Chemical — MSI Blog

26 June 2026MSI

Shipyards compete with AI for engines

A familiar constraint from shipping’s last great shipbuilding boom is beginning to reappear: yards are short of engines. “We’ve certainly heard that the availability of engines is having an impact on some yards, in terms of output,” said Adam Kent, who heads up consultancy Maritime Strategies International (MSI). “However, I think this is ultimately leading … Continue reading Shipyards compete with AI for engines →

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18 June 2026MSI

Has dual-fuel ambition stalled in the face of commercial reality?

Limited infrastructure, fuel availability and regulatory uncertainty have seen orders for alternative fuel-capable ships fall from their 2024 peak, writes MSI’s Mariam Tzannatos. Dual-fuel capable newbuilding activity has fallen consistently over the past two years and further and faster in the past five months. Data published by Maritime Strategies International suggests that investors are having … Continue reading Has dual-fuel ambition stalled in the face of commercial reality? →

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1 June 2026MSI

Time for owners to evacuate crew stranded by Hormuz stalemate

With little obvious prospect of majority of vessels stuck in the Gulf managing to leave safely any time soon has the time lay-up come. The stalemate around the Strait of Hormuz is nearing the three-month mark with around 1,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers remaining stranded in the Arabian Gulf. MSI Managing Director Adam Kent believes … Continue reading Time for owners to evacuate crew stranded by Hormuz stalemate →

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5 May 2026MSI

2020s: The Era of Extended Shipping Distances

Last year, trade conducted via sea reached a total of 68 trillion ton-miles, with the average distance covered per ton of cargo recorded at 5,262 nautical miles. This indicates a 10% increase compared to the beginning of the decade. Tim Smith, Director of Maritime Strategies International, noted in an assessment earlier in 2026, ‘Increased demand … Continue reading 2020s: The Era of Extended Shipping Distances →

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5 May 2026MSI

What keeps shipping awake at night?

MSI Managing Director, Dr Adam Kent, contributes to the Lloyd’s List Shipping Podcast live from Singapore, as part of the Lloyds List Outlook Forum. Adam highlights the constantly shifting geopolitical backdrop the industry currently faces and how this can be an impediment to investors, given the start-stop nature of many directives. Listen to the podcast … Continue reading What keeps shipping awake at night? →

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24 April 2026MSI

Shipping braces for prolonged turmoil as Hormuz crisis fuels inflation and supply strain

OPTIMISM is in short supply as geopolitical turmoil deepens and the Hormuz crisis adds fresh strain to global shipping. Experts warn the fallout will be long‑lasting, compounding the economic damage left by the pandemic. “Tonne-miles are increasing, but once we get to demand destruction, then the demand destruction will be greater than increasing tonne-mile input.” … Continue reading Shipping braces for prolonged turmoil as Hormuz crisis fuels inflation and supply strain →

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1 April 2026MSI

MSI appoints North American director

MSI has appointed John Moulopoulos as director, North America, with responsibility for business development in the Americas. The company said Mr Moulopoulos joins from Boston-based maritime intelligence and data delivery service Marsoft Inc, and his role will include working with North American shipowners and maritime investors, while also drawing on his heritage and network to … Continue reading MSI appoints North American director →

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28 January 2026MSI

China’s demographic cliff: can shipping live without its golden growth engine?

The demographic sweetspot for China, the 21st century’s driving force of shipping profits, has long passed. This month, Beijing reported its steepest birth rate decline since the Communist Party took power in 1949. Splash Extra investigates what a dwindling population means for global shipping. Adam Kent, managing director at MSI, explains to Splash Extra that … Continue reading China’s demographic cliff: can shipping live without its golden growth engine? →

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19 January 2026MSI

Shipyard capacity surges but relocation will increasingly take centre stage

Strategic and economic shifts by South Korean builders are designed to counter China’s orderbook dominance, writes Stuart Nicoll, director, MSI. Read more at Xinde Marine.

