Category: Asia Pacific

MIL-OSI Russia: New Wuhan-Poti/Tbilisi route launched as part of China-Europe international rail freight transportation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) — A China-Europe international rail freight train departed from Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, for Georgia on Saturday, marking the opening of a new trans-Caspian international transport route linking Wuhan with Georgian cities.

The train is carrying goods worth more than 14.82 million yuan (about $2.06 million), including light mechanical equipment, agricultural machinery and construction materials, China’s Zhongxinshe News Agency reported.

This train will cross the state border at the Khorgos checkpoint /Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Republic, Northwest China/, pass through Kazakhstan, where in the seaport of Aktau the cargo will be transferred to a ferry going across the Caspian Sea, after which it will arrive in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, from where it will be delivered by rail to Poti and Tbilisi.

When transporting goods from Wuhan to Georgia, a multimodal scheme is envisaged: “railway – sea – rail”, while the travel time is approximately 18 days.

Georgia is a key corridor connecting Europe and Asia. The launch of this route will facilitate the development of trade and economic ties between China’s Hubei Province and Georgia, Turkey, and other neighboring countries.

Currently, there are 58 cross-border routes in the China-Europe international railway freight transportation, linking Wuhan with 120 cities in 40 countries on the Eurasian continent. Thus, an international intermodal transport network has been formed covering Europe, Central Asia and ASEAN countries, as well as Japan and the Republic of Korea. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese-Uzbek archaeological team held an open day

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) — A team of archaeologists from China and Uzbekistan held an open day in Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan last week, according to the official website of the Cultural Heritage Protection Administration of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

The event, attended by 40 local schoolchildren, took place at the Bandikhon No. 2 archaeological site, located in the Surkhandarya and Sherabadarya river valley. Since September 2023, experts from China and Uzbekistan have been conducting joint excavations at this early Iron Age site.

The archaeological group includes researchers from Northwest University (NWU, Shaanxi Province, China), Termez State University and Termez State Archaeological Museum (Uzbekistan).

The event, which aimed to educate the public about archaeology, allowed the teenagers to expand their historical knowledge and strengthen their awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage sites, said Ma Jian, head of the Chinese archaeological team.

In cooperation with the Samarkand Archaeological Institute, the State Archaeological Center and the Fergana State University of Uzbekistan, SZU has been conducting archaeological work in the city of Samarkand, the Surkhandarya and Fergana regions of this country for 18 years in a row.

The collaboration between archaeologists from both sides proved fruitful. Experts filled a number of gaps in Central Asian archaeological research, discovering the monuments of Sazagan and Chinartepa and the burial grounds of Rabat and Serharakat. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China hosts symposium on traditional cultures along the Silk Road

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) — A 2025 symposium on the protection, development and application of traditional cultures along the Silk Road opened in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, on Friday.

The symposium, co-organized by the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government, the Provincial Department of Education and Northwest University (NWU), brought together more than 100 experts from higher education institutions in China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Morocco and the United Kingdom.

The event included the opening ceremony of the Intelligent Perception Laboratory for Situational Awareness in Countries Along the Silk Road, aimed at enhancing the level of cooperation between research organizations in China, Central Asia and Arab countries.

Speaking at the symposium, SZU Rector Sun Qingwei introduced those present to the university’s achievements in research related to the Great Silk Road.

The Silk Road served as a channel for trade and economic interaction and civilizational exchanges between the East and the West, and in modern times it has gained new vitality. Sun Qingwei called on the two sides to make joint efforts to deeply integrate production, education, research and application.

The main theme of the symposium is “The Great Silk Road: civilizational mutual learning and innovation in culture.” Within its framework, two sub-forums were held on issues of Chinese-Arab and Chinese-Central Asian civilizational exchanges. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Hong Kong SAR IPOs this year total 76 billion Hong Kong dollars

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) — Chen Mao-bo, head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Finance Department, said that since the beginning of this year to date, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has raised over 76 billion Hong Kong dollars through initial public offerings (IPOs) on the local stock exchange, an eight-fold increase compared to the same period last year and reaching about 90 percent of last year’s total.

In an online report posted by the official on Sunday, he said that despite the uncertainties in the external environment, the Hong Kong SAR is making every effort to seize opportunities to play the role of a “super-connector” between China’s interior and the rest of the world.

Last week, Hong Kong SAR hosted two major financial forums, with many foreign investors pledging to use Hong Kong to increase their asset allocation to the Chinese interior and the rest of Asia. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange also saw its largest IPO of the year last week.

In addition, the Hong Kong Investment Management Company organized the first international forum on “patient capital”. Speaking at the forum, representatives of science and technology enterprises noted that the event allowed them to get acquainted with many potential investors and long-term funds, which will help accelerate the connection between capital and innovative science and technology enterprises.

On May 23, the Hong Kong SAR’s relocation regulations came into effect. On the same day, a major international insurance company announced its intention to relocate to Hong Kong and make Hong Kong its place of registration.

Chen Maobo noted that due to the excellent performance of the stock exchange, more and more companies are choosing to set up their headquarters, research centers and regional offices in the Hong Kong SAR, which in turn demonstrates the confidence of investors and enterprises in the Hong Kong SAR. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Vessel owner and skipper fails to meet legal obligations

Source: Maritime New Zealand

A skipper whose vessel sank off the South Island last year was operating it unlawfully at the time, failing to have obtained the required out of water survey.

Wayne Jolly was the sole director and shareholder of Aurora Oceania Limited, which owned and operated the commercial fishing vessel, Aurora.

On 7 March, 2022, the vessel sank about a nautical mile off the Catlins coast

Mr Jolly has this week been sentenced after formally pleading guilty to one charge of failing to comply with the provisions and conditions of the vessel’s Maritime Transport Operator Certificate under s 69B of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

“While we cannot confirm this failure to comply has a link to the sinking of the vessel in March 2022, the purpose of the relevant requirements is to protect vessels, the environment and the lives of those on-board.

“As the vessel was lost at sea, Maritime NZ investigators were unable to examine its physical state, and in turn confirm what caused it to sink,” Investigation’s Manager at Maritime NZ John Maxwell says.

As the sole director of the company, Wayne Jolly was required to ensure any ship run under his company’s management was operating in line with the required safety management systems for the vessel.

In order for a vessel, such as the Aurora to be compliant, it needs to have a current Certificate of Survey, these are issued by maritime surveyors.

Owners and operators have the primary responsibility for their vessels safety at all times.

“The Aurora’s CoS was valid until 2023, but subject to a range of conditions including requiring it to have an out-of-water survey by March 2021. This survey was never undertaken.

“Given the survey wasn’t completed by its March 2021 due date, the Certificate of Survey was invalid when it sank a year later.

“Failing to complete the out-of-water survey meant there wasn’t up to date information on the condition on the vessel nor an opportunity to identify any safety risks that need to be fixed” John Maxwell says.

Maritime NZ says it is vital operators understand their safety responsibilities, not only in respect of their vessels but also the crew and our environment.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime NZ response to TAIC report into the fatal Enchanter capsizing

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The capsizing of the Enchanter, on 20 March 2022, was a tragic incident.

