Thursday, May 22, 2025

Indian Navy Accused of Forcing 40 Immigrants Into the Sea

An Indian Navy base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Biswarup Ganguly / CC BY SA 3.0)

The government of India is stepping up deportations of certain ethnic groups, including members of the Rohingya people from Myanmar - and it appears that in an effort to assist the campaign, the Indian Navy may have forced 40 Rohingya immigrants to jump into the sea, according to the UN's human rights office.

The Rohingya are among the world's most persecuted peoples, and more than a million fled the Myanmar military's genocidal ethnic cleansing campaign in 2017. Most ended up in Bangladesh, but more than 22,000 have registered as UN-recognized refugees in India.

The Indian government takes a different view of their status: it has long treated the Rohingya as a threat to internal security, accusing them of terrorist ties. Legally, India does not have a "refugee" category for immigrants, and it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The government considers all Rohingya in India to be illegals, and it periodically conducts limited deportation campaigns.

India's latest push to remove the Rohingya appears to be more vigorous than previous attempts. Himanta Biswa Sarma, a member of the ruling BJP party, recently said that "pushing back" immigrants without using the legal system would be the "new phenomenon" going forward, and he called extralegal deportations an "innovation."

Rights groups allege that Indian security forces have adopted an elevated level of brutality in recent deportation efforts. The case that is most concerning to the UN started in New Delhi last week. According to local human rights organizations, police detained dozens of Rohingya refugees in the city for processing on May 6. About 40 members of this group were reportedly blindfolded and flown 1,500 miles southeast to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on the east side of the Bay of Bengal.

There, they were transferred to an Indian Navy vessel, which got under way for Myanmar's Tanintharyi region, about 300 nautical miles east on the other side of the Andaman Sea. On arrival at the destination, the Rohingya were given life jackets, forced to enter the water, and ordered to swim for shore on an island in Myanmar, survivors reported.

The deportees who were put into the water included teenagers, seniors and cancer patients, according to the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), India's largest rights group.

All of the Rohingya survived and made it to shore. Some of the survivors reported beatings and other mistreatment during their time in custody, consistent with other recent reports.

“The idea that Rohingya refugees have been cast into the sea from naval vessels is nothing short of outrageous. I am seeking further information and testimony regarding these developments and implore the Indian government to provide a full accounting of what happened,” said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

It is not the only incident of irregular deportation methods reported by India's neighbors. Last weekend, the Bangladeshi coast guard rescued 78 people who had been deported and abandoned in the Sundarbans, the wide and undeveloped river delta that separates the Bangladeshi and Indian coastlines. The rescuees asserted that they had been detained in Gujarat, flown to the border region by plane, then transported in a motor launch to Mandarbaria, a remote beach near the center of the delta's coast. They were abandoned there on May 9 and were discovered by local foresters on May 10. According to Bangladeshi police, one survivor had a broken arm and others had visible injuries. "They had gone without food for several days," forest conservator Moshiur Rahman told The Business Standard.

Italian Project Displays Small Fission Nuclear Reactor Concept for Ships

An Italian start-up, Newcleo, working with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and design firm Pininfarina, has unveiled its concepts for a new generation of small, fission power plants that could provide the future power for shipping and other applications. A full-scale representation of the fourth-generation nuclear reactor was placed on display at a prestigious Italian design fair with the companies saying the aim was to redefine the social image of nuclear power.

Newcleo, which was launched in September 2021, with more than €537 million (more than $600 million) of private funding, is working on concepts for small modular lead-cooled fast reactors. The company calls its concepts “the next step in the evolution of fission power plants.”

“We believe the lead-cooled Fast Reactors technology is the most promising. In fact, lead characteristics enable design simplification (which in turn has economic benefits) and a high degree of inherent safety,” says Newcleo.

The fourth-generation small modular reactor, the company says, represents a revolutionary approach to the decarbonization challenge by offering the answer to the perceived problems of traditional nuclear power. The lead cooling system introduces passive safety systems that avoid the risk of nuclear accidents through the physical laws governing reactor operation. In addition, the reactor would be able to eliminate nuclear waste generated by conventional nuclear power plants through a virtuous multi-cycle system that allows it to be burned, generating clean, cheap, and virtually inexhaustible energy.

Newcleo points out that much of the nuclear industry is focused on large-scale applications while it has a concept of an ultracompact and transportable 200 MWe module with improvements in energy density compared to other technologies. In the event of an accident, with Newcleo’s design, the liquid lead inside the reactor would solidify as it cools after coming in contact with the cold water, enclosing the reactor core in a solid casing and containing all radiation due to the shielding properties of lead.

Fincantieri, Italian classification society RINA, and Newcleo have been collaborating since 2023 to study applications for ship propulsion of Newcleo's technology. When they launched the project, they articulated a vision for placing a closed mini reactor on vessels as a small nuclear battery producing a 30MW electric output. The company said the concept would require infrequent refueling (only once every 10 to 15 years), very limited maintenance, and easy replacement at the end of life, with the whole unit simply being removed and replaced with a new one on the ship, and the spent unit taken away for decommissioning and reprocessing.

