Business

Argus Media: US-led naval coalition tells shipping to avoid Red Sea

US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea has warned all ships to stay away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait for “several” days, according to shipping association Intertanko.

Published

3 years ago

January 15, 2024

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The US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea has warned all ships to stay away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait for “several” days, according to shipping association Intertanko, following the escalation of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants on commercial vessels in the region and retaliatory measures by the US and UK.

12 January 2024

In a message to its members, Intertanko said the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has recommended ships stay outside the Gulf of Aden “while a period of taking stock of the situation is undertaken until daylight on Saturday 13 January.” Since the recommendation was made, the UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it has received a report of a missile being fired at a vessel southeast of Aden. This is much further east than any of the recent assaults on shipping.

Tanker owners Hafnia, Stena Bulk and Torm told Argus they have decided today to stop sending ships through the southern Red Sea, joining shipowners including Belgian tanker owner Euronav in avoiding the area. A number of vessels are turning back from the Red Sea, ship tracking data show, including product tanker PM Monarch, formerly owned by Hafnia, and Trafigura-controlled Free Spirit.

The decision could be taken by more vessel owners as security risks increase in the region in the wake of the escalating attacks by the Houthis. Last night, the US and the UK carried out air and missile strikes against Houthi facilities in Yemen that the allies say were used to attack commercial shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea. The action follows a warning by Washington and its allies on 3 January for the Houthis to stop targeting commercial ships or face military escalation. The Houthi disregarded the warning and on 9 January carried out their most sophisticated attack yet, targeting a US warship in the Red Sea.

Marine security specialist Dryad Global has advised all of its clients to suspend their operations in the Red Sea for at least 72 hours.

“Last night’s military engagement, distinct from [naval response] Operation Prosperity Guardian, warrants caution,” it said. “The full impact and effectiveness of these airstrikes are still being assessed. In the interim, there is a heightened risk of Houthi forces seeking immediate retribution by targeting accessible vessels within their vicinity.”

Clean tanker diversions around the Cape of Good Hope had halted at the end of December, with most preferring to use the Suez Canal again, according to data from Vortexa. Two of the world’s largest shipowners, Danish Maersk and German Hapag-Lloyd extended diversions away from the Suez Canal after the start of Operation Prosperity Guardian did not fully deter attacks by the Houthi.

By Yohanna Pinheiro and John Ollett

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 15 January, 2024

Related Topics:Others - Incident Others - Safety

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Winding up

Singapore: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidators of Da Xin Tankers and Nan Chiau Maritime by 5 August, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Two notices to declare the intended dividend of Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries to their creditors have been posted on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (22 July).

The subsidiaries are Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd and Nan Chiau Maritime Pte Ltd.

The following are the details of the notices of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Da Xin Tankers (Pte) Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 198400895W
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Name of Company : Nan Chiau Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No.: 200814296Z
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Decarbonisation

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

Both will explore solutions spanning emissions measurement and verification, a digital Book-and-Claim framework, and a joint maritime-land inset token package.

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2026

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Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

PSA International (PSA) on Monday (20 July) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) to jointly accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions across the maritime value chain.

Beyond emissions measurement and verification, the collaboration will focus on a digital Book-and-Claim framework and a joint maritime-land based inset token package.

“This synergy provides cargo stakeholders with a transparent and accountable sea-land pathway to achieve their decarbonisation targets,” PSA said on its website.

Yang Ming launched the green transport service, EcoSea+. This initiative integrates Yang Ming’s low-carbon navigation capabilities to empower customers with a flexible and transparent strategy to effectively reduce their Scope 3 transportation emissions. By joining forces with PSA, Yang Ming is able to expand the impact of these sustainability actions beyond the ocean.

Building on its position as a global port operator, PSA advances its Node to Network strategy through integrated port and supply chain capabilities that enable a green network of terminal and landside operations to reduce end-to-end supply chain emissions.

The agreement was officially signed by Mr Ivan Chiang, Chief Logistics Officer & Senior Vice President of Yang Ming, and Mr Eddy Ng, Group Head of Operations, Technology and Sustainability of PSA International.

Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA International Group CEO, said, “As responsible stewards of tomorrow, PSA is committed to delivering sustainable impact across the global port and supply chain ecosystem.

“Tackling the challenges arising from climate change will require the collective efforts of all players in the maritime supply chain sector. We are excited to partner Yang Ming on the decarbonisation of global supply chains and support the transition towards a more sustainable global economy.”

Photo credit: PSA International
Published: 23 July, 2026