The thoughts of those at Maritime NZ go out to everyone impacted by the events of that evening.

Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, says this was a complicated response, requiring aircraft to quickly respond from around the top of the North Island, which played a key role in five people being rescued.

“I want to thank everyone who was involved in the response, from our people at RCCNZ, through to those who went out in trying conditions, to undertake rescues and then continue to search for the missing,” Ms Hewlett says.

The report contains several recommendations directed to Maritime NZ. While others, focusing on search and rescue, are connected to the work undertaken by Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre.

“We partially accept the recommendations directed to us by the Commission,” she says.

This report contains recommendations relating to Maritime NZ’s supervision and work with surveyors, who examine commercial vessels to confirm that the condition of their structure, machinery and equipment comply with the applicable maritime and marine protection rules.

We partially accept the recommendations regarding surveyors. This is because we already engage with, and notify, surveyors around rule and regulation changes and provide clarification around the intent of rules.

“This includes running regular conferences, seminars and providing regular industry updates on rule and technology changes. As well as providing technical advice and support where needed. We also work closely with surveyors on the development of new rules and amendment to rules, like we are currently on the 40 series rules.

“We are undertaking work to further strengthen our approach to monitoring surveyors, and are currently out consulting on an increase to our capacity to support this. We appreciate that there are dozens of surveyors working up and down the country, and we know it is important to ensure they are undertaking their roles appropriately and to high standards. We will consider the Commission’s recommendations and observations further as part of this work.” Ms Hewlett says

Maritime NZ is considering the recommendation around requirements for automated identification systems (AIS) to be fitted on passenger vessels outside inshore limits and the stowage of life jackets.

“The matter around AIS systems is already one that is on our regulatory reform programme to explore. Progressing it could improve response times and can accurately give location data. The stowage of life jackets is something new we will look at. Both Rules changes will also need to be considered alongside other priorities. Ultimately, it will be for Ministers to decide whether to approve the development of new rules,” Ms Hewlett says.

The Rescue Coordination Centre will also take interest in the recommendations around search and rescue.

“After the incident, RCCNZ undertook an internal review into its coordination of the response, and has since made several improvements to its procedures.

“We will support any response by Te Manatū Waka and the New Zealand Search and Rescue Secretariat,” Ms Hewlett says.

As the matter is before the courts, we are not in a position to comment further.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime NZ announces safer boating funding for 2023

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ has announced recipients of its annual Community Grant funding for safety programmes to help reduce fatalities and injuries to people out on the water in recreational craft.

In total, 21 projects and initiatives around the country will share $876,680 worth of funding. In 2022, 24 projects shared $853,000.

In 2022 there were 17 deaths (spread across 16 incidents) related to recreational craft. The number of fatalities has remained relatively consistent over the last decade, despite significant efforts from recreational craft safety-focussed organisations.

For Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, these fatalities and the substantial number of preventable harm incidents are of significant concern for her and the rest of Maritime NZ.

“With nearly two million people in New Zealand undertaking activities on the water, we know it is very important to get the right safety messages out to a wide range of people, from different backgrounds, all over Aotearoa.

“At Maritime NZ, we will be looking for opportunities to promote the work of other organisations to reduce harm, and are keen to see collaborative approaches to safety across the sector.

“No one organisation has the answer or the ability to reach everyone. This is why it is important to work together to increase water users’ knowledge on how to be safe on the water, and ultimately bring down instances of harm.

A key part of the funding allocation decision was looking at how to reach at-risk groups.

“There are several initiatives that are targeted to supporting different ethnic groups, including Pasifika, Asian and Māori communities.

“Across New Zealand, we know there are differing levels of safety knowledge, safety equipment owned by water users and language barriers for some communities. It is hugely important we keep up our previous momentum with supporting these communities and have them prioritising safety.

“Everyone should go home safely from a day out on the water.

“It is vital water users understand the rules and know how to keep themselves safe,” Ms Hewlett says.

The funding is split across local and national initiatives, with recipients located all around New Zealand.

Among the initiatives that have secured funding are Coastguard’s Old4New lifejacket upgrade programme, which includes Second Life Lifejackets and received $100,000; Northland Regional Council’s Nobody’s Stronger Than Tangaroa campaign, which received $85,000; and $70,000 for Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Kia marutau ki te wai and Safety is Our Wai scheme.

Beneficiary organisations include the Kayak Association of Sea Kayakers, Watersafe Auckland (Drowning Prevention Auckland), New Zealand Stand Up Paddling, Jet Boating NZ, and several regional councils.

A key purpose of the fund is to support campaigns and collaboration led by the members of New Zealand’s Safer Boating Forum, a coalition of organisations dedicated to improving safety in the recreational boating sector.

Successful recipients

Council / Organisation	Programme	Funding Approved
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Jon Jon Peters [email protected]	Safety is our Wai & Kia marutau ki te wai Continuation of on-water safety programme to Harbour & Lakes and safer boating education and resources specifically to local Iwi and Hapū	$70,000
Coastguard New Zealand Tautiaki Moana Aotearoa Daisy Docherty [email protected]	Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade Programme including Second Life Lifejackets and Ngā Hue ō Hinemoa Continuation of the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign offering heavily discounted lifejackets and PFD’s to those who upgrade their old or damaged lifejackets across NZ and providing new life jackets for at-risk communities Continuation of an existing programme to educate Pasifika boaties to be more knowledgeable and safer skippers.	$100,000
Environment Canterbury Gordon McKay [email protected]	Canterbury Safe Boating Programme Continuation of programme to educate safer boating and providing an Enforcement Officer to specialise in educating the jet boat sector.	$55,000
Environment Southland Zak Smith [email protected]	Environment Southland Boating Safety Program Continuation of existing programme to deliver consistent boating safety education to recreational boating operators on water and on boat ramps.	$20,000
Gisborne District Council Peter Buell [email protected]	Tairāwhiti Haumaru Moana Continuation of promoting safer boating throughout the region	$48,000
Greater Wellington Regional Council Grant Nalder [email protected]	Do you know what you need to? To deliver nationally consistent safe boating messages and the aim is to make this relevant and available to a wide demographic through direct contact with a range of boaties.	$58,410
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Adrian Wright [email protected]	Tamariki and Pakeke Boating Safety Programme Continuation of education program of delivering Safer Boating Education to local iwi and running a “Suddenly in Charge Course” at boating clubs around the region	$18,000
Jet Boating New Zealand Inc. Stephen Woodside [email protected]	Jet Smart – Safer Jet Boating Continuation to produce a series of Jet Smart – Safer Jet Boating videos that contain safety messages focusing on river navigation.	$36,650
Kayak Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) Steve Cooper [email protected]	KayakSafe NZ Continuation of delivery of key kayaking safety messages through a variety of channels.	$7,000
Marlborough District Council Brittany Hamilton [email protected]	Safer Boating Roadshow Marlborough – bringing boating safety to you! Visiting remote areas and promote safer boating behaviour.	$20,000
Nelson City Council Stuart Whitehouse [email protected]	Maritime Safety Internship Increasing safety education and compliance for Nelson waters	$27,000
Nelson City Council Stuart Whitehouse [email protected]	Sup on water educational programme Continuation of programme to educate SUP users on safety and help develop skills about informed decision making in dynamic environments.	$4,800
New Zealand Stand Up Paddling Inc. (NZSUP) Bill Dawes [email protected]	SUP SAFE Continuation of campaign targeted at stand up paddle boarders to increase safety behaviours.	$24,000
Northland Regional Council Peter Thomas [email protected]	Nobody’s stronger then Tangaroa Continuation of engaging with remote communities with specific messaging and face to face engagement	$85,000
Queenstown Lakes District Council Isabelle Logez [email protected]	QLDC Waterways Skipper Responsibility Campaign Increased public messaging to promote skipper responsibility of waterways within region, which solely comprises of inland waterways – rivers and lakes.	$12,000
Royal New Zealand Coastguard Marilyn Brady [email protected]	Ko Tangata Moana To deliver safer boating courses to Maori, Pasifika and Asian communities	$100,000
Waikato Regional Council Chris Bredenbeck [email protected]	Operation Neptune Continuation of on-water education with three primary tactics education, engagement and enforcement while delivering safety messages	$45,000
Waka Ama NZ Lara Collins [email protected]	Waka Ama Water Safety Continuation of delivery of the CBE Waka Ama Safety Course to all waka ama paddlers around Aotearoa.	$46,000
Watersafe Auckland Inc.(Drowning Prevention Auckland) Nicola Keen-Biggelaar [email protected]	WaiWise for the Pacific, Asian and Indian communities Continuation of programme to provide specific drowning prevention education for the three at-risk communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.	$50,000
Watersafe Auckland Inc.(Drowning Prevention Auckland) Nicola Keen-Biggelaar [email protected]	Supporting growth in use of Lifejacket Hubs for drowning prevention education Continuation to provide hubs where people can access lifejackets and support growing awareness of these hubs.	$25,000
Yachting New Zealand Raynor Haagh [email protected]	Yachting New Zealand’s sailing experience RŪNĀ Continuation of the RŪNĀ framework to encourage a wider and more diverse range of students to connect with sailing both inside and outside the classroom	$25,000
		$876,680

