The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a three-month compliance exercise for UK ports and marine facilities to demonstrate alignment with the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code, reports Saint Petersburg's Port News.

The initiative is to reinforce standards and encourage adoption of safety practices across ports and facilities of all sizes.



The code provides a framework covering the safety of people, vessels, cargo and the environment, applying to major commercial ports as well as local harbours and marinas.



Participation is voluntary, but the MCA said facilities are encouraged to assess and demonstrate proportional alignment with the code to reduce risk and operate responsibly.



Interim MCA Ports and VTS Manager Keeta Rowlands described the exercise as a proactive opportunity to embed a culture of safety and continuous improvement across the sector.



The invitation to participate will remain open on GOV.UK until March 1.



The MCA is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport, responsible for maritime safety, security and environmental protection, including oversight of seafarer standards, vessel certification and coastal search and rescue coordination.

An oil tanker evading the US Coast Guard has been renamed and added to Russia's official shipping database, potentially complicating American efforts to seize it, reports the New York Times.

The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, is now registered as the 318,518-dwt Marinera under the Russian flag with Sochi as its home port, according to the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.



The tanker has been on the run since December 20 after refusing to be boarded in the Caribbean Sea. US officials said it was not flying a valid flag at the time, making it stateless under international law.



Crew members have painted a crude Russian flag on the hull and declared via radio that the ship is Russian-flagged. The Russian government's position remains unclear, with no comment from its embassy in Washington.



US President Donald Trump has imposed a partial blockade on Venezuela's oil industry to pressure President Nicolas Maduro. The US seized two other tankers in December, and Bella 1 would have been the third.



David Tannenbaum, a former Treasury sanctions officer, said it was uncertain whether Russia's "overnight flag registration" would be valid, describing the move as part of a wider pattern of Russia providing cover for the so-called dark fleet.



Bella 1 had previously been registered in Panama, Palau, Liberia and the Marshall Islands. US forces hold a seizure warrant citing its history of transporting Iranian oil, which Washington says finances terrorism.



American officials indicated they still intend to seize the vessel, though boarding a moving ship with a potentially hostile crew poses risks. The US Coast Guard continues to track the tanker.

Dubai-based logistics major DP World reported a near 70 per cent surge in profit to US$960 million in the first half of 2025, compared with $570 million a year earlier, despite geopolitical and economic headwinds, reported London's Arabian Gulf and Business Insight.

Revenue climbed 20 per cent year on year to $11.2 billion, driven by growth in ports and terminals and new acquisitions.



Container volumes advanced six per cent on a like-for-like basis to 45.4 million TEU across the global portfolio. Throughput in Europe, Middle East and Africa grew 12 per cent to 17 million TEU, with Jebel Ali Port up six per cent to 7.8 million TEU.



Group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said geopolitical tensions, the closure of the Red Sea route and uncertainty over global tariffs have disrupted industry operations.



Capital expenditure reached US$1 billion in the first half, with a full-year target of $2.5 billion to support expansion at Jebel Ali Port, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra in India, London Gateway in the UK and Dakar in Senegal, as well as DP World Logistics and P&O Maritime Logistics.



Across terminals under operational control, DP World handled 27.4 million TEU, up eight per cent year on year.



The company's freight forwarding platform now covers 300 locations and serves more than 90 per cent of global trade lanes.



Mr bin Sulayem said DP World remains optimistic about the medium- to long-term outlook for global trade and logistics.

Saudi operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) Bangladesh handled 154,564 TEU at Chittagong's Patenga Container Terminal last year, with 78 vessels calling, reported Dhaka's Business Standard.

The figure was well below the terminal's annual capacity of about 450,000 TEU. Exports accounted for 93,340 TEU, while imports stood at 61,224 TEU, reflecting stronger outbound cargo.



RSGT expects to reach full operational capacity by May 2026 after commissioning four ship-to-shore cranes.



Monthly data showed a weak start in early 2025, with throughput falling to 3,464 TEU in April. Volumes rebounded in May after RSGT installed a US$3 million scanner, enabling import handling.



The terminal processed 14,272 TEU in May, 13,390 TEU in June and 14,865 TEU in July. August was the peak month at 24,599 TEU, the highest since operations began in June 2024.



Throughput eased but remained firm, with 14,081 TEU in September, 18,304 TEU in October, 19,409 TEU in November and 14,433 TEU in December.



Syed Aref Sarwar, head of commercial and public affairs at RSGT Bangladesh, said the operator is focused on long-term performance, with the first two years dedicated to procuring and commissioning equipment.



He said the arrival of four cranes will significantly improve vessel handling and productivity, adding RSGT is committed to being a trusted partner in Bangladesh's growth.



The Patenga Container Terminal is a key facility of Chattogram Port, which handles most of the country's containerised trade. Improved operations are seen as vital for sustaining export growth, particularly in garments and manufacturing.

Mongla Port, Bangladesh's second-largest seaport, handled a record 17,387 TEU by 28 vessels in the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year, reported Dhaka's New Age.

The port also welcomed 440 overseas commercial vessels between July and December, boosting revenue earnings. During the same period, 5,244 imported cars arrived aboard 15 ships, while 6.33 million tonnes of cargo were imported and 42,671 tonnes exported.



