Business – The Port Journal https://theportjournal.com Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:49:42 +0000 pt-BR hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://theportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cropped-The-Port-Journal4.jpeg-32x32.jpg Business – The Port Journal https://theportjournal.com 32 32 Japan to speed oil reserve release by skipping bidding for distributors https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-to-speed-oil-reserve-release-by-skipping-bidding-for-distributors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=japan-to-speed-oil-reserve-release-by-skipping-bidding-for-distributors https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-to-speed-oil-reserve-release-by-skipping-bidding-for-distributors/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:26:37 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-to-speed-oil-reserve-release-by-skipping-bidding-for-distributors/

Energy

Private stockpile being tapped to fill gap before drawdown of national reserves

Japan stores its national oil reserves at sites distributed throughout the country. © Kyodo

TOKYO — Japan is set to start distributing oil reserves from the private sector as early as Monday, with national stocks expected to follow between late March and early April, using negotiated contracts rather than bidding to streamline the process.

]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-to-speed-oil-reserve-release-by-skipping-bidding-for-distributors/feed/ 0 Japan startup eyes clinical trials for stem cell-based diabetes treatment https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-startup-eyes-clinical-trials-for-stem-cell-based-diabetes-treatment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=japan-startup-eyes-clinical-trials-for-stem-cell-based-diabetes-treatment https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-startup-eyes-clinical-trials-for-stem-cell-based-diabetes-treatment/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:22:42 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-startup-eyes-clinical-trials-for-stem-cell-based-diabetes-treatment/

Biotechnology

Orizuru Therapeutics seeks breakthrough to reduce insulin doses for Type 1 patients

Orizuru Therapeutics looks to process pancreatic islet cells created from iPS cells into sheets and transplant them into patients with Type 1 diabetes. (Orizuru Therapeutics)

NORIYUKI TAKADA, HINAKO BANNO and TAITO KUROSE

TOKYO — Japanese biotech startup Orizuru Therapeutics will start clinical trials as soon as fiscal 2027 for a diabetes treatment using induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells that could reduce insulin doses needed to lower blood sugar levels, potentially transforming the way the disease is treated.

]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/japan-startup-eyes-clinical-trials-for-stem-cell-based-diabetes-treatment/feed/ 0 In Brasília, Bruno Santos takes the exclusivity agenda of dockers to the Minister of Ports https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/in-brasilia-bruno-santos-takes-the-exclusivity-agenda-of-dockers-to-the-minister-of-ports/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-brasilia-bruno-santos-takes-the-exclusivity-agenda-of-dockers-to-the-minister-of-ports https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/in-brasilia-bruno-santos-takes-the-exclusivity-agenda-of-dockers-to-the-minister-of-ports/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:11:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/in-brasilia-bruno-santos-takes-the-exclusivity-agenda-of-dockers-to-the-minister-of-ports/

03/12/2026 05:11 am – Updated 2 hours ago

2 Min

Disclosure

The president of the São Paulo State Dockworkers Union (Sindestiva), Bruno Santos, was in Brasília last week participating in institutional commitments and parallel political meetings, and was also present at the TCU Summit. The agenda included meetings with federal authorities and parliamentarians, with a focus on defending the exclusivity of independent port workers.

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During the event, the leader had the opportunity to speak briefly with the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho. According to the union president, the dialogue served to reinforce the category’s concern about possible changes in the contracting model for port work.

According to Bruno Santos, the minister was asked that the federal government closely monitor ongoing discussions and act to avoid any measure that could compromise the exclusivity of dockers in port operations.

The presence in Brasília occurs amid the debate involving the agreement signed by the federation with FENOP and discussions about the future of the organization of port work in the country. The issue has mobilized unions and sector leaders in recent weeks.

In addition to the meeting with the minister, the union president also participated in a meeting at the federal deputy’s office Paulo Alexandre Barbosa. During the meeting, the parliamentarian expressed support for the agenda presented by the workers and reinforced the importance of dialogue between the government, Congress and entities representing the port sector.

