Should the energy transition be reframed as a trade resilience strategy, asks Mariam Tzannatos, decarbonisation analyst at MSI. The conflict in the Middle East has once again exposed a structural feature of the global energy system: concentration risk. Read more at Splash247.com
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 →
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 →
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 →
The sector has surprised to the upside in Q1 – can the market manage downside risks to post more gains in 2026 asks Will Fray, a director at MSI. Read more at Splash247.com.
The world’s LNG supply outlook darkened sharply last night after Iran struck key gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, escalating the regional conflict and raising the prospect of prolonged disruption to one of the market’s most critical production hubs. The impact on shipping could be mitigated by more long-haul LNG trade from the … Continue reading LNG market facing years-long Qatari supply shortage following attacks →
With Capesize earnings expected to remain firm, the strength of the Cape market is likely to continue to support Panamax freight rates. A key driver of this continued correlation will be competition on major coal routes that still employ both Cape and Panamax tonnage. Read more at Hellenic Shipping News.
“When viewed in aggregate, both Asia-North Europe and Asia-US west coast spot freight rates have fallen in the region of 15% over the past month. Most of this fall can be ascribed to seasonal trends around the lunar new year, although further rates declines are expected to be more heavily driven by overcapacity.” said analysts … Continue reading Carriers hope blankings and post-CNY boost can bolster rates →
Analysts see a US Supreme Court ruling against US President Donald Trump’s tariffs as positive for container trades in the short term. MSI director Daniel Richards told Riviera that any tariffs introduced under the IEEPA are now invalid. “All other tariffs implemented since January 2025, including those targeting the steel, aluminium, copper, automotive and lumber … Continue reading US tariff tussle: supply chain disruption, trade deal uncertainty and shipping impacts →
MSI cites a number of factors driving the large tanker sector including a build up of floating storage and Sinokor’s aggressive moves to acquire and control VLCC tonnage, which has been estimated to control 24% of the spot trading fleet. “Sinokor is reportedly already withholding its VLCC tonnage in order to push rates up further.” … Continue reading Red hot VLCC market hits new highs amid US – Iran tensions →
On the supply side, the global container shipping fleet grew by 7 percent in 2025, outpacing demand growth of 5 percent MSI forecasts fleet growth of 3.5 percent in 2026, compared to just 2 percent demand growth. Read more at Breakbulk News.
The demographic sweetspot for China, the 21st century’s driving force of shipping profits, has long passed. This month, Beijing reported its steepest birth rate decline since the Communist Party took power in 1949. Splash Extra investigates what a dwindling population means for global shipping. Adam Kent, managing director at MSI, explains to Splash Extra that … Continue reading China’s demographic cliff: can shipping live without its golden growth engine? →