Note to editors

All of Maritime New Zealand’s recreational boating work is funded through fuel excise duty on petrol (about $5.4 million). This is from contributions to the tax boaties make when refuelling their boats. A portion of this funding is used to support the Community Grants programme
Maritime NZ also provides funding to a range of Councils around the country to support on-water compliance. Funding for ‘No Excuses’ and on-water compliance initiatives will not come out of community grants funding. Instead they will be supported from the on-water compliance funding budget.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Crown appointments to Maritime NZ Board announced

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Two new members have been appointed to the Maritime New Zealand Board, each serving a one year term.

“The appointees have extensive governance experience and strong backgrounds in health & safety, regulation, port operations and logistics and will add significant skills and experience to the Board” Maritime NZ Board Chair, Dame Jo Brosnahan says.

Ross Wilson was the National Secretary for the New Zealand Harbour Workers Union and General Secretary for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union during the 1980s and 1990s, becoming President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions in 1999. Ross has extensive governance, health and safety, maritime, and regulatory experience. He led the development of the Government Regulatory Practice Initiative (G-Reg) Master Class for regulatory boards and was the Board Chair at WorkSafe New Zealand until 2022. His knowledge will be valuable on the Authority, particularly as the Health and Safety at Work Act designations around ports are transferred from WorkSafe to MNZ over the next year.

Parke Pittar has extensive operational experience in ports and logistics throughout New Zealand and offers broad operational maritime experience as well as being a Chartered Accountant. He was the former Chief Executive of C3 (NZ on port logistics and stevedoring service provider), former Chief Commercial Officer at Port Nelson, Container Terminal Manager at CentrePort, and a Stevedoring Supervisor, and is now Chief Executive of AVA Timber, one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. His stevedoring and logistics experience are a big value add for the Authority’s work, as is his deep understanding of the work that takes place on ports and in the broader maritime sector.

The appointment of Ross Wilson and Parke Pittar bring the total number of members to six – one above the minimum specified by the Act Crown Entities Act 2004 – and fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Purchase on May 2023.

More information on our governance board

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: SAR teams support trapped tramper with survival kit as bad weather delays rescue

Source: Maritime New Zealand

A survival kit dropped to a tramper in snowy conditions played a key role in keeping him alive through freezing conditions before rescuers could reach him.

The tramper, a Danish national, was in the Two Thumbs Range, North West of Tekapo. He initially contacted police for assistance by way of a broken 111 call, after heavy snow closed in around him late in the afternoon of Wednesday, 26 July. Through the call, police were only about to get an approximate location for the tramper. He later activated his personal locator beacon which provided an accurate GPS location.

Maritime NZ’s RCCNZ coordinated the response, after receiving the beacon activation. With darkness setting in, RCCNZ tasked a night-vision and winch-equipped Garden City Helicopter from Christchurch to assist the man. The helicopter got overhead of the tramper, but two winch attempts to lower a medic failed due to the new snow recirculation and limited definition on the night vision devices.

“There was about a metre and a half of snow in the area. The rotors of the helicopters were forcing it up, meaning they were unable to safely land in the area,” Manager, RCCNZ and Safety Systems Justin Allan says.

The situation was then reviewed and it was decided rescuers were unable to extract the man that day. Conversations then took place about how to best support him through the night.

Our search and rescue officers got in touch with the team at Southern Lakes Helicopter and the Department of Conservation’s Aoraki Search & Rescue Team to look at options to support the response.

“While the man was reasonably well prepared for the conditions, a decision was made to supply him a survival bag containing a tent, radio, light, sleeping bag and extra clothing to help him manage in the freezing temperatures,” Allan says.

Aoraki Search & Rescue Team Leader, Dave Lewis says it was important to get the tramper the resources he needed in trying conditions.

“Temperatures were exceptionally cold, with a lot of snow around. There was also an incoming storm setting in for the night. Ensuring he had extra equipment played a crucial role in him surviving the night,” he says.

RCCNZ maintained contact with the tramper overnight to ensure he was coping with the conditions. The tramper was airlifted back to Tekapo on Thursday 27 July at about 11 am.

Tramping in snowy conditions? Think before you go

Justin Allan says anyone planning on heading out in this sort of weather needs to understand the conditions and reflect on them against their capabilities.

“In locations with significant snow, we recommend trampers check out the advice the Mountain Safety Council has developed,” he says.

“From RCCNZ we want to thank the on-the-ground teams who worked tirelessly in trying conditions to ensure the tramper had the supplies he needed to last the night, and then got him safely to Tekapo” Justin Allan says.

Link

Mountain Safety Council’s advice on avalanche safety

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tuen Ng visitor arrivals discussed

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate the preparatory work for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Tuen Ng Festival long weekend.

The Immigration Department estimates that around 3.2 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points from May 31 to June 2, among which 2.73 million are expected to pass through land control points.

The peak period of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be May 31 and June 1, with around 570,000 and 540,000 passengers expected respectively.

Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the department’s website.

Residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP via the Immigration mobile app.