The union leader’s agenda in the federal capital follows the same line of political articulation adopted recently by leaders of the Santos Dockworkers Union, who were also in Brasília seeking dialogue with authorities and parliamentarians in the face of discussions about PL 733/25 and the exclusivity of casual port workers.

For the union, presence in national discussions is essential at this time of possible legislative changes. The entity argues that any change in port legislation must preserve the category’s historical rights and guarantee legal security for workers and the Brazilian port system.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/in-brasilia-bruno-santos-takes-the-exclusivity-agenda-of-dockers-to-the-minister-of-ports/feed/ 0 WSC warns of risks experienced by seafarers and navigation in the Middle East https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/wsc-warns-of-risks-experienced-by-seafarers-and-navigation-in-the-middle-east/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wsc-warns-of-risks-experienced-by-seafarers-and-navigation-in-the-middle-east https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/wsc-warns-of-risks-experienced-by-seafarers-and-navigation-in-the-middle-east/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:39:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/wsc-warns-of-risks-experienced-by-seafarers-and-navigation-in-the-middle-east/

03/12/2026 04:39 am – Updated 3 hours ago

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The president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek, warned, this Wednesday (11), of the risks that vessels and their crews face when sailing through the Middle East.

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He said that around 20,000 seafarers in the region face a highly uncertain security situation because of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran and involving other countries.

Kramek recalled that several commercial vessels had been hit since the start of the conflict and that several crew members had been killed. “Seafarers are not part of this conflict, but they are increasingly involved in it. They are men and women who are simply doing their work at sea,” said the WSC leader.

He called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take measures to ensure the protection of seafarers and respect for freedom of navigation and stated that the safety of crews must be the absolute priority. “Our thoughts are with the sailors who lost their lives, their families and the crews still operating in the region in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions,” Kramek said.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/wsc-warns-of-risks-experienced-by-seafarers-and-navigation-in-the-middle-east/feed/ 0 Merger between CBO and Oceanpact strengthens fleet and expands presence in the offshore market https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/merger-between-cbo-and-oceanpact-strengthens-fleet-and-expands-presence-in-the-offshore-market/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=merger-between-cbo-and-oceanpact-strengthens-fleet-and-expands-presence-in-the-offshore-market https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/merger-between-cbo-and-oceanpact-strengthens-fleet-and-expands-presence-in-the-offshore-market/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:31:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/merger-between-cbo-and-oceanpact-strengthens-fleet-and-expands-presence-in-the-offshore-market/

03/12/2026 04:31 am – Updated 3 hours ago

2 Min

Disclosure

The merger between maritime support companies CBO and Oceanpact should expand operational capacity and open up new business opportunities in the offshore sector. According to executive Andrade, the fleets of the two companies have very complementary characteristics, which strengthens joint action in meeting the demands of the oil and gas industry.

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According to him, the integration of assets allows for greater diversification of the vessels operated, in addition to expanding the average size of the fleet available for contracts to support offshore activities. This combination allows us to serve different operating profiles, from specialized services to more complex logistics operations on the high seas.

The complementarity between the vessels also tends to increase the companies’ operational flexibility, allowing the new structure to more efficiently meet the needs of customers in the energy sector. In practice, this means greater ability to adapt to varied projects, which require different types of vessels and technical solutions.

Another point highlighted by the executive is that expanding the fleet can generate new contracting opportunities, both in existing projects and in future tenders and contracts in the oil and gas industry. The Brazilian offshore market has shown signs of recovery in recent years, driven mainly by the expansion of pre-salt activities.

With a more robust and diversified fleet, the expectation is that the new business structure will be more competitive to compete for contracts and expand its presence in the maritime support market, a segment considered strategic for the operation of offshore operations in the country.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/merger-between-cbo-and-oceanpact-strengthens-fleet-and-expands-presence-in-the-offshore-market/feed/ 0 Opinion: “Vasco da Gama Terminal: Modernize with discretion.” https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/opinion-vasco-da-gama-terminal-modernize-with-discretion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-vasco-da-gama-terminal-modernize-with-discretion https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/opinion-vasco-da-gama-terminal-modernize-with-discretion/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:03:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/opinion-vasco-da-gama-terminal-modernize-with-discretion/

Portal do Mar

03/11/2026 06:03 am – Updated 8 hours ago

2 Min

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By Vasco Sousa – Maritime Operations Technician.