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8 January 2026MSI

Shipping markets outlook for H1 2026 – Podcast

2025 was a year like no other for shipping buffeted by US tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical conflicts but through it all markets across most major sectors performed remarkably well. Going into 2026 there seems to be no let up with the US military action in Venezuela with days of the New Year, so what does the rest of the coming 12 months have to offer the world of shipping? Find out the views of the experts from MSI Ltd by listening to the podcast at Seatrade Maritime.

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18 December 2025MSI

How to spend it in 2026

According to a new report from Fitch Ratings, next year will still be challenging due to a myriad of geopolitical and policy risks. Shipping will also be hit by the lower GDP growth expected across most major economies in 2026 compared to 2025. Adam Kent, managing director at MSI, agrees with several aspects of this … Continue reading How to spend it in 2026 →

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10 December 2025MSI

MSI’s Adam Kent: The Structural Shifts Redefining Global Shipping Markets

At the Xinde Marine Forum, Dr Adam Kent, Managing Director of MSI, delivered a data-rich and forward-looking keynote that combined market analytics with deeper structural insights from MSI’s latest research. Read more at Xinde Marine News.

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2 December 2025MSI

Has the US ceded the race for clean fuels to China?

China-led hydrogen and ammonia regional exports will curb the development of longhaul trades and limit large carrier fleet growth, argues MSI decarbonisation analyst Mariam Tzannatos. Read more at Riviera.

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20 October 2025MSI

Trump officials go all out to block carbon tax on shipping

In the near term, the impact on freight costs will be relatively minimal, said Stuart Nicoll, a director at MSI, a London-based consultancy. The fees on high-emitting fuels like oil will start in 2028 and rise, but by 2035, some of the rewards for using low-carbon fuels may start to outweigh the penalties. Read more … Continue reading Trump officials go all out to block carbon tax on shipping →

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25 September 2025MSI

Does the world have enough yard capacity for all the demand for retrofits?

So, what are the options? ABS and MSI have two possible scenarios, outlined in this year’s Outlook publication. Namely, their full conversion scenario assumes all eligible oil-fuelled vessels are converted due to escalating oil costs. It would require yard capacity expansion before 2030. Read more at Splash247.com

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3 September 2025MSI

Coming out of the dark. How machine learning can drive smarter decisions in today’s shipping markets

From trade wars and military conflicts to pandemics and natural disasters, not to mention growing environmental regulations and government interventions, disruptions to supply chains and global shipping markets have had an enormous impact on freight costs and asset values in the last decade, writes MSI Director Will Fray. Read more at Baltic Transport Journal

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29 August 2025MSI

What would $150bn investment in US shipbuilding look like?

US President Donald Trump likes to trumpet very large numbers and South Korea’s shipbuilding investment plans as part of its bilateral tariff deal is no exception. Now how much of these big numbers will ever see the light of day, especially when one considers Trump’s Presidency has less three and half years to run, is … Continue reading What would $150bn investment in US shipbuilding look like? →

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26 August 2025MSI

Can hydrogen make good on its clean energy potential?

Ten for ambition, five for achievement. Hydrogen’s journey to alternative fuel solution at scale continues to be a slow one, but the tempo is changing, argues Mariam Tzannatos, hydrogen sector analyst at MSI. Read more at Splash247.com

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17 July 2025MSI

Does this data point suggest bulkers are overpriced?

MSI’s valuation estimates for ships based on a prediction of their future earnings show bulker buyers are paying the biggest premium in today’s sale-and-purchase market, according to data from the MSI Seascape platform. Read more at TradeWinds.

