Seatrade Maritime News Podcast

In this episode of the Seatrade Trade Maritime News podcast, Emma Howell speaks with Tim Coffin, CEO of Tristar Maritime Logistics, about the importance of putting seafarers’ safety and wellbeing at the heart of shipping business.Tim reflects on the origins and growth of the Tristar Safety at Sea Conference, and explains why it brings seafarers and shore-based leaders together for direct, live conversations. The discussions span mental health and workload pressures to psychological safety, crew cohesion. As well as the challenges of speaking up in a hierarchical environment and exploring what it takes to build a safer, more supportive maritime workplace.The conference will also consider how technology, training and feedback can improve life on board, and why a healthy workforce is both a moral responsibility and a foundation for business success. Tim shares his hopes for the conference and a message for young seafarers: their voices matter, and their colleagues ashore care.Listen to the full episode now

Suez Canal return for container lines, X-Press Pearl Captain stranded in Sri Lanka, and Iran blacklists Sinokor.These are just some of the stories that are covered in the latest episode of Maritime in Minutes.Seatrade Maritime News’ Marcus Hand and Gary Howard reflect on the month of October, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.Hear more about:Zim sale in balance as full-year forecasts soarVLCC rates push to $1.2m per day for Gulf of Oman loadingFull Suez return for container carriers expected by Q1 2027Alternative fuels – capability doesn’t equal consumptionUS vessel seizures – the prize law’s return?X-Press Pearl Master stranded in Sri Lankan legal limbo for over five yearsCrew Connect Global 2026: Security, criminalisation and the digital divide dominate day oneIran’s Hormuz authority to take 'legal action' against Sinokor fleetContainer lines facing unavoidable tonnage tsunamiListen to the full episode nowIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads. For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com Connect with Marcus Hand:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/Connect with Gary Howard:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaryLeeHoward Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyleehoward/Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters have surged sharply in October and will we explore what this means for exports from the region and the maritime industry.In the latest Maritime Crossroads episode Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News and Noam Rayden a Senior Research Fellow at the Washington Institute of Near East Policy discuss the upsurge on ship attacks by Iran.In our last episode, we explored Iranian attacks against commercial shipping over the past months, looking for patterns and trends to understand how these attacks have evolved and what to expect next. We also warned of more attacks to come based on Iran’s maritime behavior which has proved to be the case.This month, more than 20 ship attacks have been recorded in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.In today’s episode, we discuss the latest ship attacks, examining a few of them to identify the vessels targeted and consider how this may or may not affect the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.The latest attacks come amid the gradual recovery in the region’s crude exports, including those from Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer. Iraq is among the most vulnerable exporters because it relies on the Strait of Hormuz for its southern crude oil exports, which mainly head to Asia, its key market.We also zoom in on Iraq which we believe deserves more attention given its internal challenges amid the region’s shipping and energy crisis.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads. For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com.Connect with Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

In this episode, Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand speaks with Dersenish Aresandiran, the Chief Commercial Officer of Malaysian Aviation Group, about the evolving strategies of Malaysia Airlines in the corporate travel sector, particularly in marine and energy travel. Discover how Malaysia Airlines is positioning itself as a trusted partner, focusing on reliability, flexibility, and personalised service to meet the specialised needs of these sectors. You will learn about the airline's ambitious transformation and commitment to enhancing the travel experience for corporate clients.The conversation includesCorporate travel strategyDifferentiation in corporate travel propositionMarine and energy travel requirementsMalaysia's strategic locationTransformation of Malaysia AirlinesFuture ambitions for corporate travelListen to the full episode nowIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads. For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com.Connect with Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

In this episode, Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News, engages with Captain Somasundar Nair and Captain Abhishek Sinha from Fleet Management to discuss the future of crewing in the maritime industry.The conversation explores the future of maritime talent, the enduring importance of the Philippines to the global seafaring workforce, and the role that training, leadership development and crew wellbeing play in supporting safe, reliable and efficient operations.Captain Soma and Captain Abhishek share insights on the significance of leadership, crew wellbeing, and the interconnectedness of performance and safety culture. They emphasize the need for continuous learning and investment in training to ensure that the next generation of maritime leaders is equipped to handle the complexities of modern shipping.Key topics discussed include:The evolving landscape of seafaring and crew requirementsStrategies for attracting and retaining young talent in the industryThe pivotal role of Filipino seafarers in global maritime operationsInvestments in training facilities and career development programsThe importance of family support in seafarer welfareBuilding a strong safety culture through trust and accountabilityListen to the full episode now

