Opposition to Jones Act Waiver Extension Widens as Maritime Industry Pushes Back
Oil tanker lines up to sail under Califronia’s Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Andy Randy Shutterstock
Opposition to Jones Act Waiver Extension Widens as Maritime Industry Pushes Back
Mike Schuler
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April 28, 2026
The Trump administration’s decision to extend its broad Jones Act waiver another 90 days is drawing mounting opposition across the U.S. maritime sector, with labor unions, domestic operators, trade groups and lawmakers arguing the move undermines American shipping while doing little to address energy prices.
The extension,
announced last week
, keeps in place through mid-August emergency relief first granted in March allowing foreign-flag vessels to move oil, fuel, LNG, fertilizer and other covered cargoes between U.S.
AAL Shipping Strengthens Industry-Leading Credentials With Iso 27001 Certification
AAL Shipping Strengthens Industry-Leading Credentials With Iso 27001 Certification
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International Shipping News
28/04/2026
AAL Shipping (AAL) has further strengthened its position as a trusted global heavy‑lift and project cargo carrier with the successful certification of ISO 27001, the internationally recognised standard for information security management systems.
The new certification complements AAL’s fully aligned and renewed QHSE integrated management system, which incorporates ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management). Together, these certifications form a comprehensive assurance framework that spans every aspect of AAL’s operations – from vessel performance and crew welfare to environmental responsibility, energy efficiency and now information security.
AAL Limassol, Super B-Class
“Achieving ISO 27001 alongside our existing ISO certifications underscores our holistic approac
ADNOC L&S Takes Delivery of Sixth Next-Generation LNG Carrier, Strengthening Global Energy Flows
ADNOC L&S Takes Delivery of Sixth Next-Generation LNG Carrier, Strengthening Global Energy Flows
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International Shipping News
28/04/2026
ADNOC Logistics & Services plc has taken delivery of its sixth 175,000 m³ new-build LNG carrier from Jiangnan Shipyard in China. The addition of this vessel further strengthens ADNOC L&S’ role in enabling the reliable movement of energy across global markets. The vessel is part of a $1.2 billion LNG fleet order placed in 2022, supporting the expansion and modernisation of the company’s fleet to meet global market demand with enhanced efficiency.
Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S, said: “Each new carrier strengthens our ability to reliably deliver energy and essential commodities across international routes, particularly at a time when supply chains are under pressure.
PIL Launches Ubuntu Express (UBX) to Strengthen Connectivity Between Asia and South Africa
PIL Launches Ubuntu Express (UBX) to Strengthen Connectivity Between Asia and South Africa
in
International Shipping News
28/04/2026
Pacific International Lines (PIL) continues to strengthen our footprint in South Africa with the launch of the Ubuntu Express (UBX), a new weekly service providing a direct and extensive connection between Central and South China, Taiwan, Singapore and South Africa. The service further strengthens PIL’s comprehensive Africa network.
The Ubuntu Express is introduced in response to growing trade demand between Asia and South Africa, driven by rising consumer markets, expanding industrial activity, and increasing flows of agricultural, temperature‑sensitive and manufactured goods. By offering enhanced connectivity and competitive transit times, UBX enables customers to move cargo more efficiently between key production hubs in Asia and high‑growth consumption and export markets in South Africa.
Named after the South African philosophy of “Ubuntu”, which emph
April 27, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
April 27, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
in
International Shipping News
28/04/2026
Operational Overview
Maritime activity across the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding corridors remains active but uneven, with transit volumes fluctuating under continued enforcement pressure and operational uncertainty.
Following the April 25 rebound, transit activity slowed again on April 26, despite maintaining full AIS visibility across all crossings. At the same time, Gulf-wide vessel presence continued to increase, pointing to a gradual rebuild in overall system activity.
East of Hormuz, the Chabahar tanker cluster remains stable, with dark VLCC and Suezmax vessels continuing to loiter under supported conditions, reinforcing the role of eastern positioning as part of ongoing adaptation to enforcement constraints.