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14 July 2025MSI

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Defining Shipping Strategy

The client was had an existing shipping arm which had been underinvested, was generating limited profits and was poorly aligned with the wider business. MSI was contracted to generate a business strategy based on assessing an optimal fleet configuration based on carrying domestic cargoes. MSI completed an accurate assessment of total cargoes being shipped by … Continue reading MSI Consultancy Case Study – Defining Shipping Strategy →

ChemicalLNGLPGOil Tanker

14 July 2025MSI

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Development of Shipping Business

The client was a National Oil Company with an underdeveloped shipping and logistics business with an existing shipping arm which had been underinvested, was generating limited profits and was poorly aligned with the wider business. MSI was requested to provide a business strategy based on carrying assessing an optimal fleet based on carrying domestic cargoes. … Continue reading MSI Consultancy Case Study – Development of Shipping Business →

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14 July 2025MSI

Shipping markets outlook for H2 2025 – Podcast

Geopolitical disruption in shipping has reached new heights in the first half of 2025 and MSI examine the impact on markets and the outlook ahead. In this latest shipping markets outlook episode, we are joined by analysts from MSI to take a look at the outlook for containers, tankers, dry bulk, and shipbuilding in the second … Continue reading Shipping markets outlook for H2 2025 – Podcast →

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12 June 2025MSI

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Strategy Review

MSI recently completed a strategy review for a Middle Eastern tanker operator whose Board of Directors required a review of its operations to help the business benefit from changing market conditions. The Board sought independent financial advice with an assessment of the financial performance of the business, current and forecast market conditions, commentary on the … Continue reading MSI Consultancy Case Study – Strategy Review →

ChemicalOil Tanker

9 June 2025MSI

Shipping lines go cool on Arctic Ocean route

Melting ice could make shorter transits between Asia and Europe a reality but there are economic and geopolitical risks. Daniel Richards, a director at London-based consultancy MSI, points to the risks of using the northern route. He says container shipping lines tend to be risk-averse, and their customers are similarly reluctant to have their goods … Continue reading Shipping lines go cool on Arctic Ocean route →

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9 June 2025MSI

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Theoretical Emissions Analysis

MSI is increasingly commissioned to research and analyse the impact of environmental regulation and decarbonisation on vessel operations and fleet profiles. This can be supported with access to MSI SEASCAPE. Our expertise in understanding shipping markets extends to specialist analysis of the industry in the energy transition, including impact on vessel types, cargoes and supply … Continue reading MSI Consultancy Case Study – Theoretical Emissions Analysis →

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4 June 2025MSI

What will be powering ships in the 2030s?

MSI has given an early indication of the impact that the Net Zero Framework will have on the bunker market, based on data from its new SEASCAPE platform. By extending the annual fuel consumption estimates calculated for 2024 through to 2035, and applying MSI’s forecasts for bunker prices, it is possible to project the future … Continue reading What will be powering ships in the 2030s? →

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23 May 2025MSI

How machine learning can drive smarter decisions in today’s shipping markets

By joining the dots in global trade, it is possible to understand how ships perform and how owners deploy them, writes Will Fray, Director, MSI. Read more at Xinde Marine.

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12 May 2025MSI

New IMO fuel penalties could raise $1trn over a decade, MSI says

Consultancy’s new MSI SEASCAPE platform calculates that carbon levies will add 82% to bunker costs by 2035. Its new SEASCAPE market analysis, vessel performance and asset valuation platform crunched the numbers on new carbon levies proposed in April. Read more at TradeWinds.

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1 May 2025MSI

Chemical and product tanker fleets face rebalancing

MSI senior analyst Bonita Nightingale, speaking at the International Chemical & Product Tanker Conference 2025, noted the chemical tanker market, having enjoyed elevated earnings through 2022–2024, faces a softer outlook. Read more at Riviera.

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28 April 2025MSI

China’s Shipbuilding Dominance and Global Trade Competition in Context

With data for activity in the global shipbuilding industry now available for 2024, MSI’s Stuart Nicoll estimates that global newbuilding contracting for all ship types was 133m GT, with a more even spread among the main sectors than in recent years. Collation of the latest data couldn’t have been better timed, given the recent release … Continue reading China’s Shipbuilding Dominance and Global Trade Competition in Context →

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22 April 2025MSI

Navigating uncertainty: key trends in the chemical tanker market

MSI senior chemical market analyst, Bonita Nightingale, offers a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing market stakeholders in the year ahead. Read more at Riviera.