In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, around 380,000 passengers are expected to visit Hong Kong via sea, land and air control points during the three-day Tuen Ng Festival long weekend. The daily average visitor arrivals will increase by 16% year-on-year.

Special arrangements have been formulated at major tourist spots to cope with the increase of people flow.

The Transport Department will enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), and issue additional cross-boundary coach quotas to enhance services.

Regarding local transport services, the department has approached public transport operators to enhance their capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors.

Among them, the MTR will enhance train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 31 to June 2 for the convenience of residents and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Board will launch a dedicated webpage to provide useful information including the operating arrangements of major tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan said on the instruction of the Chief Executive, the working group has consolidated the experience gained from receiving Mainland visitors during the Labour Day Golden Week in early May, and the Government will closely liaise with relevant organisations and the travel trade to enhance various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector

Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector | OSCE

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MIL OSI Europe News –

May 27, 2025
A country like Pakistan thinks terrorism is tourism; this is a big threat to the world: PM Modi in Bhuj

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lambasted Pakistan for endorsing cross-border terrorism, saying that it views “terrorism as tourism,” which he called a serious threat to the world.

Addressing a rally in Bhuj, PM Modi referred to Operation Sindoor, in which India launched precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK, describing it as a mission to save humanity and end terrorism.

“Our policy against terrorism is one of zero tolerance. Operation Sindoor made our stance crystal clear. Whoever tries to make us bleed will face a similar response. They will be spared at no cost. Operation Sindoor is a mission to save humanity and end terrorism… We waited for 15 days to see if Pakistan would take any steps against terrorism, but probably terrorism is their bread and butter. When they did nothing, I gave our armed forces a free hand,” he said.

Operation Sindoor was launched early on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists.

Following the aggression, India responded decisively by attacking Pakistan’s airbases.

(ANI)

May 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation with New Zealand

Source: IMF – News in Russian

May 26, 2025

Washington, DC – May 26, 2025: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with New Zealand on May 19, 2025.

Tight monetary policy has helped bring inflation back to target, but at the expense of growth. Real GDP contracted by 0.5 percent y/y in 2024, as investment fell by 4.1 percent y/y, household consumption stagnated. The slowdown has been particularly pronounced in interest-rate-sensitive sectors including retail trade, construction, and manufacturing. The financial sector remains resilient despite rising non-performing loans. A recovery in external demand and improved terms of trade have helped narrow the current account deficit to 6.2 percent of GDP, though it remains above long-term trends. Despite a challenging economic backdrop, the government delivered modest fiscal consolidation in FY2023/24, with the primary deficit narrowing to 2.4 percent of GDP. Tight monetary policy helped bring inflation within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)’s 1–3 percent target band in 2024Q3, after 13 consecutive quarters, with headline inflation reaching 2.5 percent y/y in 2025Q1. The RBNZ has thus eased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) several times since August 2024, bringing it closer to the neutral rate.

The return of inflation to target is enabling monetary policy easing and a return to growth. Inflation is forecast to remain within the target band, allowing monetary policy to gradually move to a neutral stance. Real GDP is projected to expand by 1.4 percent y/y in 2025, with monetary policy easing providing a boost to consumption and investment. Growth is expected to accelerate to 2.7 percent y/y in 2026, as the lagged impact of lower interest rates is fully realized. Fiscal policy is expected to continue to balance needed medium-term consolidation with growth considerations. The government’s broad-based structural reform agenda is aimed at boosting medium-term productivity growth, including via reforms to attract foreign investment, enhance competition, reduce regulatory burdens, accelerate housing supply growth, and progress toward closing of the infrastructure gap.

Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. Downside risks stem from a softer-than-expected recovery due to elevated global uncertainty and a weak labor market or the occurrence of a natural disaster. Upside risks include a stronger rebound in growth due to faster-than-expected monetary policy transmission. As a small open economy, New Zealand is vulnerable to trade disruptions, geoeconomic fragmentation, or a global economic slowdown.

Executive Board Assessment[2]

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed that the economy is showing signs of a nascent recovery and that inflation has returned to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target, after a prolonged period of significant price pressures. Noting the country’s exposure to trade and investment shocks, Directors underscored the importance of maintaining prudent policies to safeguard macroeconomic stability and implementing ambitious structural reforms to address medium‑ and long‑term economic challenges.

Directors commended the role of monetary policy in helping bring inflation back to target. They agreed that the current monetary policy easing is appropriate and should continue until reaching a neutral level, while remaining data‑dependent and responsive to economic conditions. Directors welcomed the expanded macroprudential toolbox and concurred that macroprudential tools should continue to be used to address financial risks that may emerge as policy rates are reduced.

Directors agreed that fiscal policy should focus on growth‑friendly, medium‑term consolidation, while supporting the most vulnerable. They called for comprehensive revenue reforms that enhance efficiency and incentivize long‑term investment. Directors also encouraged the authorities to pursue expenditure reforms, including to the pension system, that are grounded in a cost‑benefit analysis.

Directors agreed that financial stability risks are contained and recommended that household and financial balance sheets continue to be monitored closely. They welcomed progress in key reforms, notably the Depositor Compensation Scheme and the Deposit Takers Act. Directors noted the authorities’ efforts to increase banking competition and emphasized that prudential settings should remain adequately calibrated to guard against financial stability risks. Given housing shortages, they called for improving affordability and expanding housing supply and welcomed the reform efforts around resource management in these areas.

Directors commended ongoing structural reforms to overcome slow productivity growth and boost long‑term growth. They welcomed the authorities’ plans to boost competition and innovation, reduce barriers to overseas financing, and deepen capital markets. Investing in infrastructure and enhancing resilience to natural disasters will also be needed.

It is expected that the next Article IV Consultation with New Zealand will be held on the standard 12‑month cycle.

[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm .

Table 1. New Zealand: Main Economic Indicators, 2021-30

(Annual percent change, unless otherwise indicated)



	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
				Est.	Projections


NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

Real GDP (production)	5.7	2.9	1.8	-0.5	1.4	2.7	2.7	2.2	2.2	2.2
Domestic demand	10.0	4.5	-0.8	-0.8	1.8	2.6	2.4	2.1	2.1	2.0
Private consumption	7.9	4.1	1.0	0.2	1.0	3.1	3.0	2.4	2.4	2.3
Public consumption	7.9	5.2	0.8	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.8	0.8
Investment	17.2	4.1	-5.4	-4.1	2.4	3.2	2.7	2.3	2.1	2.1
Public	6.2	3.6	10.2	0.5	0.3	2.3	2.5	2.8	2.8	2.8
Private	12.6	4.3	-3.2	-6.5	1.9	3.5	2.7	2.1	1.7	1.8
Private business	14.5	7.3	-2.2	-5.0	2.6	3.5	2.8	2.1	1.6	1.6
Dwelling	8.6	-2.3	-5.6	-10.1	0.0	3.6	2.3	2.4	2.1	2.4
Inventories (contribution to growth, percent)	1.4	0.0	-1.4	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net exports (contribution to growth, percent)	-4.8	-1.6	2.6	0.3	0.3	-0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Real gross domestic income	5.0	2.3	1.1	0.3	2.9	3.1	2.8	2.4	2.3	2.3

