Xeneta warns spot freight rates may peak in early October
Xeneta’s chief analyst told reports on 25 September 2026 that the recent rise in spot rates from the Far East to US coasts may come to an end in the first half of October.
Maritime reporting archive
Every published Maritime Gazette report remains available here, organised in reverse chronological order across shipping, ports, vessels, trade, policy, safety and the wider maritime industry.
Published reporting
Reporting archive
China accounts for 19% of global crude oil trade in first eight months of 2026
reports reports that China made up 19% of global seaborne crude oil trade in the first eight months of 2026, based on analysis by shipbroker Banchero Costa.
Forecast highlights regulation as pivotal to shipping’s decarbonisation choices
A reports summary of DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 warns that regulatory uncertainty is the primary barrier to shipping meeting decarbonisation targets and that decisions made now will determine future fuel demand and investment.
OECD outlook sees growth but warns trade risks could unsettle recovery
The OECD’s September 2026 interim outlook projects 2.9% world GDP growth and resilience through 2027, but reports reports the organisation has warned that higher energy costs, shifting tariffs and uncertainty over key trading relationships could pose fresh pressures on international trade and supply chains.
Baltic Dry Index slips as capesize losses weigh on market
The Baltic Dry Index fell about 1.3% to 3,426 on 25 September 2026, pressured by losses in the larger vessel sector, with the capesize index down 2.6% to 5,784, reports reports.
HyShip brings SeaShuttle vessels into liquid hydrogen demonstrations
EU-funded HyShip has named SeaShuttle container vessels as operational demonstrators in a Clean Hydrogen Partnership-supported drive to create an end-to-end liquid hydrogen supply chain for short-sea shipping.
Tanker availability tightens and transit costs surge, reports reports
A report published on 25 September 2026 by reports says the cost of transiting the Strait of Hormuz has overtaken passage constraints as the dominant tanker-market concern, with availability squeezed and some VLCC hires reportedly above USD 1 million per day.
Drewry: World Container Index down 1% in latest weekly assessment
Drewry's benchmark index eased 1 per cent in the week to 24 September, a development noted by reports on 25 September 2026.
VLCC market quietens after week of exceptional activity, Affinity reports
Sources published Affinity Tanker Weekly on 25 September 2026 reporting that the VLCC market has quietened considerably after a week of exceptional activity and record rates, Affinity Research LLP said.
Weekly note records commitment of Capesize Highland, Week 39 2026
reports on 25 September 2026 carried Advanced Shipping & Trading's Week 39 market note, which records a single committed Capesize, Highland, with survey dates shown.
MACN admits ABS, DNV and RINA after April vote to open membership to classification societies
MACN has welcomed ABS, DNV and RINA as its first classification society members after a General Assembly vote on 30 April 2026 to open membership to classification societies, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
Gibson note on clean tankers republished by Hellenic; verified extract limited to single summary line
Sources published Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd’s "Gibson tanker report – Clean Catchup" on 25 September 2026; the verified material supplied here contains only a single, incomplete summary sentence.
India pledges to honour petroleum product export commitments, minister says
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told markets on 24 September that India will maintain supplies and honour export contracts for petroleum products including diesel, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
VHBS ConTex week 39 bulletin published via reports
Sources published VHBS's ConTex time charter assessment for week 39 on 25 September 2026, with the Verband noting the continued resilience of shipping markets.
Shipowners urge Dangote and major cargo holders to back Nigerian fleet with long-term CoAs
Indigenous shipowners say long-term Contracts of Affreightment for petroleum products, cement and fertiliser would create the predictable cargo flows needed to finance and expand Nigeria’s domestic fleet.
Hai Phong urged to build elite maritime workforce to implement Politburo resolution
reports reports that a high-quality workforce in maritime services and shipbuilding is essential for Hai Phong to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 20‑NQ/TW of 28 July 2026 and support Vietnam’s ambition to become a strong maritime nation.