Concept for the compact reactor was displayed at an Italian design fair (Newcleo)

Pininfarina oversaw the creative vision of the project. It reports that it infused sustainable design into the technological solutions, and brought for the first time to the nuclear industry a creative vision that mixes technical and aesthetic elements to promote their understanding to a wide audience.

The collaboration presented its vision at the prestigious 19th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. They put on display a full-scale representation using a vase shape and standing 18 feet, with an outer shell made of fiberglass. A portion of the reactor is open so that visitors can get a sense of how the technology would work.

The unveiling they said is a unique opportunity to show the world an innovative, unprecedented, and futuristic vision of nuclear energy, far from the narratives of the past and capable of inspiring a near future where this inexhaustible source of clean energy. Newcleo also states that it is actively pursuing a targeted acquisition strategy, incorporating key companies with strong capabilities in nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and waste management as it moves toward its goal of commercializing fission reactors.

Indian Navy Accused of Forcing 40 Immigrants Into the Sea

The deportees who were put into the water included teenagers, seniors and cancer patients, according to the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), India's largest rights group.

All of the Rohingya survived and made it to shore. Some of the survivors reported beatings and other mistreatment during their time in custody, consistent with other recent reports.

USCG Rescues Two Mariners Missing for More Than 100 Hours

The U.S. Coast Guard is reporting a successful conclusion to an intensive search and rescue mission that had been underway for four days after a small boat was reported overdue. The 47-foot vessel named Lucky Harvest was finally located more than 100 miles west/southwest of Guam.

Authorities in the Northern Mariana Islands declared the vessel missing on Tuesday, May 13, after it failed to arrive in Saipan late on Monday. It was traveling from Alamagan Island to Saipan when it was declared overdue and the local authorities requested the assistance of the USCG.

The cutter USCG Myrtle Hazard, which was on a patrol in the area, was diverted to a location approximately 38 miles northwest of Rota, which they believed was the vessel’s last known position. Early reports said there might have been some intermittent communication, but when no sign of the vessel was found, the USCG intensified the search.

The Coast Guard reported by Wednesday that a U.S. Navy Knighthawk helicopter had also joined the search efforts along with a P-8 Poseidon aircraft. It was in addition to the USCG aircraft and vessel, a Saipan-based Department of Public Safety vessel, and the missing boat’s sister vessel. A marker buoy was deployed to track ocean currents, and efforts to contact the vessel by cellphone and radio continued but were unsuccessful.

Winds in the area were at 15 knots and the seas were generally reported to be running 5 to 7 feet.

Friday morning, May 16, the USCG reports the Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress signal from the Lucky Harvest’s emergency beacon and was able to pinpoint a location. It is unclear when the two individuals aboard the boat had activated the beacon, but USCG also reports the vessel was having electrical outages.

Approximately three hours after receiving the signal, the U.S. Navy’s helicopter crew was able to spot the disabled and drifting boat. Pictures show the two mariners had written SOS on the roof of their boat.

The helicopter hoisted one of the two mariners to safety and continued to monitor the boat until the Myrtle Hazard was able to reach it. The cutter was to take aboard the second individual and tow their boat to port.

The Coast Guard is reporting that both individuals are in good medical condition after being brought aboard and meeting with teams. They were gathering more information from interviews with the two individuals.

NYK Takes Delivery of First Methanol Dual-Fuel Bulker

The first vessel of the new segment of methanol-fueled bulkers was officially delivered in Japan on May 13. Owned by Kambara Kisen and operating under charter to NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, the vessel was given the fitting name of Green Future.

The vessel was built by Japan’s Tsuneishi and is based on the yard’s successful Aeroline Ultramax dry bulk carrier design. The yard highlights that it adapted the design to add the large methanol fuel tank while maintaining the cargo capacity of the class. Methanol has a lower power density, requiring larger fuel tanks, and as a dual-fuel vessel, it will also have traditional fuel tanks.

Tsuneishi adapted its successful Ultramax design for the new fuel capability

The vessel is approximately 65,700 dwt. It maintains the standard Ultramax dimensions with a length overall of 656 feet (199 meters) and a Panamax beam. By maintaining the industry standard, Tsuneishi highlights that the ship maintains maximum versatility for its operations.

By using methanol, the vessel will be able to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 80 percent, sulfur oxides (SOx) by up to 99 percent, and carbon dioxide (CO2) by up to 10 percent compared to using conventional heavy fuel oil. It is also prepared to use green methanol (either bio-methanol or e-methanol) when it becomes available on a commercial scale.

The new builker was built in Japan and floated out in November 2024

The vessel was launched on November 22, 2024, at the shipyard in Fukuyama. It is registered in Liberia.

It is the first adaptation of the technology to this segment of the shipping market as methanol capabilities so far are mostly limited to containerships and product tankers. DNV, however, calculates on its Alternative Fuels Insight Platform that a total of 53 methanol-dual fuel bulkers are currently on order out of a total of 369 methanol-fueled vessels on order due for delivery by 2030.

