Shipping Industry Closes Ranks Behind IMO Ahead of High-Stakes Climate Talks
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
Shipping Industry Closes Ranks Behind IMO Ahead of High-Stakes Climate Talks
Mike Schuler
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April 21, 2026
International Maritime Organization
faces a defining moment next week as global shipping groups line up in rare unity behind the regulator ahead of renewed climate negotiations at Marine Environment Protection Committee 84 in London.
Just six months after governments
failed to adopt a landmark carbon pricing framework
, the industry is sending a clear message: deliver a global deal—or risk fragmenting the rules that govern international shipping.
In a coordinated statement ahead of the meeting, major trade bodies—including BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping, and World Shipping Council—threw their support behind the IMO as the only viable global regulator for shipping emissions.
“T
Billionaire Fredriksen’s Firm Faces $1 Billion Claim After Failed Fraud Trial
FILE PHOTO: Norwegian-born shipping tycoon John Fredriksen speaks in Oslo, Norway, June 1, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo
Billionaire Fredriksen’s Firm Faces $1 Billion Claim After Failed Fraud Trial
Bloomberg
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April 21, 2026
By Upmanyu Trivedi (Bloomberg) — Two former executives at billionaire
John Fredriksen
’s oil trading firm sued for about $1 billion in over allegations that the shipping tycoon’s failed “vindictive” lawsuit brought them to the “brink of financial ruin.”
Alta Trading UK Ltd’s former chief executive officer Peter Bosworth and ex-chief financial officer Colin Hurley sued after Fredriksen’s firm lost a decade-long court case accusing them of a major fraud. A “dishonestly” obtained freezing order in 2015 stymied the duo’s attempt to start a new oil trading venture or find another job, their lawyers alleged at the start of a London trial.
Bosworth and Hurley’s lawyers claimed that Fredriksen’s firm engaged in vindictive and inappropriate conduct dur
Contship joins the Smart Freight Centre community: International Collaboration And Shared Standards To Accelerate The Climate Transition
Contship joins the Smart Freight Centre community: International Collaboration And Shared Standards To Accelerate The Climate Transition
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
Contship announces its membership in the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) community, an international organization committed to decarbonizing freight transport and promoting harmonized standards for measuring and reducing emissions across global supply chains.
This initiative represents a further milestone in the Group’s “Moves That Matter” sustainability journey, an agenda that guides Contship toward an increasingly efficient, low-emission logistics model, grounded in data, innovation, and shared responsibility across the entire value chain.
Joining the SFC community strengthens Contship’s commitment to decarbonization through international collaboration and harmonized reporting standards. These standards align with recognized frameworks such as the GLEC Framework and enhance transparency in emissions data. At the
AYK Energy says marine battery revolution ‘gathering pace’ with building of most powerful electric escort tug in the world
AYK Energy says marine battery revolution ‘gathering pace’ with building of most powerful electric escort tug in the world
in
International Shipping News
,
Shipping: Emission Possible
21/04/2026
Marine battery maker AYK Energy says a significant milestone is being made in the electric workboat sector with the completion of sea trials for the first battery-methanol harbour tug ever built.
AYK Energy said the Svitzer Balder built by the Uzmar shipyard in Türkiye sets a new standard as the most powerful electric escort tug in the world able to operate in near-open ocean as well as in harbour. The vessel is now set for delivery to the Port of Gothenburg in Sweden where it will conduct more than 90% of its towing and docking operations ‘zero-emission’ using its battery-electric powertrain. It will be the fifth Svitzer tug AYK has provided battery systems to.
AYK confirmed its team helped to manage sea trials on the vessel which it supplied with an ABS certified AriesA 6MWh battery system wi
Bidding Announcement of 6258t Oil Tanker “ZJ2026-0010”
Bidding Announcement of 6258t Oil Tanker “ZJ2026-0010”
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
Entrusted by the transferor (the Sellers), we have scheduled to hold a public bidding online (www.shipbid.net) from 10:00 to 10:30 (Beijing time) on May 13th, 2026.
1. Bidding Object:
MT”ZJ2026-0010″，Oil Tanker;
Class: CCS domestic;
Trading Area: A1+A2;
GRT:4796; NRT:2685；
LOA: 119m; MLB: 16.8m; MLD: 8.36m;
Full load Displacement: 9100t @6.37m draft;
DWT:6258t; Capacity: 8800m3
LDT:2530t；Pump：600m3/h×2；
M/E: Guangzhou Diesel Engine Factory Co., Ltd., 8320ZCd-8，2206kW@525r/min；
Built: April 21st, 2023;
Builder: Anrun Group Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.；
All the information and data refer to the bidding object provided in this Announcement as well as the attachments are for reference only. If there is any discrepancy, the class certificates, trading certificates and actual condition shall prevail.
