Sticky News

DP World multi-currency stablecoin for global trade settlement

DP World is partnering with financial institutions and technology providers worldwide to tackle persistent inefficiencies in cross-border payment systems.

Businesses in emerging markets such as Asia and Africa often face delayed settlement times, limited access to financing, and a lack of transparency—challenges that have long impeded the growth of international trade.

DP World Group Chairman & CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, stated: “By introducing stablecoin-based payment options, we are not...

https://container-news.com/dp-world-multi-currency-stablecoin-for-global-trade-settlement/

Container Shipping Stocks: Weekly Performance Overview

Container shipping has long been a critical pillar of global trade, facilitating the transport of goods across continents and powering economies. In the past week, the stock prices of major container shipping companies have been influenced by a variety of factors, including geopolitical tensions, trade dynamics, economic trends, fuel costs, and regulatory changes.

This article delves into the stock performance of key players in the container shipping industry, analyzing their market position and...

https://container-news.com/container-shipping-stocks-weekly-performance-overview/

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications of Taiwan Strait: Comparative Analysis of G7 and BRICS Dependencies

The Taiwan Strait serves as a crucial maritime corridor, linking major East Asian economies with the global market.

This route’s strategic value is highlighted by its substantial trade volume, particularly for nations in the G7 and BRICS groups. Recent reports from Ambrey indicate that the Singapore Strait is experiencing a resurgence as a piracy hotspot, particularly for vessels with freeboards under 10 meters, elevating the significance of the Taiwan Strait as a critical point of maritime...

https://container-news.com/strategic-and-geopolitical-implications-of-taiwan-strait-comparative-analysis-of-g7-and-brics-dependencies/

Moderate upward trend observed in global bunker indices

During the fourth week of the year, Marine Bunker Exchange (MABUX) global indices experienced a moderate upward trend.

The 380 HSFO index rose by US$1.92 to US$539.71/MT, the VLSFO index increased by US$4.51 to US$626.15/MT and the MGO index also saw a gain of US$2.77, reaching US$806.73/MT.

“However, as of this writing, early indications of a downward trend in the global bunker market have been observed,” stated a MABUX official.

The MABUX Global Scrubber Spread (SS)—the price difference between...

https://container-news.com/moderate-upward-trend-observed-in-global-bunker-indices/

US retailers keep building up inventories

According to the US Census Bureau’s most recent inventory data, US retailers are keeping their inventory levels higher than what sales can support. Retail inventory growth is depicted in the following figure, along with a trend line that tracks changes from 2009 to 2019.

“Source: Sea-Intelligence.com, Sunday Spotlight, issue 698”

“It is clear here that the orange line depicting the inventories is exceeding the blue trend line. In absolute terms, the deviation, in November 2024, reached a point...

https://container-news.com/us-retailers-keep-building-up-inventories/

Developments on Shipping Industry’s Energy Transition

A new study from UCL’s Energy Institute Shipping and Oceans Research Group evaluates the economic risks to the maritime industry from potential stranded assets as a result of impending stricter greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.

These regulations are expected to be adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) this year amidst a global shift towards a low-carbon energy framework. According to the study, over 40% of the global fleet transports fossil fuels, with the vast majority...

https://container-news.com/developments-on-shipping-industrys-energy-transition/

Houthis free Galaxy Leader crew after 430 days

Crew members of the car carrier Galaxy Reader were released on 22 January after 430 days. The vessel’s 25-member crew, consisting of nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania, was captured on 19 November 2023, when armed Houthis stormed the ship by helicopter.

Following the release of the Galaxy Leader crew, Guy Platten, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary General, said: “We welcome the news of the Galaxy Leader crew being released today and that they...

https://container-news.com/houthis-free-galaxy-leader-crew-after-430-days/

Ceasefire sparking Red Sea hope; Trump sets tariff, de minimis changes in motion

The six-week first stage of the Israel – Hamas ceasefire began on 19 January bringing a reprieve to the fifteen months of fighting which were also the pretext for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthis released statements announcing that as long as the ceasefire holds they will not attack nearly all Red Sea traffic. The group claims it will not target vessels making Israeli port calls or partially owned by Israeli companies or individuals, but will attack vessels wholly owned by...

https://container-news.com/ceasefire-sparking-red-sea-hope/

Seafarer dies after stabbing on boxship in Taiwan

A Filipino seafarer has died two days after he was stabbed in the chest by a compatriot crewman, after a drunken brawl.

The incident took place in a container ship docked in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung port. According to local police, following a drinking session, the two Filipino crewmen began fighting around 6 am local time on 18 January, while the ship was anchored at Kaohsiung’s berth 77, in Terminal 5.

While the police released a photo of the ship with the vessel name pixellated, S&P Global’s...

https://container-news.com/seafarer-dies-after-stabbing/

MOL acquires majority stake in Gearbulk

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that, following regulatory approval under competition law, it acquired a 72% stake in Gearbulk Holding AG on 20 January 2025.

This acquisition transitions Gearbulk from an equity-method affiliate to a consolidated subsidiary.

Gearbulk, a company in the transportation of semi-finished products such as pulp, has a strong history of growth. MOL and Gearbulk have maintained a 34-year partnership since MOL’s initial equity participation in 1991.

With this...

https://container-news.com/mol-acquires-majority-stake-in-gearbulk/

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