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Maritime Blogs South-East Asia

As tensions rise, the Philippines accuses China that it rammed a vessel near an island disputed by both countries

Posted to Maritime Reporter on October 12, 2025

The Philippines has accused Chinese naval forces of using water cannons and ramming an occupied Philippine island near a Filipino vessel. They called the actions "clear threats" that escalate tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Three Filipino vessels…

China and Malaysia to hold joint military exercise in October

Posted to Maritime Reporter on October 8, 2025

The Chinese Ministry of Defence and a media outlet affiliated with it announced that China and Malaysia would hold a joint exercise in Malaysia and the surrounding waters this month. The exercise will focus on disaster relief measures and fighting piracy.

Exxon Singapore expects to reduce its staff by 10 to 15 percent by the end of 2027

Posted to Maritime Reporter on October 1, 2025

Exxon Mobil Corp said that it expects to reduce the number of employees in Singapore from 10 to 15 percent and relocate its office to its Jurong facility by the end 2027 as part of global restructuring efforts. Exxon announced plans to expand its Singapore operations after the U.S.

Top diplomats in the US, South Korea and Japan express concern about Taiwan Strait

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 22, 2025

In a statement released after their Monday meeting, the foreign ministers from South Korea and Japan as well as the United States expressed concerns about destabilising actions that are occurring more frequently around Taiwan. In a statement…

China celebrates National Day in waters near an atoll claimed as Philippine territory

Posted to Maritime Reporter on October 1, 2025

China's Coast Guard held a National Day Flag-raising Ceremony on a Ship in the Waters Off the Disputed Scarborough Shoal. They pledged to "stand guards" over the atoll. It is a major flashpoint of diplomatic flare-ups, and maritime conflicts with the Philippines.

Aster Chemicals invests $125 Million in pipeline and mooring works for Singapore refinery

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 30, 2025

Aster Chemicals & Energy, a Singaporean company, announced on Tuesday that it will invest $125 million in upgrading its pipeline and single buoy mooring infrastructure near Bukom Refinery. In a press release, the refiner said that Allseas Engineering and DOF were awarded these contracts…

Source: Cathay Petroleum and Brazil's Prio in a marketing agreement

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 26, 2025

A trading executive who has direct knowledge of this deal confirmed that the Asian trading firm Cathay Petroleum had agreed to an annual marketing deal for Brazilian crude oil throughout the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of independent producer Prio.

House panel asks Rubio for Philippines funding to counter China threats

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 24, 2025

According to a letter sent to Secretary of States Marco Rubio by the U.S. House Committee on China, Washington has been urged to provide funding to the Philippines in order to counter Beijing's aggressive and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.

Singapore's Seatrium sells Texas shipyard to Turkey’s Karpowership at $51 million

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 23, 2025

Seatrium Limited, a Singapore-based company, announced on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement to sell the "surplus" AmFELS Yard Shipbuilding Facility in Texas to Karpowership. The price is $50.67million. AmFELS Yard in Brownsville builds…

House panel asks Rubio for Philippines funding to counter China threats

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 23, 2025

According to a letter sent to Secretary of States Marco Rubio by the U.S. House Committee on China, Washington has been urged to provide funding to the Philippines in order to counter Beijing's aggressive and destabilising activities in the South China Sea.

Black Sea delays cause Asia millers to buy more US Wheat at competitive prices

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 16, 2025

According to grain traders attending an international conference, flour millers in Asia increased their imports of U.S. Wheat in recent weeks due to the competitive prices offered by American suppliers, and delays in Black Sea shipments. Two…

China claims to have intercepted Philippine vessels at disputed South China Sea Shoal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 15, 2025

China's Coast Guard said Tuesday that it had taken "control measures" against a number of Philippine vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea. Beijing is strengthening its territorial claims and maritime right in the contested area.

Sources say that Prefchem Malaysia sells more fuel as its refining unit is still closed.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 12, 2025

Market sources report that Malaysia's Pengerang Refining Company, or Prefchem, has sold more fuel oil with low sulphur straight runs (LSSRs) in a Friday-closed tender, due to the fact that a refinery that processes this fuel remained closed.

China's latest aircraft carrier navigates the sensitive Taiwan Strait

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 11, 2025

China's most advanced and third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has recently passed through the Taiwan Strait. This is the waterway that separates China and the democratically-governed island of Taiwan. The carrier has not yet officially entered service. It began sea trials in the last year.

W. Africa Crude - The bulk of Angola’s cargoes has been sold

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 9, 2025

Angola has found buyers for the bulk of its October cargoes. A rise in freight rates is affecting arbitrage economics. One trader reported that there are still cargoes from the 10-12 October loading of Angola for sale. The programme of loading lists 31 cargoes.

Trafigura economist: Oil shadow fleet is growing due to sanctions

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 8, 2025

Saad Rahim is the chief economist at Trafigura, a major trading company. He said that the shadow fleet of oil tanks has grown following Western sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. The shadow fleet plays a crucial role in ensuring that Russian crude oil is available to buyers…

Emaar Misr signs deal for multi-billion dollar Egypt Red Sea tourism development

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 7, 2025

Emaar Misr for Development, an Egyptian real estate company listed on the Egyptian stock exchange, signed a contract to build a tourist development along the Egyptian Red Sea. The project is expected to generate investments of up to 900 billion Egyptian pounds (18.58 billion dollars).

China criticises Canadian, Australian warships transiting Taiwan Strait

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 6, 2025

China's military said on Saturday that its forces followed and warned two warships, a Canadian and Australian, as they sailed through the Taiwan Strait. It criticized this move as a provocation. The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command stated that the Canadian frigate Ville de Quebec…

Chinese navy claims it conducted routine patrol in South China Sea

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 4, 2025

China's Navy conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea, a spokesperson from its Southern Theatre Command announced on Thursday. The Philippines was accused of "undermining peace and stability in the region" by conducting joint patrols.

Sources say that Bukom refinery in Singapore exports rare naphtha, according to sources

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 2, 2025

Three sources familiar with the situation and with shipping data say that Singapore's Bukom refinery exported its first cargo of naphtha in years, following an extended outage at their cracker. More cargoes are expected to be shipped over the next few weeks.

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