Leveraging One-Cloud: The Key To Smart And Secure Maritime Operations

In the modern shipping industry, operational resilience goes beyond seaworthy vessels and capable crews. It’s about the digital backbone powering every function of a fleet—from safety and compliance, to maintenance, procurement, crewing, and more.

Martin Bjornebye, VP of Research & Development at BASS Software

The industry continues its shift toward cloud-based solutions with one goal in mind: to be future-ready.

One of the biggest shifts can be seen in one-cloud ERP platforms—solutions that unify core ship management functions in a single, web-based environment. With secure browser access, real-time collaboration, and built-in intelligence, these modern systems are setting a new standard in efficiency, agility, and scalability.

One-cloud web solutions that advance ship management

The maritime industry is moving away from the high costs and rigidity of outdated, on-premise systems. These legacy systems are no match for the flexibility and reliability of full SaaS platforms. A unified ERP in the cloud means no more data silos, lower infrastructure costs, and global access.

A key player leading the transformation to one-cloud is BASSnet Web 3.0. BASSnet has long embraced the cloud. The new powerful BASSnet Web 3.0 builds on a strong SaaS foundation of many years to elevate ship management with a reimagined user experience and modernized capabilities.

We’ve seized the opportunity to reinvent core functionality—delivering richer features, greater user-friendliness, and a future-ready performance. Our native cloud solution comes with an intuitive browser interface and full service management. It also delivers advanced features such as audit trails for traceability, AI capabilities, and robust cybersecurity–core elements for future-ready maritime operations.

With a browser-based frontend and web-service backend, solutions such as BASSnet Web eliminate reliance on legacy hardware and software. This makes the platform lightweight, intuitive, and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Cybersecurity and compliance built-in

Cybersecurity is a critical driver. As maritime systems face rising digital threats, security is a top priority. Maritime cloud systems offer significant value if they use advanced protections, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access control, aligned with global frameworks such as NIST2.*

It’s also valuable for cloud ship management software to be supported by ISAE 3402 attestation for operational and control excellence (e.g. BASSnet Cloud is ISAE-attested).

*BASSnet is also currently pursuing ISO 27001 certification.

Malaysia Detains MSC Boxship for Illegally Anchoring Without Permission

Malaysia Maritime reports an enforcement action that saw an MSC containership detained and its captain and second engineer taken ashore for questioning after the vessel anchored reportedly without permission. The authorities reported that if convicted, they could impose a fine of up to approximately $23,000, two years in prison, or both penalties.

The incident began on the morning of May 16 when the Area Control Centre identified what the authorities were calling a “suspicious vessel.” They began monitoring the movement of the containership at approximately 0920 local time, and by around 1320, the vessel was noted to be stationary.

A maritime patrol boat was dispatched to investigate. It located the containership which had anchored about 22.5 nautical miles southwest of the town of Sekinchan, located north of Kuala Lumpur on the west coast of Malaysia in the Malacca Strait.

The Malaysian authorities published a photo of the vessel but obscured the name of the ship and did not release the details. It clearly shows MSC markings and corresponds with the MSC Olia (48,186 dwt), which is registered in Liberia. The vessel has a capacity of 3,760 TEU and, according to MSC’s online schedule, was coming from Jakarta, due in Singapore on May 17. The ship, built in 2007, has been owned by MSC since 2021, when it was acquired from Bernhard Schulte.

Malaysia Maritime reports that its team boarded the containership and inspected the crew’s paperwork. It said there were 23 crewmembers aboard from various countries, and they all had “complete identification documents.”

They, however, reported that the “captain of the ship had failed to submit any documents of anchoring permission.” The captain, a 44-year-old Russian national and the second engineer were taken to the headquarters of Selangor State Maritime for “further investigation.”

Malaysia and several neighboring countries are known for strict enforcement policies and have frequently detained vessels on similar charges. Security is a concern in the region, which is known as a hot spot for illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers involving Iranian shipments. The Malacca and Singapore Straits in 2025 have also seen a spike in robberies. In 2022, however, officials in Indonesia were compelled to deny allegations in the media that the navy had been soliciting payments from detained vessels. Reuters reported that the payments were being solicited from vessels stopped and charged will illegally anchoring.

No further details were released by Malaysia Maritime. The AIS signal for the vessel shows it is now docked in Port Klang.

Polish Military Responds to Shadow Fleet Tanker Acting Suspiciously

tanker at sea — A sanctioned tanker was ibserved performing suspicious maneuversi n the Baltic (iStock)

Tensions remain high in the Baltic with the latest incident involving a shadow fleet tanker transpiring late on Tuesday, May 20. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other government officials reported that the Polish military had been used as a deterrent after a shadow fleet tanker was observed “performing suspicious maneuvers.”

“After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed,” Poland’s Prime Minister wrote on social media. He said the vessel was a tanker in the Russian shadow fleet covered by the sanctions.

Poland’s Ministry of National Defense provided additional details, saying that the tanker had been tracked with reconnaissance and that they had observed a tanker in international waters in the Baltic performing suspicious maneuvers. The tanker was in the vicinity of an undersea power cable connecting Poland and Sweden.

