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Canada has been emerging as a new major seaborne oil exporter, with 2025 marking yet another year of impressive growth. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “in 2025, global seaborne crude oil trade rebounded quite significantly, especially in the second half of the year, following a disappointing 2024. In Jan-Dec 2025, ... […]

Cargo-flow analysis indicates that Russian crude shipments to India slowed in early January, as reflected in the 7-day moving average across the first three weeks of the month. While India remains one of the most important destinations for Russian oil, current trends indicate a more gradual pace of arrivals compared to recent years. By late ... […]

Geopolitics, economic headwinds, shifting supply chains, digital breakthroughs, and sustainability pushes are converging to challenge trade in 2026, according to the UNCTAD Global Trade Update. These drivers are “redefining how countries engage in commerce”, said the intergovernmental body. For developing nations in particular, the implications look to be profound, as the traditional drivers of trade ... […]

Tanker market rates have been reacting to the latest developments globally. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “the first half of January reminded everyone that crude tankers do not need a fresh demand miracle to re-rate, they just need the map to change. Baltic Exchange TCEs captured that shift almost day by ... […]

The Week in Focus Drone strikes in the Black Sea have targeted multiple commercial tankers awaiting loading at or near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal. U.S. forces have expanded interdiction under Operation Southern Spear, seizing multiple sanctioned tankers, including the Marinera in the North Atlantic and the sixth vessel, Veronica, in the Caribbean Sea, ... […]

In recent years, the maritime finance sector has witnessed growing interest in non-payment insurance as a risk mitigation tool. This trend reflects broader market efforts to enhance credit security and diversify capital sources, aligning shipping finance practices with those long established in other asset classes. Historically covered by government-backed institutions such as (in the shipping ... […]

The ship recycling markets showed signs of recovery as buyer demand is present. In its latest weekly report, Best Oasis (www.best-oasis.com), a leading cash buyer of ships said that “the Indian market trended softer through most of the week, and despite the introduction of new import duties the overall tone remained weak; however, towards the ... […]

The Baltic Capesize Index opened the week marginally firmer, while weekly performance remains lower, indicating continued sensitivity in the freight market. Ballaster availability remains elevated across both basins, with approximately 160 vessels (5-day MA) in West Australia and around 280 vessels (5-day MA) in the South Atlantic. South Atlantic ballaster counts are around 40 vessels ... […]

Potential redirection of Venezuelan crude oil exports could boost already high tanker rates in the near to medium term due to a shift to the mainstream fleet from shadow tankers, Fitch Ratings says. Any shift in the transportation of Iranian oil from the shadow fleet to mainstream tankers remains an upside risk. Key downside risks ... […]

Ship owners have been quite active both in the newbuilding and the S&P markets over the past few days. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “in the bulk sector, Hong Kong-based owner Seacon Shipmanagement placed an order of 2 x 210,000 dwt newcastlemax vessels to Chinese yard Qingdao Beihai. Deliveries are ... […]