Stop fixing blind: using AIS data to quantify TC-in performance risk in a high-bunker market
Stop fixing blind: using AIS data to quantify TC-in performance risk in a high-bunker market
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
W
ith VLSFO topping $1,000/mt in some ports, bunkers can represent up to 60% of total voyage costs[1]. A vessel burning just 5% above CP spec creates exposure that shipowners and operators only discover after the fixture is done.
This article breaks down the financial impact of underperformance, shows how AIS data can identify the gap before you commit to hiring a TC vessel, and gives you a calculator to model the exposure for your own fleet.
The hidden exposure in TC-in decisions
For most chartering teams, vessel selection still relies on CP specifications, class records, recent inspections, and broker-provided indications. Useful, but limited — none represent continuous, independently verified performance in operation.
Most TC-in decisions are still priced off CP specifications and recent perception rather than verified performance.
Combining delivery and Innovation – the essential role of Gas for a solid and credible future
Combining delivery and Innovation – the essential role of Gas for a solid and credible future
in
General Energy News
15/05/2026
Delivering the keynote address at The Future of Gas and Hydrogen 3.0 international conference held in Ljubljana, May 12, 2026, Mr Andrea Stegher – the President of the International Gas Union (IGU) – highlighted in his speech the unique position of Gas, in all its forms, to meet the delivery and innovation prerequisites of a solid and sustainable energy future.
“Innovation, supported by strong technical and scientific capabilities, is still central to our industry. Technically robust and future-proof energy innovations are happening every day, both when considering the “traditional” natural gas systems and the new frontiers of green and low-emission solutions.
Full-scale digitalisation, AI to improve efficiency, a variety of technologies to reduce emissions and many others, are today’s features of our industry. And innovation is also happening with gaseous mol
ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook
ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
North America
Bunker fuel demand in Houston is strong this week, with premiums for all three conventional fuel grades staying elevated.
While the US Gulf continues to experience seasonal fog conditions, port operations are proceeding largely without major weather-related disruptions, a trader tells ENGINE.
Congestion is reported at the port, and prompt availability for all three conventional grades is tight and relatively expensive.
Recommended lead times for HSFO and VLSFO are currently around 8–10 days, while LSMGO availability is comparatively better with lead times of 6–7 days.
In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunker operations are currently underway, although possible delays are expected at the anchorage from late 16 May through 18 May due to high seas exceeding 1.5 metres, a source said.
Deliveries at the anchorage are currently being carried out on a first-come, first-ser
Dry Bulk Market Returns to Path of Growth
Dry Bulk Market Returns to Path of Growth
in
Dry Bulk Market
,
Hellenic Shipping News
15/05/2026
T
he story so far in 2026 has been quite a positive one for the dry bulk market. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “the first four months of 2026 have delivered an unambiguous message from the dry bulk freight market: the sharp correction that defined most of 2025 is firmly behind us, and the recovery now underway is not merely cyclical, but it is volume-driven, broad-based, and structurally compelling. Total dry bulk cargo volumes across the Janu-ary-to-April period reached 506.7 million tonnes in 2026, a 9.6% increase versus the 462.5 million tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025, and a 15.2% advance over the 439.8 million tonnes seen in the first four months of 2024.
New VesselBot Data Analysis Shows the True Emissions Gap Across Container Shipping
New VesselBot Data Analysis Shows the True Emissions Gap Across Container Shipping
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
VesselBot has released its latest quarterly analysis, Decoding Maritime Emissions Q1 2026: Efficiency Under Pressure, examining container shipping operations across 82,212 voyages completed by 6,187 container-carrying vessels during the first quarter of 2026.
The report provides a voyage-level analysis of emissions performance across vessel sizes, carriers, age groups, trade routes, and individual carriers, revealing why fleet-wide averages fail to reflect the operational reality of individual shipments. The findings give shippers and their logistics teams the operational visibility needed to make more informed operational decisions to optimize both transportation costs and emissions performance.
The analysis comes as container shipping faces mounting pressure from geopolitical disruption, tightening emissions regulation, and increasingly volatile trade flows.
Ke
China banks on shipping links to drive Africa zero-tariff push
China banks on shipping links to drive Africa zero-tariff push
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
Beijing is implementing zero-tariff measures for African exporters, a policy shift aimed at reducing the trade imbalance, lowering barriers and boosting African exports to China.
