World Maritime News

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

World Maritime News (119)

February 18, 2026

HMM joins Maersk in flagging boxship glut risk HMM warned of a rising risk of container ship oversupply after its 2025 earnings dropped sharply. Revenue and profits fell significantly due to weakening freight rates, echoing concerns raised by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. The global container ship orderbook has reached a 15‑year high, accounting for about 36% of the fleet, raising fears that supply will outstrip demand. Although deliveries will slow in 2026, a new wave is expected to begin in 2027. F

World Maritime News (118)

February 04, 2026

EU set to ringfence €10bn ETS revenue for maritime decarbonization The EU plans to ringfence around €10 billion in annual ETS revenues from the maritime sector by 2030 exclusively for maritime decarbonization projects. This will be formalized in the upcoming EU Industrial Maritime Strategy. The move responds to long‑standing industry demands and aims to ensure that shipping receives dedicated funding for clean technologies. However, the final design may change depending on discussions under the

World Maritime News (117)

January 21, 2026

PSA International handles 105m teu globally in 2025 PSA International achieved a record global container throughput of 105 million TEU in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024 when it first exceeded 100 million TEU. The Singapore terminal handled 44.5 million TEU, up 8%, setting a new record and accounting for nearly all of Singapore's throughput. Its overseas terminals processed 60.5 million TEU, a 2% rise. Chairman Peter Voser noted that despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the results were

World Maritime News (116)

January 07, 2026

Regulation: Net-Zero Framework faces long odds The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for a global carbon price on shipping emissions faces significant hurdles. Strong opposition from the U.S. under Trump and lobbying by oil-producing nations make approval unlikely. The next MEPC meeting in spring 2026 may clarify the path forward, but the regulation could be watered down or remain stalled. Meanwhile, the EU will keep its ETS and FuelEU Maritime rules in place until the IMO’s outcome is clear. Ship

World Maritime News (115)

December 10, 2025

MSC’s ascent rewrites power balance and risk in container shipping MSC’s rapid fleet expansion through secondhand purchases and newbuildings has made it the clear leader in container shipping, surpassing Maersk. Over the past five years, MSC added 1.8 million TEU via secondhand ships and has a 2.2 million TEU orderbook, creating a large capacity gap. Competitors are responding with defensive ordering, pushing the global orderbook to 34% of existing fleet capacity, especially for large vessels.

World Maritime News (114)

November 26, 2025

Divergence on net zero could reshape global shipping routes The IMO failed to adopt a global Net-Zero Framework, leading carriers to favor regions with lower carbon prices. Regional carbon pricing and frameworks will create complexity for shipowners, potentially reshaping global shipping routes. Geopolitical, energy security, and economic factors have slowed maritime decarbonization, according to GCMD CEO Lynn Loo. Cargo owners with strong sustainability goals will exert significant influence o

World Maritime News (113)

November 12, 2025

Port fee pause will cover foreign-built vehicle carriers, USTR confirms The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has confirmed that foreign-built vehicle carriers will be included in the one-year suspension of U.S. port fees, starting November 10, 2025. This move offers significant financial relief to operators who were previously paying up to $1 million per U.S. port call. The decision is part of a broader U.S.-China trade détente, with both countries agreeing to suspend port fees on a reciprocal

World Maritime News (112)

October 29, 2025

Why DP World built a 10,000 teu berth for ships that don’t yet call in the Philippines DP World has built a new berth at Manila South Harbour capable of handling 10,000 TEU vessels—well ahead of current demand. This strategic investment reflects confidence in the Philippines’ transition from an import-driven economy to a regional trade hub. Strengthening export ties with Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia under the “China plus one” strategy is expected to reduce trade imbalance. Despite US tariffs

World Martime News (111)

October 15, 2025

Beijing issues detailed rules for reciprocal port fees targeting US-linked vessels China has released detailed rules for its new port fees targeting US-linked vessels, in response to US levies on Chinese maritime interests. The fees apply to ships with 25% or more US ownership and will gradually increase from Yuan 400 ($56) per net tonne to Yuan 1,120 by April 2028. Ships built in China or arriving empty for repairs are exempt. Shipping companies must file declarations at least seven days befor