Posts Tagged ‘shipping’

What If Iran Closes The Hormuz Strait?

One of the biggest risks to the global economy at present is the possibility that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, in line with its recent threats. Around 20% of the world’s oil trade and 28% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through the waterway, and any disruption to this would cause oil… [Read more]

The Quest For Greener Ships

Solar, nuclear and wind power are all being investigated by shipping firms as possible alternatives to bunker fuel. When it comes to ordering new vessels, the trend is for larger, more fuel-efficient ships. The main catalysts of these green initiatives are the volatile price of oil and the threat of CO2 emission caps and charges…. [Read more]

Yemen Crisis: The Issues At Stake

Although the war in Libya has been dominating international media in recent weeks – with a brief interlude for the Japanese earthquake – events in Yemen – where President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime is on the brink of collapse – are arguably of greater geopolitical significance. Libya has dominated headlines because it is more visibly… [Read more]

BMI Releases Special Report: Japan Earthquake – Global Implications

Business Monitor International (BMI) has just published a Special Report examining the economic consequences of Japan’s March 11, 2011, earthquake. The report analyses the following topics: The economic consequences for Japan The impact of the quake on global financial markets The impact on global commodity prices The impact on Japan’s infrastructure sector The impact on… [Read more]

Maersk Thinks Big With Mega-Vessel Fleet

Rivalry, economies of scale and rising oil prices are all factors that no doubt helped convince Maersk Line to up the ante and place an order for a fleet of the world’s largest box vessels with a capacity of 18,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each and a price tag of US$190mn apiece. Maersk Line has… [Read more]

Panama Canal Expansion: Implications For US Ports

BMI believes that the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is due to be completed in 2014, will have a significant impact on trade routes, port development, cargo distribution and the US shipping sector in general. Container trade will see one of the biggest changes, as expansion will enable massive post-Panamax vessels to use the… [Read more]

Containing The Container Crisis

The rebound in container shipping has caught many operators unaware. While overcapacity was the main problem threatening the sector this time last year, with the oversupply of box ships dragging down container shipping rates, this year has been marked by shortages, particularly those of equipment, with lines faced with a lack of containers. The problem… [Read more]


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