Key Issues
Important maritime and shipping issues.

Fashion that hurts. A look at China’s fragile hearts
Emotional offenses may soon be outlawed in Communist China. In September 2023, the legislature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suggested revisions to a law

Kim, Putin bromance means headache for Xi

Spiraling budget for upgrading Taiwan’s fishing port sparks controversy

China’s spying policies are shooting itself in the foot

Yet again, Filipino military task force is accused of human rights abuses
As civil and human rights advocates marked the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines and the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship that spanned

Foreign investors bite bullet, leave China
On August 30, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo cautioned Chinese leaders that U.S. businesses might stop investing in China if Beijing does not “act to

BRICS enlargement: What’s in it for China?
In an article published in The Washington Post, columnist Pankaj Mishra stated that BRIC was a “casual acronym” created by the then Goldman Sachs economist

China’s contentious new map reinstates territorial claims, mirrors actual or intended border incursions
With the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in full swing until September 7, and the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit

Philippine to use larger fleet for next resupply mission in South China Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is planning to include more and bigger vessels on their next resupply mission in the contested South China Sea, which

Dismal prospects for China’s unemployed youth in beleaguered economy
China is beleaguered by a historic youth unemployment rate in the post-Covid era. In his recent evaluation, Wang Mingyuan, a researcher at a Chinese think-tank

Indonesia confronts with modern slavery in fishing industry
Released in June, the U.S. Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report stated that Indonesia’s status improved from tier 2 watch list to

China readies for possible war with the U.S.
On August 14, Newsweek commentator Gordan Chang penned a stark piece claiming that Chinese authoritarian leader Xi Jinping’s recent series of military purges in the

China’s economy is crumbling but Xi still focuses on political control
China’s economic engine seems to be sputtering to a halt, unlike the more optimistic point of view that many mainstream media outlets took at the

U.S. stops tech investment as China threatens national security
On August 9, U.S. president Joe Biden signed an executive order to begin the process of limiting high-tech U.S.-based investments going toward China in the

Singapore still top in fighting corruption in Asia
In the 10th edition of the Global Legal Insights to Bribery & Corruption (2023) published by Global Legal Group, Allen & Gledhill

Transparency International reveals neglect of anti-corruption efforts in Asia Pacific
The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released January 31 by Transparency International shows that leaders have ignored anti-corruption efforts, with

Scant progress against corruption as world becomes more violent, says Transparency International
The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released January 31 by Transparency International shows that most of the world continues to

Dark Side of Maritime Industry: Tales of Corruption
The maritime industry is no stranger to tales of corruption. From illegal fishing, human trafficking, or pollution to tales of
In Pictures: Photo stories
Unsung heroes of Navotas Fish Market
Seafarer Avenue: Empty street, broken dreams
A Hard Life at the Port
We stand united against corruption.

Don’t get caught out by fraud, never let crime pay, says IUMI

Kim, Putin bromance means headache for Xi

Manila toughens position against Beijing amidst rising Chinese pugilism in South China Sea
On August 9, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr dismissed claims that his country had an agreement with China to get rid of a Second World

IMB raises concern on resurgence of piracy in Gulf of Guinea, Singapore Straits
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has raised concern on the resurgence of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea waters and the increase in
The Problem.
Over 90 percent of the global trade is carried across ocean. However, the maritime industry is also prone to rampant corruption.

Fashion that hurts. A look at China’s fragile hearts
Emotional offenses may soon be outlawed in Communist China. In September 2023, the legislature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suggested revisions to a law

Free press safeguards democracy, ensures prosperity
While the impact of a free press on societal progress is multifaceted, chiefs among the major benefits are safeguarding democracy, and ensuring transparent, accurate and

Yet again, Filipino military task force is accused of human rights abuses
As civil and human rights advocates marked the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines and the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship that spanned

China’s spying policies are shooting itself in the foot
On September 3, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Chinese nationals, occasionally feigning as tourists, have entered military bases and classified locations in the

Using AI for ethical, sustainable shrimp farming
The project MonitorShrimp, which is making considerable strides in improving animal welfare and performance in the context of shrimp farming, is the outcome of a

Dutch court penalizes shipping company for breaching EU ship-recycling law
In mid-July, a judgment was handed down by a Rotterdam Court in the Netherlands, convicting the Dutch shipping company Jumbo and two of its directors

South Korea faces unethically-sourced seafood due to ineffective import controls
A new investigation from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) shows seafood linked to human rights abuses, illegal fishing and the destruction of marine ecosystems may

Water quality deteriorating in rivers worldwide, says new study
Climate change and increases in drought and rainstorms pose serious challenges to water management, not only in terms of the

Real-life ship arrest: A lawyer’s experience of maritime enforcement
Claims and disputes prevail in shipping. The challenge when these arise is that it involves a complex interplay of countries,