MH Bland Group of Companies

⚓ Port of the Week La Coruña 🇪🇸

Every port call brings its own operational requirements, and our team in La Coruña is ready to support vessels with reliable, locally coordinated services.

During recent operations in La Coruña, our team supported two separate vessel calls: one involving a gasoline loading operation and another requiring a Cash to Master (CTM) service.

From cargo operations to essential vessel services, these calls highlight the varied requirements our port agency teams manage every day, with a focus on coordination, communication and attention to detail.

🛟 One Network. One Solution.

📩 Get in touch to find out how our port agency teams can support your next call: [email protected]

Ever seen a ship in port with water pouring out of its side and wondered what’s going on? 👀

In many cases, you’re looking at ballast water, an essential part of how ships operate safely.

⚓ What is ballast water?

Ships take seawater into specially designed ballast tanks to help maintain stability, balance and the correct draught as cargo loads and fuel levels change.

💧 Why do ships release it?

When a vessel loads cargo, it may need less ballast water to maintain the right balance. The water can then be discharged through outlets in the ship’s hull.

🚢 Why does it matter?

Ballast helps vessels maintain safe operating conditions, manage their draught and remain stable throughout their voyage, whether they’re sailing fully loaded or carrying less cargo.

🌍 There’s an environmental side, too.

Ballast water can carry marine organisms from one region to another. That’s why international rules require ships to manage ballast water to help prevent the spread of potentially harmful aquatic species.

So, the next time you see a ship shooting water into the sea, it may not be a leak at all, it could be part of the vessel’s normal ballast operations!

🚨 We’re Hiring! Shore Excursions Agent Málaga 🇪🇸

📅 Deadline: 25th October 2026

Calypso Tours are looking for a Shore Excursions Agent to join their team in Malaga, supporting the delivery of high-quality cruise operations and guest experiences. 🌍

This is a full time role within our excursions department, focused on coordinating shore excursion programmes, managing daily operations and ensuring smooth communication between suppliers, guides and cruise partners. ⚓

The role involves a mix of operational planning, administration, customer service, and on the ground coordination, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast paced, detail-driven environment.

We’re looking for someone with strong communication skills (English & Spanish), the ability to work under pressure and a proactive, team focused approach.

If you’re interested in joining a team at the heart of the cruise industry, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 To apply, email [email protected]

⚓ Port of the Week Bilbao 🇪🇸

This week, we’re highlighting a special vessel call in Bilbao: B/E ARC GLORIA, the Colombian Navy’s iconic training tall ship. 🇨🇴⛵

Built in Bilbao in 1968, ARC GLORIA has a special connection to the city, making this visit a meaningful moment for a vessel with a long maritime history.

We attended the vessel during her stay in Bilbao, coordinating the arrangements needed to support the visit, from permissions and visitor access to supplies, car hire and bus transport. 🤝

Behind every port call, there’s a network of details to manage. Our Bilbao team works closely with the vessel and local service providers to help ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing the crew to focus on their visit.

⚓ One Network. One Solution

📩 For port agency support in Bilbao, contact [email protected].

You won't want to miss this! 👇

📢 Breaking News: Tablita Night Announcement 📢

It's that time of year again and we’re super excited! 🎉

🗓️ Date: Thursday 29th Oct 2026

⌚ Time: 6pm

📍 Venue: Manchester Utd Supporters Club Gibraltar Branch, Wellington Front

£30 per team (of 2 pax) 100% donated to Cancer Relief Gibraltar and the Cancer Relief Centre

Team enrolment includes: Welcome drink & snack

Join us for a night of classic Gibraltarian fun with friends and family of all ages, expect lots of laughs, friendly competition (sometimes passionate 😉), raffles and amazing prizes 🎁, all in support of Cancer Relief 💛.

Sign up and help spread the word in support the wonderful work carried out by Cancer Relief.

IMPORTANT: Click on the link to pay for your team then email [email protected] with your team name and if you can bring your own tablita board.

👉 Payment Link https://gateway.universaltp.com/button/x1YDfC1VQUXZ

An exciting opportunity to join our team in Cartagena 👇

🚨 We’re Hiring - Port Agent Cartagena 🇪🇸🚨

We are looking for a Port Agent to join our Operations team in Cartagena!