A Polish aircraft was dispatched to the area. The patrol plane appeared to scare away the tanker.

Poland’s state electricity transmission system, PSE, later reported that a cable was functioning normally. The Prime Minister, however, said the ORP Heweliusz, a survey ship operated by the Polish Navy, was sailing to the scene. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the vessel would carry out a survey of the sea floor in the area. In the past, other nations had been able to find trails left by anchors dragged on the sea floor that were used to damage undersea infrastructure.

An official speaking to Reuters later identified the suspect tanker as the Sun sailing under the flag of Antigua. The Equasis database lists the vessel as a 159,000 dwt crude oil tanker owned by Turkish interests. Its AIS signal shows it was traveling from India and reporting a destination of Tallinn, Estonia.

Polish officials said they would be conducting a meeting on Thursday at the country’s Maritime Operations Center in Gdynia to review maritime security. The Prime Minister is expected to attend.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Wies?aw Kuku?a, noted that NATO had already agreed to deploy additional naval assets in the Baltic after last week’s incident. Estonia tried to stop a shadow fleet tanker for an inspection, and the vessel refused to change course. At the same time, a Russian fighter jet briefly traveled into Estonian airspace in what is believed to be a defense of the tanker. NATO planes were also overhead observing while Estonia decided to escort the vessel from its waters.

Baltic and Scandinavian nations increased their patrols of the region earlier this year after the incident in which Finnish undersea assets were damaged. There were several other incidents, all linked to shadow fleet tankers, which also resulted in NATO deploying additional resources to the region.

In the past week, both the European Union and the UK dramatically increased the number of sanctioned tankers in the Russian oil trade. Political leaders said the goal is to further restrict the Russian oil trade, while Russian officials have vowed to defend the tanker fleet

EU Snares Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. in Russian Sanctions Package

The European Union moved forward yesterday with what it called “the most wide-sweeping” sanctions package on Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine and targeted the oil and gas industry. While the EU said it was focusing on Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers and their operators, it also included a major international operator, Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

Deep within the list of 189 vessels added to the EU sanctions, Bloomberg highlighted are three LNG carriers owned by the Japanese company and operating under charters to service Russia’s Yamal LNG project. The West has been targeting Russia’s gas trade by sanctioning vessels as it expands the efforts to stop the flow of money, which it says is funding the war effort and supporting the Russian economy.

The three vessels, North Light, North Moon, and North Ocean, are state-of-the-art carriers completed in late 2024 under long-term joint agreements. The ships were outfitted with ice-strengthened hulls and are over 93,000 dwt. Bloomberg tracked shipments from Yamal to China and Asia aboard the vessels, which are registered in Singapore and managed by a division of MOL.

While emphasizing that the sanctions were designed to stop the vessels enabling the trade, the EU highlighted the shadow fleet operated by shadowy third parties. It is unclear if they were purposefully targeting one of the largest shipping companies in the world. Officials, however, said its response is growing tougher as “Putin feigns interest in peace.” The EU said Russia and its enablers would face severe consequences the longer the war persists.

“We intend to fully cooperate with the EU and Japanese governments in complying with the sanctions,” MOL responded in a statement to Bloomberg News. “We will consult with various parties and take appropriate measures.”

The shipping company said it would be reviewing the sanctions and assessing their impact on its LNG vessels. It is saying it is committed to complying with applicable laws, regulations, and rules.

The EU launched the sanctions targeting the gas sector as part of the 14th package introduced in June 2024. Russia responded with the use of vessels from the shadow fleet and ship-to-ship transfers. The EU is now moving to curtail Russian gas imports while promising to phase out the shipments bringing it to a close between 2027 and 2030.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Gujarat’s ro-pax service loses money

Ferry service linking rural Saurashtra with Surat struggles to meet operating cost

By Avinash Nair

Updated - May 04, 2025 at 07:17 PM.

HOW IT ROLLS: The ro-pax ferry service between Ghogha and Hazira has transported 4.5 lakh vehicles till date

It’s been seven long years since Gujarat proudly launched its ferry service across the Gulf of Khambhat — a dream project meant to link rural Saurashtra with the vibrant city of Surat and its famed textiles and diamonds. Backed by the Centre’s Sagarmala initiative and boasting sleek new ro-pax ships — capable of ferrying vehicles and passengers — from South Korea and Japan, you’d think it would be smooth sailing.

But the reality is quite different. The ambitious venture is losing money. The project’s first ship, ‘Island Jade’, was brought in with great hope by a Surat businessman in 2017 to launch the service between Ghogha, on the western flank of the Gulf of Khambhat, and Hazira on the eastern side.

“Despite achieving 55 per cent capacity utilisation in transporting passengers and an impressive 87 per cent in cargo capacity utilisation, we are unable to meet the cost of operating the ferry service. We now have a net loss of ₹325 crore,” says Chetan Contractor, the promoter and Chairman of the Surat-based Detox Group, which operates the ferry through a subsidiary, Indigo Seaways Pvt Ltd.