LD Armateurs takes delivery of DP2 support vessel TVO Mariner for LD TravOcean
The TVO Mariner, a DP2 multipurpose support vessel, was delivered in mid‑September to subsidiary LD TravOcean and is intended for subsea cable installation and protection, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
Kpler data shows six VLCCs loaded about 12 million barrels at Ras Tanura and Juaymah after East‑West pipeline disruption
Kpler reported a concentrated single‑day loading of roughly 12 million barrels at Ras Tanura and Juaymah on 21 September after disruption to the 1,200 km East‑West Pipeline, sources said.
Consortium completes first live sea shipment of premium Malaysian ripe durian to Dalian
A two-tonne consignment of premium Malaysian tree-drop ripe durian, shipped by a consortium including Daikin Reefer, reached Dalian in 12 days and was inspected on 19 September with quality reported as comparable to air freight.
US durable goods orders flat in August at $338.6bn, report says
New orders for US-manufactured durable goods were essentially unchanged in August 2026 at $338.6bn, diverging from forecasts for a modest decline and driven by falls in transport equipment and fabricated metal products.
SAAM Towage adds five tugs in 2026 as fleet renewal continues
MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026 that SAAM Towage has taken delivery of five tugboats so far this year as part of an ongoing fleet renewal programme.
Marea Scale Models launches Ai Refloat in the UK
Marea Scale Models has launched in the UK, bringing its AI-assisted design process Ai Refloat to the European maritime market; the process is described as producing highly detailed, accurate and immediately recognisable models.
Aderco sets out route from fuel gains to Gold Standard carbon credits
MarineLink reports that Aderco’s 2055G+ programme uses continuous measurement to turn verified fuel-performance gains into Gold Standard carbon credits.
ARC Freedom added to ARC Group’s U.S.-flagged fleet
ARC Freedom (IMO 9505041), a Large Car and Truck Carrier, has been added to American Roll‑On/Roll‑Off Carrier Group Inc.'s U.S.-flagged fleet, MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026.
Washburn & Doughty delivers Mary McAllister to McAllister Towing
Washburn & Doughty has handed over the tug Mary McAllister to McAllister Towing in Maine; the vessel is the sixth of seven ABS-classed, 84-metric-ton bollard-pull, low-emission tractor tugs, MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026.
MCA issues MIN 688 (M) Amendment 5: 2026 edition of COSWP published 25 September 2026
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published Guidance MIN 688 (M) Amendment 5: Code of safe working practices: 2026 edition, dated 25 September 2026, which provides details of the 2026 amendments to the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP).
NYK outlines ammonia-fuelled vessel initiatives at IMO sub‑committee meeting
NYK used the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers to present the NYK Group’s initiatives aimed at practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels, MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026.
MCA issues Amendment 2 to MIN 734 to signpost welfare support for seafarers and fishers
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published an amendment to MIN 734 to draw attention to charitable and welfare services available to seafarers, fishers, cadets, retired seafarers and their families across the United Kingdom.
PaxOcean to construct Ulstein‑designed SOV for NYK Line with delivery around 2029
PaxOcean will build an Ulstein‑designed service operation vessel for NYK Line at its Graha yard in Batam, intended for offshore wind projects in Taiwan and the broader Asia‑Pacific, with delivery slated for around 2029, MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026.
IUMI issues Crew Wellbeing Checklist to broaden Hull & Machinery risk assessments
The International Union of Marine Insurance has issued a Crew Wellbeing Checklist for Hull & Machinery insurers to ensure the human element is incorporated into risk appraisals, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
Offshore energy insurance market faces growing profitability pressures, reports IUMI
Sources indicated on 25 September 2026 that IUMI described the offshore energy insurance market as challenging in 2025, with premium gains reflecting currency effects and changes in business mix rather than underlying expansion.
CCC 12 finalises revised interim guidance for alcohol fuels and adds lashing‑software standard
The IMO sub‑committee finalised changes to interim guidance on methyl and ethyl alcohol fuels and agreed a harmonised performance standard for lashing software at its 12th session, held 14–18 September 2026.
