Middle East Reconstruction Poses a Carbon Shock as Shipping Bears the Climate Bill
By Aleksey Stemmer / Shutterstock
Middle East Reconstruction Poses a Carbon Shock as Shipping Bears the Climate Bill
Paul Morgan
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
New academic research suggests reconstruction emissions from Gaza could rival weeks of global shipping emissions, raising questions about carbon accountability.
By Paul Morgan (Opinion) – The concrete and steel needed to rebuild Gaza, Lebanon and beyond will generate more CO? than the entire global shipping fleet produces in three weeks. Yet the nations responsible face no carbon liability whatsoever, while the ships that will deliver the cement and rebar to rebuild those ruins will be taxed, metered and penalised for every tonne they emit
The bombardment of Gaza, the systematic flattening of southern Lebanon and the relentless attrition of conflict across the wider Middle East have produced, among their many catastrophic consequences, one that the international community has conspicuously declined to price: a carbon debt of stag
Pentagon Chief Hegseth Says US Blockade on Iran ‘Going Global’
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a briefing on the Iran war, amid a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Pentagon Chief Hegseth Says US Blockade on Iran ‘Going Global’
Reuters
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) – U.S.
Iran Conflict Premium Fades From Asia-Europe Box Rates
Stock Photo: Anita van den Broek
Iran Conflict Premium Fades From Asia-Europe Box Rates
The Loadstar
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – Container freight spot rates on the Asia-Europe trades largely returned to pre-Iran conflict levels this week, as container supply chains settled after the war’s outbreak and settled into what appears to be the normal seasonal slowdown.
According to the World Container Index (WCI) produced by
Drewry
, spot rates on the Shanghai-Rotterdam corridor fell 4% week on week, to finish at $2,147 per 40ft, while the Shanghai-Genoa leg declined 8% from the previous week, to end at $3,071 per 40ft.
By way of reference, on 26 February the WCI’s Shanghai-Rotterdam reading stood at $2,094 per 40ft and Shanghai-Genoa at $3,071 per 40ft.
Drewry argued that the Asia-Europe declines were “driven by weak seasonal demand and excess capacity”.
The Xeneta freight rate platform showed similar trends, according to its chief analyst, Peter Sand.
IMO’s MEPC 84 Opens as Key Test for Delayed Shipping Climate Pact
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during closing remarks of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 2nd extraordinary session, October 17, 2025. Photo courtesy IMO
IMO’s MEPC 84 Opens as Key Test for Delayed Shipping Climate Pact
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 1
April 24, 2026
The International Maritime Organization convenes its 84th Marine Environment Protection Committee session in London next week under the shadow of last year’s
dramatic delay
of the sector’s proposed
Net-Zero Framework
, but with a broader agenda that could shape everything from shipping emissions rules to air pollution controls and underwater noise.
While a final decision on the delayed climate package is not expected until later this year, MEPC 84 is widely seen as an important political and technical waypoint that could help determine whether a path back to agreement still exists.
The session, chaired by Liberia’s Dr. Harry Conway, will be the first MEPC gathering since governments voted in Octob
White House Extends Jones Act Shipping Waiver to August
Stock Photo: Igor Karasi / Shutterstock
White House Extends Jones Act Shipping Waiver to August
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump’s administration has given a 90-day extension to a shipping waiver making it easier to move oil, fuel and fertilizer around the US, marking the latest effort by the White House to counter supply disruptions tied to the
Iran war
.
The decision adds about three more months to the existing waiver that had been set to expire May 17, enabling foreign-flagged vessels to move commodities between American ports through mid-August.
Normally, under the 1920 Jones Act, goods carried by water between domestic ports must be transported on US-flagged, -built and -owned ships. Trump’s exemption temporarily removes those restrictions for coal, crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, natural gas liquids, fertilizer and other energy derivatives.Play Video
The initial waiver applied to some 659 specific products identified
Damen and UK Dredging sign contract for advanced TSHD
Damen and UK Dredging sign contract for advanced TSHD
gCaptain
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
Damen Shipyards Group and Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, have signed a contract for the construction of a new
Trailing Suction Grab Hopper Dredger. The agreement, concluded in March through ABP’s subsidiary UK Dredging (UKD), represents an important milestone in the longstanding collaboration between the two organisations and the growing capability of UKD.
