Latest updates, trends, and insights from the maritime world.

The Truth in Turbulence: Why Unbiased Data Matters in Volatile Shipping Markets

In 2008, shipping entered unparalleled territory as soaring Chinese demand drove a newbuild demand spike. VLCC valuations skyrocketed to levels never seen before. Yet amid all the volatility, there was no reliable, unbiased data to guide decision-making. The market was flooded with speculation, theoretical projections, and optimistic estimates, but little ground truth. In that environment, ...

MABUX: Bunker Price Volatility Expected to Persist

The global bunker market continues to exhibit pronounced volatility amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which is disrupting global supply chains and contributing to widespread bunker fuel shortages across all major hubs. Over the past week, bunker indices have maintained an upward trajectory, with signs of stabilization near recently reached highs. The 380 ...

Ukraine Lines Up Plans to Sell a Sanctioned Politician's Yacht

Safeen Prestige Reportedly Sank in the Strait of Hormuz

APMT Maasvlakte II expands automated tractor fleet

APMT Maasvlakte II expands automated tractor fleet  Port Technology

Vessels collide in Kaohsiung causing containers to fall overboard - safety4sea

Vessels collide in Kaohsiung causing containers to fall overboard  safety4sea

Iran to give safe passage for Philippines ships and seafarers

Foreign Affairs Secretary Lazaro says Iran will allow unhindered passage of the Strait of Hormuz

Indian vessels reach ports amid Hormuz disruption

Indian vessels reach ports amid Hormuz disruption  Port Technology

Yangon Port to handle 53 container vessel calls in April

Yangon Port to handle 53 container vessel calls in April  Port Technology

Venergy Maritime orders tanker pair at Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding

Greek shipowner Venergy Maritime has been rapidly expanding its newbuilding programme in China across tanker and container segments

India March Manufacturing PMI Revised Slightly Higher

The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI fell to 53.9 in March 2026 from 56.9 in February, slightly higher than preliminary estimates of 53.8. This marked the weakest improvement in business conditions in nearly four years, as factory output and new orders rose at the slowest pace since mid-2022, weighed down by cost pressures, intense competition, and ...

S. Korea: Securing Crude Oil Proves More Difficult Amid Supply Hurdles

The domestic petrochemical industry has breathed a sigh of relief following an emergency injection of 27,000 tons of Russian naphtha. However, analysis suggests this volume, equivalent to only 3-4 days of domestic consumption, is insufficient to dispel fears of a supply chain collapse. It is expected to be merely a ‘stopgap measure’ to prevent operational ...

WFW advises NYK on acquisition of 50% stake in Avenir LNG

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised longstanding client Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (“NYK”) on its acquisition of a 50% stake in Avenir LNG Limited (“Avenir LNG”) from Stolt-Nielsen Gas Ltd. (“Stolt Nielsen”), a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited. Completion of the transaction is expected at the end of Q2 2026, subject to customary approvals. This acquisition ...

VHBS New ConTex Container Ship Time Charter Assessment Index Week 14

Another rather uneventful short week has passed leaving the New ConTex with a 3 point gain compared to last week (0.2% increase).   Source: Verband Hamburger und Bremer Schiffsmakler e.V

Open Letter to President Ursula von der Leyen: Europe’s transport system is unprepared — and workers are paying the price

The consequences of the Iran conflict and Gulf escalation are not an isolated geopolitical shock. They are yet another stress test that the European Union risks failing. Once again, Europe’s transport system is structurally unprepared. Transport workers are – again – at risk of bearing the consequences of the constantly deteriorating terms and conditions across ...

Crude exports to Japan, South Korea & Taiwan fall 50% y-o-y

Crude/condensates exports pointed toward Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are down ~50% y-o-y in March (days 1-29), to just 3.1mbd, while crude exports from the Middle East Gulf to these countries are down 70% y-o-y. Crude/condensates in transit to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan dropped to a record low of ~115 million barrels, down nearly 40% ...

Oil flirts with $110/bbl after Trump signals Iran war escalation

Oil prices jumped sharply on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to strike Iran “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks, renewing prolonged supply disruption risks. As of 08:26 ET (12:26 GMT), Brent Oil Futures expiring in June climbed 8.2% to $109.41 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures surged ...

US supply chains intact but fuel costs rise amid Middle East tensions

Bunker fuel used by container vessels has doubled over the past three weeks, increasing costs across supply chains. There is a low probability that American consumers will be immediately impacted by the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Seroka notes that the ports of Los ...