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Friday, January 23, 2026

Port News

21 Jan 2026

Tech Talk: Self-Propelled Mobile Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge

© MHI-TC

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Transportation and Construction Engineering, Ltd. (MHI-TC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has built and completed delivery to Yokohama City of the Mitsubishi Marine Bridge (MMB), a self-propelled mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge (SPBB). Manufactured at MHI's Mihara Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture, the MMB was put into service at Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal on January 13. Capable of connecting to the large cruise ships that dock at Osanbashi…

14 Jan 2026

Commercial Ships Anchor Outside Iranian Ports as US Tensions Rise

© Adobe Stock/Grispb

Dozens of commercial ships have dropped anchor at a distance outside Iran's port limits in recent days, according to data and shipping sources, as tensions with the United States grow.Such movements were precautionary given the tensions amid ongoing protests in Iran, the shipping sources said. Port limits are significant because they run a higher risk of collateral damage in the event of air strikes on nearby infrastructure.The U.S. is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S.

13 Jan 2026

PhilaPort Closes 2025 With Record Container Volume, Leading U.S. East Coast Growth

© PhilaPort

PhilaPort capped off a milestone year in 2025, posting record container throughput and outperforming national and regional trade trends to remain a leader among U.S. East Coast container ports.PhilaPort handled a record 889,268 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, representing a 6% year-over-year increase in container volume. This result exceeded overall U.S. trade growth projections of approximately 3%, underscoring Philadelphia’s continued strength in the container market.

12 Jan 2026

Somalia Ends Port Deals, Security Cooperation with UAE

© Adobe Stock/Peter Hermes Furian

Somalia's government said on Monday it is annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defence and security cooperation, accusing the UAE of undermining its national sovereignty."This decision is based on credible reports and compelling evidence concerning hostile actions undermining national sovereignty, territorial unity, and the political independence of the country," Somalia's Council of Ministers said.The decision "applies to all agreements and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ...

07 Jan 2026

Port of Virginia Nears Completion of Dredging Project, Inaugurates New ULCV Berth

© Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is nearing the completion of its $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program with a critical piece of the strategic capital investment program being delivered in early 2026.In February, the port is scheduled to take delivery of the deepest shipping channels on the US East Coast, as the deepening and widening effort of Virginia’s channels comes to its close. The $450 million project will result in channels that are 55 feet deep and wide enough to safely handle two-way traffic of the biggest ships in the Atlantic trade…

10 Dec 2025

Greek Farmers Protest Disrupt Port Operations

© Wirestock - stock.adobe.com

Dozens of Greek farmers disrupted operations at the regional port of Volos on Wednesday as part of a nationwide demonstration to protest delays in farm aid payments and high production costs.Farmers have deployed thousands of tractors and trucks in dozens of blockades for days, disrupting traffic at several junctures along major motorways and intermittently blocking border crossings as they face a shortfall of more than 600 million euros ($698.58 million) in European Union aid and other payments.The delays were prompted by investigations into a corruption scandal in which some farmers…

08 Dec 2025

Morocco to Open Two Deepwater Ports in 2026, 2028

© Adobe Stock/Pawinee

Morocco will open a new deepwater Mediterranean port next year and another on the Atlantic in 2028, Equipment and Water minister Nizar Baraka said, as the North African country aims to replicate the success of Africa's largest port, Tanger Med.Nador West Med, under construction on the Mediterranean, is scheduled to be operational in the second half of 2026, Baraka told Reuters in an interview.It will offer 800 hectares for industrial activity, with plans to expand to 5000 hectares…

26 Nov 2025

Russian Oil Cargo Discharge at Indian Port Delayed Due to Insurance Scrutiny

© Adobe Stock/Kalyakan

A Western-sanctioned vessel with Russian oil destined for Indian Oil Corp has had discharge of the cargo delayed at a port in eastern India due to a hold-up in online verification of insurance cover provided by a Russian insurer, three industry sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.India earlier this year tightened insurance rules for ships calling at its ports, focusing on old and so-called shadow fleet vessels often used to carry Russian oil.Aframax vessel Tiger 6…