In November 2020, the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways operationalised ro-pax ferry service between Ghogha and Hazira after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged it off with great fanfare. It has since transported 12.59 lakh passengers and 4.5 lakh vehicles. Compared to road transport, the ferry service cuts travel between Ghogha in Bhavnagar district and Hazira in Surat district by 400 km.

Ro-pax vessel Voyage Express

“Till date, we have unsecured loans totalling ₹242 crore, and we have no clue how to repay it. Even after selling the two vessels, a huge amount will be outstanding,” says Contractor. He adds that the ₹90 crore cost incurred on terminal operations has not been reimbursed by government agencies, as per the tripartite agreement inked between Indigo Seaways, Deendayal Port Authority and the Gujarat Maritime Board.

“The cost of operating the ferry terminals is not our responsibility. Secondly, we had bought a second ferry from Japan as we were expecting to bag the proposed Pipavav-Hazira and Pipavav-Mumbai ferry services. However, both projects did not take off and we were forced to deploy the ferry on the Ghogha-Hazira route in November 2022, after it remained idling for 1.5 years at Pipavav port,” he says.

The ferry operator has now sought viability gap funding from the government. “The ro-pax ferries are competing with road and rail transport of the government, which operate on subsidies. We have written to the GoI for support, without which the project is not financially viable, making it impossible to continue operating the service,” Contractor says.

To attract more traffic to the ferry service, the company had fixed the average ticketing price at ₹400-600 per passenger, which is half of the actual ticket cost.

Backstory

The history of the ferry service across the Gulf of Khambhat is much older. The project had been on the drawing board since 1995. However, it was in June 2010 that the project received Coastal Regulation Zone clearance for construction activities and operation of ferry service. It was originally planned to be operated between Ghogha and Dahej, which lies north of Hazira, to provide a crucial link to Bharuch and Surat.

Work on the project began in 2012, when Modi, as Gujarat Chief Minister, performed the ‘bhoomi pujan’ at Ghogha. After more than ₹600 crore spent on the project, spearheaded by the Gujarat Maritime Board, it was commissioned in October 2017. Modi, as PM, sailed aboard the passenger-only ‘Island Jade’ on the occasion.

In October 2018, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated a new ro-pax vessel, ‘Voyage Symphony’, replacing Island Jade on the Ghogha-Dahej route. Until September 2019, the vessel had transported 2.8 lakh passengers, 45,000 cars, 12,500 trucks, and 26,000 two-wheelers. After three major breakdowns, the service was suspended due to heavy siltation at Dahej terminal, which is close to the mouth of Narmada river.

In January 2020, GMB informed the Centre that it was giving up the project as dredging costs had increased four times, leaving the project bleeding. The board wanted the Centre to take over the project. GMB had spent close to ₹250 crore on capital dredging and four maintenance dredging campaigns on the Ghogha-Dahej route. About a month later, Deendayal Port Trust (formerly Kandla Port Trust), on behalf of the Modi government, finally floated a tender to start a new Ghogha-Hazira ro-pax ferry route.

India elevates maritime security to MARSEC Level 2 amid growing threats

MARSEC Level 2 signifies a heightened risk of a security incident and requires the implementation of additional protective security measures for a period of time

Amidst escalating tensions with Pakistan and repeated attacks by the neighbouring country, India has issued an advisory elevating the security level at all its ports, terminals, and ships from MARSEC Level 1 to MARSEC Level 2.

MARSEC Level 2 signifies a heightened risk of a security incident and requires the implementation of additional protective security measures for a period of time.

This means that ships, ports, and offshore facilities, along with their associated maritime industry participants, must take specific actions to enhance security. These measures are designed to address the elevated threat level and ensure the safety and security of the maritime environment.

Seventh cruise vessel of the season calls at New Mangalore Port

Passengers enjoyed local cultural experiences, including Bharatanatyam performances and guided excursions to Karkala, Moodabidri, and prominent Mangaluru landmarks like Gokarnanatha Temple and St Aloysius Chapel.

Seventh cruise vessel of the season calls at New Mangalore Port

Passengers enjoyed local cultural experiences, including Bharatanatyam performances and guided excursions to Karkala, Moodabidri, and prominent Mangaluru landmarks like Gokarnanatha Temple and St Aloysius Chapel.

International shipping, air traffic likely to normalise in a week

While India and Pakistan came to a mutual understanding to cease fire across land, water and sea, logistics experts and industry insiders expect logistics networks and supply chains to return to normal by around May 20.

International transport channels, including air travel and shipping, which were significantly affected by the military standoff between India and Pakistan, are likely to return to normal by the end of the week. While India and Pakistan came to a mutual understanding to cease fire across land, water and sea, logistics experts and industry insiders expect logistics networks and supply chains to return to normal by around May 20.

Indian airlines will have to rearrange their flight schedules for both passenger and cargo operations following the ceasefire and will also have to address the backlog of passenger cancellations, which is likely to limit the speedy and efficient air traffic recovery. Similarly, export-import (EXIM) players and ports in India are facing shipment delays, a surge in insurance and shipping rates and the threat of the overhanging US tariffs, which will limit a quick recovery of shipping supply chains from India.

