Shipping Industry

Indonesia rules out levies for Malacca shipping, backs open sea lanes

The Strait of Malacca, which runs between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a strategic bottleneck for Asia

CMA CGM reflags fifth vessel in India as shipping expansion gathers pace

CMA CGM has reflagged its fifth vessel under the Indian flag, aligning with India's push to expand its shipping fleet and strengthen its role in global maritime trade

Indian ports turning into logistics and industrial hubs: Shipping secy

India's ports are transforming from cargo gateways into integrated logistics and industrial hubs, supported by publicprivate partnerships and global best practices, Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Vijay Kumar, said on Wednesday. Addressing around 200 investors and industry stakeholders during a round-table held at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2026 here, Kumar pointed out, "India is steadily - and decisively - moving in the direction" to be in the best position to sustain growth, attract investment, and integrate into global value chains. He shared the growth reported by Indian ports, where capacity has been doubled, and the next frontier is to have world-class efficiency and transshipment. Cargo handling capacity has doubled since 201314, from 1,400 MTPA to 2,771 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with a target of 3,500 MTPA by 2030 and 10,000 MTPA by 2047. In FY 202526, India's major ports handled over 915 million tonnes - the highest ever - registeri

Shipping firms seek clarifications before crossing Strait of Hormuz

Iran says that the Strait of Hormuz was open to all commercial vessels during a 10-day Lebanon ceasefire accord

$100 mn marine insurance pool on cards for vessels sailing via war zones

Indian insurers plan $100 million marine insurance pool to cover war risks for ships amid West Asia conflict, with possible government support and rising premiums

West Asia crisis must not become opportunity to profiteer: Sonowal

Shipping minister asks maritime players to avoid profiteering amid West Asia crisis, ensure transparency in charges and faster cargo clearance at ports

Operators not passing on port relief to exporters, says regulator

Regulator asks operators to pass on benefits directly and seeks proof of higher insurance costs, warning action over unjustified charges

LPG imports in April, May a concern owing to shipping woes, availability

Shipping is the biggest obstacle for India in source fuels

US-Iran ceasefire, Hormuz reopening to ease shipping disruptions: FIEO

The announcement of a ceasefire, between the US and Iran, along with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, will provide immediate relief to exporters by easing shipping disruptions, FIEO said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of military strikes against Iran. Iran agreed to allow safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, triggering sweeping market moves across oil, equities and currencies. "The ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz bring immediate relief to exporters by easing shipping disruptions, high freight rates, and insurance costs," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan said. He said while this should help normalise logistics in the short term, exporters will remain cautious given the temporary nature of the truce. "Sustained stability is essential for restoring confidence and ensuring smooth trade flows," Ralhan added. The ceasefire announcement is important as the mid

West Asia conflict: Only 2 Indian-flagged LPG vessels in Strait of Hormuz

State-run refiners defer maintenance and ramp up LPG output as vessels clear Strait of Hormuz, while government tightens supply monitoring amid ongoing West Asia tensions

Govt's new shipping ventures may see split SCI entities' reunion

SCI needs approx ₹6,000 crore to invest as equity in Bharat Container Line, oil tanker biz with OMCs

Luxury carmakers fly supercars to Gulf as Hormuz crisis disrupts trade

Shipping disruptions in the Gulf due to the ongoing West Asian conflict are forcing luxury carmakers to fly supercars to wealthy customers, as air freight costs surge and new orders slow in the region

What is the '19th-century rule' shipping firms are invoking amid Iran war?

Global carriers such as MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have told customers they may discharge containers at alternative ports, invoking a long-standing maritime contract clause

Govt to expedite maritime insurer plan amid rising West Asia conflict

ShipMin and DFS are in talks to set up a domestic P&I club as West Asia tensions push up marine insurance costs for shipping lines and exporters

16 and counting: Oil, cargo ships becoming targets in West Asia conflict

Before the war, about 80 oil and gas tankers crossed the strait daily, moving roughly 20 million barrels; Now, shipping has plunged, with barely one or two vessels able to pass each day

JNPA waives charges on stuck cargo, exporters to get ₹12 crore relief

JNPA waives dwell time and reefer plugin charges for Middle East-bound export cargo stuck amid the West Asia crisis, while DG Shipping asks shipping lines to avoid opportunistic pricing

GIC Re war-risk curbs over West Asia war expose cracks in marine insurance

GIC Re's decision to withdraw war-risk cover in sensitive maritime zones highlights the fragile economics of marine insurance and raises concerns for Indian refiners dependent on global oil shipments

More small ships to West Asia from Apr 15 as freight rates jump 300%: FIEO

With exporters facing a surge in sea freight of up to 300 per cent due to the West Asia crisis, it has been decided to increase the number of small vessels operating between India and Gulf countries from April 15 to help clear consignments, FIEO director general Ajay Sahai said on Monday. In a meeting with the DG (Shipping), exporters flagged issues they are facing due to the crisis, triggered by the US and Israel joint attack on Iran, Sahai said. About 400 exporters participated in the meeting, as the crisis is impacting the movement of containers. "It has been decided to increase the number of Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) from April 15 between India and the Middle East countries," the director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said. He said that the war has led to a significant jump in freight due to an additional contingency surcharge being imposed by foreign shippers. "The surcharge ranges between USD 1,500 and USD 4,000. There is

Safety mechanisms activated for seafarers amid West Asia tensions: Sonowal

The government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, adding that all necessary mechanisms have been activated to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers and maritime assets. The Middle East is facing military turmoil where the US and Israeli forces are at war against Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz - a major passage for vessels. The war has intensified since the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, attacks carried out by the US. Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess the prevailing security environment in the Persian Gulf and examine its implications for Indian maritime assets and personnel. "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and have activated all necessary precautionary, monitoring and coordination mechanisms to ensure the safety and welfare of our seafarers and the security of our ..

Strait of Hormuz must not be shut down: Indian-American maritime executive

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia in the wake of US-Israel strikes against Iran, a leading Indian-American maritime executive has voiced concern over the impact on the crucial oil artery of the Strait of Hormuz and implications for global oil prices. "Shipping is the hardest-hit industry in any such turbulence in the geopolitical situation," Chairman of maritime company Safesea Group Dr S.V. Anchan told PTI. "The Strait of Hormuz must not be allowed to be shut down," Anchan said, calling for urgent action to ensure safe passage of vessels in the area. Anchan said oil prices are expected to rise on Monday in the wake of the geopolitical developments in the region, but added that prolonged high oil prices will be bad for the economy. "It's in no one's interest globally, including the US," he said, adding that "blocking the Hormuz is no less than choking the people at large of the region, at a time when even the airspaces are also closed." There are estimates that already 150 tan