Economy Hormuz becomes world's costliest waterway after 300% premium surge Missile threats, soaring insurance premiums and suspended voyages are reshaping the trade that once went through Hormuz — and consumers will feel it within weeks. 16/03/2026
United Arab Emirates German cruise passengers stranded in the Persian Gulf amid Iran attack The Persian Gulf is currently a hot zone due to hostilities. The Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping, except for ships with connections to China or Russia that can pass. 01/03/2026
Earth News Arctic ship traffic and black carbon are on the rise “It ends up in a never-ending cycle of increased warming,” says Sian Prior, lead adviser for the Clean Arctic Alliance. 09/02/2026
World News Record 6,000 sailors abandoned in 2025, mostly by shadow fleets In 2025, more than 6,000 seafarers were abandoned on 410 ships, marking the worst year for crew abandonment. The ITF recovered $16.5 million in unpaid wages. 02/02/2026
The Big Question The Big Question: How important is shipping for our economy? The decision on a levy on carbon emissions from shipping, proposed by the UN’s International Maritime Organization, has been delayed until 2026. But is the industry ready for a decarbonised future? 01/12/2025
Europe News Two Russian shadow fleet tankers on fire off Turkiye's coast Two sanctioned oil tankers, the Kairos and the Virat, have caught fire in the Black Sea a few dozen nautical miles off the Turkish coast. Their crews are safe as the causes of the explosions are being investigated. 28/11/2025
Europe News EU executive touts increase of biofuels uptake for aviation, maritime Exclusive: The EU wants to increase the uptake of biofuels for the aviation and maritime sectors to cut pollution from heavy transport. Ukraine could play a key role. 24/11/2025
Somalia EU vessel reaches ship raided by Somali pirates, all 24 crew safe Piracy off the Somali coast peaked in 2011, when 237 attacks were reported. Somali piracy in the region in 2011 cost the world’s economy €6 billion, with €138 million paid out in ransoms. 07/11/2025
Europe News Brussels unveils €3bn to boost green fuels for aviation and shipping The plan to step up financing for sustainable fuels in shipping and aviation by 2027 comes as the bloc is falling short of decarbonising heavy transport by 2050. 06/11/2025
Earth News World’s first global shipping carbon tax sinks after US-led opposition The US, Saudi Arabia and other petro-states led pushback against the world’s first carbon tax for shipping. 20/10/2025
Nature See the rare species scientists are breeding in China’s longest river Scientists have called for additional measures to regulate shipping on the Yangtze River. 10/09/2025
Economy China to build 'Suez Canal' railroad to connect Europe and Asia China is quietly building alternative routes to help it export goods to Europe, without passing through its South Sea, to avoid tensions with the United States and its allies in the region. 02/09/2025
Yemen Two injured, two missing after suspected Houthi attack on Red Sea ship The Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C came under fire late in the same area where the Houthis claimed to have recently sunk another vessel. 08/07/2025
Yemen Germany summons China's ambassador after aircraft lasered in Red Sea The maritime surveillance aircraft was part of the EU mission Aspides, which is intended to better defend civilian ships against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. 08/07/2025
Europe News China calls for efforts to defuse tensions over Strait of Hormuz Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson issued an appeal during a press briefing in Beijing following US calls for China to intervene with Iran on the vital global waterway. 23/06/2025
Economy World Bank: Economy set for worst run since 2008 outside of recessions The group has cut its growth forecasts in nearly 70% of all economies — across all regions and income groups. 10/06/2025