European Maritime

by hellenicshippingnews… on 13 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Seaborne iron ore exports from Brazil, the second largest iron ore exporter kept their downward trend during 2025, but even more so during the first month of 2026. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “2025 was another positive year for global seaborne iron ore trade. In Jan-Dec 2025, global loadings of …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 13 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Recent freight market behavior suggests a pause in the rally rather than a structural reversal. Freight levels remain supported by constrained tonnage supply, particularly in core export regions, though near-term direction will depend on fresh cargo flow and overall market activity. Arabian Gulf and West African dirty freight markets are currently characterized more by holding …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 13 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Ship finance is undergoing a structural transformation that extends far beyond the typical market cycle, according to legal experts. In a Holland & Knight Insights article, authors Sophia Agathis, a partner at the firm, and Nicholas Kaasik, senior counsel, note that as 2026 unfolds, the ship finance industry is expected to reach a crossroad where …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 12 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The tanker market has started off the year on a positive note, OPEC said in its latest monthly report. Dirty tanker spot freight rates had a strong start to the year in January, supported by geopolitical uncertainties, weather disruptions, unplanned outages, and steady loading activity. VLCC spot freight rates began in 2026 with an exceptionally …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 12 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The Capesize market in the Pacific opened the week under pressure due to the effects of Cyclone Mitchell on West Australian Pilbara ports and a temporary slowdown in miner activity. Although port operations quickly resumed and activity levels picked up, overall sentiment remained subdued. The BCI (182k) 5TC declined by approximately USD 5,000 over the …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 12 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

“During the first six weeks of 2026, global bulk grain shipments have jumped 15% y/y, supported by a 30% y/y surge in soya bean shipments and a 17% increase in wheat shipments. Record harvests in the Southern Hemisphere are boosting exports while North America has continued to ship its high export surplus. The trade agreement …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 11 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

More tanker newbuildings have been added to the global orderbook over the past week, alongside other ship types and classes. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “this week in the tanker sector, newly established Norwegian company, Bruton, placed an order of 2 x 310,000 dwt VLCCs to New Times Shipyard. The …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 11 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

McQuilling Services is pleased to announce the release of its 29th anniversary edition, 2026-2030 Tanker Market Outlook. Our 2026 theme, “You Can’t See the Forest for the Trees,” frames the outlook for crude tankers over the next five years. Structural forces (the “forest”) including: 1) macroeconomic conditions, 2) a weakening US dollar, 3) a commodity …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 11 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

In recent years, the loss of containers has emerged as a critical safety concern, particularly in relation to large container vessels operating in adverse sea states. One of the key contributing phenomena identified is parametric rolling, a complex and potentially severe form of ship motion that can develop rapidly and with limited warning. Parametric rolling …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 10 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Could the tanker market be headed for an oversupply issue? In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “the renewed acceleration in tanker newbuilding activity has once again brought the question of oversupply to the forefront of market discussions, particularly as deliveries are set to rise sharply over the next two years. In 2026 …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 10 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The US–India trade agreement is expected to reduce India’s reliance on Russian crude oil, benefiting the mainstream fleet and tonne-mile demand. Although a complete halt is unlikely at the moment due to existing contracts, refinery constraints and geopolitical considerations, any partial replacement of Russian oil with US/Venezuelan oil will strengthen the employment of VLCCs. The …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 10 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

As the dust settles on a historic year of upheaval, the global trade landscape is bracing for a starkly different reality in 2026. After a surprising 4.2% year-over-year expansion in 2025, economists at ING are forecasting a “significant slowdown” for 2026 with growth projected to plummet to a range of just 0.5% to 1% for …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 9 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The strategic shift of EU’s LNG imports’ demand is redrawing the global LNG shipping map. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Intermodal said that “Europe’s decision to formally sever its remaining gas ties with Russia marks the end of a chapter that has defined the continent’s energy system for decades. Framed as sanctions, the move …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 9 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Market Overview The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) recorded a sharp recovery ahead of the Lunar New Year before correcting on Friday, 6 February 2026. While dry bulk indices have historically softened into the holiday period due to seasonal disruptions, index levels this year remained firmer than at the start of 2025. Index Performance The BDI …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 9 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The maritime industry is largely aware of the dangers of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery fires in confined shipboard environments, and especially aboard car carriers and containerships transporting electric vehicles (EVs). Less widely acknowledged is that fact that the hazards posed by the larger Li-ion batteries in electric cars, trucks and scooters also apply to the smaller …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 8 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The seaborne tanker market could be headed for yet another shift in crude oil flows, which could also have an impact on freight rates. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Gibson said that “earlier this week, President Trump announced that the United States and India had agreed a trade deal. Whilst the deal is not …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 8 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

Capesize The market endured a broadly softer week, with sentiment cooling across both the Pacific and Atlantic as the BCI 182 5TC slid from the low $31,000s to finish closer to $26,468. Early optimism in the Pacific, driven by miner presence and steady West Australia volumes, ultimately failed to prevent rates from retreating. C5 corrected …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 8 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The global tanker market opened 2026 hitting new highs. While dirty tanker rates continue their upward trajectory, mid-size crude tankers lead market gains, even as total crude and dirty petroleum product flows declined by approximately 2 million barrels per day in January compared to November. This market reconfiguration stems from three developments: Venezuela’s effective removal …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 6 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The ship recycling markets have shown mixed behaviour over the course of the past week. In its latest weekly report, Best Oasis (www.best-oasis.com), a leading cash buyer of ships said that “the Indian market remained positive this week, supported by the USD easing sharply from recent highs following the US–India trade deal, alongside India signing …

by hellenicshippingnews… on 6 February 2026 at 10:00 pm

The average VLCC ballast speed in the AG area is now edging toward the upper range of 11.9, which aligns with the upward trend in TD3C rates. Amid rising Middle East tensions and geopolitical shifts, TD3C was indicating a soft downward trend into Friday’s close in the previous week, but the move proved short-lived, with …