26 Nov 2025

New Global Benchmark Ranks Top Container Ports Worldwide

Leading Container Ports of the World (LCP) report cover image. © DNV

Maritime transport carries close to 90 percent of global trade by volume, and container ports alone handle more than 80 percent of non-bulk merchandise. Today, these ports are undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rising trade flows, rapid advances in technology, and mounting pressure to meet climate targets.Against this backdrop, DNV and Menon Economics have introduced the industry’s first global container port ranking. The LCP report benchmarks 160 ports against 35 indicators grouped into five pillars: enablers…

20 Nov 2025

Port Esbjerg Strengthens its Port Control with EU Support

© Port Esbjerg

With support from the Interreg North Sea Program, an EU-funded cooperation aimed at driving ideas and solutions across the North Sea, Port Esbjerg has strengthened and modernized its Port Control. Featuring a new control room, integrated IT systems, and consolidated professional competencies, Port Control can now more efficiently monitor, manage, and plan the port’s daily operations.Port Esbjerg is known for its high level of activity: cargo arrives, changes direction, and moves onward in a continuous flow.To keep the flow steady…

19 Nov 2025

Liebherr BOS Cranes Celebrates 50 Years

© Liebherr

Liebherr marks half a century of BOS crane excellence. Since 1975, BOS cranes have been trusted by operators worldwide, known for their robust design and marine adaptability. The latest generation continues this legacy, now featuring an electric variant to meet evolving offshore demands.In 1975, Liebherr delivered its first BOS crane, the B10 / 17 EX, for installation on the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Unit Princess Aweni. Since then, the BOS series has undergone continuous development…

18 Nov 2025

SC Ports Sees Dip in Imports, State Economic Development Remains Strong

Loaded export volumes at the Port of Charleston posted their highest month since June. 
(Photo/ English Hurteau)

South Carolina Ports recorded 206,859 TEUs at its marine terminals in October, a 1% year-over-year dip, as fiscal year volumes remain above plan. October marked the Port's strongest month for loaded exports since June, with an 18% year-over-year increase.The predicted slowdown mirrors national trends as containerized imports in the U.S. saw a 7.5% year-over-year decrease in October, following the front-loading of imports over the summer months.SC Ports President and CEO Micah…

31 Oct 2025

UK Border Force Staff Plan Wage Strike

© Adobe Stock/Alexey Fedorenko

A union representing British Border Force workers said on Friday that more than 120 staff who patrol Britain's waters, in "sometimes harrowing roles", plan to strike on November 14 to protest over pay and working conditions.The majority of the UK's around 10,000 Border Force staff work in airports and ports across the country and overseas.

14 Oct 2025

IRPT, EFIP Sign Transatlantic MoU

© IRPT

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) and the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) announced on October 1 a transatlantic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on modernizing infrastructure, expanding commercial opportunities, and accelerating knowledge-sharing across the inland waterway freight network. The partnership is designed to strengthen collaboration between American and European inland ports and terminals, while expanding the commercial potential of port and terminal assets.

07 Oct 2025

Hardik Gajjar Joins HDR as Maritime Planning Lead

© HDR

Hardik Gajjar, ENV SP, has joined HDR as maritime planning lead for the firm’s growing ports and maritime practice. Based in New Jersey, Gajjar will leverage his experience in maritime and intermodal planning to support port owners and operators around the globe as they pursue more efficient operations and smart infrastructure development.“It’s an honor to join one of the best ports and maritime firms in the industry,” Gajjar said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging HDR’s outstanding cross-sector collaboration to help clients as they assess the impact of emerging trends such as automation…