Chemical

31 March 2025MSI

Six factors that enabled China to dominate global shipbuilding

The dominance of China in the newbuilding the market has come under intense scrutiny with the investigations by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) – but how did the country’s shipyards achieve such a leading position? Speaking on the ‘Shipbuilding – a macro view’ panel at Sea Asia 2025 Adam Kent, Managing Director of MSI … Continue reading Six factors that enabled China to dominate global shipbuilding →

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28 March 2025MSI

Which shipping sectors would be worst hit by USTR port fees?

Adam Kent, Managing Director of Maritime Strategies International (MSI) said, “I think the levels will be lower, but what it will do is cause people to shift what vessels are calling at US ports, if they can…”. Read more at Seatrade Maritime

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14 March 2025MSI

Methanol ships depend on China

According to Maritime Strategies International, the average cost for e-methanol in 2024 was $2,348 per ton of low sulphur fuel oil equivalent, nearly four times the price of low sulphur fuel oil. Mariam Tzannatos, a decarbonisation analyst at the London-based consultancy, tells EEI: “Pricing is currently a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of renewable … Continue reading Methanol ships depend on China →

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10 February 2025MSI

Choose your risk: short term disruption or long-term transition

Shipping markets have profited from turbulence in this decade, but far bigger changes are coming in the years ahead, argues Tim Smith, a director at Maritime Strategies International. As we approach the mid-point of this decade, from a shipping market fundamentals perspective the most important factor of the 2020s so far has been disruption. Read … Continue reading Choose your risk: short term disruption or long-term transition →

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24 January 2025MSI

Overcapacity fears stalk shipping as ordering at levels not seen since 2007

Shipping is facing overcapacity not seen since 2007, according to Adam Kent, managing director of MSI. Read more at TradeWinds

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3 January 2025MSI

Shipping markets outlook for 2025

Following a rollercoaster ride of a year for shipping last year where are shipping markets headed in 2025? Get the view of the MSI experts in our 2025 markets outlook podcast episode. Listen to the podcast at Seatrade Maritime.

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11 December 2024MSI

Can India reach its ambitious shipbuilding targets?

The story of India’s government, led by prime minister Narendra Modi, setting a goal to become a top 10 shipbuilder by 2030 and a top five one by 2047 has been doing the rounds for some time now, but how feasible is it and what must happen for that to become a reality. “For India … Continue reading Can India reach its ambitious shipbuilding targets? →

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28 November 2024MSI

Investigating the price ratio between newbuilds and five-year-old ships

“The stronger the earnings, the greater the premium buyers are willing to pay for secondhand tonnage compared to newbuilding prices,” explains Dr Adam Kent, the head of MSI. “Similarly,” he adds, “the higher the earnings the older the vessels owners are prepared to buy, that still attract a premium over the equivalent contract price.” Read … Continue reading Investigating the price ratio between newbuilds and five-year-old ships →

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7 November 2024MSI

Is growth in Chinese yards leading to a glut in global shipbuilding capacity?

Stuart Nicoll, director at MSI, said that the growth of China’s shipbuilding capacity is expected to be balanced by capacity reductions in Japan and other regions. “The issue will be where to cut. Japan is likely to be the primary focus, but the biggest concerns must be within South Korea. Builders there seem to be … Continue reading Is growth in Chinese yards leading to a glut in global shipbuilding capacity? →

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6 November 2024MSI

Maritime Market Views Podcast

MSI’s Adam Kent joins Jakub Walenkiewicz on the DNV – Maritime Market Views Podcast to discuss rates and prices, black swans, red flags and the impact of tonne-miles on shipping. Listen to the Podcast at DNV Maritime

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6 November 2024MSI

How China has taken a generational grip on the global shipbuilding industry

A surge in newbuild orders and a global shortage of berths have created new opportunities for private yards to expand. Stuart Nicoll, director of MSI, believes capacity is set to grow by 5m cgt between 2023 and 2028, an increase of 31%. “Things are moving very quickly.” Read more at TradeWinds.

