Port Congestion Spreads to East Coast & Major Shippers Charter Ships Independently

We recently posted about the record congestion in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach where over 60 container ships wait at anchor or simply drift offshore awaiting berth space.  The port congestion has spread to the East Coast … Continue reading

Full Sized Titanic Replica Under Construction at Theme Park in China

Five years ago we posted about the beginning of the construction of “A Close to Unsinkable Titanic in China’s Sichuan Province.” Construction began on November 30th, 2016 in Suining, Sichuan province, China, 745 miles from the sea. The full-sized replica … Continue reading

Maersk Essen Diverted to Mexico Due to California Container Port Congestion

Yesterday, we posted about the Maersk Essen that recently lost 750 containers over the side in a  storm in the North Pacific. An unknown number of containers still aboard the ship are believed to have been damaged during the storm. … Continue reading

Massive Deposit of Rare Earth Metals Found in Seabed Mud Off Japan

Researchers have located huge deposits of rare-earth metals in seabed mud off the Japanese island Minamitorishima, located 1,150 miles southeast of Tokyo. The discovery could have a major impact on both the Japanese and the world economy. Rare-earth metals are … Continue reading

150 Years Ago Today — The Last Great Tea Race Ends in a Tie

In 1866, five clipper ships set out together from Foochow, China bound for England in what would be the last  Great Tea Race. On September 6th, one hundred and fifty years ago today, after sailing more than 15,000 nautical miles, … Continue reading

Beijing’s Claims to South China Sea Rejected By Hague Tribunal

For those concerned by China’s aggressive expansion into the South China Sea, there is some very good news and some not so good news. The very good news is that an international tribunal in The Hague has overwhelmingly rejected Chinese claims … Continue reading

Five Countries are Responsible for 60% of Plastic Dumped in the Oceans

For several years now, we have posted about the so-called ocean garbage patches, the great swaths of the oceans where plastic and other floating debris accumulate while riding on vast circular currents. The problem is that an estimated 8 million … Continue reading

Massive Explosions in Chinese Port City Tianjin Kill at Least Fifty

Explosions at a warehouse containing hazardous materials rocked the Chinese port city of Tianjin on Wednesday, killing at least 50 and injuring over 700, 71 critically. Tianjin, 100 miles east of Beijing, is the fourth largest urban area in China. Buildings within a 1.5 miles … Continue reading