role in regional and global logistics. The CHINOOK-CLANGA service links Hamad Port with key international ports including Colombo, Vung Tau, Haiphong, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan, Seattle, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver, providing customers with more diverse and efficient shipping options and strengthening Qatar's direct connections to some of the world's most vital trade centers. Mwani Qatar welcomed the launch of the new service, noting that this development is part of the ongoing expansion of Hamad Port's maritime connectivity network, which offers direct and indirect shipping services to over 100 ports worldwide. The company emphasized that the launch of the CHINOOK-CLANGA service, in partnership with MSC, is an important step forward in Hamad Port's journey to establish its presence on the global maritime map. It added that this new route not only broadens the port's international connectivity but also opens new prospects for Qatar's foreign trade, with positive impacts on the national economy and key sectors. Mwani Qatar also reaffirmed its commitment to continually developing the port's shipping network and enhancing the port's readiness to accommodate the world's largest vessels through ongoing investments in infrastructure and advanced technologies, all in line with Qatar National Vision 2030's goal of building a diversified, knowledge-based, and innovation-driven economy. As one of the region's most advanced and largest ports, Hamad Port continues strengthening its position as a major logistics and maritime trade hub. With its modern facilities, efficient operations, and high handling capacity, the port is crucial in maintaining resilient and sustainable supply chains. The launch of the CHINOOK-CLANGA service is expected to further boost economic ties between Qatar and its global trade partners and underscores the country's strategic approach to adapting to global shipping trends and emerging logistical challenges. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: ACT sees 19% jump in traffic in H1 2025
AMMAN — Container traffic through the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) recorded a "notable" surge in the first half of 2025, signalling a rebound in maritime trade and port operations, the Jordan Logistics Association (JLA) said on Sunday. Inbound containers rose by 18.8 per cent, reaching 235,492 containers between January and June, up from 193,214 in the same period last year, according to official figures cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Outbound containers also increased by 8 per cent, totalling 52,214 containers, compared with 48,303 during the first half of 2024. The positive trend continued into June with 40,629 incoming containers processed, up 6.6 per cent from 38,475 in June 2024. Outgoing containers for the month reached 9,050 containers, marking a 1.5 per cent increase over the 8,909 recorded in the same month last year. JLA President Nabeel Khatib attributed the growth to several factors, including increased transit shipments to Syria and improved shipping conditions in the Red Sea, which have helped revive maritime traffic. He also pointed to rising imports of both new and used vehicles and expanded investment in Aqaba's transport and logistics infrastructure. Khatib described the growth in activity at ACT as an 'encouraging sign' for Jordan's economy, particularly for the transport sector, which plays a 'vital' role in supporting national economic growth. Founded in 2007, the JLA represents professionals across the freight industry, working to create a competitive business environment, support freight brokers, and enhance the logistics sector. It is a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Shinas Port records growth in trade activity in H1 2025
Shinas – Shinas Port in North Batinah governorate has reported notable growth in imports and exports during the first half of 2025, underscoring its expanding role in supporting the national economy and facilitating regional and international trade. According to statistics released by the port, total cargo volume handled reached 360,556 tonnes, comprising 353,735 tonnes of imports and 6,821 tonnes of exports. Maamari affirmed that Shinas Port continues to strengthen its role in supporting various economic sectors by streamlining the flow of goods and services and positioning itself as a vital hub for maritime trade. He added that the port recently signed a series of agreements with Omani institutions aimed at empowering national companies and enhancing their participation in the maritime transport and logistics sectors. The agreements also support the provision of advanced services to vessels, reinforcing the port's status as a key driver of economic growth and maritime supply chains. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
20-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan PM orders expansion of national shipping fleet to cut $4 billion trade cost
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to lease new ships to expand the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation's (PNSC) fleet, aiming to reduce the $4 billion annual foreign exchange burden on sea-based trade. The directive comes as Pakistan looks to bolster its maritime trade capacity and reduce reliance on foreign shipping lines, which officials say significantly contributes to the country's widening trade deficit and puts pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan's sea trade plays a vital role in its economy, with over 90 percent of the country's imports and exports transported by sea. 'The prime minister directed that ships be acquired on lease to expand the fleet of the PNSC,' the PM Office said in a statement following a meeting on PNSC affairs chaired by Sharif. 'He noted that due to the limited number of ships in the PNSC fleet, the national exchequer incurs a loss of $4 billion annually in foreign exchange on sea-based trade.' Sharif instructed authorities to present a strategy within two weeks for the PNSC to eliminate this burden on the national treasury on account of freight charges. The development comes as Pakistan plans to enhance its maritime trade with other countries, including the East African Community, and establish direct sea links with Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In February, Pakistan and Bangladesh also decided to begin passenger and cargo shipping services between the two countries. The PNSC inducted two $60 million Aframax oil tankers in 2019 to strengthen its oil transportation fleet. Pakistan also regularly collaborates with its counterparts from various parts of the world to ensure illicit activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and piracy are kept in check.