The debate surrounding the future Vasco da Gama Terminal deserves to be carried out with ambition, but also with a sense of responsibility. Sines has the size, location and strategic relevance to think big, and it would be strange if a new terminal, designed from scratch, did not incorporate high levels of modernization, digitalization and operational efficiency.

This does not mean accepting automation as a magic word nor treating it as an end in itself. Rather, it means realizing that the port sector has changed, that international competition is increasingly demanding and that a project of this size must be born prepared to respond to the challenges of a more complex, more technological and more competitive market. This is precisely why it makes sense that the port administration is seeking to better understand the market, listen to operators and adjust the model of the future terminal to reality.

After a competition run by the previous administration in 2019 that ran out of proposals, it would be irresponsible to insist on the same formula without learning from what failed. Reevaluating, studying and correcting is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of seriousness. The question, therefore, should not be whether Sines wants to appear modern. It must be knowing how to be more efficient, more attractive and more prepared for the future without losing rationality. A more automated terminal can be part of this answer, as long as this option results from a solid analysis and not just an image boost. Sines needs to continue to grow with strategic vision. And that requires precisely what now appears to be being done: less rush in announcing, more care in structuring.

In a project of this scale, the most important thing is not to rush into the future. It is about ensuring that the future, when it arrives, is based on firm foundations.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/opinion-vasco-da-gama-terminal-modernize-with-discretion/feed/ 0 HMM diverts cargo from the Middle East and locks in new reserves. https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/hmm-diverts-cargo-from-the-middle-east-and-locks-in-new-reserves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hmm-diverts-cargo-from-the-middle-east-and-locks-in-new-reserves https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/hmm-diverts-cargo-from-the-middle-east-and-locks-in-new-reserves/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:03:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/hmm-diverts-cargo-from-the-middle-east-and-locks-in-new-reserves/

Portal do Mar

03/11/2026 06:08 am – Updated 8 hours ago

2 Min

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The South Korean shipowner HMM decided to change the operation of cargo linked to the Middle East, in direct response to the worsening of maritime instability in the region. The South Korean carrier considers that the current security situation no longer guarantees normal conditions for maintaining stopovers and services in several sensitive areas, namely in the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

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Given this context, the company chose to divert goods already in transit to alternative ports, whenever this proves necessary from an operational and safety point of view. This change will imply the application of a diversion recovery surcharge in the amount of one thousand dollars per container, intended to cover additional costs associated with the new routing of cargo, including port operations and storage. In the case of goods already reserved but not yet shipped, HMM advises that these shipments will no longer be able to proceed to the affected destinations. When the containers have already entered the terminal, the cargo can be collected by customers, with the costs and risks of this operation on their side, or subject to the contractual conditions in force. At the same time, the shipowner suspended, with immediate effect and for an indefinite period, the acceptance of new reservations originating or destination in ports located in the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

HMM’s decision confirms the growing impact of the crisis in the Middle East on international shipping. As the risks to commercial shipping multiply, so do costs, uncertainty in logistics chains and pressure on shipowners, shippers and terminals.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/hmm-diverts-cargo-from-the-middle-east-and-locks-in-new-reserves/feed/ 0 Conflict in the Middle East leaves around 140 container ships stranded in the Gulf. https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/conflict-in-the-middle-east-leaves-around-140-container-ships-stranded-in-the-gulf/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=conflict-in-the-middle-east-leaves-around-140-container-ships-stranded-in-the-gulf https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/conflict-in-the-middle-east-leaves-around-140-container-ships-stranded-in-the-gulf/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:03:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/conflict-in-the-middle-east-leaves-around-140-container-ships-stranded-in-the-gulf/

Portal do Mar

03/11/2026 6:38 pm – Updated 8 hours ago

2 Min

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The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is causing severe disruptions to container shipping, with around 140 ships stranded in the Gulf, in a clear sign of the pressure that regional insecurity is already putting on one of the most sensitive areas of world trade.