2.
Immersion Suit Rises To Challenge For Faster Protection
Immersion Suit Rises To Challenge For Faster Protection
gCaptain
Total Views: 0
April 21, 2026
Donning speed for emergency situations is a primary attraction of a new immersion suit from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment that is made to measure up to US-specific requirements.
Commercial shipping’s leading safety solutions provider has launched the VIKING YouSafe™ Crest (PS2016) immersion suit as a standardized solution to offer six hours of thermal protection in cold water conditions for fleets the come under US Coastguard jurisdiction.
Made out of durable and naturally buoyant neoprene, the new suit comes in three updated sizes to ensure watertight protection for the full range of body types involved in modern seafaring. Notable safety features include reinforced soles, inflatable buoyancy for better freedom of movement, high-vis reflective trim, and a yellow hood to attract attention in daylight or dark waters.
For users onboard ships flagged to the US or calling in US-administered ports,
International Chamber of Shipping announces sixth edition of Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) – Strengthening safety standards for chemical tanker operations
International Chamber of Shipping announces sixth edition of Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) – Strengthening safety standards for chemical tanker operations
in
International Shipping News
22/04/2026
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced the launch of the sixth edition of its benchmark publication, the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals).
First published in 1971, the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) remains the primary industry reference for the safe operation of chemical tankers. This new edition provides up‑to‑date, practical guidance for those serving on board ships carrying hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk under MARPOL Annex II, supporting safe, compliant and pollution‑free operations.
The sixth edition incorporates substantial updates to reflect evolving industry practice, regulatory developments and the operational challenges faced by modern chemical tankers. Key new content includes:
New guidance on Annex I to Annex II cargo changeover, featuring a detai
Ship Owners Move Towards Second Hand Vessels
Ship Owners Move Towards Second Hand Vessels
in
Hellenic Shipping News
22/04/2026
A
ctivity over the past week looked to be more dynamic in the S&P front, rather than the newbuilding market. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “on the On the Newcastlemax sector, Chinese buyers acquired the “RTM CARTIER” – 205K/2012 HHIC and the “RTM ZHENG HE” – 205K/2012 HHIC for excess USD 90 mills each. Moving down the sizes, the Post-Panamax “OHSHU MARU” – 92K/2011 Namura was sold for USD 16.2 mills, while the Panamax “ALEXANDROS PETRAKIS” – 76K/2008 Shin Kasado sold for region USD 13.3 mills to Chinese buyers.
Source: Xclusiv
In the Ultramax sector, two resales the “NEW DAYANG NDY1315” and “NEW DAYANG NDY1316” – 64K/2027 New Dayang changed hands at USD 36.5 mills each.
Analysts view: Is UK’s falling unemployment masking deeper labour market weakness?
Analysts view: Is UK’s falling unemployment masking deeper labour market weakness?
in
World Economy News
22/04/2026
The United Kingdom’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February, down from 5.2%, according to recent labor market data.
However, analysts from major financial institutions cautioned that the headline figure masks persistent weakness in the jobs market, with concerns mounting about the impact of geopolitical tensions on future employment trends.
The surprise drop in unemployment came ahead of escalating conflict in the Middle East, which analysts say could reverse recent gains. Financial experts highlighted several warning signs beneath the surface of the seemingly positive headline number.
Deutsche Bank noted that while the unemployment rate posted a surprise drop, underlying weakness persists. The firm pointed to an 11,000 fall in employees according to flash HMRC Payroll data, a 136,000 increase in redundancies in the three months to February, and jo
HD Hyundai Heavy Wins Landmark Swedish Icebreaker Order, Marking Strategic Arctic Push
Rendering of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ icebreaker. (Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)
HD Hyundai Heavy Wins Landmark Swedish Icebreaker Order, Marking Strategic Arctic Push
Malte Humpert
Total Views: 1
April 22, 2026
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured its first overseas order for a dedicated, non-commercial icebreaker, winning a contract from Sweden in a deal that signals Seoul’s growing ambitions in Arctic shipping and high-value vessel construction.
The $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration is for the delivery of a Polar Class 4 icebreaker by 2029. The 126-meter vessel with a displacement of around 15,000 tons will be used for icebreaking operations, convoy escort, and ice management in the Baltic Sea.