Across the system, vessel behavior reflects a controlled but inconsistent operating environment, where movement is possible, but still shaped by enforcement dynamics, routing dec
Tototheo Global certified as Great Place To Work® in Cyprus and Greece for the third consecutive year
Tototheo Global certified as Great Place To Work® in Cyprus and Greece for the third consecutive year
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International Shipping News
28/04/2026
Tototheo Global has been certified as a Great Place To Work® in Cyprus and Greece for the third consecutive year, a recognition that reflects the strength of its people and culture. As a leading provider of advanced satellite connectivity and technology solutions for the maritime, enterprise and government sectors, the company continues to strengthen its position as an employer of choice across two competitive and strategically important markets.
The certification is based exclusively on anonymous employee feedback through the Trust Index™ survey. In 2025, Tototheo Global recorded a further increase in overall positive evaluations compared to 2024.
Critical raw materials face rising export restrictions, increasing risks to global supply chains
Critical raw materials face rising export restrictions, increasing risks to global supply chains
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Commodity News
28/04/2026
Several key minerals that are essential inputs for digital and renewable energy technologies face high exposure to export restrictions, and the number of restrictions continues to rise, a new OECD report finds.
The annual update of the OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Critical Raw Materials tracks export restrictions and supports analysis of their impact on availability, prices and global supply chains. The OECD continues to monitor these measures over time. The latest edition, which analyses measures implemented through the end of 2024, shows that export restrictions on critical raw materials have increased steadily in the past 15 years, reaching an all-time high.
West moves to larger Hong Kong office, supporting growth in China and Vietnam
West moves to larger Hong Kong office, supporting growth in China and Vietnam
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Marine Insurance P&I Club News
28/04/2026
West P&I has reinforced its long-standing commitment to the Chinese and Vietnamese market with the relocation of its Hong Kong office to larger premises, reflecting continued investment in the region and the Club’s growing activities across China and Vietnam.
West has maintained a presence in Hong Kong since 1982 and today supports one of the largest portfolios of Chinese and Vietnamese shipping business among International Group Clubs. As of 2026, the Club’s regional book has grown to more than 1,800 vessels, making West the largest IG Club in China and Vietnam. Owned and chartered tonnage written from Hong Kong now exceeds 70 million gross tonnes, representing nearly 40% of the Club’s total entered tonnage.
The relocation to a larger office reflects this sustained growth and provides additional capacity to further strengthen underwriting, claims and loss preventi
Kalmar secured an order of electric empty container handlers from Lechman Terminais
Kalmar secured an order of electric empty container handlers from Lechman Terminais
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Port News
28/04/2026
Kalmar has secured an order from long-term customer Lechman Terminais in Brazil for six Kalmar electric empty container handlers. The order was booked in Kalmar’s Q2 2026 order intake with delivery scheduled for Q1 of 2027.
The new electric empty container handlers will operate in a container depot in the town of Guarujá, located in the hinterland of the Port of Santos. The equipment is capable of stacking containers seven-high, and features the highest capacity of 400 kWh batteries, ensuring operational continuity beyond a full work shift.
Regional Shipping Networks Gain as Global Trade Routes Realign
Regional Shipping Networks Gain as Global Trade Routes Realign
in
International Shipping News
28/04/2026
Global trade disruption and realignment are transforming the Red Sea Corridor into a pivotal hub for resilient supply chains, highlighting the importance of investment in infrastructure, technology and localisation to drive long-term value creation, reveals a new impact report by Oxford Business Group (OBG) in partnership with Folk Maritime.
Titled, “Trade Shifts, the Red Sea Corridor and Local Value Creation,” the impact report examines how evolving trade routes are redefining maritime competitiveness across the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India and South-east Asia. It highlights the growing importance of infrastructure development, technology adoption and low-carbon strategies in strengthening resilience and enabling sustainable growth.
The report finds that the reconfiguration of global supply chains is accelerating investment in maritime infrastructure and regional s