The spread of new variants of COVID-19 and the resurgence of the virus, especially in parts of Asia, is leading to a new round of restrictions that will impact crew changes and cruise ships. Starting today, July 22, Singapore reintroduced strict restrictions in an effort to contain the latest wave of the virus with other countries in the region following suit.

Sixteen months after the cruise industry paused operations, the largest cruise corporation, Carnival Corporation, now reports that it hopes to have as much as three-quarters of fleet capacity in operation by the end of 2021. Five of the company’s brands are currently sailing, with it expected to expand to eight brands in the coming days and weeks. Operations in Asia and Australia however remain suspended with no target dates to resume sailing.

The Ministry of Shipping (MoS) has suggested introduction of ‘direct interchange’ of containers to ease the existing backlog in the Chattogram Port.

French container transportation and shipping company CMA-CGM, the world’s third largest container operator, has expressed interest to invest in the new port of Lamu.

U.S. Coast Guard-led unified command continued to work on a way to safely refloat the grounded river cruise boat American Jazz from a shoal in Lake Barkley, a reservoir on the Cumberland River.

American Jazz went aground on a sandbar in Lake Barkley, Kentucky with 120 passengers on board. 

The cruise ship Explorer of the Seas is the latest member of the team assisting in the efforts underway in Florida after a residential high-rise tower collapse. Owners of the cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International, announced that the ship which is currently idled due to the pandemic would provide temporary housing for some of the hundreds of the search and rescue team members working in the town of Surfside, in northern Miami-Dade Country at the site of the collapsed condominium building.

In line with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing the economic capabilities through innovation and development, as well as improving the quality of locally produced products, Dolphin Speed Boats announced its support for the waterfront tourism sector in Egypt, which is one of the most important sustainable sectors for the growth and prosperity of the Egyptian economy throughout the year, especially with the Egyptian coasts having beaches suitable for swimming and sailing throughout the year.

Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s biggest container shipping companies, has suspended carrying fresh Bangladesh-bound cargoes from Singapore port, which may worsen the ongoing container crisis in Chattogram port.

Tomini Shipping a leading ship owner and operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new board members Tejas Shah, CFO who will replace Nitin Mehta who resigned his position in June 2021 and Adam Shaikh, Head of Sale and Purchase, who is a fourth generation member of the Shaikh family.