North American container traffic showed a mixed but overall softer performance in February 2026, with declining import volumes at a national level masking significant divergence across key ports. Early forecasts pointed to weakness. The National Retail Federation projected that major US ports would handle around 2.01 million TEUs of inbound cargo in February, a slight […]
Bunker fuel is rapidly emerging as the hidden fault line in the current Gulf crisis, with potentially far-reaching consequences for global shipping and trade. While markets remain focused on crude oil and LNG flows, Martin Koelling warns that this overlooks a more immediate operational risk: “Far fewer are watching bunker fuel — the heavy oil […]
Strait of Hormuz cargo movements are showing signs of recovery, according to industry analysts Alphaliner, as COSCO SHIPPING resumes cargo bookings to several Gulf states. This move coincides with Iran notifying the United Nations Security Council and the IMO that:“Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other States, may—provided that they neither participate […]
Container shipping remains in a financial supercycle despite falling margins, according to industry analysts Alphaliner. The average operating margin for the leading container carriers slumped to 5.3% in the final quarter of 2025, after several top-10 carriers reported operating losses for the period. Shipping activities for Maersk’s Ocean Segment, Yang Ming and ONE fell into […]
The Gulf conflict is tying up container shipping capacity and keeping commercial idling low, according to industry analysts Alphaliner. In early 2026, market sentiment expected liner services to return to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, with a gradual release of vessel capacity tied up in diversions. The outbreak of the Gulf conflict has reversed […]
The US government’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver has triggered strong reactions across the maritime sector, with industry groups and labor unions questioning both its necessity and effectiveness. While the move aims to ease short-term energy supply disruptions, concerns are growing over its impact on domestic shipping capacity and long-term investment signals. […]
The container market remains firm across vessel sizes, according to industry analysts Alphaliner, even as the full impact of the Middle East war has yet to be reflected in charter activity. Demand for tonnage remains high across the board, with charter rates evolving at consistently robust levels for all sizes of ships. Forward fixing continues […]
Transhipment hubs were a major driver of global port volume growth in 2025, according to industry analysts Alphaliner. Throughput at the world’s leading container ports again exceeded forecasts in 2025, rising an estimated 5.2% (2024: 7.5%), as volumes were driven by both higher trade demand and widespread disturbance in the liner shipping network. Recording a […]
Global bunker prices surged sharply this week as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered a rally in crude oil markets and intensified volatility across the global energy complex. Across the bunker segments, prices recorded substantial gains. The MABUX Global 380 HSFO Index rose […]