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11 October 2024MSI

The roaring twenties and volatility

In an excellent recent presentation given in Singapore, Dr Adam Kent, who heads up UK consultancy MSI, discussed the accumulating black swans in recent years and their links to growing volatility. Read more at Splash247.com

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5 August 2024MSI

Capacity across big three shipbuilding nations leaps 20% in a year

Across China, shipyards are expanding and churning out ships on a scale not seen since 2008. The shipyard sector has entered a new golden age after more than a decade’s slump following the global financial crisis. Chinese newbuild output has “rocketed” in 2024, Stuart Nicoll, a director at MSI commented. Read more at Splash247.com.

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5 August 2024MSI

Geopolitical events push shipping earnings to 15 year high

Accelerating economic growth, improved demand, and the impact of Red Sea diversions have combined to boost shipping markets across the board in the first half of 2024, says Adam Kent, Managing Director of MSI. Read more at Seatrade Maritime

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27 June 2024MSI

Black swans and peak oil at the dawn of a golden age

Shipowners and analysts were in high spirits as they dissected the current market situation and its root causes at Marine Money in New York. Dr. Adam Kent, Managing Director of MSI kicked off the day’s proceedings by bringing the details into focus. Read more at Seatrade.

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5 June 2024MSI

More shipyard capacity needed to meet green targets

More shipyard capacity will be required in the coming decade, both for newbuilds and retrofits, according to an influential new magazine published at Posidonia in Athens today. New shipbuilders are forecast to emerge from Vietnam, the Philippines and India as global shipyard capacity grows gradually through to 2035, according to the ABS forecast, which uses … Continue reading More shipyard capacity needed to meet green targets →

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3 June 2024MSI

Tanker trades: experts discuss ‘complex interplay of factors’

Leading industry experts came together to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current and future market dynamics within the chemical carriers, product tankers, and LPG carriers sectors. In her detailed presentation, MSI’s senior chemical market analyst, Bonita Nightingale provided a thorough overview of the demand developments in 2023 and an outlook for 2024 and beyond. … Continue reading Tanker trades: experts discuss ‘complex interplay of factors’ →

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7 May 2024MSI

Joe Biden’s China probe throws lifeline to South Korean and Japanese shipyards

Chinese yards were gaining ground, said Adam Kent, Managing Director at MSI. “There’s still a market perception that the Chinese quality is not as good as in Korea but that quality is [moving] closer.” Read more at FT.com

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26 April 2024MSI

MARITIME: From theory to practice. The hydrogen economy gives ammonia and methanol export trades the green light

Read this article by MSI Director Stuart Nicoll at Baltic Transport Journal

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22 April 2024MSI

Shipping industry turns to high-tech wings for faster decarbonisation

Stuart Nicoll, a director at MSI, a London-based consultancy, insisted that wind power had clear benefits given steady growth in taxes on shipping emissions. Since the start of the year, ships entering EU ports have had to pay for the emissions on their journey under the bloc’s emissions-trading scheme. Read more at FT.com.

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29 January 2024MSI

Spare $30m to spend? Here’s MSI’s best ship buy tips for 2024

Planets are aligned on the tanker side with a supply squeeze set to drive up asset prices. Read more at TradeWinds.