Deputy secretary Md Makruzzaman said the port handled 10.32 million tonnes of imported cargo and 87,800 tonnes of exports in the 2024-25 fiscal year, alongside 11,579 reconditioned vehicles. He noted 6.37 million tonnes of goods moved through Mongla between July and December 2025.



The port plays a vital role in supplying essential commodities such as food grains, fertilizers, cement raw materials, clinker, coal, oil, stone, machinery and LPG. It also supports exports including shrimp, jute goods, frozen food, garments and general cargo.



In 2024-25, Mongla Port Authority earned BDT4.635 billion (US$46.35 million) in revenue, with net profit of BDT62.10 crore, more than triple its target.



Dredging of river routes, including the Mongla-Ghasiakhali channel, has improved navigability, enabling larger vessels to berth directly. Officials said container handling, cargo volumes and vessel arrivals have all risen in recent years.



Senior shipping officials visited the port several times last year to provide directives for expansion. The authority has also formed an Internal Business Development Standing Committee to further boost vessel arrivals and trade activity.

Malaysia recorded a larger trade surplus in November 2025 as exports outpaced imports, reports Bernama.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said exports rose on stronger shipments of electrical and electronic products, palm oil and petroleum.



Imports also increased, driven by higher purchases of intermediate goods and capital equipment, reflecting resilient domestic demand.



The monthly surplus underscored Malaysia's position as a key regional trading hub, supported by diversified export markets and steady industrial output.



Officials said the country remains on track to meet its full-year trade targets, with external demand expected to stay firm despite global uncertainties.

Qatar's ports of Hamad, Ruwais and Doha handled 226 vessels and 110,784 TEU in December 2025, marking a sharp rise in cargo throughput compared with the same period in 2024, reports Qatar's Peninsula.

General and bulk cargo volumes grew 64 per cent year on year, while ro-ro traffic reached 12,858 units and livestock shipments totalled 28,633 heads. Overall cargo throughput stood at 125,106 tonnes.



Mwani Qatar said 2025 was a landmark year, with Hamad Port ranked first in the Gulf and 11th globally in the Container Port Performance Index 2024 by the World Bank and S&P Global.



Transshipment accounted for nearly half of total volumes between January and November, reinforcing Qatar's role as a regional logistics hub under the Ministry of Transport's strategic plan.



In July, Hamad Port welcomed MSC Charleston on the inaugural voyage of the CHINOOK-CLANGA service, offering direct weekly sailings to East Asia and the US West Coast, linking ports from Colombo to Vancouver.



Hamad Port also set a Guinness World Record for the largest mangrove relocation project, while Mwani Qatar secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management systems.



Capt Abdulla Mohamed Al Khanji, CEO of Mwani Qatar, was named Personality of the Year at The Maritime Standard Awards 2025, recognising his contribution to advancing the maritime sector.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India's largest container port, handled 7.94 million TEU in 2025, the highest annual throughput in its history, reported New Delhi's Business Standard.

Container volumes rose 12.64 per cent year on year, supported by steady demand and improved coordination among terminals, shipping lines and service providers.



Overall cargo throughput reached 99.17 million tonnes in 2025, marking a 9.86 per cent year-on-year increase.



JNPA currently operates five terminals with a combined handling capacity of about 10.1 million TEU, underscoring its position as India's leading container gateway.

Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, part of China Shipbuilding Group, has signed contracts to build five 1,100 TEU and four 1,800 TEU containerships, with the deals, reported Jaingmen, Guangdong's iMarine.

The agreements highlight Wuchang Shipbuilding's expertise in green intelligent vessels and offshore equipment, as well as its track record in feeder containership construction.



In recent years the company has delivered LNG-powered offshore vessels, wind-assisted methanol-powered ro-ro ships, chemical tankers and feeder containerships. These projects were completed on schedule and to high standards, earning praise from domestic and international shipowners.



Wuchang Shipbuilding is also advancing its own designs. Its 1,320-TEU methanol dual-fuel ship and 1,900 TEU Bangkok-type vessel have received AIP certification from classification societies, broadening its feeder ship portfolio.



The company's tanker designs include an 18,600-dwt special-coated oil/chemical vessel, a 26,000-dwt duplex stainless steel oil/chemical tanker and a 29,000-dwtT ammonia-fuelled duplex stainless steel chemical tanker. These have passed model tests and gained classification approval, extending its product range from 7,000-dwt to 29,000-dwt.



Looking ahead, Wuchang Shipbuilding plans deeper collaboration with shipowners, classification societies and research institutes to drive innovation, low-carbon development and smart manufacturing. The company aims to support China's 15th Five-Year Plan and strengthen its role in building a maritime power.



Preparations for the new containerships are under way, with construction to follow a rhythmic model to ensure timely and high-quality delivery, adding value for customers and reinforcing China's shipping industry.

The Port of Colombo handled 8.29 million TEU in 2025, its highest-ever throughput, reported Xinhua.

