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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]