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29 January 2024MSI

OPINION | What the global trade in hydrogen-derived clean ammonia and methanol will look like in the coming years

Demand for clean shipping fuels will supercharge these sectors, writes MSI Director Stuart Nicoll. Read more in Hydrogeninsight

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29 January 2024MSI

The competition for a place in the shipyards is getting tougher

The slots in China and South Korea for 2026 are “counted on the fingers of the hand”, while those with scheduled delivery in 2027 are now drying up at high speed. “The situation regarding the availability of slots is always complicated until the orders are confirmed. “Orderbook data shows significant yard space for 2027 (about 75% … Continue reading The competition for a place in the shipyards is getting tougher →

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23 January 2024MSI

Clean ammonia trade boom to swell VLAC fleet to 400 ships

Demand to be transformed by increasing move from fertiliser production to bunkers. A surge in demand for clean energy is set to boost the ranks of very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) as the ammonia trade is transformed. MSI predicts the next 25 years are likely to see requirements for green and blue ammonia providing the … Continue reading Clean ammonia trade boom to swell VLAC fleet to 400 ships →

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10 January 2024MSI

Houthis fire their greatest barrage of weapons to date in the ongoing Red Sea shipping crisis

Rerouting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope clearly takes longer and consumes more fuel per unit of commodity transported than via the Suez Canal, but the costs associated with environmental regulations illustrate the perverse incentives in play, according to an investigation carried out by UK consultancy MSI. Read more at Splash247.com.

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2 January 2024MSI

Shipping braces for long haul as Red Sea crisis escalates

The disruption would need to stretch into the first quarter of 2024 to impact either the boxship charter market or a wider set of freight markets in a major way, said UK analyst MSI. Read more at Tradewinds

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2 January 2024MSI

China dominates shipbuilding amid slowdown as focus shifts to tankers and bulkers

Consultancy and research company Maritime Strategies International concluded that in 2022 and 2023, newbuilding contracting massively exceeded underlying replacement and incremental demand growth requirements. “After the container-boosted wonder year of 2021, we anticipated contracting would ease back in 2022 and 2023. It now looks like around 137m gross tonnes was ordered over the two years, … Continue reading China dominates shipbuilding amid slowdown as focus shifts to tankers and bulkers →

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13 November 2023MSI

China dominates surge for dual-fuel tonnage

Chinese builders have won almost half of the dual-fuel newbuilding orders over the past 18 months, MSI’s data shows. China’s relatively abundant human capital and investments compared with its foreign rivals are said to be partly why it has gained a pole position in this market. Read more at Lloyds List.

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6 October 2023MSI

“Sold out” in Chinese shipyards until 2027

According to a quarterly analysis by the British company MSI, in August of this year the indicative shipbuilding prices were around 30% to 50% higher, compared to the levels at the end of 2020. Read more at Neatora

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27 September 2023MSI

Will a reversal of fortunes position shipyards for the era of decarbonisation?

After three torrid years of low profitability, a combination of falling costs and rising prices put yards on a stronger footing, writes Stuart Nicoll from MSI. Read more at Splash247.com

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12 September 2023MSI

Trajectory of soaring newbuild prices divides opinion

The trajectory of newbuild prices which have soared up by as much as 50% in less than three years is dividing experts with owners facing tricky decisions on when to kickstart fleet renewal programmes ahead of stricter 2030 green targets for shipping agreed at the International Maritime Organization this July. MSI believes that newbuild prices … Continue reading Trajectory of soaring newbuild prices divides opinion →

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9 August 2023MSI

EGPN raises tanker tally at Wuhu Shipyard with newbuilding duo

MSI said chemical tanker orders shot up between March and June this year, with 40 newbuildings amounting to more than 600,000 dwt being booked. Read more at TradeWinds

ChemicalShipbuilding

26 July 2023MSI

Chemtanker owners seek fleet renewal as earnings ease from recent highs

Negative impact of swing tonnage on timecharter rates has not deterred owners seeking newbuilding slots, says MSI’s Senior Chemical Tanker Analyst, Bonita Nightingale. Read more at Allaboutshipping.co.uk

Chemical

25 July 2023MSI

Podcast: Global Energy Outlook

Tim Smith of MSI considers how changes in global energy consumption out to 2050 might impact global shipping demand. He also addresses the oft-mooted issue of ‘stranded assets’ in the context of the energy transition. Could ships become obsolete – from a technological and regulatory standpoint – before their assumed 25-year lifespan? Listen at ship.energy

ChemicalDry BulkLNGLPG

21 July 2023MSI

Thousands of ships could use LNG as fuel. Is that a good thing?

