Hafnia sees Middle East war reshaping tanker trade, but decarbonization targets stay intact
Hafnia sees Middle East war reshaping tanker trade, but decarbonization targets stay intact
in
International Shipping News
14/04/2026
The Middle East war has sharply altered product tanker trade flows and intensified the industry’s focus on energy security, Pankaj Porwal, Hafnia’s general manager of project and fleet sustainability, told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.
“The geopolitics of the past few weeks have changed things drastically,” Porwal said in an interview during Asia Pacific Maritime 2026.
He said product flows were increasingly moving from west to east, with the US Gulf exporting more cargoes into Asia, while East Asian countries, including Japan and China, were curbing product exports due to supply concerns.
Porwal said the shift had supported freight markets, with more ships ballasting west and returning east laden. He also flagged a notable shift in the LR2 segment from clean to dirty petroleum products, warning that if CPP demand rebounds quickly, vessel availabili
LNG shipping stocks: The easing of tensions led to a decline
LNG shipping stocks: The easing of tensions led to a decline
in
International Shipping News
14/04/2026
The UP World LNG Shipping Index lost 4.10 points (1.78%) last week, closing at 226.94 points, while the S&P 500 gained 3.56% — driven by optimism over a potential ceasefire with Iran. The UPI’s decline reflects three converging factors: easing geopolitical tensions, the end of the winter season, and falling spot tanker rates. Atlantic rates stood at $89,750/day and Pacific rates at $73,000/day according to Spark Commodities.
Port of Los Angeles Posts Strong March as Trade and Energy Risks Build
The Pier 300 channel at the Port of Los Angeles. Photo courtesy Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles Posts Strong March as Trade and Energy Risks Build
Lori Ann LaRocco
Total Views: 0
April 13, 2026
By Lori Ann LaRocco – The
Port of Los Angeles
was a beehive of activity in March, but details are emerging on the impact of the U.S./Israel war with Iran and the U.S. trade deal with China.
The port handled 752,520 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the month.
“That’s a strong result coming off Lunar New Year in Asia, which led to 17 blank sailings.
All Eyes on Hormuz as U.S. Maritime Blockade on Iran Enters Enforcement Phase
An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
All Eyes on Hormuz as U.S. Maritime Blockade on Iran Enters Enforcement Phase
Mike Schuler
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April 13, 2026
The United States’ newly announced maritime blockade targeting Iranian trade is now entering its enforcement phase, with fresh guidance from United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirming that access restrictions are actively being applied across Iranian waters.
In an advisory issued Monday, UKMTO said it had been informed that, effective 1400 UTC on April 13, maritime access restrictions are now in force affecting “Iranian ports and coastal areas,” including waters spanning the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The guidance underscores the breadth of the measure, stating that restrictions apply “without distinction to vessels of any flag” engaged with
Repeating Venezuela-Blockade Move Is Far Riskier Bet in Hormuz
military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea December 20, 2025. DHS/Handout via REUTERS
Repeating Venezuela-Blockade Move Is Far Riskier Bet in Hormuz
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 13, 2026
By Julian Lee (Bloomberg) — US President Donald Trump is invoking his Venezuela playbook with a pledge to blockade Iranian ships.
NATO Allies Refuse to Join U.S. Hormuz Blockade, Deepening Rift With Trump
Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
NATO Allies Refuse to Join U.S. Hormuz Blockade, Deepening Rift With Trump
Reuters
Total Views: 1
April 13, 2026
By Michel Rose and John Irish
PARIS/LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) – NATO allies said on Monday they would not get involved in U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to blockade the
Strait of Hormuz
, proposing instead to intervene only once fighting ends, in a move likely to anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance.
Trump said the U.S.
Global maritime piracy and armed robbery increased in 2025
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IMB remains cautiously optimistic despite uptick in reported attacks
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed a slight increase in reported incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2025 with the highest recorded number since 1991 in the Singapore Straits. Despite the rise, IMB and its Piracy…
Are maritime hackers pushing at an open door?
Are maritime hackers pushing at an open door? At a time when armed gangs are attacking ships navigating in the Red Sea and the Black Sea is effectively a war zone, it may seem an exaggeration to assert that hacking is arguably the biggest current threat to business continuity in…
Spike in armed robbery incidents raises concerns for vital Singapore Strait trade route
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