World Shipping Council News

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) commends the recent circular issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), following the explosion incident involving the vessel – ‘YM Mobility’ on August 9, 2024, at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This incident, along with other recent fires aboard container vessels, underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the transport of dangerous goods by sea. In its circular, the MSA reiterated the need for all shippi...

Following positive response and encouraging conversations with IMO member nations and other stakeholders, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has further developed the Green Balance Mechanism, a regulatory measure designed to ensure that shipping meets its net-zero goal by 2050 in an efficient, just and equitable way. A detailed proposal, including design updates and regulatory text for the Green Balance Mechanism, has been submitted to support the timely development of effective climate regulatio...

The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened with the tragic news that, yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday 12 June while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea. They utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. Thoughts and condolences go to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost their life. It is deplorable that innocent seafarer...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) applauds the recent adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108). Starting January 1, 2026, these amendments will require mandatory reporting of all containers lost at sea, setting a new standard for maritime safety and environmental protection.  Navigational safety “The new regulations, sp...

The maritime industry, represented by the organisations behind this letter, is grateful for the recognition that the UN Security Council and they personally have placed on the shipping industry and the importance of free movement as set out in international law. They also thank and applaud IMO Secretary-General - Arsenio Dominguez for all the hard work raising the profile of shipping and seafarers. However, the incident this weekend, when the vessel MSC Aries was seized by Iranian forces a...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) is calling on the EU to design policy frameworks that facilitate the essential role of shipping in a globally connected economy and to forge the path to net-zero shipping by 2050 in partnership with industry. 2024-2029 legislative term Outlining its recommendations for the 2024-2029 legislative term, the WSC urges the EU to: Work to secure effective global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction regulations and implement the Green Deal to ensure that...

The World Shipping Council (WSC), the united voice of liner shipping, is happy to announce that the WSC Board has appointed Joe Kramek as its new President & CEO, to succeed John Butler upon his retirement at the end of July. Joe Kramek brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, from both the maritime sector and government service. Before stepping into the position of President & CEO, Joe Kramek served as the WSC's Director of U.S. Government Relations. His professiona...

Despite mandatory international and national regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, these goods continue to be mis-declared or not declared, driving an alarming increase in ship fires. Addressing the need for improved safety measures, the World Shipping Council (WSC) is developing the Cargo Safety programme and is pleased to announce that the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) has been selected as the independent provider for the Cargo Safety programme digital platform. Safe...

The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) adopted its report on the reform of the Union Customs Code (UCC). This core economic legislation determines the efficiency, resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s external border for trade. More than ever getting that right is vital for the EU’s businesses and citizens. Ninety percent of the EU’s external trade relies on shipping, making it vital that the UCC is well adapted to this strategic sector. UCC nee...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) expressed gratitude to EUNAVFOR for the launch of Operation ASPIDES, a defencive maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and adjacent international waters.  The Red Sea and the Suez Canal are critical arteries for EU trade, and Operation ASPIDES is expected to play a key role in defending seafarers, and commercial and security interests in the region. Operation ATALANTA WSC strongly appreciates the com...

The global shipping regulator, the UN International Maritime Organisation, has set a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 for the industry, and now needs to develop climate regulations by 2025 that make it possible to reach that target. A core challenge is how to craft a global greenhouse gas pricing regulation that can bridge the price gap between the cleanest fuels and fossil fuels, driving investments in green fuels, without imposing an outsized cost on the global economy. As member...

EU 2040 climate targets point to the importance of providing renewable marine fuels for maritime sector decarbonisation. Committing the EU to the production of zero-GHG fuel pathways is essential, not least because European Member States account for one-fifth of global shipping energy sales. Zero-GHG fuels Meeting 2040 goals must lead to new energy production facilities to supply the maritime sector with zero-GHG fuels, which will demand substantial financial investment. Additionally, the ro...

The World Shipping Council expressed its thanks to the member nations of the Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition formed to address the maritime security crisis in the Red Sea region. Protecting seafarers The mission of this task force is critical to protecting seafarers and to defending the foundational principle of freedom of navigation. World Shipping Council is grateful that these nations have come together to protect seafarers and the vessels on which they serve, and hope that the coa...

To deliver on the goal of net zero emissions for shipping by 2050, IMO greenhouse gas regulations must rest on solid foundations. Liner shipping is committed to decarbonising quickly and efficiently, and to support this process the World Shipping Council (WSC) has published its first contribution to negotiations at IMO MEPC 81, with a paper outlining four cornerstones critical to an effective IMO GHG agreement. Liner carriers “Liner carriers are committed to delivering on the 2050 net z...

To deliver on the goal of net zero emissions for shipping by 2050, IMO greenhouse gas regulations must rest on solid foundations. Liner shipping is committed to decarbonising quickly and efficiently, and to support this process the World Shipping Council (WSC) has published its first contribution to negotiations at IMO MEPC 81, with a paper outlining four cornerstones critical to an effective IMO GHG agreement. Liner carriers “Liner carriers are committed to delivering on the 2050 net z...

