World Maritime News

World Maritime News (131)

September 02, 2026

Panama Canal cuts transit capacity as El Niño threatens fresh disruption to global trade The Panama Canal will reduce daily vessel transits from 36 to 32 by mid-September due to worsening drought conditions linked to a strong El Niño. The Panama Canal Authority cited significantly below-average rainfall and watershed inflows, warning that further restrictions may be needed if conditions deteriorate. The reduced capacity is expected to increase delays and transit costs at a time when global supp

World Maritime News (130)

July 22, 2026

Industry waits to see what Brussels has in store for the EU ETS The European Commission is preparing revisions to the EU ETS, with major debates focused on ETS revenues, competitiveness, and shipping decarbonization. Shipping industry groups, led by ECSA (European Community Shipowners’ Association), want ETS revenues reinvested in green fuels and support aligning EU regulations with future IMO measures. They also seek permanent exemptions for ice-class ships and certain island services. Environ

World Maritime News (129)

July 08, 2026

Mega-hub era wanes as carriers disperse global connectivity Global container shipping is undergoing a structural shift away from traditional mega-hubs such as Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Shanghai, and Ningbo. According to SeaIntelligence's analysis of UNCTAD's Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI), what began as temporary rerouting due to disruptions in the Red Sea and Middle East has now become a long-term network strategy. Shipping lines are increasingly distributing carg

World Maritime News (128)

June 24, 2026

Hormuz reopening to free 300,000 teu but rate impact still hinges on Red Sea return The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will free about 50 containerships (around 300,000 TEU, 0.9% of global capacity), so the immediate impact on freight rates will be limited. Shipping lines are prioritizing the retrieval of stranded vessels over the rapid restoration of services in the Middle East Gulf (MEG), while war risk premiums remain high. A portion of the stranded fleet (about 25%) is sanctioned/Iranian

World Maritime News (127)

June 10, 2026

Cosco Shipping Ports to win Tarragona terminal concession in first European expansion for years Cosco Shipping Ports (CSP) has received approval for a 50-year concession to develop and operate a multipurpose terminal at Spain’s Port of Tarragona—its first new investment in a European port in over three years. The $168m project will be run by a Chinese-led joint venture and is expected to start operations later this year, reaching a capacity of 680,000 TEU by 2028. The terminal will handle conta

World Maritime News (126)

May 27, 2026

Regulation experts see murky waters ahead for NZF talks Outlook for the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) remains uncertain following MEPC84, with experts divided on its prospects. While the NZF has not been dismissed, its adoption “as is” appears unlikely due to continued disagreement, particularly over carbon pricing. The US strongly opposes economic measures that leave key elements, such as the Net-Zero Fund, effectively stalled. Despite this, a majority of countries (about 59) support using th

World Maritime News (125)

May 13, 2026

Anti-NZF states keep their horse in the race Opposition to the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) succeeded in keeping alternative proposals under discussion by prolonging procedural debates. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the US, and Liberia pushed for continued consideration of a weaker, fossil fuel-based alternative, while progressive states preferred focusing solely on advancing the NZF. As a result, no clear agreement was reached at MEPC84, and further intersessional meetings were scheduled,

World Maritime News (124)

April 29, 2026

Indonesia walks back proposal of Malacca Strait toll Indonesia’s finance minister briefly suggested charging tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Malacca, inspired by Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, but quickly retracted the idea as impractical. The comments came amid rising global concern over maritime security following Iran’s seizure of vessels in Hormuz. Malaysia and Singapore firmly rejected any toll proposal, stressing that free transit through the Malacca Strait is guaranteed

World Maritime News (123)

April 15, 2026

Brief Gulf shutdown manageable, but year‑long closure would upend global LNG flows, says think tank According to the report from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES), the duration of a potential shutdown in the Strait of Hormuz will be the deciding factor for the global energy landscape. A short disruption of LNG exports from the Middle East Gulf would be manageable for global markets, with limited price impact. However, a shutdown lasting six months to a year—such as a prolonged clos

World Maritime News (122)

April 01, 2026

IMO's green rankings are a fight for fuel market share The IMO's work on carbon-intensity rankings for marine fuels, while presented as a technical climate-policy exercise, is, in reality, a battle over future fuel market share. Small differences in assigned emission factors—especially for LNG—can lead to major financial consequences for shipowners, including compliance issues or multi-million-dollar penalties. As a result, countries with fuels to sell are pushing for classifications that favor

World Maritime News (121)

March 18, 2026

Customs ordered to refund $166bn in tariffs but it can’t comply (yet) After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA tariffs were illegal, CBP is now required to refund $166 billion to importers, but currently lacks the systems and manpower to comply. The agency is working to deploy new electronic refund capabilities within 45 days, while the court warns that delays could result in massive interest costs by year‑end. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s fallback measure—a global 10% tariff unde

World Maritime News (120)

March 04, 2026

ETFuels inks first binding e-methanol offtake deal with RFOcean ETFuels has secured its first binding 10‑year e‑methanol offtake agreement with chemical tanker owner RFOcean, starting in 2030. The deal is driven by the FuelEU Maritime regulation, which will require ships to use more alternative fuels from 2030. ETFuels plans to produce green methanol at its Rattlesnake Gap wind project in Texas and claims strong cost advantages from U.S. tax credits and favorable wind resources. The company’s