Officials say China’s expanding connectivity to African ports, which gives it greater shipping flexibility, will support the programme.
Elijah Mbaru, CEO of the Kenya Ship Agents Association, said the combination of tariff reductions and improved shipping links will create new opportunities for businesses in both regions.
China has become Africa’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $300 billion, and has invested heavily in infrastructure, including ports, railways and roads.
However, that influence has also entrenched a large trade imbalance, with most African countries importing more than they export to China. Kenya, for instance, exported about $0.21 billion worth of goods while impor
VENEX plans Guangdong green methanol plant eyeing bunker demand
VENEX plans Guangdong green methanol plant eyeing bunker demand
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
Towngas said its green methanol joint venture VENEX will set up a 200,000 mt/year production base in Guangdong province to produce green methanol for outlets like bunkering in Hong Kong.
The plant will be located at the Foshan (Sanshui) New Materials Industrial Park and is scheduled to start operations in 2028. The site will cover around 21 hectares.
VENEX is a 50:50 joint venture between Foran Energy and Towngas, which is also known as Hong Kong and China Gas Company.
The plant will use biomass gasification technology to produce green methanol from sugarcane bagasse and wood-processing waste. These feedstocks are widely available in South China, Towngas said.
The company said it also upcycles waste tyres and branches of sand willow shrubs into feedstocks for green methanol production.
Together with Towngas’s existing production base in Inner Mongolia, the Guangdong project will ra
Sunwoda Unveils Full Marine Battery Portfolio: From Proven Cells to Scalable Electrification Solutions
Sunwoda Unveils Full Marine Battery Portfolio: From Proven Cells to Scalable Electrification Solutions
Posted to
Maritime Reporter
(by
Sunwoda
)
on
May 15, 2026
Introduction
As the global maritime industry accelerates its decarbonization transition, battery technology is becoming a core pillar of next-generation vessel power systems. Recently,
Sunwoda
showcased its marine battery products and technical capabilities at CIBF 2026, the China International Battery Fair. The company also made the first systematic public presentation of its full marine battery portfolio at the 2026 Asia Yacht Expo, introducing its SAIL solution: S for Safety & Specialist, A for Adaptive, I for Intelligent, and L for Leading.
Sunwoda also revealed that a 16.6m electric catamaran yacht powered by its self-developed battery system is expected to begin operation in Dalian between July and September 2026.
Wah Kwong NatPower and CKS Join Forces to Advance Electrification of Hong Kong–Guangdong Inland Water Transport
Wah Kwong NatPower and CKS Join Forces to Advance Electrification of Hong Kong–Guangdong Inland Water Transport
in
International Shipping News
15/05/2026
Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings (“Wah Kwong NatPower”) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chu Kong Shipping Enterprises (Group) Co., Ltd.(“CKS”), a subsidiary of Guangdong Provincial Port & Shipping Group Company Limited. The two parties have agreed to establish a cooperative framework based on the principles of mutual benefit, complementary strengths and collaborative development, with a focus on advancing industries related to the electrification of Hong Kong’s waterborne transport. The MoU lays the groundwork for further exchanges and business exploration.
Under the MoU, the two parties will engage in in-depth discussions aligned with the shipping industry’s low-carbon transition, focusing on areas including electric vessel construction and technological innovation, charging and battery-swap networks at Guangd
Columbus Travel responds to rising travel complexity with launch of new service offering
Columbus Travel responds to rising travel complexity with launch of new service offering
in
International Shipping News
05/05/2026
As global travel becomes increasingly complex – impacting both the maritime sector and the wider leisure industry – and looming jet fuel shortages threatening disruption Columbus Travel has launched two new service offerings.
Designed to address evolving travel demands across both sectors, the new products, Travel Packages and the enhanced Executive Travel service, combine seamless logistics, cost efficiency and personalised service to support a wide range of needs, from crew mobility and corporate travel to individual and group leisure journeys.
Christis Marcoullis, Managing Director of Columbus Travel
The move reflects mounting pressure not only on shipowners and managers managing global crew logistics, but also on travel providers and consumers navigating ongoing disruption, tighter cost controls and increasing demand for flexibility and reliability acro