Trump signals US will oppose IMO global emissions-pricing proposal, says reports
Sources indicated on 25 September 2026 that US President Donald Trump said his administration would act to prevent the IMO from adopting a global emissions-pricing mechanism.
Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd shift AE19 and AE15 back via Suez after Red Sea security review
Following a security reassessment of the Red Sea, Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd have said AE19 and AE15 will transit the Suez Canal rather than round the Cape of Good Hope, a report dated 25 September 2026 states.
Senior economic adviser warns India could be hit if a handful of global carriers restrict access
Sanjeev Sanyal told News18 DEFCON 2026 that India could suffer serious economic disruption if three to four global shipping lines were to restrict access, a report by sources said on 25 September 2026.
Direct container service inaugurated between Jiangsu and Mexico
Sources indicated on 25 September 2026 that a cargo ship laden with 524 special containers departed Jiangyin port for the Port of Manzanillo, inaugurating a new direct container service between Jiangsu and Mexico with an estimated transit of around 22 days.
PROSTEP and Lattice sign MoU to bring OpenPDM to South Korean shipbuilders
PROSTEP has entered a memorandum of understanding with Seoul-based Lattice to pursue deployment of its OpenPDM integration technology in South Korea’s shipbuilding industry, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
Suez tests cut India–Savannah sailings by 10–14 days, port officials say
Early tests of Suez Canal routings have shortened India–Savannah transit by around 10–14 days, with port officials citing faster inventory fulfilment and lower carrying costs for importers.
DP World paper flags resilience challenge for networks carrying $14tn in containerised trade
A DP World whitepaper published for World Maritime Day 2026 warns that the sea-borne networks carrying an estimated $14 trillion of containerised goods are being tested by geopolitical, climate and policy pressures.
EIB offers €100m to upgrade Klaipėda as defence and clean-energy gateway
The European Investment Bank is to lend €100 million to the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority to modernise Lithuania’s main port and strengthen its role in defence, energy and Baltic trade.
Report warns accelerated biofuel mandates could tighten crop markets through 2030
A joint analysis from Chatham House and the Forest Stewardship Council, summarised by reports on 25 September 2026, warns that accelerated biofuel mandates could intensify competition for key crops and vegetable oils through 2030, potentially raising agricultural commodity prices.
IFAPA says India poised to boost ferro‑alloys exports as steel sector expands
IFAPA told the 6th International Ferro Alloys Conference in Goa that rising steel output creates a new growth runway for India’s ferro‑alloys sector and an opportunity to strengthen its global role, sources indicated on 25 September 2026.
Oil retreats after reports U.S. and Iran explore phased deal on Strait of Hormuz
Reports that the United States and Iran are discussing a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz prompted a modest fall in Brent futures, even as a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia sustained geopolitical uncertainty.
Iraq presses OPEC for higher output quota, minister says
Bassim Khudair says Iraq is in talks with OPEC to secure a higher crude output quota to compensate for production losses during decades of conflict, a report published on 25 September 2026 states.
LD Armateurs receives TVO Mariner to bolster LD TravOcean’s subsea cable capability
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has taken delivery of the DP2 multipurpose support vessel TVO Mariner for LD TravOcean, enhancing the subsidiary’s capability for subsea cable installation, repair and protection work, MarineLink reported on 25 September 2026.
MMO publishes guidance on seagrass protection and recovery
The Marine Management Organisation published guidance on 25 September 2026 covering the importance of seagrass, steps to avoid damage and the MMO’s support for recovery in England.
MAIB publishes report and safety flyer on Argos Georgia foundering that cost 13 lives
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has issued a report and safety flyer, dated 25 September 2026, on the foundering of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia about 190 nautical miles east of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, in which 13 people died.
MMO publishes provisional monthly sea fisheries statistics for August 2026
The UK Marine Management Organisation published a provisional Official Statistics release on 25 September 2026 setting out landings by UK and foreign vessels at UK ports and UK vessel landings abroad for August 2026.