Top Stories.

The EU retained its lead as the biggest LNG importer, significantly increasing its imports during the first half of the year. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “global seaborne LNG trade was increasing sharply until 2022, helped also by the events in Ukraine which forced Europe to diversify away from Russian ... […]

This week’s Chart Market Monitor highlights the significant increase in Brazilian crude oil shipments to China, which reached a record 93.6 million barrels in Q2 2025, marking a 53% rise from Q1 and a 60% year-on-year surge compared to Q2 2024. These are the highest second-quarter volumes recorded in recent years, far surpassing previous benchmarks ... […]

The first half of 2025 has seen global trade continue its upward trajectory, albeit under the persistent shadow of “increasing trade policy uncertainty, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and a challenging global economic environment”, according to the latest UNCTAD Global Trade Update, which presents a picture of resilience amid significant headwinds. Global trade expanded by an estimated ... […]

Pressure has been the main trend in the ship recycling market. In its latest weekly report, Best Oasis (www.best-oasis.com), a leading cash buyer of ships said that “ship recycling markets across South Asia and Türkiye remain under sustained pressure, with sentiment weak and no improvement in activity levels. In India, sluggish demand persists as cheaper ... […]

This week’s Chart Monitor highlights increasing constraints on Brazilian corn exports, even as the country nears its second-largest harvest on record. Brazil’s National Supply Company (Conab) projects 2024–2025 corn production at nearly 5 billion bushels (about 126.2 million metric tons), a 10% year-over-year increase fueled by favorable weather in April and May, which boosted yields ... […]

Marine industry leaders gathered at Nor-Shipping in June, with a focus on the key challenges and opportunities driving the transition to a lower-carbon future. With regulations such as the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) carbon levy, fouling control systems continue ... […]

Newbuilding contracting activity has taken a step back so far in 2025, especially when compared to the past couple of years. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “the first half of 2025 has marked a distinct departure from the aggressive newbuilding momentum witnessed over the last two years, as owners across all ... […]

New US tariffs and escalating global trade tensions have reshaped vessel markets in the first half of 2025, curbing investment in some sectors while accelerating strategic orders in others, according to the Half-Year Market Report by Veson Nautical, a leading provider of maritime freight management solutions and data intelligence. The report states that US trade policy changes ... […]

“During the first half of 2025, global coal shipments fell 6% y/y amid weak import demand in large markets. Cargo loadings headed to China and advanced economies slowed considerably, partly due to stronger electricity generation from renewables and to weaker steel production,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO. In recent years, China has ... […]

Orders for container ships were on the rise last week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “in the container sector, MSC placed an order of 3 x 22,000 teu vessels to Chinese shipyard CMHI Quindao and they will feature LNG dual fuel propulsion. The price for each vessel is estimated between ... […]