Used Ships vs. Newbuilds: What Are Shipowners Really Choosing in 2025?
The maritime landscape sits at a pivotal crossroads. Used-ship prices are soaring, driven by intense demand from owners needing immediate tonnage and limited newbuild slots. Meanwhile, newbuilding costs remain at record highs, about $90 million...
Electric Car Carriers Face Looming Safety Tests Amid Growing EV Fire Risk
A spate of fires aboard vehicle carriers carrying electric vehicles (EVs) has spotlighted the rising dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea. With each region-wide surge in EV exports, shipping industry leaders are racing...
Decision Point Looms at Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing Tensions
Iran is considering the temporary closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but the power to enact such a move lies not with parliament alone, but with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and, ultimately,...
Completive Push Fuels Maritime Autonomous Expansion
Maritime autonomy is accelerating worldwide. From saildrones patrolling critical infrastructure to next-gen naval USVs entering trials, the industry is moving from experimental deployments toward operational readiness. Across defense, oceanography, and commercial sectors, these platforms...
Oil Prices Poised to Surge Amid Chokepoint Pressure
Markets remain on edge as energy traders price in risk around the Strait of Hormuz. While no disruption has occurred, signals out of the Gulf and shifts in vessel traffic have driven crude oil...
If the Strait of Hormuz Closes, Who Wins?
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be a completive and destabilizing blow to global trade. The maritime shipping industry, in particular, relies on this narrow passage to move nearly a fifth of...
Tankers Hold Course as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continues under close surveillance as regional tensions intensify following airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. While legislative steps inside Iran signal the strong possibility of a temporary closure...
Shipping Prices Cool as Global Routes Adjust to New Demand Patterns
Container shipping prices dipped this week after a month-long surge, signaling a possible stabilization phase across major trade lanes. Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) fell 7.45% to $3,279 per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU), reflecting...
Maritime Shipping Myths Costing Owners Millions
In an industry where margins are tight and risks are global, many shipowners still operate under assumptions that no longer hold water. Outdated beliefs about vessel performance, compliance, maintenance, and financing can quietly drain...
Fueling the Black Market: Inside the Global Fight Against Maritime Oil Theft
While global headlines focus on freight rates and canal congestion, a darker maritime crisis is unfolding beneath the radar, oil theft at sea is booming. From the waterways of the Niger Delta to the...
Wind, Methanol, and Ammonia Continue Steady Surge in Global Shipping
Momentum is continuing to build behind three of the most promising low-emission propulsion solutions. With wind-assisted vessels clocking more sea time, methanol bunkering expanding to over 120 ports, and ammonia-powered prototypes entering trial phases,...
Maritime Cybersecurity Becomes a Completive Priority in 2025
As geopolitical tensions spill into global trade routes, cybersecurity has moved to the forefront of maritime strategy. Commercial fleets, port operators, and governments are responding with a wave of new measures, from stricter compliance...
The Top 8 Regions Driving Up War Risk Premiums in 2025
War risk insurance has moved from the fine print to the frontline, especially as tensions heat up between Israel and Iran. Strategic choke points like the Strait of Hormuz are not just geopolitical flashpoints;...
Maritime Fallout Begins Amid Middle East Conflict
As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, trade routes that rely on key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal are continually being reevaluated. Recent developments have forced operators to make...
Arctic Icebreaker Surge and Northern Sea Route Momentum
As the Arctic becomes more navigable, countries are ramping up icebreaker construction and logistics capabilities. Strategic interest in the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is growing, with governments and private operators laying the groundwork for...
Green Shipbuilding Takes Center Stage
Shipbuilders around the globe are entering a dynamic phase, as maritime players pursue greener fleets, national capacity expansion, and strategic alliances. High-impact moves from CMA CGM, Canada’s Davie, and Indian shipyards signal a transformative wave...
ShipLog Story: Shadow in the Bab el-Mandeb
One man adrift. One ship off course. In one of the world’s most watched waterways, a quiet rescue turns into something no one expected. Ship Universe Note This post is part of our Wednesday...
Insurance Pressures Build as Maritime Risks Shift in 2025
The maritime sector is seeing a noticeable shift in premium levels, particularly around war-risk zones and high-tension corridors. While some markets are still experiencing rate softening, others have seen abrupt surges in costs due...
Fires, Collisions and Navigational Disruptions on the Rise
A string of serious maritime accidents over the past several days has put global shipping safety back in the spotlight. From collisions in critical chokepoints to fires aboard large vessels and unusual GPS disruptions,...
LNG Growth and Digital Fueling Expand Global Bunkering Momentum
New developments across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe are reshaping the bunker fuel landscape. From cleaner alternatives like LNG to faster fueling technologies and expanded digitalization, the sector is entering a more dynamic...
Will Robots Replace Crew on Ships? Reality or Hype
Let’s talk robots on ships. Can robots really take over tasks that require human hands, not just a GPS signal? This isn’t about autopilot systems or remote navigation. We’re talking about engine room maintenance,...
Maritime Compliance Deadlines Quickly Approaching in 2025 and 2026
From carbon pricing frameworks to digital fuel records, ship operators must adapt quickly or risk being left behind. With multiple mandates already in effect or coming into force by 2026, the industry is entering...
Israel & Iran Maritime Fallout Shakes Global Shipping Stability
The growing fallout from tensions between Israel and Iran is reshaping global maritime shipping. While trade routes remain technically open, the threat environment has forced shipowners, exporters, and insurers to take swift action. The...
Upward Movement Marks Early Summer Shipping Surge
After a volatile first half of 2025, freight rates are surging across several major global trade routes. Shippers, carriers, and port operators are all recalibrating as spot container rates on Asia-to-U.S. and Asia-to-Europe lanes...
Global Shipping Cautions Persist Over Red Sea Danger
Over the past week, several official advisories and industry alerts have urged commercial vessels to avoid or closely monitor operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Strait of Hormuz. While these routes...
Sustainable Ship Recycling Continues Advance
New global regulations, expanding eco-friendly facilities, and innovative contracting frameworks are redefining how ships are responsibly decommissioned. These updates mark a positive shift toward safer, more transparent, and sustainable practices. (view news summary) Global...
Could Waste Oil and Bio-Sludge Be Shipping’s Secret Weapon?
In the shadows of the decarbonization race, a small but growing number of innovators are asking a different question: Can this waste be turned into usable energy? As global fuel prices fluctuate, emissions regulations...
Seafarer Welfare Gets Boost from New Global Reforms
From international labor reforms to well‑being initiatives and growing awareness of abandonment cases, the focus on human factors signals a more sustainable crew environment. Recent efforts are setting stronger standards for safety, dignity, and...
Green Growth and Smart Ports Drive Global Maritime Investment Momentum
The surge in capital commitments is not limited to traditional port expansions or new vessel orders but includes greener fuel networks, smart port automation, and long-term public-private partnerships across regions. With the IMO’s evolving...
What Breaks Most on Ships? The Dirty Dozen of Maritime Failures
Across thousands of maintenance reports, surveys, and real-world incidents, a clear pattern emerges: a small group of ship components cause the majority of breakdowns, delays, and costly repairs. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, corrections,...