Logistics networks, e-commerce supply chains and international cargo networks have faced significant disruptions in the past 15 days due to the military escalation after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22. While delivery service providers are struggling to meet deadlines due to cargo flights being grounded or diverted, India’s MSME exporters are once again faced with challenges to protect their operating margins after having already spent the better part of FY25 grappling with the after-effects of wars, US tariffs and the crisis at the Red Sea. Air passenger and cargo traffic Following India’s military strikes on May 7, international and domestic air traffic over India and Pakistan faced disruption, with around 2,500 domestic flights being cancelled in India between May 8 and 12, as around 32 airports were shut down in India, and a few hundred international flights were also scrapped.

Many international airlines said they were re-routing or cancelling flights over or near the region. Dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted to avoid Pakistan’s airspace, flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 showed. An e-commerce industry executive said that Indian supply chain systems are built in such a way that most warehouses and fulfilment centres will have the inventory to cater to immediate needs, which is over a week or 10 days.

The Indian government resumed operations at 32 airports on May 12, including those in the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. These airports had been temporarily shut following the military conflict. Pakistan withdrew the closure of its airspace to civil aircraft operations, as per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on May 11. The ban on Indian airlines and aircraft from Pakistani airspace, which was imposed from the evening of April 24, remains in place as the status of that NOTAM showed as “Valid” on the PCAA’s database. India’s ban on Pakistani airlines and aircraft in its airspace also stays.

Around 20 percent of all flight routes used by Indian carriers cross Pakistan for foreign destinations in West Asia and around 30 percent of all flights to North America and Europe pass through that country. An estimated 800 international flights of Indian airlines flew over Pakistani airspace every week in March 2025 and rerouting has become a complex and costly affair for them as international flights from Delhi, Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Jaipur to cities in the Middle East are now flying an additional 15 to 45 minutes and another 1.5 hours to flights going to Europe.

The diversions are likely to be phased out after further discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan which start on May 12. Shipping traffic Heightened tensions between India and Pakistan had significantly disrupted regional trade, as major global shipping lines suspended services to Karachi Port and rerouted cargo to alternative points. A vital trade corridor through Mundra Port, commonly used for European-bound shipments, was effectively shut down from May 8 to May 12. While Kandla and Mundra ports in Gujarat resumed operations on May 9 after being shut overnight amid rising tensions with Pakistan, the Kandla port is expected to see lower traffic due to some congestion challenges arising from the port closures.

DPA is in constant dialogue with shipping lines and is ensuring them of safe and efficient passage when docking at Kandla Port. Kandla, which handles both liquid and bulk cargo, and is one of the 12 major ports in India, also observed a blackout on May 8.

Surcharge on cargo services to Karachi Many international shipping lines, including Chinese logistics companies, COSCO and OOCL, and French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM, suspended their operations in the region. MSC is also using Colombo in Sri Lanka as a new transhipment centre to supply cargo to both India and Pakistan, while Maersk was actively reviewing its routes. COSCO, one of the world’s largest shipping firms, issued a statement announcing the halt of all cargo services to Karachi due to escalating conflict. The notice also warned that ships currently en route may be redirected to alternative ports such as Port Klang in Malaysia. Similarly, CMA CGM has already introduced a surcharge, which will apply to all cargo involved in trade with Pakistan. The surcharge amounts to $800 per unit for routes from Pakistan to Europe, the Mediterranean, the US, and Africa, as well as from Asia to Pakistan.

A lower surcharge of $300 per unit will apply to shipments from Europe, the Mediterranean, the US, Canada, and Africa to Pakistan and vice versa. The surcharge will be effective from May 15, 2025, for all shipments, with shipments originating from the US, Latin America, and Australia, subject to the charge from June 6, 2025. In an official notice, CMA CGM confirmed on May 9 that the surcharge was being introduced due to operational disruptions caused by the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region. The Indian Air Force raids on nine terror hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir blocked important transport routes between the north and south of the country. Following this, various shipments arrived late at the Karachi port and were not loaded onto the booked ships. Instead, they were rebooked onto other ships. As these ships have not called at the port of Karachi since the trade restrictions were imposed, many containers are still in the harbour. The current lack of ship capacity is leading to rebookings, delays and rollovers in both countries.

India exports 4.24 lakh tonnes of sugar by April

Looking at the current export scenario, the AISTA expects exports of 8,00,000 tonnes of sugar out of 10,00,000 permitted by the central government.

kh tonnes of sugar by April

Looking at the current export scenario, the AISTA expects exports of 8,00,000 tonnes of sugar out of 10,00,000 permitted by the central government.

7:26 am

India exported 4.24 lakh tonnes of sugar till April of the ongoing 2024-25 marketing year with maximum shipments of 92,758 tonnes to Somalia, trade body AISTA said. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September. Sugar exports for the 2024-25 marketing year in India were allowed on January 20, 2025. The total quantity permitted for export is 10 lakh tonnes. According to the All-India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA), mills have exported a total of 4,24,089 tonnes of sugar till April 30 of the current marketing year. Out of which, white sugar exports were at 3.27 lakh tonne, refined sugar 77,603 tonne and raw sugar at 18,514 tonne till April of this year.

