Bridgestone, the market-leading tyre brand, has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Queensland Distribution Centre at the Port West Industrial Estate (Stage 2) in Lytton, Port of Brisbane. The purpose-built facility is designed to support the company's ongoing growth and improve logistics for its retail and wholesale network across Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Developed by Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) with McNab as the principal contractor, the facility spans a 5.16-hectare site and includes a 23,340 sqm warehouse, a 350 sqm dock office, 20,340 sqm of concrete hardstand, and nearly 3,800 sqm of car parking. The new centre represents a major step forward in Bridgestone's logistics strategy, offering significant efficiency improvements in wharf-to-warehouse operations.

Sustainability has been a central focus in the design and construction of the facility. It draws 100% of its operational energy from renewable sources via PBPL's embedded energy network and includes a 1MW rooftop solar system and a 1MW Battery Energy Storage System. Water-efficient fittings, shared fire services, and the use of low-carbon concrete and recycled materials in civil works further highlight the project's environmental credentials.

Construction began in August 2024 and was completed by April 2025. The new facility forms part of Port West Industrial Estate Stage 2, which spans approximately 26.8 hectares and is being progressively developed to meet industrial demand. The estate is also home to Electrolux Group and adjoins Stage 1, which houses 11 global and national businesses, including Bunnings, Steelforce, and Fisher & Paykel.

The European financing contract for Stage II of the "Modernization of the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure in the Port of Constanta" project has been officially signed. The contract was executed by Romania's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Sorin Mihai Grindeanu, and the General Director of the National Company Maritime Ports Administration Constanta, Mihai Teodorescu.

Stage II of the project, financed under the Transport Program 2021-2027, has a total value of over 26.4 million RON (US$6.14 million), with eligible costs of around 18.8 million RON (US$4.37 million). Half of this amount, comes from non-refundable EU funds, while the remaining share is covered by the Romanian state budget.

Key upgrades under MPA Constanta's management include the installation of a new 110/20 kV substation, modernization of 12 transformer stations, construction of 21 km of 20 kV underground lines, and a new SCADA dispatch center. E-Distribution Dobrogea will also carry out connection works, including a 110 kV station and additional underground power lines.

The initiative supports EU strategies for greener, more efficient ports and aims to improve the safety, reliability, and sustainability of Constanta's maritime infrastructure.

Port Houston celebrated key achievements including federal funding for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion - Project 11, strong cargo volumes, and record community grants.

Chairman Ric Campo highlighted the $161 million federal investment secured in the President's FY26 Budget to complete Project 11, along with $53 million earmarked for ship channel dredging to maintain vessel access. Campo praised bipartisan efforts behind these critical infrastructure investments.

Port Houston reported robust cargo volumes in June, despite ongoing tariff challenges.

Interest in the Port's Foreign Trade Zone 84 has surged, prompting close cooperation with U.S. Customs to support new zone users.

State Senator Carol Alvarado and Representative Mary Ann Perez were recognized for their advocacy on behalf of Texas ports during the recent legislative session.

Project 11 dredging contracts remain on schedule, with full two-way vessel traffic expected by Q3 2025.

This is shown in the report “Containers Lost at Sea” by shipping organization World Shipping Council (WSC), which represents approximately 90% of container shipping companies globally.

Although this is more than double the figure for 2023, the level is significantly lower than the average for the last ten years of 1,274 containers per year.

“The overall trend remains encouraging. Despite occasional increases, long-term data continues to show a clear decline in container losses compared to previous years,” WSC says.

Last year, approximately 250 million containers were shipped by sea. This represents a loss of 0.0002%.

A large proportion of the lost containers fell overboard on the route south of Africa, which has become significantly more busy over the past two years due to unrest in the Red Sea.

In 2023, the Houthi movement reacted to Israel’s war in Gaza by threatening and attacking shipping traffic in the Red Sea. This prompted many shipping companies to send their ships on a long detour south of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa instead of through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

According to WSC, the number of ships on the route has increased by 191% compared to previous years.

“Despite continued loss-prevention efforts by the industry, the re-routing of transits away from the Red Sea and around the Cape of Good Hope to keep global commerce moving has ocean carriers navigating one of the world’s most challenging routes, as highlighted in this report,” says Joe Kramek concluded.,” chief exec of WSC.

While historically few containers were lost in 2023, there were particularly high losses ten years earlier, in 2013, when 5,578 containers were lost.

