Asia week ahead: Japan rate decision and key data from China and Australia
Asia week ahead: Japan rate decision and key data from China and Australia
in
Stock News
26/04/2026
Japan: Inflation and labour market data complicate rate decision
Japanese data should indicate that inflationary pressures are intensifying, while the economy remains resilient. We expect labour market conditions to remain tight with the jobless rate edging down to 2.5%. Monthly activity data should rebound quite firmly, partially offsetting the previous month’s declines.
EU assumes primary funding burden as conflict in Ukraine intensifies
EU assumes primary funding burden as conflict in Ukraine intensifies
in
World Economy News
26/04/2026
The conflict against Russia has shifted firmly onto Europe’s shoulders, as the European Union this week finalized a landmark €90 billion ($105 billion) loan package to sustain Kyiv’s operations through the end of next year.
The move marks a critical evolution in the war’s financing, occurring as the Trump administration narrows its focus toward the Middle East and retreats from its traditional role as Ukraine’s primary backer.
Europe’s funding package provides a vital lifeline, but officials in Brussels warn that the reality of the war’s financial demands may far outpace their current commitments.
Infrastructure constraints and geopolitical friction
The decision, cleared following the recent electoral defeat of Hungarian leadership, represents a rare display of resolve within the bloc. However, Ukraine continues to face a widening fiscal cliff, with diplomats estimating an additional €
Platts to add Algeciras to list of ports considered in FOB Med 10ppm gasoline cargo assessment
Platts to add Algeciras to list of ports considered in FOB Med 10ppm gasoline cargo assessment
in
Port News
26/04/2026
Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, will expand the list of ports reflected in the Platts Market on Close assessment process for FOB Mediterranean 10 ppm gasoline cargoes (AAWZA00), effective May 20, to include Algeciras in Spain.
Following market feedback, Platts understands that Algeciras is an active production hub in the Mediterranean where a range of market participants operate. Refineries in these locations are known exporters in the region.
Platts will publish bids, offers and trades for gasoline cargoes loading FOB Algeciras in the MOC, in addition to the ports currently reflected. The assessment reflects cargoes loading FOB basis Santa Panagia Bay 10-25 days from the date of publication, with value normalized to reflect the mean value of the delivery period.
Loadings taking place in other Mediterranean locations may be considered in the MOC, and normalized back
Accelerating maritime digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa
Accelerating maritime digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa
in
International Shipping News
26/04/2026
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), and the World Bank, in partnership with the United Republic of Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, convened a regional workshop in Dar es Salaam to accelerate the digitalization of ports across 12 African countries.
Opened by Minister of Transport Hon. Makame Mbarawa (MP) the five-day event (20 to 24 April) aimed to:
promote the adoption of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business which sets out how shipping and port data is structured and shared electronically to streamline communication; and
scale up implementation of Maritime Single Windows (MSW) and Port Community Systems (PCS), which are integrated digital platforms that streamline vessel and cargo clearance, reduce bureaucratic delays, and strengthen Africa’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.
Strengthening r
U.S. military strikes vessel in Eastern Pacific as controversy over tactics grows
military strikes vessel in Eastern Pacific as controversy over tactics grows
in
International Shipping News
26/04/2026
The U.S. Southern Command confirmed on Friday that its forces conducted a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Washington described the targets as “male narco-terrorists” engaged in illicit trafficking operations along established maritime routes.
The incident marks the latest in a series of deadly strikes carried out under the Trump administration’s campaign to disrupt narcotics smuggling, with the U.S.
Public Auction Announcement Of Vessel In The Electronic Sale Portal
Public Auction Announcement Of Vessel In The Electronic Sale Portal
in
International Shipping News
26/04/2026
The type, nature, location, value and significant characteristics of the vessel decided to be sold are as follows:
Vessel named DON CANDIDO, IMO No. Vessel Particulars:
The vessel subject to sale is wholly owned by the debtor.