About 25,000 tonnes of sugar are under loading, it said. Of the total exports undertaken so far, maximum shipments have been to Somalia at 92,758 tonnes, followed by Afghanistan at 66,927 tonnes, Sri Lanka at 60,357 tonnes, and Djibouti at 47,100 tonnes. Looking at the current export scenario, the AISTA expects exports of 8,00,000 tonnes of sugar out of 10,00,000 permitted by the central government. AISTA demanded an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar, in line with the rise in the fair and remunerative price of sugarcane for the 2025-26 season. It also urged the government to raise the procurement price of ethanol by 10 per cent.

May 13, 2025

MoPSW Secretary visits VPA, reviews port operations

Secretary, MoPSW visited various areas and inaugurated South side Park of AOB, Vizagpatam Board Room and Manthan Hall.

T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, (MoPSW) Government of India, has visited Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) on 11^th May 2025. Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairperson, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), extended a warm welcome to the secretary.

Secretary, MoPSW visited various areas and inaugurated South side Park of AOB, Vizagpatam Board Room and Manthan Hall. Later Secretary, MoPSW reviewed the Port operations and held meeting with regard to proposal of setting up of Dugarajapatnam Port by AP State Government, Utilization of Salt land and Port led industries at Mulapeta Port and also inaugurated Dash Board of E-Measurement Book and Coffee Table Book of VPA on May 11, 2025. He distributed Course Completion and Placement Certificates to the Tribal Youth trained at CEMS which was sponsored by VPA.

Later in the evening Secretary, MoPSW reviewed and held an Interaction meeting with the Stakeholders/PPP Operators. The Trade represented specific issues such as land lease for storage and recommendations. Secretary, MoPSW, instructed the Stakeholders to consider relevant initiatives under the MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047 programs for benefit of Stakeholders.

Secretary, MoPSW visited Dredging Corporation of India on May 12, 2025 and a comprehensive review of DCIL’s overall performance. Secretary, MoPSW emphasized the need for the Corporation to focus on strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the current market environment.

Dr. Madhaiyan Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, DCIL, briefed the Secretary on the Corporation’s ongoing strategic initiatives and its pivotal role in supporting maritime trade by ensuring navigability at major Indian ports. Durgesh Kumar Dubey, IRTS, Managing Director & CEO, provided an overview of the organization’s ongoing projects and financial performance.

Secretary, MoPSW visited Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., on May 12, 2025 and suggested CMD, HSL and Chairperson, VPA to operate electrical crafts in all Ports in line with PM’s visit to make India fossil free and also suggested the possibilities of introducing Hydrogen Tugs which are cheaper than any other mode of transport.

Secretary, MoPSW visited Centre for Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding and reviewed the training programmes and on the job training programmes imparted by CEMS to the unemployed youth and lauded the efforts of VPA funding them in line with Skill India programme.

Durgesh Kumar Dubey, IRTS, Deputy Chairperson, P.S.L. Swami, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer, along with Heads of Departments and senior officers of VPA, were present during the visit to VPA, and Divakar, CGM and other HoDs of DCI were present during visit to DCI.

Fully automated alumina handling terminal will be constructed by Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal

By being the first completely automated alumina handling facility in India, the proposed new facility will do away with the necessity for manual cargo handling.

In order to develop India’s first fully automated, sustainable alumina handling facility at the EQ-07 berth of Visakhapatnam Port, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal, a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics, has signed a strategic agreement with Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. By being the first completely automated alumina handling facility in India, the proposed new facility will do away with the necessity for manual cargo handling.

This will also enable a shift from truck-based transport to railway rakes for moving alumina from Hindalco’s alumina refinery in Odisha to the port, enhancing both sustainability and operational efficiency. With a handling capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum of alumina, the upcoming facility reflects Hindalco’s forward-looking approach to building a smart, sustainable, and scalable logistics infrastructure. The facility is designed for seamless, dust-free operations with full mechanisation across unloading, storage, and ship-loading.

This upgrade significantly improves turnaround time, enhances worker safety, and brings predictability to cargo handling operations. Importantly, the project will lead to an annual reduction of approximately 7,350 MTCO₂e in greenhouse gas emissions making it a benchmark for green logistics in the metals sector.

The collaboration between Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal reinforces a shared vision of building next-generation infrastructure that is aligned with India’s expanding trade ambitions and long-term sustainability commitments. Once completed, the upcoming facility will reinforce Visakhapatnam Port’s standing as a leading cargo hub on India’s eastern coast while strengthening Hindalco’s export capabilities.

Cochin Shipyard and Drydocks World fortify partnership to provide ship repair

The MoU was signed in the presence of DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair.

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Drydocks World, a DP World company, are deepening their partnership to develop ship repair and offshore fabrication hubs across India. This collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai last month during the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. The MoU was signed in the presence of DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair.

