Ningbo Ocean Shipping Company (Nbosco) plans to invest up to $390 million (2.7 billion yuan) in building a new feeder fleet and acquiring container equipment. The program includes a firm order for four 1,900 TEU vessels, with an option for two additional ships.

The move reflects strong and устойчивый demand for feeder services, especially across Asia, where cargo flows are being reshaped and short-sea routes are gaining importance. Feeder vessels remain a critical link in connecting secondary ports to global container networks.

From an operational perspective, the new ships are designed for efficiency on short routes — with optimized fuel consumption, flexible capacity, and the ability to operate in ports with draft limitations.

At the same time, investment in container equipment highlights a strategic push to strengthen control over logistics and reduce reliance on third-party providers.

For Nbosco, this project is part of a broader strategy to scale operations and reinforce its position in the increasingly competitive regional shipping market.

China has established a new shipping company, Dalian Shipping Co, with participation from municipal and provincial authorities and industrial backing from Hengli Heavy Industry. The initiative is aimed at restoring Dalian’s position as a major maritime hub.

The business model is built around close integration with shipbuilding: the company will focus on vessel segments aligned with Hengli’s production capabilities, effectively creating a closed loop from ship construction to fleet operation.

For Hengli, the creation of an affiliated shipowner reflects a broader strategy already seen across Chinese shipyards — securing demand, ensuring yard utilization, and reducing exposure to market volatility. With one of the largest orderbooks in China, this approach strengthens control over the entire value chain.

From an industry perspective, the project highlights the growing role of the state in developing shipping assets and accelerating vertical integration in China’s maritime sector — a trend that could intensify competition in global shipping.

More than 1,100 vessels in the Persian Gulf have experienced GPS and AIS interference within the past 24 hours, according to maritime intelligence company Windward Ltd..

Large-scale and intermittent GNSS disruptions have been recorded, affecting navigation, positioning, and communication systems, including AIS and VHF.

Operators are being advised to avoid high-risk waters, including the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz where possible.

Additional safety guidance has also been issued:

— US-flagged vessels or ships with American crews should remain at least 30 nautical miles away from US naval vessels

— continuous communication with naval channels is recommended

Crews are also advised to cross-check GPS positioning with radar, visual bearings, and other navigation methods.

Windward reports multiple cases of AIS spoofing, where vessels appeared to be incorrectly “relocated” to airports, nuclear facilities, or inland locations in Iran, Oman, and the UAE. At least 21 new clusters of AIS interference have been detected in waters near the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Iran.

For global shipping, these incidents highlight a growing challenge: electronic interference is becoming a standalone operational risk in one of the world’s most critical energy trade corridors, affecting routing decisions, insurance costs, and crew safety.

Windward Ltd. is a global maritime intelligence company specializing in AIS data analytics and maritime risk assessment. Founded in 2010, the company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market.

AD Ports Group has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation to manage and operate the Aqaba Multipurpose Port — Jordan’s only general and project cargo port.

The project will be implemented through a joint venture structure, with 70% held by AD Ports Group and 30% by ADC. The Group plans to invest AED 141 million ($38.4 million) and is expected to officially assume operational control in August this year.

Aqaba Port handles approximately 80% of Jordan’s exports and 65% of its imports, serving as a key transit gateway for regional trade, including flows to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The port processes general cargo, grain, livestock, Ro-Ro, and project cargo, with an annual capacity of around 11 million tons, 9 berths, a 2-km quay line, and a maximum draft of 13.5 meters.

This marks AD Ports Group’s largest infrastructure investment in Jordan to date, strengthening its presence in the region and reinforcing Aqaba’s role as a strategic logistics hub.

Founded in 2006 in the UAE, AD Ports Group is an integrated ports, logistics, and maritime services operator. The company is publicly listed, with a controlling stake held by the Abu Dhabi government via ADQ.

Algeria has officially opened the Western Mining Railway, Africa’s first heavy-haul railway built across desert terrain, marking a major milestone for the country’s transport infrastructure. The new line is expected to strengthen Algeria’s national rail network and support economic development and connectivity in the country’s south-western regions.

The railway stretches 950 km, with 575 km constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in partnership with Algerian state-owned companies. The project represents the largest infrastructure development ever undertaken by a Chinese company in Algeria and is designed specifically for transporting heavy bulk cargo from mining areas across the desert.

The launch highlights China’s growing role in large-scale rail infrastructure in Africa and Algeria’s focus on expanding logistics capacity beyond coastal regions.