Rotterdam positions itself for clean fuel leadership

Europe’s largest port moves closer to commercial ammonia bunkering Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, is taking a leading role in the maritime energy transition, moving closer to commercial ammonia bunkering following a successful pilot earlier this year. The development marks a major step toward establishing a full-scale clean fuel supply chain for global shipping. Large-scale ammonia […]

Strongest year in a decade

Firm demand, realigned trade flows, and record freight rates continue to define the tanker market in 2025 US inventories and output revisionsIn the United States, crude inventories rose by 5.2 million barrels this week, notably above expectations, while gasoline stocks declined. Newly revised data confirmed that US oil output in August was higher than previously […]

Strength across tanker and gas segments

Suezmax gains and Western VLGC momentum support a positive outlook into year-end Tankers: Suezmax gains lead another strong week for tankersTanker earnings remain strong as limited fleet growth and longer trade routes sustain positive momentum across crude segments. Suezmax earnings rose 8% week-on-week to $87,300/day. The LR2 segment has strengthened, supported by sustained switching from […]

What did Trump & Xi Agree on?

One week following the world leaders’ meeting, what has been concluded? What was agreed upon Port fee suspension: Both sides agreed to suspend new port fees and shipping tariffs for one year, easing cost pressures on the global maritime and logistics sectors. China agreed to pause for one year its export restrictions on rare-earth minerals, […]

Global sanctions, trade flows & more

An overview of recent developments and their impacts Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, international sanctions have steadily reshaped global oil trade and tanker activity. The EU’s oil embargo and G7 price-cap framework redirected Russian crude flows away from Europe toward Asia, creating longer-haul voyages and structural changes in vessel utilization that continue to […]

Exceptional week for crude tankers

OPEC+ hikes production in December, LPG segment gains strength following US-China trade truce Tankers: Highest earning week for the crude tanker market in the past 5 yearsThe tanker market experienced its strongest week since April 2020, following the global shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. VLCCs had the strongest week within the segment, with earnings […]

One-third of Aframax fleet now blacklisted as sanctions expand

US targets Russian oil majors, prompting shifts in trade flows Roughly one-third of the global Aframax fleet has now been blacklisted as the shadow-sanctioned fleet continues to expand, according to new data from Clarksons. Western nations have added nearly 500 oil tankers to their sanctioned vessel lists so far this year, bringing the total to […]

Trade talks offers hope for US-China relationship and global economy

Optimism for the maritime industry following Trump and Xi’s meeting Last week, China and the US reached an initial consensus on several key trade issues following two days of high-level talks in Kuala Lumpur. The discussions were described as “constructive” and covered a broad range of topics, measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, […]

Tanker rates surge as geopolitical factors remain crucial throughout the market

Port fees and sanctions loom large; tanker rates still soaring Tanker: Continued strength, positive forward outlookThe tanker market reflects a positive outlook, with strong rates across VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax segments following a slow start to last week. The Aframax market had a very strong week with an overall increase of 13%. Long haul cargoes […]

IMO delays adoption of Net-Zero framework

Implementation postponed following resistance from key member states and the US under Trump Last week, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted to postpone the adoption of its Net-Zero framework until 2026. The framework was expected to introduce a carbon pricing system rewarding cleaner ships while penalising higher emitters. However, opposition from several member states, including […]