In this episode, we explore the important seafarers health and well-being with Rebecca Hayes Mejia from Marine Benefits. Learn about insights from the Re:fresh programme, an initiative aimed at understanding and improving seafarer health over the past decade.In a conversation with Marcus Hand Editor of Seatrade Maritime News Rebecca discusses key findings from the latest reports, the evolution of the surveys, and how shipping companies can utilise the data to implement effective health interventions. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the challenges and advancements in seafarer health.The conversation covers:The Re:fresh ProgrammeKey findings from the 2024 reportParticipation in the 2026 reportBenefits for companies participating The upcoming release of the 2026 reportInsights from seafarersListen to the full episode now

In this episode, Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Trade Maritime News, interviews Stuart Ostrow, Founder and President of ShipMoney, a maritime fintech company that provides innovative E-Wallet and payroll services for seafarers. The discussion covers the complexities of banking and personal finance for those working far from home on the world’s oceans, the challenges of remitting payments across borders, and the unique solutions ShipMoney offers to streamline these processes.Stuart shares insights into the regulatory landscape, the importance of communication technology, and the company's future plans for expansion.Listeners will also hear about ShipMoney’s upcoming fundraising for Sailors’ Society where Stuart will be hiking to Everest base camp. Please follow this link if you would like to make a donation https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sailors-society-everest-shipmoneyThe conversation covers:The need for maritime-specific payment solutionsChallenges in remitting paymentsThe importance of people in the businessHandling exceptions in crew paymentsTechnological advancements in communicationCybersecurity measuresFundraising trek for Sailors’ SocietyFuture plans for ShipMoneyListen to the full episode now

Asian port congestion, tankers in the crosshairs in Hormuz, and the Panama Ship Registry under pressure.These are just some of the stories that are covered in the latest episode of Maritime in Minutes.Seatrade Maritime News’ Marcus Hand and Gary Howard reflect on the month of September, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.Hear more about:Over 50% of vessels delayed at Asia’s busiest container portsSamsung hits CMA CGM with $186m complaint in US over delivery failuresTankers caught at centre of US-Iran escalation spiralPhilippines set to ban deployment of seafarers in Strait of HormuzHormuz shuttle tankers: An evolving trend amid the Iran WarVLCC rates smash through million dollar barrierDrones and USVs replace mines as Black Sea’s floating hazardUnder pressure: Panama Ship Registry drops to 3rd in global rankingsListen to the full episode nowIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads. For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com Connect with Marcus Hand:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/Connect with Gary Howard:Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaryLeeHoward Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyleehoward/Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

In this episode ahead of Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global 2026 we turn the spotlight on seafarer welfare.Marcus Hand from Seatrade Maritime News, engages Erikkos Andreakos from MarTrust and Simon Grainge from ISWAN in a compelling conversation about their partnership aimed at improving crew welfare for seafarers. Discover how MarTrust, as a dedicated payment provider for the industry, is addressing the financial challenges faced by seafarers, and learn about the innovative Power BI Dashboard developed with ISWAN and designed to gather insights into their welfare needs. This episode highlights the critical intersection of finance and mental health in the maritime industry and sets the stage for future developments in seafarer support.The conversation covers:The Importance of financial security for seafarersMarTrust’s Partnership with ISWANThe role of data in seafarer welfareInsights from the Power BI DashboardFuture directions for the partnershipListen to the full episode now

Iranian attacks on commercial shipping have been on the increase in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region. There was a lull in attacks in June during the short-lived US – Iran MoU, but numbers have risen significantly since then through July, August and into September.Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News discusses trends in Iranian attack on shipping with Noam Rayden a Senior Research Fellow at the Washington Institute of Near East Policy.In this Maritime Crossroads episode, we try to answer a central question: Around six months into the Iran war, how have Iranian attacks against commercial shipping evolved, where are they concentrated now, and what could lie ahead?The conversation covers:Overview of Attacks (June - August)Detailed analysis of attacks in AugustIran’s shift in targeting strategyThe impact of US Naval presence and blockadeFuture implications for maritime security in the Middle EastListen to the full episode hear about all these topics and much more