The figure surpassed the 7.79 million TEU processed in 2024, consolidating Colombo's position as South Asia's leading container hub. The growth was achieved despite volatility in global shipping and trade flows.



Sri Lanka Ports Authority said all terminals contributed to the performance. SLPA-managed facilities continued to handle a substantial share of volumes, supporting both mainline and feeder operations.



Colombo International Container Terminals maintained its role as a deep-water facility serving ultra-large vessels, supported by berth productivity and yard efficiency. South Asia Gateway Terminals provided consistent services for regional and transshipment cargo, while Colombo West International Terminal added capacity.



Colombo's evolution as a modern port dates back to the late 19th century, when construction of the first permanent breakwater transformed the harbour into a sheltered deep-water facility capable of year-round operations.

Air Canada Cargo is modernizing its Toronto facility with expanded temperature-controlled zones and digital workflows to support pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

The carrier has equipped its hub with larger cold chain facilities and integrated workstations inside controlled zones, allowing shipments to move from acceptance to release without exposure to ambient conditions.



Air Canada Cargo maintains IATA CEIV and GDP certifications for pharmaceutical handling, with staff trained in procedural controls, documentation and temperature monitoring. Internal engineering oversight supports process integrity.



Managing director Janet Wallace said employees can handle freight entirely within the controlled environment, including forklift operations and acceptance tasks. She added that industrial engineers have mapped handling processes to strengthen compliance.



The modernization strategy includes replacing ageing mechanical systems, introducing warehouse automation and developing a digital ecosystem to reduce paper-based delays. Artificial intelligence is being integrated at shipment acceptance to identify special handling needs.



The carrier is also deploying smart tracking for unit load devices to improve asset visibility across its network. Continuous monitoring tools are under review to reduce risk during transfers between aircraft stands and cold chain areas.



Air Canada Cargo plans to scale its Toronto warehouse management model to other self-handled locations, aiming to standardize service levels and streamline digital workflows.



Ms Wallace said the company is focused on reducing inbound dwell times and building a connected digital architecture to ensure real-time visibility across operations.

Global air cargo rates fell sharply after the year-end peak season, with prices dropping across major trade lanes, reports Mumbai's STAT Trade Times.

Freightos Air Index data showed China-North America rates down 16 per cent week on week to about US$6.26 per kg, the lowest since early November. China-North Europe prices fell 5 per cent to $3.52 per kg, while North Europe-North America rates declined 14 per cent to $2.16 per kg.



South East Asia lanes also weakened, with US-bound rates down 19 per cent to $4.60 per kg and Europe-bound prices dropping more than 20 per cent to $3.12 per kg. The decline reflects easing demand after the traditional year-end rush.



Despite the correction, longer-term demand remains resilient. IATA said global air cargo volumes grew 11 per cent in 2024, driven by e-commerce.



For 2025, IATA forecasts volume growth of 3.1 per cent compared with the previous year, and projects 2.6 per cent annual growth in 2026.



However, uncertainty persists over whether cargo capacity growth will outpace demand next year, leaving rate projections for 2026 unclear.

Air freight operations across the Americas are entering 2026 under pressure from widening labour and skills shortages, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

Staffing gaps in ground handling, pilots and air-traffic control are slowing cargo processing, extending aircraft turnaround times and causing clearance delays. Controller shortages in Canada have forced tower closures, while the 2025 US government shutdown triggered widespread flight cancellations and delays.



Post-pandemic workforce cuts have left ground-handling staff levels well below pre-2020 numbers. A survey found 59 per cent of air cargo workers had considered leaving the industry, citing poor pay, unpredictable schedules and limited career progression.



Shortages also extend to customs officers, security screeners and clerks, leading to longer dwell times and clearance delays. During the US shutdown, thousands of support staff were furloughed, with border crossings facing delays of up to six hours.



Industry responses include IATA's Ground Operations Training Passport to improve worker mobility and the FAA's expansion of collegiate training to fast-track controller certification. Recruitment drives at Miami International Airport and workforce investment by AGI are also under way.



Despite advances in automation and digital tools, critical air freight functions such as dangerous-goods acceptance, ULD build-up and ramp-side coordination still require skilled human labour.



Analysts say 2026 will be a year of workforce reinvention, with operators recognising labour and skills as essential infrastructure to sustain growth and resilience in air cargo.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has approved the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft in a major fleet expansion, reports Dhaka's Bonik Barta.

The decision was taken at the airline's Annual General Meeting chaired by Aviation and Tourism Adviser Bashir Uddin, who is also chairman of the board. The order comprises eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft.



Biman general manager Bosra Islam said the purchase is subject to price negotiations and other terms recommended by the airline's techno-finance committee. Officials noted the interim government had pledged to buy Boeing aircraft to help reduce the trade deficit with the United States.



Board members said the move will enhance aviation capacity, strengthen international connectivity and meet future passenger and cargo demand. Once approvals and financial procedures are complete, a final contract will be signed with Boeing, followed by phased delivery.



Airbus had actively sought the deal, with European ambassadors lobbying for its aircraft, but those efforts failed. Boeing 787s are wide-body aircraft for long-haul routes, while the 737-8 is a narrow-body model for regional and domestic flights.