Starting next year, shipping companies will be required to report container losses to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved an $833 million budget for fiscal year 2026, nearly half of which will go toward infrastructure projects that reinforce the port's leadership in sustainable, efficient cargo movement.

The budget will be submitted to the Long Beach City Council later this year for final approval.

Key highlights include a $405.4 million capital improvement allocation, representing 48.7% of total spending. Of this, $208.8 million is earmarked for the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, a transformative project aimed at shifting more cargo to rail, reducing truck traffic, and lowering emissions.

The Pier B project, which broke ground in July 2024, is scheduled for completion in 2032.

The budget also includes a $25.3 million transfer to the City's Tidelands Operating Fund, which supports community and environmental enhancements along the city's 7-mile coastline, such as shoreline safety, water quality, and public facilities.

Despite global trade uncertainties and a conservative 1.9% projected drop in operating revenue, the port is maintaining a strong financial position.

The 9.5% year-over-year increase in budgeted spending reflects the port's continued commitment to modernization and sustainability, including support for the Zero Emissions, Energy Resilient Operations Policy, which advances the use of zero-emissions equipment and vehicles.

The Port of Long Beach plans to invest $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements over the next decade, supporting both growth and environmental stewardship.

Additionally, the Board approved an increase in its scholarship fund, raising the annual allocation from $350,000 to $400,000, reinforcing its commitment to education and workforce development in the region.

Emirates Shipping Line has announced its entry into the United States market with the launch of the Sun Chief Express service, a direct, fortnightly connection linking Seattle, WA with key Southeast Asian ports - Ho Chi Minh City and Shekou.

The service will follow the rotation: Ho Chi Minh - Shekou - Seattle - Ho Chi Minh, with the first sailing scheduled aboard the M.V. Bright, departing from Ho Chi Minh on 22 July.

This strategic addition to ESL's global network marks a significant milestone in the company's growth, following its recent expansion into Mexico.

The SCX enhances ESL's coverage of Southeast Asia while opening new trade lanes to the U.S., further reinforcing its links to the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and China.

In the US, ESL will leverage Seattle's strong intermodal infrastructure to offer inland connectivity to major hubs including Portland, St. Paul, Chicago, Kansas City, Columbus, and Memphis.

With its focus on efficiency, reliability, and market expansion, ESL's new SCX service strengthens its position as a competitive and agile player in global container shipping.

CMA CGM has released updated Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates effective from July 1, 2025, until further notice, but not beyond July 15, 2025.

These rates apply to shipments on vessels departing from all Asian ports, including Japan, Southeast Asia, and Bangladesh, to all North European ports, covering the full range from Portugal to Finland and Estonia, including the United Kingdom.

The new FAK rates are set at US$2,250 per 20' GP container and US$4,100 per 40' GP, 40' HC, or 40' reefer container.

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Port of Los Angeles has wrapped up a US$22.7 million restoration project at Berths 177-182, significantly upgrading its infrastructure along the East Basin Channel in Wilmington.

Construction, which began in November 2023 following approval by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners two months earlier, involved the development of approximately 382 linear feet of new concrete wharf, 62 feet wide. Additional improvements included slope erosion repairs and the installation of upgraded bollards.

The project replaces part of a timber wharf that was severely damaged in a 2014 fire. The new structure has been built to meet the Port's seismic safety standards, ensuring greater resilience against future incidents.

"This project's completion, especially in the wake of recent devastating fires like those at Eaton and Palisades, underscores the urgent need to prioritize long-term resilience in our rebuilding efforts," said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. "We're proud to deliver this critical infrastructure while keeping steel-handling operations running smoothly."

Dina Aryan-Zahlan, Deputy Executive Director of Development at the Port, emphasized the importance of designing infrastructure with future risks in mind. "Fire prevention is a vital component of our operational planning," she noted. "With more than a century of history behind us, modernizing our terminals is essential to staying competitive."

At approximately 1:20 p.m. on 15 June 2025, a newly delivered quay crane tipped over at a non-operational berth at Tuas Port.

No injuries or fatalities were reported, and initial assessments indicate no damage to nearby port equipment or infrastructure.

All operational berths at PSA Singapore remain fully accessible, with port operations and ongoing development works continuing without disruption.

An investigation into the incident is underway. PSA and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore are coordinating with the relevant authorities to determine the cause.