Investment (percent of GDP)	25.0	26.3	24.2	23.1	23.4	23.4	23.3	23.2	23.1	23.1
Public	5.7	5.9	6.5	6.4	6.3	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.2
Private	19.4	20.4	17.8	16.7	17.1	17.2	17.1	17.0	16.9	16.8

Savings (gross, percent of GDP)	19.0	17.1	17.3	16.9	18.3	18.8	19.0	19.2	19.4	19.6
Public	-3.5	-4.2	-3.5	-4.4	-5.1	-3.9	-2.5	-1.4	-0.4	0.0
Private	22.5	21.3	20.9	21.3	23.4	22.7	21.5	20.6	19.9	19.6

Potential output	1.5	1.9	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2
Output gap (percent of potential)	1.8	2.7	2.4	-0.3	-1.1	-0.6	-0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0


LABOR MARKET

Employment	2.2	1.7	3.3	-0.1	0.7	1.5	2.0	1.7	1.3	1.5
Unemployment (percent of labor force, ann. average)	3.8	3.3	3.7	4.7	5.3	5.2	4.7	4.3	4.5	4.4
Wages (nominal percent change)	3.8	6.5	7.0	4.6	4.3	3.9	3.3	3.3	3.0	3.0

PRICES

Terms of trade index (goods and services, % change)	-1.0	-3.1	-3.4	2.9	1.9	1.3	0.5	0.4	0.2	0.1
Consumer prices (avg, % change)	3.9	7.2	5.7	2.9	2.4	2.3	2.2	2.0	2.0	2.0
GDP deflator (avg, % change)	3.0	5.8	5.1	3.6	3.2	2.8	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.1

MACRO-FINANCIAL

Official cash rate (policy rate, percent, avg)	0.3	2.2	5.2	4.7	3.6	3.3	3.3	3.3	3.3	3.3
Credit to the private sector (percent change)	6.1	4.3	0.1	1.6	3.2	5.6	4.5	4.0	3.9	4.0
Interest payments (percent of disposable income)	5.3	6.3	8.5	8.1	7.3	7.2	7.0	6.9	6.9	6.9
Household savings (percent of disposable income)	3.6	3.3	2.7	2.5	2.4	2.3	2.9	3.6	4.4	5.1
Household debt (percent of disposable income)	174	173	168	166	160	160	159	158	157	157

GENERAL GOVERNMENT (percent of GDP) 1/

Revenue	37.6	38.8	37.0	38.7	37.6	37.5	37.5	37.7	37.9	38.0
Expenditure	40.0	43.3	40.9	41.9	43.1	42.3	40.5	39.7	38.8	38.0
Net lending/borrowing	-2.5	-4.4	-3.9	-3.2	-5.5	-4.8	-3.1	-2.0	-0.9	0.0
Operating balance	-0.3	-2.2	-1.7	-0.7	-3.0	-2.5	-0.8	0.1	1.1	1.9
Cyclically adjusted primary balance 2/	-2.8	-4.2	-3.7	-3.4	-3.6	-2.9	-1.4	-0.2	1.1	2.0
Gross debt	46.0	48.6	45.8	48.4	53.2	56.4	59.0	58.8	57.5	55.1
Net debt	10.6	17.0	19.0	19.8	23.5	26.4	28.0	28.6	28.0	26.4
Net worth	94.6	102.0	96.3	94.4	87.1	81.3	77.3	74.8	73.5	73.0

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

Current account (percent of GDP)	-6.0	-9.2	-6.9	-6.2	-5.1	-4.6	-4.3	-3.9	-3.7	-3.5
Export volume	-2.3	-0.5	11.0	4.1	3.9	3.9	4.1	4.0	4.2	4.2
Import volume	14.5	4.7	-0.4	2.4	2.0	3.5	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.4
Net international investment position (percent of GDP)	-47.9	-52.5	-51.3	-49.4	-52.1	-54.0	-55.8	-57.3	-58.6	-59.6
Gross official reserves (bn US$)	16.4	13.7	14.8	23.2	…	…	…	…	…	…

MEMORANDUM ITEMS


Nominal GDP (bn NZ$)	353	385	413	427	448	472	496	518	540	564
Percent change	9.0	9.2	7.1	3.4	4.9	5.5	4.9	4.4	4.4	4.3
Nominal GDP per capita (US$)	48,845	47,819	48,360	48,448	47,158	49,022	50,472	51,643	53,044	54,378
Real gross national disposable income per capita (NZ$)	54,586	55,293	54,662	53,632	54,724	55,635	56,458	57,044	57,611	58,081
Percent change	3.7	1.3	-1.1	-1.9	2.0	1.7	1.5	1.0	1.0	0.8
Population (million)	5.1	5.1	5.2	5.3	5.4	5.5	5.5	5.6	5.7	5.8
US$/NZ$ (average level)	0.708	0.636	0.614	0.605	…	…	…	…	…	…
Nominal effective exchange rate	109.9	106.5	105.0	104.9	…	…	…	…	…	…
Real effective exchange rate	107.6	105.5	105.7	106.1	…	…	…	…	…	…

Sources: Authorities’ data and IMF staff estimates and projections.

1/ Fiscal year.
2/ In percent of potential GDP.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Pemba Sherpa

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/23/pr25159-imf-executive-board-concludes-2025-article-iv-consultation-with-new-zealand

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shiling to depart Wellington for Singapore

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ has lifted the detention order it previously imposed against the container ship Shiling.

This means the vessel has satisfied the imposed conditions, and it can now depart New Zealand for Singapore.

It will leave at about 3.30 PM this afternoon (7 July).

Over the last three months, the Shiling broke down twice in and around New Zealand waters; resulting in two significant stays in Wellington while repairs were undertaken.

While the imposed conditions have been satisfied; the Shiling’s owners have agreed to have the vessel escorted by the MMA Vision (a vessel capable of emergency towage) to 200 nautical miles off New Zealand coast.

“This is an extra layer of protection to keep the crew on the vessel and New Zealand safe,” Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations Deb Despard says.

“Maritime NZ wants to assure people in New Zealand, we have taken this vessel’s issues very seriously.

Over the last week and a half the Shiling has undertaken a range of trials to show it can satisfy the necessary requirements to be released from its detention.

“These started with testing the engine alongside the berth at CentrePort, then progressing to harbour trials and finally an open sea trial south of Wellington, with a tug escort throughout.”

The trials were overseen by the vessel’s classification society* and an overseas technician for the main engine manufacturer.

“These played a key role in checking the vessel for issues, and reassuring us (Maritime NZ) and other parties involved that the vessel has satisfied the conditions previously imposed, and can undertake the journey to Singapore,” Deb Despard says.

The process around managing the Shiling has involved a range of organisations from us (Maritime NZ) as the local regulator, our counterpart in Singapore, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort as well as private companies; including towage providers, insurers and the owners of the vessel.

Maritime NZ will continue to monitor its movements out of New Zealand waters.