The seven industry bodies dedicated to container safety, collaborating as the Cargo Integrity Group, highlight an independent study carried out by researchers at Italian University Politecnico di Torino into shipper and forwarder application of the CTU Code. The 2023 survey yielded encouraging signs of adoption and highlighted several convincing arguments – including financial benefits for its use. Several convincing arguments The survey highlights multiple benefits to CTU Code users...

Following the publication of its CBER Staff Working Document, the European Commission’s DG COMP has announced that it recommends letting the sector-specific Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) lapse, and that liner shipping vessel sharing agreements will be regulated under the general EU antitrust rules based on the Horizontal Block Exemption Regulation and Specialisation Block Exemption Regulation. Vessel sharing is an operational measure allowing ocean carriers to use ships more...

The European Shipping Summit 2023 in Brussels 19-20 September brought together representatives from across the maritime industry, government, finance, as well as energy and technology industries to address some of the most pressing topics for the future of the industry and of Europe. Making the most of this unique platform, the World Shipping Council gathered people and organisations to drive progress on the availability of renewable maritime fuels and the fight against drug trafficking. While...

At MEPC 80, IMO member nations met the shipping industry’s call for action on climate, setting a target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and interim targets for 2030 and 2040. Most importantly, the updated GHG strategy now sets a clear timeline for the development of the lifecycle-based global fuel standard and economic instrument, to be agreed by 2025 and ready for implementation in 2027. Robust regulatory framework “This marks a new beginning for shipping’s energy transi...

Every year, 241 million containers are transported across the seas with over 7 trillion dollars’ worth of food, clothes, electronics and other goods that the world needs. While crucial for the smooth functioning of the global supply chain, containers and their cargoes can also harbour and transfer contaminating pests. All parties in the supply chain have a shared responsibility for stopping the spread of pests, by keeping cargo and containers clean, when in their custody. Joint Indu...

Millions of cargo containers are transported each year, and only a tiny fraction are lost at sea. However, the number of lost containers has increased in recent years, propelled by high-impact incidents that skewed the numbers upward. Factors impacting the higher number of lost containers include more violent weather events (due to global warming) and rough seas. Stresses on the global supply chain have led to higher numbers of containers loaded per ship and possibly less care being taken when...

The European Parliament, Council and Commission have reached a preliminary agreement on maritime elements of the EU ETS. Including the maritime sector in the EU ETS will encourage shipping’s journey towards decarbonisation, as well as accelerate emission reductions among non-maritime sectors. The provisional agreement on shipping is subject to an overall agreement on the ETS revision, which is scheduled for later this year or next. EU ETS for maritime Liner shipping is already investing...

The frequency of container losses at sea has been a problematic and very costly issue for the industry over the years. According to the World Shipping Council 2019 report, there is an average of 1,382 containers lost at sea yearly. Whilst these figures are small in comparison to the number of containers being transported annually, container stack collapses still pose a significant risk to the industry, both in terms of claims and potential environmental impacts. Potential environmental impac...

In early June 2022, representatives of shipping companies and Customs authorities from across the globe came together, in order to discuss ways to step up the fight against drug trafficking. The Conference was organised by the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Container Control Programme (CCP), which is a joint initiative between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). UNODC 2021 World Drug Report According to the UNODC 2021 World Drug Report, aro...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) continues its work for a safe, secure and sustainable industry, and is excited to welcome a new member in Swire Shipping.  Headquartered in Singapore, Swire Shipping is a globally renowned provider of specialist customer solutions for a wide range of cargo and aims to provide a full suite of land and ocean solutions. Swire Shipping Swire Shipping celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2022 and for much of its modern history, the company has been actively inv...

The American people are looking for solutions to supply chain congestion resulting from the impacts of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, S.3580, which was marked up by the Senate Commerce Committee, addresses none of the root causes of the U.S. landside congestion. Americans continue to import goods at record levels—so much so that the U.S. ports and landside logistics workforce is unable to process all the cargo. Ocean carriers have deployed every vessel and...

In response to President Biden’s planned attack on ocean carriers during Tuesday’s State of the Union Address, the World Shipping Council released the following statement: “It is unfortunate that the President is demonizing ocean carriers, the industry that is the backbone of the U.S. and global economy and that has been working around the clock through the pandemic to move more cargo than at any time in history.” Container shipping industry “Allegations that the...

In response to President Biden’s planned attack on ocean carriers during the State of the Union Address, the World Shipping Council released the following statement: Unfortunately, the President is demonising ocean carriers, the industry that is the backbone of the U.S. and global economy and that has been working around the clock through the pandemic to move more cargo than at any time in history. Correcting the allegations  Allegations that the container shipping ind...

Transitioning global shipping from a carbon dependent industry into one that operates without greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a massive task. Container and roro carriers are already investing in the development of zero GHG technologies and are committed to enabling the industry’s transition to zero, but clear global regulations are needed. The World Shipping Council (WSC) has identified six regulatory and economic pathways, all of which are critical for the nations of the U...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) notes that the Senate has now introduced its own bill, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, to amend the Shipping Act. John Butler, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Shipping Council (WSC), said “Ocean carriers continue to work with all members of the supply chain, the Federal Maritime Commission, the administration, and their customers, to identify and implement operational solutions to mitigate the ongoing supply chain congestion.&rd...