To move the partnership forward, a high-level team from Drydocks World, led by CEO Captain Rado Antolovic, visited CSL’s facilities in Kochi on May 1 and 2. The team toured CSL’s Main Yard, the newly commissioned 310 metre Dry Dock, the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), and the Marine Engineering Training Institute in Kochi. The two companies have started planning joint work at the ISRF in Kochi as the first project. They also discussed ways to expand the partnership to other parts of the country.

Shipping containers entering a new marketplace with the power of Agentic AI

The AI-enabled container can self-manage, negotiate and secure optimal bids, delivering maximum efficiency and value to shipping companies.

Net Feasa announced the launch of Agentic Control Tower™, an end-to-end visualization and booking platform that wraps traditional shipping container workflows in Agentic AI. Agentic Control Tower™ transforms the container into an AI Agent that can initiate auctions among prospective customers seeking cargo slots on vessels via a new revenue-generating marketplace. The AI-enabled container can self-manage, negotiate and secure optimal bids, delivering maximum efficiency and value to shipping companies. The platform, knowing the container’s current location, schedule and destination, will select the best option available for its next job while still in transit, in a paradigm shift for supply chain efficiency.

The now connected container, enabled by the Net Feasa IoTPASS™ edge device, uses new and existing data points from across the supply chain and applies Reflective Agentic AI to the workflows of intermodal logistics, unlocking the power of AI. The result is an innovative platform with dynamic booking capability, route optimization and precision delivery, all of which improves over time as the system steps back, learns and adapts.

Net Feasa’s Founder & Chairman, Mike Fitzgerald, commented on the announcement, “Through the introduction of superior visibility and optimization within the intermodal supply chain, we have reduced the cost of monitoring Refrigerated Containers, optimized the number of Dry Containers needed and introduced security as standard. The introduction of Agentic AI, however, is a step change in workflow efficiency. In one example we have reduced the carbon footprint in drayage by 50% and the cost to the shipper by 25%. At scale, this translates to less trucks on the road, less traffic congestion and further reductions in the number of containers required.”

Net Feasa’s Agentic Control Tower™ is built on decades of expertise pioneering vessel connectivity and IoT-enabled asset visibility. Reflective Agentic AI can analyze its own actions, critically evaluate what it is doing and refine its approach. This self-reflection of container moves, iterative improvements and ability to process huge silos of data ensures that the performance of supply chain operations is continuously improving over time. Agentic Control Tower™ brings with it a disruptive new business model for the intermodal industry, with an opportunity for shipping companies to access additional revenue streams and market share.

The announcement coincides with the SelectUSA Investment Summit taking place May 11^th – 14^th in Maryland, facilitating business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organizations (EDOs), and industry experts. The US is a key strategic market for Net Feasa. The company is committed to expanding with its partners globally and now has a presence in three continents to support close, collaborative relationships. Ian Walter, CEO will attend the event.

Chennai customs clearing and forwarding agent , Bill of lading , invoice, charges, freight,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Indian Navy Accused of Forcing 40 Immigrants Into the Sea

Italian Project Displays Small Fission Nuclear Reactor Concept for Ships

Indian Navy Accused of Forcing 40 Immigrants Into the Sea

USCG Rescues Two Mariners Missing for More Than 100 Hours

NYK Takes Delivery of First Methanol Dual-Fuel Bulker

Leveraging One-Cloud: The Key To Smart And Secure Maritime Operations

Malaysia Detains MSC Boxship for Illegally Anchoring Without Permission

Polish Military Responds to Shadow Fleet Tanker Acting Suspiciously

EU Snares Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. in Russian Sanctions Package

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Gujarat’s ro-pax service loses money

Ferry service linking rural Saurashtra with Surat struggles to meet operating cost

By Avinash Nair

Updated - May 04, 2025 at 07:17 PM.

Backstory

India elevates maritime security to MARSEC Level 2 amid growing threats

MARSEC Level 2 signifies a heightened risk of a security incident and requires the implementation of additional protective security measures for a period of time

Seventh cruise vessel of the season calls at New Mangalore Port

Passengers enjoyed local cultural experiences, including Bharatanatyam performances and guided excursions to Karkala, Moodabidri, and prominent Mangaluru landmarks like Gokarnanatha Temple and St Aloysius Chapel.

Seventh cruise vessel of the season calls at New Mangalore Port

Passengers enjoyed local cultural experiences, including Bharatanatyam performances and guided excursions to Karkala, Moodabidri, and prominent Mangaluru landmarks like Gokarnanatha Temple and St Aloysius Chapel.

International shipping, air traffic likely to normalise in a week

India exports 4.24 lakh tonnes of sugar by April

kh tonnes of sugar by April

MoPSW Secretary visits VPA, reviews port operations

Fully automated alumina handling terminal will be constructed by Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal

By being the first completely automated alumina handling facility in India, the proposed new facility will do away with the necessity for manual cargo handling.

Cochin Shipyard and Drydocks World fortify partnership to provide ship repair

The MoU was signed in the presence of DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair.

Shipping containers entering a new marketplace with the power of Agentic AI

The AI-enabled container can self-manage, negotiate and secure optimal bids, delivering maximum efficiency and value to shipping companies.

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