The vessel’s flag state (Singapore) has ordered it travel directly to Singapore.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Captain’s decision to deviate from planned passage put vessel and crew in danger

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The dangers of large ships deviating from a passage plan when in extreme weather has been highlighted in the sentencing of a Captain at the Wellington District Court this week.

Yongyu Li was the Captain of the ship Spinnaker SW. He pleaded guilty in May to one charge of operating a ship in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk when he altered course without further assessment and navigated the large ship dangerously close to Portland Island while underway to Tauranga to load cargo. The charge was filed by Maritime NZ.

Prior to its departure on 14 February 2023, the vessel was anchored off the Mahia Peninsula to shelter from the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Maritime NZ Investigations Manager John Maxwell says the 175 metre vessel was en route to Tauranga as the east coast was being hit by the cyclone. The country was in a national state of emergency while the vessel was under way.

“Due to the heavy conditions at sea, the Captain decided to change the route without further assessment, navigating the vessel close to Portland Island.

“This was an incredibly risky decision. Navigating a large bulk carrier close to the island meant there was a risk it would get into dangerously shallow waters, removing the safety net of deeper water should something have gone wrong with the vessel, such as a loss of power.

“The decision of Captain Li to alter course without further assessment of whether the route was safe put the crew, vessel, and the environment at risk.

If something went wrong, the conditions would have hampered a potential response as well,” John Maxwell says.

The original passage plan for the vessel was for it to go around Portland Island at a safe distance. This allowed for the significant swells and heavy weather anticipated by the crew.

After its departure from anchor, the vessel was recorded as encountering six to seven metre swells. The heavy weather caused the ship to roll, and the captain made the decision to navigate the ship closer to the Mahia Peninsula and Portland Island.

“This change in route took the vessel close to shallow water, passing two spots with depths of 9.4 and 10m.

“This is very shallow for a bulk carrier of this size, and would have only left it with a couple of metres of clearance between the vessel and a potential grounding” John Maxwell says.

Captain Li’s decision to deviate from the agreed safe passage plan and undertake the above route, coupled with the heavy weather, was in the circumstances reckless and risked danger to the vessel, the crew on board, and the surrounding environment.

Editor’s Note:

Sentencing details

Captain Li was convicted of operating a ship in a manner that caused unnecessary danger or risk under s 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and sentenced on 19 July 2023 to a fine of $1,875, which included a discount of 25 per cent for his early guilty plea.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Miraculous rescue in the Pacific highlights regional search and rescue collaboration

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) played a key role in ensuring two Tuvaluan fishermen were able to get home safely after becoming lost earlier this month. The two men were rescued following a collaborative coordinated effort by agencies from across the Pacific.

The fishermen, who were on-board a 5.8 metre aluminium vessel, went missing on Saturday 1 July. They did not take any emergency location equipment out with them. Due to the inability to be able to get a read on where they may have drifted, there was a significant search area.

After three days adrift, and multiple searchers working from the sea and air, the MV Nivaga III, a local vessel, found the pair at 9 PM on Tuesday 4 July.

The Fijian Rescue Coordination Centre asked RCCNZ’s assistance with the search after the pair had been missing for two days.

Justin Allan, General Manager RCCNZ and Safety Systems says this rescue wasn’t just finding a needle in a haystack. The coordinating agencies had to start with finding the haystack first.

“The identified search area was approximately 5500 nautical miles. For a comparison, Lake Taupo has a perimeter of 104 nautical miles,” he says.
This successful rescue was based on regional cooperation between the Fijian Rescue Coordination Centre, Tuvalu search and rescue coordinators and response assets, and RCCNZ. The New Zealand Defence Force also sent its new P8A to assist with the search.

Recently RCCNZ has been undertaking work to support the development of their Fijian counterparts’ search and rescue capability. This involved a two-week training course, with a focus on coordination search efforts, assessing search areas and tasking assets such as vessels of opportunity and aircraft.

“The vessel was eventually found right in the middle of the search area, which highlighted the planning and coordination capability of the Fijian MRCC,” Justin Allan says.

The RCCNZ also wants to acknowledge the support of the NZDF who carried out the first operational deployment of the P8A Poseidon in support of this search.

“It is reassuring knowing NZDF has an asset like the P8A that we can quickly call upon to assist with searches such as this,” Justin Allan says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime NZ reply to TAIC preliminary report into i-Catcher capsize

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) today released its preliminary report into the capsize of charter fishing vessel, i-Catcher, off Kaikōura on 10 September 2022. Five of the 11 people on board lost their lives.

Maritime NZ Deputy Chief Executive Regulatory Operations, Deb Despard, says this was a tragic incident.

“I want to offer my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident, as well as to everyone else who has been affected,” she says.

In its recommendations TAIC raised issues about how vessels’ fuel systems are inspected by maritime surveyors, particularly the parts of the system that cannot be seen and easily accessed because they are under decks or behind bulkheads.

Maritime NZ is acting on TAIC’s recommendation and is engaging with surveyors who inspect vessels, owners and operators who run them and maritime industry organisations so they are all aware of this important issue when conducting surveys and carrying out maintenance.

“We are working on guidance for the industry to remind them about some of the considerations raised.

“We are treating this as a priority and will communicate it to the industry as quickly as possible,” Ms Despard says.

Maritime NZ’s investigation into the incident is continuing. Any enforcement action must be taken no more than a year after the incident.

In fairness to everyone involved, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, Maritime NZ cannot make any further comment about the incident until the investigation is concluded.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Achilles Bulker update 1

Source: Maritime New Zealand

A Maritime NZ detention notice is in place against a log carrying vessel, currently anchored off Tauranga.

On Monday 24 July, the Panamanian flagged Achilles Bulker was departing Tauranga, bound for China when it encountered steering problems. It was subsequently determined that the rudder had disconnected from the ship during the outbound pilotage.

The vessel remains anchored off Mount Maunganui, and the rudder was recovered by divers last week and brought to shore.

The detention notice means the vessel is prohibited from leaving Tauranga until the certain conditions have been satisfied.

Due to the rudder failure, the Achilles Bulker will need to be towed to a dry dock for repairs.

The owners of the vessel are responsible for managing the towage process.

Maritime NZ is working closely with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Port of Tauranga on the arrangements to bring the vessel back into Tauranga to remove the cargo of logs before it can be towed.

Maritime NZ has started an investigation into the rudder failure.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade

Source: ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. Ren Hongbin, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting focused on exploring ways to further deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between ASEAN and China, especially looking at untapped potentials.

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime NZ issues a detention notice on MV Shiling

Source: Maritime New Zealand

A detention notice has been issued by Maritime NZ on the vessel, Shiling.

The ship is currently at Wellington’s CentrePort.

The detention of the vessel prohibits it from leaving Wellington Harbour until a number of conditions are satisfied.

The imposed conditions relate to repairs and maintenance, seaworthiness, sea trials, and arrangements for departure.

These conditions are in place to ensure safety is at the forefront of the next journey the vessel undertakes through New Zealand waters.

Several of the conditions will require the flag state and the vessel’s classification society to provide evidence to Maritime NZ confirming that the Shiling can safely operate, before it can be released.

