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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Maritime Blogs East Asia

South Korea's NOFI offers to purchase up to 207,000 metric tonnes corn

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 4, 2026

European traders reported on Tuesday that the leading South Korean feedmaker Nonghyup Feed Inc., (NOFI), has issued an international bid to purchase up to?to 207,00 metric tons animal feed corn. The deadline to submit?price?offers in the tender also falls on Tuesday, February 3.

Bousso

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 4, 2026

The hard economic reality of oil will sabotage President Donald Trump's efforts to funnel U.S. crude oil and Venezuelan crude into India, as part of an overall trade agreement. Details of the deal were announced by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday…

Bousso

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 2, 2026

The hard economic reality of oil will sabotage President Donald Trump's efforts to funnel U.S. crude oil and Venezuelan crude into India, as part of an overall trade agreement. Details of the deal, which was announced by President Trump and…

Japan's test mission to retrieve rare earth mud from the deep seabed

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 2, 2026

The Japanese government announced on Monday that they had successfully recovered rare-earth rich seabed mud from depths as deep as 6 km (4miles) during a test mission. A Japanese drill ship left?on? January 12 for remote Minamitori Island in order to explore rare earth-rich mud deposit.

Andy Home: The surge in exports from China is a sign that the global metals market is in turmoil.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 2, 2026

China's net copper imports last year fell to the lowest level since 2017. They totaled 3.03 million metric tonnes. Exports grew dramatically, despite a drop in inbound shipments of only 5% compared to 2024. The largest copper buyer in the world shipped almost 800,000 tonnes.

Court rules that contract with Hong Kong port operator violates Panama constitution

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 31, 2026

The Panama Supreme Court ruled that a 'contract' held by a Hong Kong-based company to operate the ports of the Panama Canal was in violation of the Panama Constitution and did not serve the public interest. The court released its decision on Friday, but did not explain the reasoning behind it.

China conducts air and naval patrols near disputed South China Sea Shoal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 31, 2026

China Southern Theater Command? has confirmed that on Saturday a?naval patrol and an?air raid was conducted around the Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea. The shoal lies in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, but China claims it as its own territory.

Last year, tensions erupted and the China Coast Guard patrolled Japan's islands almost every day.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 31, 2026

China's coastguard patrolled Japan administered islands in the East China Sea almost daily last summer, the country said. It was to ensure its sovereignty over the remote, rocky island and deter Taiwan from taking a step toward independence.

The US and Europe are falling behind in the race for control of the Arctic: Vladimirov & Petrova

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 31, 2026

The Arctic is not a frozen peripheral, particularly after the spat between the U.S. and Europe over Greenland. The High North is becoming a strategic hub for minerals, energy and shipping as the sea ice begins to melt. The Arctic is heating up four times faster than other parts of the world…

Taiwan successfully completes the first underwater trial of a domestically-made submarine

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 30, 2026

Taiwan completed its first underwater sea test for its domestically developed sub on 'Thursday. This is a major milestone in a program aimed at strengthening the deterrence against the Chinese navy, and protecting important sea lanes if war breaks out.

The US and Europe are falling behind in the race for control of the Arctic: Vladimirov & Petrova

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 29, 2026

The Arctic is not a frozen peripheral, particularly after the spat between the U.S. and Europe over Greenland. The High North is becoming a strategic hub for minerals, energy and shipping as the sea ice begins to melt. The Arctic is heating up four times faster than other parts of the world…

Singapore's RoRo terminal joint venture will be formed by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. and PSA Singapore

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 29, 2026

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Japan’s second largest shipping?company said on Thursday that it had agreed with PSA Singapore to form a joint venture for the development of a RoRo terminal in Singapore. The joint venture agreement will allow 'Mitsui to…

China clears Australian canola cargo, easing months-long approval delays

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 29, 2026

Two trade sources told? Two trade sources confirmed that a cargo of Australian canola, which arrived in southern China this?month, has passed inspection. Processing at a crushing?plant is expected to begin this week. China's COFCO, a state-owned company…

Denmark and China renew their green maritime technology and shipbuilding agreement

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 27, 2026

China's Industry Ministry announced on Tuesday that China and Denmark had renewed their agreement to cooperate in green maritime technologies and?shipbuilding. The ministry also reaffirmed a "long-term partnership" in this sector. The renewed agreement comes amid heightened tensions between Denmark…

Japan warns fishermen not to fish near flashpoint islands in fear of a China-Japan clash

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 27, 2026

Hitoshi Nakama, 76 years old, is a frontline defender for Japan's claim to the disputed islands of the East China Sea. He regularly avoids Chinese coast guard vessels to harvest the rich waters. Since late last year, Japanese officials have discreetly asked Nakama…

Bousso: The offshore wind pact between Europe and the US is a hedge to US gas dependence.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 27, 2026

The European Union has agreed to develop a massive offshore wind network. This is a major step forward in the region’s efforts to reduce its dependency on U.S. gas imports while also tackling rising costs for renewable energy. On Monday, at the North Sea Summit…

Sources say that the Russian Urals oil is trading at a discount close to the largest since 2022, in India

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 26, 2026

Two sources reported that Russian crude oil cargoes dated February Urals traded in Indian ports at discounts close to the largest since 2022 compared with dated Brent, amid increased pressure from Western sanctions. The two sources claimed that…

South Korea delegation to Canada to lobby on submarine project

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 25, 2026

South Korean Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon -sik announced on Monday that he would be heading to Canada with Hyundai Motor executives and representatives of shipbuilders Hanwha & HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in order to secure a major subcontract.

Sources: Former Sinopec veteran executive will lead Singapore firm's crude trading

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 23, 2026

Two industry sources familiar with the hiring said that a former Sinopec trading executive has joined Singapore commodities firm Sino Crown International to help build and lead its crude oil trading. Simon Chen or Chen Bo who was the president…

Hanwha Group aims to create 200,000 jobs or more in Canada by the year 2040

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 22, 2026

Hanwha Group, a South Korean conglomerate, aims to create 'at least 200,000 jobs' in Canada by 2040, through cooperation between various sectors, including shipbuilding. The company is competing for a highly contested subcontract. Hanwha will…