Intenational shipping under threat from blockade
Intenational shipping under threat from blockade
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International Shipping News
17/04/2026
Disruptions in and around the Strait of Hormuz threaten to further slow international shipments after US-Iran talks failed and Washington imposed a blockade on traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, shipping experts said.
The US military’s blockade of ships “entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas” in the Strait of Hormuz located between Iran and Oman took effect on Monday. The Strait links the Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond.
No vessels have made it past US naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade, according to US Central Command. Even so, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was “very close to over” in an interview that aired on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
The AP reported that the commander of Iran’s joint military command on Wednesday threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the US does
Hazardous cargo compensation regime moves to entry into force
Hazardous cargo compensation regime moves to entry into force
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International Shipping News
17/04/2026
Belgium, Germany, the Kingdom of Netherlands and Sweden deposit ratifications to 2010 HNS Convention.
Four States deposited their instruments of ratification of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), bringing the treaty’s entry into force a step closer.
The 2010 HNS Convention aims to ensure adequate, prompt, and effective compensation for those affected by incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) carried on seagoing ships. This is particularly relevant given the increasing amounts of chemicals and alternative fuels being transported in bulk by sea.
There are now 12 Contracting States* to the 2010 Protocol to the HNS Convention, meeting the number of States criteria for entry into force. The treaty requires at least 12 States to expr
The world’s first global carbon price back on the negotiating table at the UN
The world’s first global carbon price back on the negotiating table at the UN
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International Shipping News
17/04/2026
Governments are resuming negotiations at the UN on the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for international shipping, a landmark climate agreement introducing the world’s first global carbon price on any polluter.
The talks take place at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London as a two-part summit: technical working group talks (ISWG-GHG-21) on 20 – 24 April, and the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC84) on 27 April – 1 May.
The summit is happening against the backdrop of disruptions in oil flows and shipping bunker fuels costs doubling due to the conflict in the Middle East, exposing how dependent global shipping is on volatile fossil fuels.
Why this matters: The IMO April meeting is a big test whether countries can unite against the US and other largely oil-producing states to defend the NZF and adopt it as it is later this year,
TRADE REVIEW: FOB Australia alumina prices to face continued supply pressure in Q2
TRADE REVIEW: FOB Australia alumina prices to face continued supply pressure in Q2
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Commodity News
17/04/2026
This report is part of the S&P Global Energy’s Metals Trade Review series, where we dig through datasets and digest some of the key trends in iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper, alumina, cobalt, lithium, nickel and steel and scrap. We also explore what the next few months could bring, from supply and demand shifts to new arbitrages, and to quality spread fluctuations.
FOB Australia alumina prices are expected to remain under pressure in the second quarter of 2026 as structural oversupply persists.
As the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East forced smelter curtailments toward the end of the first quarter, alumina demand fell faster than supply adjusted, resulting in surplus material flowing into the spot market and limiting the potential for a sustained price recovery, despite intermittent regional arbitrage opportunities.
Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed the
Ocean Network Express Deploys New Efficient Vessel to Key Transatlantic Trade Route Linking Europe to the USA
Ocean Network Express Deploys New Efficient Vessel to Key Transatlantic Trade Route Linking Europe to the USA
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International Shipping News
17/04/2026
Ocean Network Express (ONE), the global container liner company, has announced the deployment of its brand new container ship M/V ONE Satisfaction on its Transatlantic AT1 service, further strengthening its presence on the trade route between Europe and the United States.
Launched in March 2026, the AT1 service connects Southampton with Antwerp, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven and Le Havre, before crossing the Atlantic to call at New York, Norfolk, Charleston and Savannah, and then returning to Southampton.
The deployment marks the first time ONE has operated a ONE liveried vessel with its iconic magenta branding on this Transatlantic trade lane.
