The Liberian Registry, whose host nation is one of those most affected by the Ebola epidemic, has backed IMO’s recommendation that trade continue unhindered by travel bans.

South Korea’s Hanjin Shipping will expand its service network in South Africa by participating in existing SF1 (South Africa Express 1 Central) and SF2 (South Africa Express 2 South) services.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has recorded higher lifting volumes in the third quarter ended 30 September 2014, boosted by strong contributions from the Asia-Europe trade.

The IMO has reiterated that there is no need for a general ban on international travel or trade due to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa.

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) is exploring investment opportunities across various maritime sectors to diversify its activities.

Intertanko has praised moves at IMO to introduce quality control testing for bunkers, calling it “a step in the right direction” as new sulphur limits loom in North Europe and North America.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has agreed guidelines to assist governments in implementing the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 following a Meeting of Experts on Maritime Occupational Safety and Health.

DP World has started has started trial operations at its $850m Jebel Ali's new Terminal 3 (T3) with a maiden call by the APL Phoenix.

Companies including ABB, SOLAS and Seven Seas have invested over $3.7m in Onsite Specialist Contractors (OSCs) at Bahrain's Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY), with more investments in the pipeline.

As concerns grow over the possibility of seafarers and ship passengers being infected with the deadly Ebola virus the IMO has published an infographic on what people need to know.