• Technical Particulars of the Vessel “M/F DON CANDIDO”:
– Vessel Name: DON CANDIDO
– IMO Number: 7901734
– MMSI: 341017000
– Flag: EQUATORIAL GUINEA
– Call Sign : 9LU2015
– Type of Vessel: RO-RO Passenger Vessel
– Year of Build: 1980
– Length Overall : 99.52 m
– Breadth : 17.63 m
– Depth : 10.50 m
– Gross Tonnage : 5,287 Tons
– DWT : 1,188 Tons
– Main Engine : 2 units, Deutz BRAND / RBV 12 M 350 MODEL / 4,400 BHP / 430 RPM
– Registered Owner: VITEOCA GESL
– Ship Manager: SAVMAR SOLUTIONS INC
– Class : BUREAU VERITAS (IACS)
• Factors Affecting the Value of the Vessel:
– The above-mentioned characteristics of the vessel.
– The quality and condition of t
Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Has Deepened A Historic Shipping Crisis
Drone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at one of Iraq’s southern offshore oil terminals near Basra as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Has Deepened A Historic Shipping Crisis
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 26, 2026
By Weilun Soon
Apr 26, 2026 (Bloomberg) –In early April — after a month of disruption around one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints — US President Donald Trump wrote that with “a little ?more time, we can easily OPEN THE ?HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A ?FORTUNE.”
Three weeks on, transiting through the Strait of Hormuz has instead become virtually impossible for the first time in history. Trump has imposed a US blockade of
Iran-linked ships
, Tehran is using its “mosquito fleet” of gunboats to
close down the waterway
in response — and shipowners say a return to normal shipments is months away, at best.
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The H
U.S. Navy intercepts Iran-linked vessel in Arabian Sea, orders return to Iran
Navy intercepts Iran-linked vessel in Arabian Sea, orders return to Iran
in
International Shipping News
27/04/2026
U.S. naval forces intercepted a sanctioned vessel called ’Sevan’ in the Arabian Sea on Saturday, in a move tied to the Trump administration’s campaign to block Iranian energy exports, U.S. The vessel was halted by a helicopter deployed from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and is now complying with orders to reverse course toward Iran under escort.
“M/V Sevan was among 19 “shadow fleet” vessels sanctioned by the U.S.
Tanker Market Stabilizing After Recent Turbulence
Tanker Market Stabilizing After Recent Turbulence
in
International Shipping News
27/04/2026
Clean
LR2
The TC1 75kt MEG/Japan index held in the mid to high WS120’s this week. A voyage west also saw the TC20 90kt MEG/UK-Continent index climb to $10.78 million (+$250,000). The TC15 80kt Mediterranean/East index dropped by $250,000 to $11.15 million this week, with the corresponding TCE down to $110,700/day on Baltic description round trip.
LR1
The TC5 55kt MEG/Japan index has been assessed up another 10 points this week to WS656.
A run west on TC8 65kt MEG/UK-Continent ended the week with the index $492,000 higher to $8.37 million.
MR
The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa index firmed 28 points to WS728 this week, which would generate $92,000/day on Baltic description round trip TCE.
On the UK-Continent, MR freight levels weakened modestly this week.
No safe transit through Strait of Hormuz: IMO Secretary-General
No safe transit through Strait of Hormuz: IMO Secretary-General
in
International Shipping News
27/04/2026
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on all Member States to support efforts to address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where around 20,000 seafarers remain trapped and unable to leave.
In an informal briefing to Member States and industry representatives, Secretary-General Dominguez confirmed that several vessels had been seized and detained in the region over the past few days.
He urged maximum caution, considering potential mines present throughout the Strait and threat of further attacks on ships.
“My call is to release the seafarers because they are not at fault,” he said. “The situation is not improving. I reiterate: there is no safe transit anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz.”
He highlighted that 29 attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz had been verified by IMO since the beginning of the conflict, resulting in the death of