The notice of detention does not stop the vessel from being moved to different berths or locations around CentrePort or the harbour. This will be managed by the port in conjunction with the Wellington Harbourmaster.

The owners of Shiling are responsible to ensure the conditions imposed by Maritime NZ are satisfied prior to the vessel being released from detention.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 15

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The Shiling will shortly be piloted into berth at Wellington’s CentrePort.

It has taken about 24 hours for the ocean going tug, the Skandi Emerald to tow the vessel from Tasman Bay to Wellington.

From this vessel losing power on 12 May, to it coming into Wellington today, this has been a complex operation, involving a significant number of people and organisations, not just here, but around the world, Incident Controller David Billington says.

“From its call for assistance on that morning, through to CentrePort’s pilotage into berth, we have seen response agencies, the owners of the Skandi Emerald, international insurers, the owners and harbourmasters have worked tirelessly to support this tow.

This is a 290+ metre vessel and there are a lot of variables to manage when planning its movements.

“This includes, weather, other vessels and berthing availabilities.

“We saw on the weekend there were rough conditions forecast at its anchorage at Tasman Bay, and Nelson Harbourmaster supported this operation by allowing the Shiling to be towed to a point of shelter,” David Billington says.

Maritime NZ also checked in on the crew of 24 during the period the vessel was without power.

The Incident Response Team will be standing down now the vessel is berthed.

Editor’s Note

A Maritime NZ Incident Controller will be available for comment between 2 and 4 PM this afternoon. Please contact MNZ media to book an interview. They will be available to comment on this incident.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 14

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The Shiling under tow by the Skandi Emerald is on schedule to reach Wellington Harbour by late tomorrow (23 May) morning.

The towage operation started in Tasman Bay at about 10.30 AM, Monday 22 May.

It is currently tracking at between 5 – 6 knots.

Incident Controller David Billington says the top priority is ensuring the operation is undertaken as safely as possible.

“The crew of the Skandi Emerald is very experienced in managing, tows in a range of conditions, including what could be experienced in the Cook Strait.

“Weather conditions are reasonably stable for the journey too,” he says.

All of the Shiling’s crew remain on board the vessel.

The two vessels should be arriving in Wellington for pilotage at around 11 AM, Tuesday 23 May.

A 500 metre exclusion zone has been put in place around the towage operation for the duration of the journey to Wellington.

“The exclusion zone is in there for a reason, and it is to keep both the towage operation and other people safe,” David Billington says.

A Maritime NZ incident response team will continue to monitor the vessels as they make their journey to Wellington.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shiling to undertake harbour trials

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel the Shiling will this afternoon undertake harbour trials as planning continues for its departure from Wellington.

The vessel lost power twice in New Zealand, over the last three months; initially in mid-April, and then after its subsequent departure on 12 May. On 23 May it was towed back to Wellington under the control of an ocean-going tug, the Skandi Emerald .

After the Shiling returned to Wellington, Maritime NZ issued a detention notice against the vessel, which included stringent conditions it has to meet prior to departure.

Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations Deb Despard, says the organisation’s focus has been on ensuring all steps are made so vessel can safely leave New Zealand waters.

“This has been an ongoing process involving us [Maritime NZ], the vessel, its owners and their agents, insurers, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Shiling’s classification society, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort and related organisations such as towage providers.

“Everyone has worked with the aim to get the Shiling safely back to Singapore,” she says.

The owner of the Shiling continues to be responsible for the management of the issues with the vessel, as well as meeting the conditions imposed by Maritime NZ, the Marine and Port Authority of Singapore and the vessel’s classification society.

Work to understand and remedy the vessel’s issues has been ongoing for more than a month. It has included the vessel’s owner bringing in experts from overseas, including engineers from the manufacturer of the engine, and working with its classification society to ensure the necessary work is carried out effectively and safely.

“Today is a significant step in getting the vessel ready to depart New Zealand waters. The harbour trial is the first of two, the second being a more rigorous test outside the harbour.

“As outlined in the conditions imposed; the vessel’s sea trials, and a portion of its journey out of Wellington, will see the Shiling accompanied by a suitable escort vessel which is capable of emergency towage.

“We do not want to see a repeat of what we saw in April and May with this vessel, that is why we put a significant number of stringent conditions in place,” Deb Despard says.

Maritime NZ will be closely monitoring the trials and its departure out of New Zealand.

Dates for the sea trial and the vessel’s departure for Singapore are yet to be confirmed, and will be determined by feedback from the trials, conversations with other relevant parties and the weather.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: RCCNZ assists helicopter with engine failure

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) has responded to a helicopter with a reported engine failure near Glenorchy this morning after receiving a distress beacon alert and MAYDAY call at 9:51 am.

The pilot, who had two clients on board, was able to land the helicopter with minor damage to the aircraft. All three were uninjured.

To provide assistance, RCCNZ deployed two Queenstown based rescue helicopters to the scene. A separate commercial helicopter also responded to the MAYDAY call.

The people who were onboard the helicopter will be taken to Queenstown for assessment.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Digital wallet market in Australia to surpass $130 billion in 2025 amid cashless shift, forecasts GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Digital wallet market in Australia to surpass $130 billion in 2025 amid cashless shift, forecasts GlobalData

Posted in Banking

Digital wallet adoption is accelerating rapidly in Australia, with transaction values projected to grow by 20.8% in 2025 to reach AUD201.3 billion ($132.9 billion). This surge is fueled by the shift towards cashless payments, rising smartphone usage, and broader acceptance of NFC and QR-based solutions—highlighting the growing role of digital wallets in Australia’s evolving financial ecosystem, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Payment Instrument Analytics reveals that the digital wallet payment value in Australia registered a growth of 32.2% from AUD126 billion ($83.2 billion) in 2023 to reach AUD166.6 billion ($110 billion) in 2024.

Shivani Gupta, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Like many markets in Asia-Pacific, digital wallet adoption is on the rise in Australia, supported by rising consumer preference for mobile payments, and proliferation of digital wallet brands such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

“Furthermore, increasing usage of QR code-based payment solutions in addition to NFC payments is also expected to support this growth. Although Australia lags its peers such as China and India in terms of digital wallet payments market size, it is still ahead of some of the other developed countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong in the region.”

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), digital wallets are gaining traction, with 39% of debit card and 33% of credit card transactions conducted using digital wallets as of October 2024. In addition, almost 46% of debit cards and 40% of credit and charge cards were enrolled in digital wallets during the same period.

With the use of digital wallets increasing rapidly in the country, RBA is in the process of amending its Payment Systems Regulation Act 1998 to encompass digital payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay and provide the necessary customer protections.

The availability of international brands such as Apple Pay and Google Pay in Australia has raised consumer awareness of mobile payment technologies and encouraged their uptake.

According to GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey* Apple Pay is the most preferred mobile payment brand followed by Google Pay, PayPal and Samsung Pay.

To further promote the use of digital wallets in the country and enhance the cost-effectiveness of digital wallet acceptance for merchants, Google Wallet began supporting dual network debit cards in March 2025. The cards allow payments to be processed via either Australia’s domestic debit network “eftpos” or international networks, enabling merchants to save on transaction fees. This feature will empower consumers to select between different networks such as eftpos, Visa, and Mastercard, providing them and merchants with more options and control over their payments.

