Canadian ports are losing relative importance in global maritime trade as shipping connectivity and vessel capacity increasingly shift toward Asia, according to a new Bank of Canada analysis. The analysis found that between 2016 and 2023, Canada’s major ports became less directly connected to international shipping networks, reducing their role as global trade hubs and […]
Global bunker prices moved lower this week as reports of a possible US-Iran peace agreement pressured bunker fuel markets, although volatility remained high amid uncertainty around the Middle East conflict. The MABUX 380 HSFO index fell by USD 41.82 to USD 748.07/MT, while VLSFO dropped by USD 63.13 to USD 884.26/MT, moving below the USD […]
Container carriers recorded widely varied first-quarter operating margins in 2026, according to industry analysts Alphaliner. Route trends lead to range of Q1 operating margins for lines. The average operating margin for the leading container carriers reached 5.2% in the first quarter of 2026, practically unchanged on the previous three months, but the result disguised a […]
Strait of Hormuz shipping controls are tightening after Iran launched a new maritime authority and digital insurance platform aimed at strengthening oversight of vessels and cargoes transiting one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Iran has launched a new maritime authority to tighten its control over shipping in and around the Strait of […]
European carriers dominate the South America trades between Europe and ECSA & WCSA, according to industry analysts Alphaliner. The trades between Europe and the two coasts of South America are largely controlled by four European carriers. MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd together operate 93.3% of all capacity, based on April figures. COSCO SHIPPING and […]
Global bunker prices edged higher this week, although the wider bunker market remained broadly stable with limited fluctuations and no clear directional trend. MABUX reported gains across the main fuel indexes. The 380 HSFO index rose by USD 16.69 to USD 791.75/MT, moving close to the USD 800 mark. VLSFO increased by USD 8.91 to […]
Maritime electrification is accelerating as shipping companies increasingly adopt battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support hybrid propulsion and all-electric vessel operations amid rising decarbonisation pressure across the maritime sector. The maritime sector faces rising pressure as international decarbonization efforts increase the cost of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is emerging […]
US West Coast ports are regaining container volume momentum after years of disruption and competitive pressure, but new analysis from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association warns that the region still faces major challenges in rebuilding lost market share and restoring long-term supply chain competitiveness. The report argues that US West Coast ports have yet to […]
Transpacific container trade patterns continued to shift during the first quarter of 2026, with Canadian West Coast ports gaining market share at the expense of major US gateways as shippers adjusted routing strategies amid ongoing trade tensions and supply chain uncertainty. According to Sea-Intelligence, overall North America West Coast laden import volumes fell by 3.9% […]