News items selected for weekly newsletter
New Zealand has set a precedent by allocating port fees for seafarer welfare services during visits. Advocate Paul MacGillivary urges Australia to adopt this model to meet Maritime Labour Convention standards. With over 500,000 seafarers docking annually, enhanced funding for welfare services is crucial to support their mental health and well-being.
The Union Government has made strides in developing a domestic container ecosystem by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). This initiative, endorsed by Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to improve coordination among shipping, ports, and rail logistics, addressing exporters’ challenges.
Andhra Pradesh is progressing towards establishing a shipbuilding and repair cluster, as emphasized in the recent Union Budget. With its extensive coastline and strategic inland waterways, the state aims to enhance India’s maritime ecosystem. A 2,000-acre hub at Duggarajapatnam will attract more units, creating job opportunities for local youth.
The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is optimistic about the Union Budget’s provisions set to bolster the state’s maritime sector. With initiatives in coastal shipping and shipbuilding, Gujarat aims for rapid growth. The new Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme seeks to elevate coastal freight movement, positioning the state as a premier maritime hub.
The Switch has unveiled a new Electronic Current Limiter (ECL) to enhance DC system stability in marine applications. This device allows direct battery connections, addressing fault challenges in large battery systems. By limiting fault currents and preserving DC-link voltage, the ECL ensures operational continuity and boosts vessel efficiency during abnormal conditions.
The Indian government’s Sagarmala Programme, aimed at transforming the coastline into an economic hub, faces major setbacks with a 29% funding cut in the 2026-27 Union Budget, dropping from Rs 866 crore to Rs 616.88 crore. This decline threatens project timelines and coastal infrastructure development amid shifting funding priorities.
The Panama Canal celebrated a historic milestone with the inaugural transit of the Disney Adventure, the largest cruise ship to navigate its waters. Weighing 208,000 gross tons and accommodating 6,700 passengers, this transit marks a significant achievement in maritime history, showcasing advancements in cruise ship design and canal capacity.
The International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction has drafted a workplan to develop safety regulations for vessels using innovative technologies and alternative fuels. This initiative, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, will be presented to the Maritime Safety Committee for approval in May 2026. Key milestones include updates to existing standards and the introduction of new guidelines.
The PRANAAM Seafarers Assistance Counter was inaugurated at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on January 21, 2026. This initiative enhances support for Indian seafarers, offering guidance and assistance as they travel. The event highlighted international cooperation in improving seafarers’ travel experiences and showcased India’s maritime heritage. Expansion plans for Terminal 2 are underway.
In 2025, seafarer abandonment surged to 6,223 cases across 410 ships, a 31% increase from the previous year, as per the ITF. Indian seafarers were hit hardest, with 1,125 cases. The ITF demands stricter regulations on ship ownership and calls for unified action to tackle this ongoing crisis.
Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has acquired a 41.73% equity stake in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard PLC, marking a key step in its international expansion. The acquisition, involving rights shares from Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard, triggers a mandatory offer for CDPLC’s shareholders, enhancing maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.
The International Chamber of Shipping has introduced the Deck Procedures Guide, enhancing maritime safety by focusing on deck operations. This comprehensive resource addresses cargo handling, mooring, and compliance with key regulations, featuring an interactive risk assessment tool and checklists. It aims to standardize best practices while accommodating specific organizational needs.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Transportation and Construction Engineering, Ltd. (MHI-TC) has successfully delivered the Mitsubishi Marine Bridge (MMB) to Yokohama City. This innovative mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge enhances safety and comfort for cruise passengers, featuring autonomous driving technology and a flexible docking system, while promoting environmental sustainability.
The recent turnaround of Celebrity Millennium at Mumbai’s Ballard Pier underscores the city’s ability to meet global cruise standards while retaining its local charm. With 2,062 guests onboard, this event demonstrated Mumbai’s capacity for high-volume cruise operations, enhancing hospitality and efficiency, and signaling potential for future lucrative itineraries in the Arabian Sea.
Boskalis’ diving support vessel, BOKA Da Vinci, has successfully executed a subsea operation in the northern North Sea, enhancing infrastructure for an INEOS-led carbon capture and storage initiative at the Nini oil and gas field. This operation is a key part of Project Greensand, aimed at facilitating CO₂ storage in Denmark.