ONE Satisfaction maiden
The M/V ONE Satisfaction, delivered in February 2026 is one of Ocean Network Express’s S series, offering superior capacity and environmental performance. Measuring 336 metres lo
Up to 29% Tank-to-Wake GHG Emissions Reduction Evidenced in SGMF’s Third Life Cycle Assessment of LNG as a Marine Fuel
Up to 29% Tank-to-Wake GHG Emissions Reduction Evidenced in SGMF’s Third Life Cycle Assessment of LNG as a Marine Fuel
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International Shipping News
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Shipping: Emission Possible
15/04/2026
SGMF has published its latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on LNG, further demonstrating significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional marine fuels. One of the key findings is evidence of up to 29% tank-to-wake GHG emissions reductions when using LNG compared to MGO 0.1% – an improvement of up to 13% compared to the previous LCA conducted in 2022 – highlighting the effectiveness of measures to reduce methane slip. This progress contributes to overall well-to-wake GHG emissions reductions of up to 25%, supported in part by well-to-tank emissions reductions of up to 9% compared to the first LNG LCA study published in 2019.
Following its pioneering full LCA of LNG as marine fuel in 2019, SGMF reinforces its leading position as an independent LCA provider with this lat
US blockade unlikely to change Hormuz shipping hiatus: IMO chief
US blockade unlikely to change Hormuz shipping hiatus: IMO chief
in
International Shipping News
15/04/2026
The US blockade of Iranian ports will do little to change the effective halt in shipping transits via the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran’s control of the key energy shipping route has choked off normal trade flows since late February, the head of the International Maritime Organization said April 13.
Following the collapse of US-Iran weekend peace talks in Islamabad, US Central Command started to enforce a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports from 1400 GMT on April 13.
“I don’t see a big change right now in the status quo … A further blockage right now doesn’t really change the fact that there’s no normal trade,” Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said, joining the industry chorus of opposing the imposition of a toll system.
“Additional blockade just doesn’t really help anything in finding a solution to the conflict,” he told reporters in the UN agenc
G7 crude tankers withdraw from Russia with Urals rising above price cap
G7 crude tankers withdraw from Russia with Urals rising above price cap
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International Shipping News
15/04/2026
G7-linked crude tankers started to withdraw from Russia in March, with rising crude prices limiting their trading opportunities within the price cap.
Tankers flagged, owned or operated by companies based in G7 countries and their allies, or insured by Western protection and indemnity clubs, lifted 20.3% of Russia’s crude exports of 3.4 million b/d last month, according to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea(opens in a new tab) and Maritime Intelligence Risk Suite.
This was down from 29.2% in February and the lowest in 10 months.
Currently, the EU, UK and Canada set the price threshold for tanker firms and insurers to facilitate Russian crude exports at $44.10/b. Japan’s price cap is at $47.60/b, and the US at $60/b.
After the US-Iran war broke out on Feb. 28, international oil prices have surged on the near absence of supply from Persian Gulf producers with Iran limitin
Harnessing the Power of Computational Fluid Dynamics to address a significant threat to our oceans
Harnessing the Power of Computational Fluid Dynamics to address a significant threat to our oceans
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International Shipping News
15/04/2026
Underwater Radiated Noise (URN), commonly referred to as noise pollution, represents one of the most pervasive human-induced impacts on marine environments. Recent studies indicate that approximately 91% of Europe’s oceans are exposed to continuous noise from commercial shipping, highlighting the scale of this often-overlooked issue.
With pressure for the maritime sector to adopt more sustainable practices growing across both within and outside the industry, reducing underwater noise pollution is gaining increasing attention. Although measures to regulate the advent of URN from maritime operations are under development, current International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines are voluntary.
Nominations now open for The Mission to Seafarers’ International Seafarers Awards
Nominations now open for The Mission to Seafarers’ International Seafarers Awards
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International Shipping News
15/04/2026
A chance to recognise those who go above and beyond for seafarers worldwide
LONDON, 13th April 2026 – The Mission to Seafarers, a leading seafarers’ welfare charity, is now accepting nominations for its prestigious International Seafarers Awards 2026.
Taking place on Friday, 13th November 2026, and now in its ninth year, the annual awards have established themselves as a highlight of the Singapore maritime calendar, celebrating individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of seafarers globally. The closing deadline for nominations is 6th July 2026.
The Awards Ceremony serves as a testament to the industry’s commitment to seafarer welfare, bringing together maritime professionals from around the globe for a glittering gala dinner. Held at the illustrious Fairmont Singapore Hotel, it gives the industry