Chubb Says U.S. Hormuz Insurance Backstop Stalled as Military Convoys Fail to Materialize
AH-64 Apache helicopters fly over the Strait of Hormuz, April 17, 2026, with multiple commercial vessels visible below, as U.S. Army crews maintain a persistent aerial presence to support freedom of navigation and monitor maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. Central Command Photo
Chubb Says U.S.
THINK Ahead: Central bankers’ balancing problems
THINK Ahead: Central bankers’ balancing problems
in
Stock News
24/04/2026
Central bankers face an unenviable task next week. Nobody knows where the crisis in the Middle East is going next. Nor is the data telling them how to act.
US boards ship carrying Iran oil as Trump threatens mine-laying boats
US boards ship carrying Iran oil as Trump threatens mine-laying boats
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
US Department of Defense A grey military helicopter hovers on top of a oil tanker, a soldier sliding down a rope towards the top deck as another uniformed soldier waits. The deck is lined with oil transportation equipment, including green pipesUS Department of Defense
The US says its forces have boarded a sanctioned ship carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean in the country’s latest naval move against Iran.
The US Department of Defence (DoD) said in a statement it had carried out a “maritime interdiction” – the interception or inspection of a vessel by a navy on ships suspected to be hostile or in violation of the law – on the M/T Majestic X.
The US has intercepted multiple ships after imposing a blockade on maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on 13 April.
The latest interception comes as President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any boa
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
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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
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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.
White House Extends Jones Act Shipping Waiver to August
Stock Photo: Igor Karasi / Shutterstock
White House Extends Jones Act Shipping Waiver to August
Bloomberg
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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
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
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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.
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