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According to consultancy Alphaliner, at the beginning of March, 138 container ships with a combined capacity of close to 470,000 TEU were sheltering in the Gulf, after security concerns led several carriers to suspend ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb.

The deterioration of the regional situation, following US and Israeli air strikes against Iran, is forcing operators to reevaluate routes, stopovers and navigation conditions. Among the most affected shipowners are MSC and CMA CGM. MSC will have 15 ships in this situation, representing around 109 thousand TEUs, while CMA CGM has 14 vessels, equivalent to 70 thousand TEUs. Among the ships mentioned is the MSC Clara, with a capacity of 19,224 TEU. The port of Jebel Ali, in the United Arab Emirates, is acting as a temporary refuge for some of these ships, housing around 20 vessels. Still, instability remains high, especially after reports emerged of an air attack that had caused a fire near the port.

Alphaliner estimates that this disruption could affect around 10.7% of the global container fleet, in a context where more than 120 scheduled services normally call at Gulf ports.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/conflict-in-the-middle-east-leaves-around-140-container-ships-stranded-in-the-gulf/feed/ 0 Three ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz increase the risk to navigation. https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/three-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-navigation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=three-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-navigation https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/three-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-navigation/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:03:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/three-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-navigation/

Portal do Mar

03/11/2026 6:17 pm – Updated 9 hours ago

2 Min

Photo: ABC News

Tension in the Strait of Hormuz has risen again after attacks against three ships were reported in different episodes, in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes. The situation reignites fears surrounding the safety of navigation in that strategic area, through which a decisive part of the world’s energy and merchandise traffic passes.

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Among the ships targeted is the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which was reportedly hit by a projectile, causing a fire on board. The crew launched a distress call and 20 crew members were rescued, but they continue to be reported missing. The Star Gwyneth, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, also suffered hull damage following an attack, although the crew remained safe. The Japanese-flagged container ship ONE MAJESTY was also hit, recording minor damage.

For now, the exact origin of the attacks, as well as the type of weapons used, remain unclear. More than three isolated incidents, these attacks again show how maritime security in the Gulf remains vulnerable to any military or political escalation.

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]]> https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/three-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-navigation/feed/ 0 Suspected mines in the Strait of Hormuz increase the risk to maritime transport. https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/suspected-mines-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-maritime-transport/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suspected-mines-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-maritime-transport https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/suspected-mines-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-maritime-transport/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:03:00 +0000 https://theportjournal.com/2026/03/12/suspected-mines-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-increase-the-risk-to-maritime-transport/

Portal do Mar

03/11/2026 6:53 pm – Updated 9 hours ago

2 Min

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The Strait of Hormuz is again under severe pressure after suspicions emerged that Iran may have begun laying mines in that sea route, albeit on a limited basis.

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The information, cited by CNN, comes at a time of high regional tension and reinforces fears of a further worsening of security conditions in one of the most strategic passages of world trade. At the same time, Donald Trump stated that there are, for now, no confirmed reports about the laying of mines in the strait. Even so, he left a harsh warning, arguing that, if this situation is confirmed, these mines will have to be removed immediately, otherwise large-scale military consequences could ensue.

For maritime transport, the effect of a threat of this nature can be immediate, even without official confirmation. The simple possibility of the existence of mines is enough to increase operational risk, put pressure on war insurance premiums and lead shipowners, ships and insurers to reassess stopovers, crossings and coverage conditions in an area already marked by strong instability. More than a sensitive point on the map, the Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy trade.

Around a fifth of the oil transported by sea passes through this route, which means that any threat to its security can have a direct impact on commercial shipping, logistical costs and the balance of international markets.

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