26 Sep 2025

Chinese Oil Port to Set Measures to Ban Shadow Fleet

© JUN LI - stock.adobe.com

Terminal operators in a major oil port in east China's Shandong province are set to introduce measures to ban shadow fleet vessels and curb visits by other old tankers, according to an official notice seen by Reuters and a tanker tracker.The measures, to take effect from November 1, would ban vessels using fake International Maritime Organization numbers and ships of 31 years or older, which traders said would target what is known as the shadow fleet that transports oil under Western sanctions.Four terminal operators at Huangdao Port last week issued the notice…

18 Sep 2025

Port Houston Maintains Steady Growth in Q3

A vessel being worked on at Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Container Terminal. © Port Houston

Port Houston recorded sustained growth in August following a standout July. Total tonnage across Port Houston’s public terminals is up 5% year-to-date through August, reflecting steady growth across multiple cargo sectors.After a record-setting July, the Port’s container terminals saw 370,430 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, up 1% from the same month last year. Year-to-date container volumes reached just shy of 3 million TEUs, specifically 2,932,936 TEUs, which puts…

10 Sep 2025

NTSB Issues Safety Alert for Land-Based Firefighters After Multiple Deaths

A fire boat directing water onto the Grande Costa D’Avorio. (Source: NTSB)

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a safety alert Wednesday urging greater awareness and training for land-based firefighters who may be called to fight fires aboard vessels in local ports.The safety alert follows several NTSB investigations into deaths and injuries to firefighters. The NTSB found land-based firefighters often lack the necessary training and familiarity with vessel layouts and fire protection systems to effectively fight in-port vessel fires. They…

10 Sep 2025

US State Department Expresses Concern Over Ban of Israeli Shipments in Spanish Ports, Airspace

© Adobe Stock/Vitaly

A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday over Spain's measures limiting access to Spanish ports and airspace to ships and planes carrying weapons for Israel."It is deeply concerning that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit U.S. operations and to turn its back on Israel on the same day six individuals were killed in Jerusalem. These measures embolden terrorists," the spokesperson said in an email sent to Reuters on Wednesday.The U.S.

08 Sep 2025

Israel-Bound Weapons Ships and Planes Banned in Spanish Ports, Airspace

© Adobe Stock/Vitaly

Spain on Monday banned ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from calling at Spanish ports or entering its airspace due to Israel's military offensive in Gaza, measures the Israeli foreign minister denounced as antisemitic.Spain, which recognised a Palestinian state in May 2024 and has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, responded to Gideon Saar's comments by summoning its ambassador in Tel Aviv back for consultations.On top of the ban on ships and aircraft delivering weapons or military-grade jet fuel to Israel…

29 Aug 2025

Turkey Bars Israeli Ships From Its Ports

© Adobe Stock/muratart

Turkey has decided to bar Israeli vessels from using its ports, forbid Turkish ships from using Israeli ports and impose restrictions on planes entering Turkish airspace, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.He provided few details in comments to parliament which appeared to summarise steps that Turkey has already taken against Israel over the war in Gaza or has started to implement.Turkey has fiercely criticised Israel's offensive in Gaza and accuses it of committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave, a charge that Israel denies.

27 Aug 2025

Port Houston Records Double-Digit Gains in Standout July

© Port Houston

July was a standout month for Port Houston’s public terminals, with double-digit growth in key sectors that pushed year-to-date totals to new heights. Container volumes for July were up are markable 21% compared to July 2024, reaching 392,829 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This is one of the Port’s strongest single-month performances on record. Throughout this year Port Houston has continued to demonstrate strong capacity for growth in containerized cargo and has seen its largest volumes ever.

20 Aug 2025

Seabound Secures $1.48m Grant to Develop Carbon and Emissions Capture at Port of Southampton

© Seabound

Seabound has been awarded USD$1.48 million (£1.1 million) through Round 6 of the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6). The funding will support a first-of-a-kind project between Seabound, STAX Engineering, and Associated British Ports (ABP) to integrate Seabound’s carbon capture technology with the STAX emission capture and control system at the Port of Southampton. The companies previously announced their plan to deploy these barges in collaboration with ABP at the inaugural Maritime UK Solent Coastal Powerhouse Summit.ABP…