The role: Coordinate vessel calls, liaise with clients, suppliers and port authorities, and help ensure smooth port operations.

What you’ll need:

✔️ Ideally, 1+ year of maritime Port Agency or Operator experience

✔️ Fluency in English and Spanish; Catalan is an advantage

✔️ Strong communication and organisational skills

✔️Clean Category B driving licence, own vehicle and swimming ability

✔️ Flexibility to work weekends and public holidays on a rota

📍 Location: Cartagena, Spain
🕒 Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
📅 Apply by: 25 October 2026

Ready to take the next step in your maritime career? Join the MH Bland team! 🤝

👉 For more information, visit https://www.mhbland.com/?post_type=job-vacancies&p=14384&preview=true

📩 To apply, send your CV to [email protected]

Cargo shipping is changing, from the types of goods being transported to the technology, regulations and risks shaping how those goods move around the world. 🚢🌍

Here are 8 key things to know in 2026:

1️⃣ Cargo is becoming more diverse

Containerised cargo, dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk, Ro-Ro, re**er, livestock and project cargo all require different handling, equipment and expertise.

2️⃣ Technology is transforming cargo handling

Automation, IoT sensors, AI and digital platforms are helping improve cargo visibility, handling and operational decision-making.

3️⃣ Sustainability is increasingly important 🌱

Environmental priorities are influencing vessel operations, port infrastructure, fuel choices and the wider cargo supply chain.

4️⃣ Compliance is becoming more complex

From customs and safety requirements to cargo documentation and verified container weights, accurate information and preparation remain essential.

5️⃣ Re**er and temperature-controlled cargo continue to grow ❄️

Food, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive goods require reliable monitoring and carefully controlled conditions throughout their journey.

6️⃣ Cargo risk is evolving

Weather, geopolitical disruption, theft, damage and cyber threats can all affect cargo movements, making effective risk management increasingly important.

7️⃣ Real-time visibility is becoming the expectation 📡

Shippers increasingly want to know where their cargo is and what is happening throughout its journey, not just when it reaches its destination.

8️⃣ Multimodal transport is becoming more important

Sea, road, rail and air are increasingly being integrated to create more flexible and resilient supply chains.

For port agents, these changes are felt directly on the ground.

Every cargo vessel arriving in port brings together a network of people, authorities, terminals, service providers and local stakeholders , all working to keep the port call moving.

From coordinating arrival formalities and cargo operations to managing documentation, husbandry requirements and unexpected challenges, port agency sits at the centre of many of these moving parts. ⚓🤝

As cargo supply chains continue to evolve, the importance of local knowledge, communication and operational coordination remains just as strong.

At MH Bland, our Port Agency teams support vessel calls across our network, providing the local expertise and 24/7 operational support needed to help keep ships moving.

MH Bland Port Agency, local knowledge, wherever your vessel calls. 🚢🌍

📩 For a full list of our contact emails, visit our website https://www.mhbland.com/contact-us/

After winning the £200 prize in the MHB World Cup sweepstake, our IT Technician, Chris Jenkins decided to give his winnings back to a cause close to his heart, donating the full amount to Save Gib Street Cats. ❤️ 🐱

Save Gibraltar’s Street Cats feeds and cares for more than 350 street cats across Gibraltar every day. The charity also runs a local cat sanctuary and works to find loving homes for as many cats as possible. 🐾🏠

Thank you, Chris, for turning your win into a win for the cats! 👏 🐾

👉 To find out more about the amazing work they do for cats in our community, visit their page: https://www.facebook.com/SaveGibStreetCats

🚢 Cruise Season in Gibraltar 🇬🇮

Over the summer and in recent weeks, Gibraltar has welcomed a steady stream of cruise ships and behind every arrival is a carefully coordinated port call.

For our Gibraltar Port Agency team, cruise calls involve much more than meeting the vessel at the pier.

Before the ship arrives, our team submits the necessary advance electronic notices and coordinates with the relevant authorities. Once alongside, our agents meet local authorities at the pier and coordinate the required onboard inspections for customs, immigration and health clearance. ⚓🤝

It’s a process that requires preparation, communication and close coordination between the vessel, authorities and everyone involved.

And with cruise ships operating to tight schedules, getting the details right matters. 👌

📍 Gibraltar Port Agency
⚓ One Network. One Solution

📩 For services in Gibraltar, email [email protected]