The UN Security Council today votes to impose mandatory inspections of any cargo vessel leaving or entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

NEPA Projects and Investments is launching an Indonesian coal shipping joint venture for 27 mines in Kalimantan.

Prospects for the global dry bulk shipping market are anticipated to remain bleak, at least over the next several years, but owners believed that the current climate has presented newbuilding investment opportunities.

Malaysia's Scomi Energy Services has secured contracts worth more than MYR140m ($35.4m) in the last four months from within the region, the company said in an announcement.

With the completion of its recently built quay, state-owned coal miner Bukit Asam in Tarahan, Lampung is set to become Indonesia's biggest port, able to berth capesize vessels with a maximum capacity of 210,000 dwt, local reports said.

Rising coal imports from India could see the South Asia country overtake China as the world’s biggest coal import in 2015, reports said.

Perhaps encouraged by the promise of more support for the maritime transportation industry, more private money is flowing into Indonesian port infrastructure, with local media reporting that coal mining services company Asiatic Universal Indonesia...

China Shipping Bulk Carrier has signed an agreement with SDIC Electric Power to collaborate on coal shipping.

The dry bulk cycle has a long way to go before it is over, said Clarkson Research Services president Martin Stopford at the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference in Hong Kong.

Danish shipowner Norden has reported a third quarter loss of $45.5m as its dry cargo segment was hit by falling coal demand.