Trump Administration Launches Nuclear-Powered Shipping Push to Revive U.S. Maritime Industry
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy a speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Trump Administration Launches Nuclear-Powered Shipping Push to Revive U.S.
Aframax Values and Earnings Reach Record Highs
Aframax Values and Earnings Reach Record Highs
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
Fixed age values for eight-year-old Aframaxes stand at USD 75.17 mil, the highest levels ever seen, compared to USD 53.08 this time last year, equating to an increase of c.42%. This increase in values has largely been driven by a surge in earnings.
One-year VV spot Aframax TCEs have been hovering around all-time highs, having reached a peak of 158,000 USD/day and at the time of writing is 116, 429 USD/day. The TC market also follows a similar pattern.
Tight gas supply drives 27% jump in coal shipments to Japan, Korea and the EU
Tight gas supply drives 27% jump in coal shipments to Japan, Korea and the EU
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Dry Bulk Market
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
“I
n April 2026, coal shipments to Japan, South Korea and the EU jumped 27% y/y as these countries seek alternative energy supplies to gas to meet their electricity demand. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted LNG shipments out of the Persian Gulf and has contributed to an 8% y/y drop in global seaborne LNG shipments in April,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.
Coal shipments to Japan, South Korea and the EU typically slow down in April and May. This is tied to a seasonal decrease in electricity generation in Japan and South Korea due to lower demand for heating.
VLCC 5Y Tonnage Now Trades Above Newbuild
VLCC 5Y Tonnage Now Trades Above Newbuild
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
O
ur Tanker Market Monitor this week reviews developments at the end of April, focusing on the ongoing disruption in the Strait as the war-driven deadlock continues unresolved for over 60 days.
We shift our attention to the Atlantic market, where the US Gulf (USG) basin is sending strong signals of increased oil exports to the Far East. Ballasters are moving there aggressively, outpacing laden tonnage. The spotlight now turns to asset price reactions, as market conditions are being compared with major historical oil shocks, with IEA commentary indicating the current disruption is larger in scale than previous major supply disruptions.
Spotlight | Asset Benchmark Assessments — NB vs 5Y & NB vs Resale
We take a closer look at the evolution of ship price assessment in the crude carrier segment.
Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
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Hellenic Shipping News
08/05/2026
Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp., an international owner of ocean-going vessels, today released its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Key Highlights
Completed an offering of €250.0 million in unsecured bonds with a seven-year maturity listed on the Athens Exchange (“ATHEX”)
Agreed to divest 49% stake in the LNG/C Amore Mio I, formed a Joint Venture company with an affiliate of the BGN Group and secured a 10-year time charter
Took delivery of our second LCO2/multi-gas carrier, the Amadeus
Brought forward the delivery of three LNG/Cs under construction
Announced a dividend of $0.15 per share for the first quarter of 2026
Board approved $20.0 million share buyback program
Management Commentary
Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer of CCEC, commented:
“During the first quarter, the Company continued to deliver on our strategy to bui
MABUX: Bunker Prices Expected to Retain Fluctuations Next Week
MABUX: Bunker Prices Expected to Retain Fluctuations Next Week
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
The global bunker market recorded mixed performance over the week, with price fluctuations remaining significant amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The 380 HSFO index surged by USD 38.13, rising from USD 765.04/MT the previous week to USD 803.17/MT and exceeding the USD 800 threshold. The VLSFO index also posted a strong gain of USD 48.53, increasing from USD 914.02/MT to USD 962.55/MT, steadily approaching the USD 1,000 mark.
Maritime Visibility Collapses as Tensions Escalate Around Hormuz
Maritime Visibility Collapses as Tensions Escalate Around Hormuz
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
Operational Overview
Maritime conditions around the Strait of Hormuz are entering a significantly more unstable phase as kinetic attacks, electronic interference, and coercive maritime control converge into a single operating environment.
Since the launch of Project Freedom, commercial shipping has faced simultaneous military, navigational, and compliance pressure. GPS jamming has intensified around Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, AIS visibility has deteriorated sharply, and satellite imagery increasingly shows large concentrations of stationary dark vessels across both sides of the Strait.
At the same time, commercial traffic is becoming more exposed to direct operational pressure. The likely deliberate targeting of HMM NAMU, the detention of MSC FRANCESCA following AIS suppression, IRGC transit warnings over VHF, and coordinated attacks on UAE-linked energy infrastructure all point to
Strait of Hormuz in April: A Stop-Start Recovery Under Persistent Risk
Strait of Hormuz in April: A Stop-Start Recovery Under Persistent Risk
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International Shipping News
08/05/2026
One month after the Strait of Hormuz ceased to function as an unobstructed passage for commercial shipping, April brought no clear normalization. Instead, vessel activity evolved through a sequence of short-lived recoveries, reversals, and renewed disruptions, shaped by ceasefire announcements, military enforcement actions, and continued security incidents.
Across dry bulk, tanker and gas carrier segments, traffic remained significantly below pre-conflict levels throughout the month. While brief windows of increased activity emerged, these proved fragile, with flows repeatedly resetting in response to geopolitical developments.
At the same time, AIS disruption, irregular vessel behaviour, and the growing presence of sanctioned or opaque operators continued to complicate visibility, making interpretation of underlying flows increasingly dependent on contextual analysis rather
Drewry: World Container Index Up 3% Last Week
Drewry: World Container Index Up 3% Last Week
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International Shipping News
09/05/2026
For many years, World Container Index (WCI) has been the go-to, independent, global reference for index-linked contracts. If your organisation is considering index-linked contracts or requires regional visibility/coverage beyond the eight trade lanes provided below, contact our ocean freight cost benchmarking team.
Source: Drewry World Container Index, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 07 May 2026
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) increased 3% to $2,286 per 40ft container after three consecutive weekly declines, driven by higher freight rates on Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade lanes.
On the Transpacific trade route, rates increased this week following the implementation of Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) by carriers. Rates from Shanghai to New York rose 7% to $3,721 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to Los Angeles
Iran Detains ‘Ocean Koi’ Tanker Apparently Hauling Iranian Oil
Photo: Shutterstock
Iran Detains ‘Ocean Koi’ Tanker Apparently Hauling Iranian Oil
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
May 8, 2026
By Patrick Sykes (Bloomberg) — Iran said it seized a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which appeared to be a sanctioned vessel carrying the Islamic Republic’s own oil.
“During a special operation, naval commandos of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army detained the violating oil tanker Ocean Koi,” state television reported, saying the vessel was “attempting to disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation.” The tanker appears to be managed by a Chinese company, according to a shipping database.
The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said that the tanker was carrying Iranian oil, but that it had sought to “exploit regional conditions,” without elaborating.
Benchmark oil prices in London showed little reaction to the tanker seizure, trading little changed as of 1 p.m. Prices rose earlier after the US and Iran traded fire near the Strait of Hormuz, though Was