In addition to NFC-based mobile brands such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, QR code-based payments are also expected to gain prominence in Australia, the adoption of which is high in its many Asian counterparts such as India and China. To drive this, in May 2022, eftpos launched a QR code payment system “eQR.” This solution enables consumers to complete transactions by scanning QR codes at participating merchant stores using the eftpos-owned Beem wallet. Even international player like PayPal enables QR code payments in Australia.

Gupta concludes: “With the widespread adoption of smartphones in everyday life, and the increasing consumer acceptance of mobile payments, GlobalData forecasts continued growth in this space. Subsequently, digital wallet transaction value is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2025 to 2029 to reach AUD336.1 billion ($221.9 billion) in 2029.”

*GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey was carried out in Q2 2024. Approximately 67,292 respondents aged 18+ were surveyed across 41 countries.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: KDCA and SK bioscience forge ahead to shield South Korea against future pandemic influenza threats, says GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

KDCA and SK bioscience forge ahead to shield South Korea against future pandemic influenza threats, says GlobalData

Posted in Pharma

South Korea has launched the Priority Infectious Disease Pandemic Preparedness Rapid R&D Support Program, led by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in collaboration with SK bioscience. This proactive initiative is expected to significantly strengthen and prepare the nation against emerging influenza threats, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

This government-led initiative focuses on developing vaccines against avian influenza that are identified as high-risk candidates for future pandemics. SK bioscience has demonstrated technological capabilities by manufacturing vaccines for global partners and successfully launching its own COVID-19 vaccine.

SK bioscience’s portfolio includes the WHO-prequalified SkyCellflu Quadrivalent and Skycellflu, both domestically developed cell-cultured influenza vaccines, and SKYCovione, South Korea’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine. It is the only domestic company to have commercialized cell-culture-based vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19 with significant strengths in vaccine development.

Chilamula Srija, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risk of dependence on international supply chains for essential medical resources. By investing in domestic R&D, South Korea aims for greater autonomy and to ensure timely access to life-saving vaccines for its citizens in future emergencies.”

According to GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, SK bioscience is expected to initiate a Phase I/II study for an avian influenza vaccine in H2 2026. Ilyang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd is another domestic company in Phase III trials targeting Influenza A Virus, H1N1, and H3N2 subtypes.

KDCA and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) collaborated in May 2024 to accelerate vaccine development and other biological countermeasures against public health threats. This partnership underscores the commitment to global health security and the rapid response to a broad spectrum of high priority infectious diseases, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola, mpox.

SK bioscience has previously collaborated with KDCA, notably winning the most bids in the government’s 2023-24 national flu vaccination program. Other companies such as GC Pharma, Ilyang Pharmaceutical, Boryung Corp., and Korea Vaccine also contributed millions of doses to support national immunization efforts.

Chilamula concludes: “With a robust vaccine pipeline, national collaboration, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, SK bioscience is poised to lead the nation’s next-generation pandemic preparedness strategy. By encouraging domestic companies, South Korea is preparing to face future pandemics and positioning the country as a global leader in pandemic readiness while reducing reliance on foreign pharmaceutical giants.”

MIL OSI Global Banks –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 9

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Preparations continue for towing the Shiling to Wellington, dependant on favourable weather conditions.

Incident Controller, Andrew Saunderson, says a suitable weather window is required to enable the tow’s safe completion.

“Safety remains the top priority, and Maritime NZ is working with all parties before proceeding with the tow.”

No activities are scheduled for today, and the ship will remain at anchor with the Skandi Emerald nearby providing support.

The ship’s owner has told Maritime NZ that they believe the fault they have identified can be rectified in New Zealand.

On Wednesday, equipment and crew members with expertise in towage will be transferred to the Shiling for the operation to tow the ship to Wellington. It will take time to set up the tow equipment and then wait for the right weather window.

Centreport will draw upon their experience in handling ships without main-engines and are working with the ship’s owner and agent.

Maritime NZ is actively engaged in discussions with the relevant stakeholders, including the Wellington Harbourmaster and the ship’s owners, to ensure a safe, coordinated approach.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 11

Source: Maritime New Zealand

The Shiling will remain at anchor at Tasman Bay until at least the start of next week.

It has been anchored at Tasman Bay since 13 May. The Skandi Emerald (an ocean going tug)has been supporting, and will tow the Shiling to Wellington once the voyage and towage plans have been signed off, the weather conditions are judged safe for the tow and CentrePort has space for the vessel.

Maritime NZ needs to sign off the plans before the two vessels can depart Tasman Bay.

Incident Controller David Billington says the Skandi Emerald and the Shiling have been working together with a towage expert to prepare for the transportation of the vessel from Tasman Bay to Wellington.

“Moving this vessel safely is a top priority,” he says.

The towing of the Shiling by the Skandi Emerald is expected to take about 20 hours, and from its current location at Tasman Bay to Wellington is between 100 and 120 nautical miles depending on the route taken.

“This means conditions for Tasman Bay, the Cook Strait and Wellington need to be taken into account when planning the voyage.

“Timings around the tow and arrival into Wellington are still to be confirmed. However, an opportunity has been identified for the tow to be undertaken early next week.

Maritime NZ is working closely with the Wellington Harbourmaster and CentrePort as they plan for the Shiling’s journey to and arrival in Wellington.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 10

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Planning around the timing and the voyage for the tow of the stricken Shiling to Wellington is ongoing.

The vessel lost power and steering on Friday 12 May, and has been anchored at Tasman Bay since Saturday 13 May.

An ocean going tug, the Skandi Emerald towed it from where it initially lost power (22 nautical miles North North-West of Farewell Spit), to its current anchorage point.

Once a passage and towing plan has been confirmed, the Skandi Emerald will tow the Shiling to Wellington, timings around the departure and arrival at Wellington’s CentrePort are weather dependent.

These plans are developed by the Shiling and Skandi Emerald . Maritime NZ has oversight.

Incident Controller David Billington says Maritime NZ’s priority is ensuring the towage of the vessel from Tasman Bay to Wellington is undertaken as safely as possible.

A crew change for the Skandi Emerald will occur today (17 May), while supplies will be transported to the Shiling as well.

This change over requires the Skandi Emerald to come closer to shore to enable the crew swap.

“A towage expert will also be boarding the Shiling later this afternoon (17 May) to support the connection between the two vessels, the tow plan and the voyage to Wellington.

“They will be taken to the vessel by the Skandi Emerald ,” David Billington says.

CentrePort and the Wellington Harbourmaster are being kept up to date with the plans for the Shiling .

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime response Shiling update 12

Source: Maritime New Zealand

A Maritime NZ Incident Response Team will continue to monitor the Shiling over the weekend.

The vessel is currently at anchor off Tasman Bay, supported by the Skandi Emerald (an ocean going tug).

Plans are being developed to tow it from Tasman Bay to Wellington early next week.

No further updates will be provided over the weekend unless the situation changes.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 27, 2025

Category: Asia Pacific

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