Key Issues
Important maritime and shipping issues.

Kim, Putin bromance means headache for Xi
The Western media has been awash with reports of Chinese authoritarian leader Xi Jinping proclaiming a “no limits” partnership with Russia and vowing “unswerving” support

China’s spying policies are shooting itself in the foot

Foreign investors bite bullet, leave China

BRICS enlargement: What’s in it for China?

Spiraling budget for upgrading Taiwan’s fishing port sparks controversy
In recent months, controversy erupted over the allegedly high budget allocated for the upgrading of the Cianjhen Fishing Port in Kaohsiung city, which has been

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

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

Global upheavals in next six months due to geopolitical tensions, say chief risk officers
With the world facing growing economic instability and political tensions, volatility in geo-economic and geopolitical relations between major economies are likely to result in global

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.

Kim, Putin bromance means headache for Xi

BRICS enlargement: What’s in it for China?

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

Report finds dramatic rise in Chilean freight crime
The latest analysis from international freight insurer, TT Club and business improvement consultants BSI SCREEN, reports dramatic 2022 year-on-year increases in freight crime in Chile
The Problem.
Over 90 percent of the global trade is carried across ocean. However, the maritime industry is also prone to rampant corruption.

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

A museum where connections are built
Museums play a vital role in bringing people together. I always believe that museums cannot be standalone institutions catering to just academia and elites of

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

Haenyeo: Celebrating tenacious South Korean sea women
The special exhibition “HAENYEO – Women of the Sea” at the Maritime Museum of Denmark celebrates the sheer tenacity of the Jeju women, some who

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

Petrobras to recycle offshore unit in Brazil for first time
Petrobras, the major Brazilian energy company, has achieved a significant milestone in its new commitment to sustainable ship recycling with the successful conclusion of the

Maritime insurers join initiative to improve cargo safety
Major UK maritime insurers, the UK P&I Club and TT Club have signed up for Safetytech Accelerator’s Cargo Fire &

As key to ocean health, NGOs urge underwater noise cuts for shipping
As a workshop exploring the relationship between energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise from shipping closes September 19 at the