Blog

4 June 2026MSI

Structural risks on the horizon in Middle East offshore industry

A combination of contract terminations, spiralling insurance costs and the threat to EPC projects are creating a complex combination of risk for offshore operators in the Middle East as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz In its latest Horizon Monthly Offshore report, MSI notes that, whilst contract terminations for rigs have … Continue reading Structural risks on the horizon in Middle East offshore industry →

EnergyMODU Jack-Up RigOffshoreOSV Anchor Handler
3 June 2026MSI

Gulf disruption drives divergence between oil tanker earnings and cargo

Spot earnings in market segments less exposed to the Middle East have already taken a distinctive downturn and large tankers are likely to follow if cargo levels drop, says research firm MSI. “In segments less exposed to the Middle East, such as Aframaxes and MRs, spot earnings have already taken a distinctive downturn and are … Continue reading Gulf disruption drives divergence between oil tanker earnings and cargo →

Oil Tanker
3 June 2026MSI

Geared bulker values surge on robust demand for modern vessels

Firm earnings and shipyards focussed on tankers have pushed five-year-old Ultramax values above newbuildings and equivalent-age Kamsarmaxes. The latest HORIZON Monthly Dry Bulk Report from MSI notes that since the middle of 2025, bulker asset values have been steadily on the rise, with particularly notable gains seen within the Handymax segment (45-70k Dwt). Over the … Continue reading Geared bulker values surge on robust demand for modern vessels →

Dry Bulk
1 June 2026MSI

Time for owners to evacuate crew stranded by Hormuz stalemate

With little obvious prospect of majority of vessels stuck in the Gulf managing to leave safely any time soon has the time lay-up come. The stalemate around the Strait of Hormuz is nearing the three-month mark with around 1,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers remaining stranded in the Arabian Gulf. MSI Managing Director Adam Kent believes … Continue reading Time for owners to evacuate crew stranded by Hormuz stalemate →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
8 May 2026MSI

Global Containership Orderbook Surpasses 13 Million TEU

The bulk of the new capacity is scheduled for delivery in 2028, a year for which confirmed orders already total 5.2 million TEU, leaving very limited remaining delivery slots available. The container market is also dealing with events in the Middle East. However, compared with the tanker or bulk carrier markets, the container market has … Continue reading Global Containership Orderbook Surpasses 13 Million TEU →

Containership
5 May 2026MSI

2020s: The Era of Extended Shipping Distances

Last year, trade conducted via sea reached a total of 68 trillion ton-miles, with the average distance covered per ton of cargo recorded at 5,262 nautical miles. This indicates a 10% increase compared to the beginning of the decade. Tim Smith, Director of Maritime Strategies International, noted in an assessment earlier in 2026, ‘Increased demand … Continue reading 2020s: The Era of Extended Shipping Distances →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
5 May 2026MSI

What keeps shipping awake at night?

MSI Managing Director, Dr Adam Kent, contributes to the Lloyd’s List Shipping Podcast live from Singapore, as part of the Lloyds List Outlook Forum. Adam highlights the constantly shifting geopolitical backdrop the industry currently faces and how this can be an impediment to investors, given the start-stop nature of many directives. Listen to the podcast … Continue reading What keeps shipping awake at night? →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
24 April 2026MSI

Shipping braces for prolonged turmoil as Hormuz crisis fuels inflation and supply strain

OPTIMISM is in short supply as geopolitical turmoil deepens and the Hormuz crisis adds fresh strain to global shipping. Experts warn the fallout will be long‑lasting, compounding the economic damage left by the pandemic. “Tonne-miles are increasing, but once we get to demand destruction, then the demand destruction will be greater than increasing tonne-mile input.” … Continue reading Shipping braces for prolonged turmoil as Hormuz crisis fuels inflation and supply strain →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
1 April 2026MSI

MSI appoints North American director

MSI has appointed John Moulopoulos as director, North America, with responsibility for business development in the Americas. The company said Mr Moulopoulos joins from Boston-based maritime intelligence and data delivery service Marsoft Inc, and his role will include working with North American shipowners and maritime investors, while also drawing on his heritage and network to … Continue reading MSI appoints North American director →

Car/TruckChemicalContainer BoxContainership
1 April 2026MSI

Saudi’s Folk Maritime shifts India-Gulf service to Red Sea as Hormuz disruption bites

A report issued by MSI, argues that an optimistic base case scenario would see “naval support for partial passage through the SoH at 70% of the pre-war volume in Q2 before transits normalise in H2. “In this scenario, we see the near-term disruption and network inefficiencies mirroring, but falling short of, the dynamics seen in … Continue reading Saudi’s Folk Maritime shifts India-Gulf service to Red Sea as Hormuz disruption bites →

Containership
24 March 2026MSI

From theory to reality: scenario analysis for Strait of Hormuz tanker trades

MSI’s latest scenario modelling asks what happens to Gulf tanker trades when Strait of Hormuz access shifts from disruption to prolonged denial. The effect on tanker markets from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent retaliation, while extreme and spectacular, was somewhat predictable, with a rate spike following similar patterns to previous … Continue reading From theory to reality: scenario analysis for Strait of Hormuz tanker trades →

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