Global Maritime Hub

Future Trends in Commercial Shipping The world is changing rapidly, as is the shipping industry. There is an increased focus on boosting the green image of shipping, as well as improving efficiency through emerging technologies. The commercial shipping industry has constantly been evolving with a lot of pushes for innovations. Even the past few years have been particularly interesting. Trends such...

The fall in light crude exports from the United States to the far east has led to buyers seeking replacement barrels. One of the most natural sources of similar oil is west Africa. Indeed, the total ton mile demand for VLCCs in region has shot upwards, while Suezmax exports, used for Atlantic Basin trades have been moving downwards (See...

By Mary Scott Nabers Strange as it might seem, the threat of administration-imposed tariffs has not slowed investment in America’s ports. The extremely large megaships coming through the Suez Canal headed to America and U.S. ports will be ready. Most are already engaged in making upgrades, performing maintenance, expanding to facilitate the larger ships and constructing new storage facilities. Many...

Source: Will Tooth of MSI Regional regulation and national policies are putting competing pressures on the scrapping market just as demand is set to rise. By December 31 2018, all vessels flying the flag of an EU member state (around 12% of the current global merchant fleet) will need to comply with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR); the rule that brought...

Until May 2016, ton mile demand was rising and rates were structurally higher (in the green shaded area). Since then, ton mile demand has been choppy, but almost flat when shown as a trend line (in the red shaded region). Rates have been much softer during this period of stagnant demand. The number of available ships in this size range...

Source: GIBSONS Much attention has been given in recent months to continued activity in newbuild VLCC tonnage. Shipbrokers Gibson’s, are not an exception to that, warning repeatedly about the risk of over-ordering if investment in VLCCs continues at such a relentless pace. However, what has gone largely unreported is the fact that the pattern of ordering activity has been completely...

Japanese Yards Remain Solid Contenders in the Clean Tanker Markets Japanese yards remain an important hub for clean product tanker orders, and are currently booked for 57 orders through the end of 2021. Domestic owners and trading houses make up a significant portion of these orders, but interest from foreign owners continues, as the yards remain competitive with other top...

By John Roper, Managing Director & Head of Middle East, Uniper Global Commodities SE For the first time since engines replaced sails in the early 19th century, the operational status quo of global shipping is being rewritten. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ruling to reduce the sulphur cap for bunker fuel from 3.5% to 0.5% by 2020, not 2025, means an overhaul...

By Subhasis Ghosh, Apex Consultants During our discussions at a trade facilitation and investment meeting organised by an industry chamber recently, we had good conversations on the subject with a few colleagues. Based on my experience, analysis and interactions with the leadership of several special economic, free zones and industrial parks over the years, am sharing my perspective for further conversation: What...

There is a lot of excitement about what is called the “sharing economy”. Its genius: money is made by intelligently mutualising assets. The advantage for companies: less need for investments in assets. Its prime example: Uber. Shipping is not usually associated with such cool things. Quite the contrary. At almost every shipping conference, people talk about that mysterious Uber of...