One year ago, Damen successfully delivered the UKD
Seadragon
, a Shoalbuster 2711 WID (water injection dredger), to ABP. This new order further strengthens the positive partnership between the companies and reflects their ongoing commitment to supporting efficient and sustainable dredging operations.
UKD is responsible for providing essential dredging services across ports and waterways throughout the United Kingdom.
U.S. Targets Major Chinese Refinery and Ships in Escalating Crackdown on Iran’s Oil Trade
forces board the sanctioned stateless tanker Majestic X in the Indian Ocean during a maritime interdiction operation on April 23, 2026. The vessel, formerly known as Phonix, has been linked to Iran’s shadow oil trade. Targets Major Chinese Refinery and Ships in Escalating Crackdown on Iran’s Oil Trade
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 24, 2026
The Trump administration on Friday escalated its “Economic Fury” campaign against Tehran, targeting one of China’s largest independent refineries alongside a new wave of sanctions on vessels and shipping firms accused of moving Iranian oil through the shadow fleet.
The U.S.
Drewry: World Container Index Down 1% Last Week
Drewry: World Container Index Down 1% Last Week
in
International Shipping News
25/04/2026
Spot rates slip again as the market remains under pressure.
Source: Drewry World Container Index, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 23 April 2026
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) declined for the second consecutive week, down 1% to $2,232 per 40ft container, driven by lower rates on the Asia–Europe trade route. Despite higher fuel costs and earlier announced war-risk surcharges due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, carriers are struggling to sustain rate increases amid weak demand.
Spot rates on the Transatlantic trade route increased in double digits this week. Although rates on this lane are typically stable, they have been rising since the end of March.
Need for “fair, commercial, commonsense reading” of awards
Need for “fair, commercial, commonsense reading” of awards
in
International Shipping News
,
Shipping Law News
25/04/2026
T
he case of Eagle Bulk Pte Ltd (now Star Bulk (Singapore) Pte Ltd) -v- Traxys North America LLC (MV Canary) [2026] EWHC 518 (Comm) highlights that challenges under s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (1996 Act) to arbitration awards, on the ground of serious irregularity leading to substantial injustice, will only succeed in those relatively rare cases where the tribunal has gone so wrong in its conduct of the arbitration that the Court feels bound to intervene.
In this case, the defendant charterers chartered the vessel from the claimant owners for a voyage to carry a cargo of petcoke cinder from India to New Orleans, USA.
On arrival at New Orleans, the vessel’s holds and cargo were found to be flooded with a substantial quantity of water. Discharge of the cargo was disrupted, and a dispute arose between the parties which related, at least in large part, to which of t
Hormuz reopening optimism shifts sentiment, but flows stay constrained
Hormuz reopening optimism shifts sentiment, but flows stay constrained
in
International Shipping News
25/04/2026
Reopening optimism has softened crude prices, but flows through Hormuz remain constrained, keeping underlying prompt tightness intact. Atlantic Basin differentials are starting to ease on weaker refinery demand and reopening expectations, though downside should be gradual with flows still limited. In the Americas, Midland arbs are improving and supporting flows to Asia, but logistical constraints are likely to cap further upside in exports.
Trading Calls
Neutral to moderately bullish Atlantic Basin sours: Asian diversification should support demand, offsetting reopening optimism and weaker prompt refinery demand.
Bearish WAF diffs: Weaker European and Asian demand should pressure premiums that look unsustainably high.
Middle East and Asia: Asian Procurement Shifts as Flows Remain Uncertain
June Brent futures settled at $90.38/bbl on Friday, the lowest in over a month, as mar