MOL Ocean Bulk, a subsidiary of Mitsui Shipping Lines (MOL), signed a 25-year contract with Vale International to operate two 210,000-dwt ore carriers—the world’s first ore carriers equipped with ethanol/methanol/heavy oil three-fuel propulsion systems, and an LNG/ammonia-ready design, which will be delivered in 2030. They will mainly perform ocean-going iron ore transportation from Brazil to China, helping Vale Scope 3 to reduce emissions.
According to the latest UKMTO warning (No. 148-26), an oil tanker was hit by an unknown object while crossing the strait in the exit direction on Friday. The fire broke out and was extinguished after a power outage. There were no casualties. At least 6 ships have been attacked since Sunday. The risk of navigation in the strait continues to be high, and insurance and detour costs are expected to continue to push up freight rates.
As of the week of October 1, the WCI Composite Index fell 1% to US$4,434/40-foot container; Shanghai-Genoa fell 3% to US$3,702, and Shanghai-Rotterdam fell 2% to US$3,399. The Asia-Europe route has fallen for 12 consecutive weeks; after the National Day Golden Week demand for front-loaded shipments, there is market correction pressure, and 10 flights are expected to be suspended next week.
The latest "Climate Action in Shipping" report in 2026 is based on data from the Baltic Exchange and evaluates the progress of the shipping industry from five major levers. It concludes that the existing green fuel supply and application progress is significantly behind the trajectory required for the 2030 decarbonization goal, and the gap between industry actions and goals is further widening.
According to Reuters, the Russian army attacked the port of Odessa on Thursday night, killing one person and damaging many ships. The security situation in the Black Sea grain and bulk cargo export channels has once again deteriorated, and shipowners' war insurance rates are facing upward pressure.
NYK Group Americas, the regional headquarters for the Americas, will set up a Silicon Valley branch in Sunnyvale, California, in October. The purpose is to identify advanced technologies and emerging business opportunities that can synergize with the group's business at an early stage, and to collaborate with the local innovation ecosystem to incubate new businesses.
According to Splash247, Ocean Network Shipping (ONE) is concentrating its Asian regional management functions in Singapore, and its East Asia regional headquarters in Hong Kong has been merged into the Singapore structure, reflecting the trend of liner companies continuing to compress regional management levels and strengthen hub operation centers.
According to Splash247, Norway's Carlova Company placed an order for two Aframax tankers from Japan's Imabari Shipbuilding. Japanese shipyards continue to receive orders from European shipowners in the oil tanker newbuilding market, reflecting the VLCC/Aframax market's expectations for a renewed fleet.