The shipping industry has placed a massive bet on liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel — as a bridge between traditional fuel oil and whatever comes next, whether it’s methanol, ammonia, hydrogen or something else. Shipowners have spent billions of dollars fitting ships to burn LNG. MSI Managing Director, Adam Kent, contributes his thoughts … Continue reading Thousands of ships could use LNG as fuel. Is that a good thing? →

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

7 July 2023MSI

Modest fleet growth a benefit for the chemical tanker market

MSI senior chemical market analyst Bonita Nightingale discusses the factors impacting the chemical tanker market. Read more at June/July 2023 edition of Tanker Shipping & Trade

Chemical

5 June 2023MSI

Green shipping: When will dual-fuel vessels command asset and charter premiums?

A carbon tax is essential to helping the shipping market price next generation vessel earnings and asset values, says MSI. Read more at TradeWinds

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5 June 2023MSI

Dual-fuel ships will command charter and asset price premiums

LNG bunker price expected to start trading at a substantial discount to low-sulphur fuel from 2024, helping create a premium for charter ships burning the fuel. For dual-fuel methanol ships, the picture is less clear even with shipping included into the EU ETS, as the price for green methanol would be significantly higher, according to … Continue reading Dual-fuel ships will command charter and asset price premiums →

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5 May 2023MSI

Shipyards dust off facilities to meet huge fleet renewal demand

Mothballed capacity is being brought back to life as contracting is forecast to rise. “Expansion in capacity will certainly be needed in the second half of the decade, when we expect a surge in contracting volumes in response to the twin requirements of fleet renewals and decarbonisation efforts,” says MSI director Stuart Nicoll. Read more … Continue reading Shipyards dust off facilities to meet huge fleet renewal demand →

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28 April 2023MSI

Shipyard capacity expected to expand amid push for dual-fuel orders

Demand for alternative fuel newbuildings will spur expansion of shipbuilding capacity, including bringing some of the collapsed yards back to life. But the boom seen in the 2000s, which later led to severe overcapacity problems, is unlikely to be repeated. The bounceback will mainly be led by demand for fresh tonnage using alternative marine fuels, … Continue reading Shipyard capacity expected to expand amid push for dual-fuel orders →

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

28 April 2023MSI

Shipyards build up to the challenge of launching a zero-emission fleet

A huge part of the world fleet will have to be replaced with zero-emission vessels in little more than two decades if regulators set a goal of decarbonising shipping by 2050. “Based on the evidence to date, it seems likely that most shipyards will make the step up in capability to meet demand for new … Continue reading Shipyards build up to the challenge of launching a zero-emission fleet →

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28 April 2023MSI

Chemical tanker markets are finely balanced

MSI senior chemical tanker market analyst Bonita Nightingale said the market segment is likely to remain tight for the next two years. Read more at Riviera

ChemicalOil Tanker

27 March 2023MSI

The challenges for shipping in the midst of a banking crisis

The shipping industry has faced new challenges over the past 12 months due to higher funding costs following the rise in interest rates. MSI’s Managing Director, Dr Adam Kent, contributes his thoughts on the topic in an article published by Naftemporiki

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22 February 2023MSI

Demo volumes bounce back

“We expect to see the tide turn on scrapping volumes this year with 2023 already starting off at a steady pace,” predicted Dr Adam Kent, MSI’s managing director. This is primarily driven by containership and dry bulk removals. Read more at SplashExtra

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

27 January 2023MSI

Eco shock: green fuels will not beat fossil fuels on price until 2040, MSI warns

“Unfortunately, it is not until around the end of the next decade that it becomes more economically viable to run green fuels than conventional fuels, or conventional fuels with a scrubber.” said MSI’s Managing Director Adam Kent. Read more at Tradewinds.

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25 January 2023MSI

A two-tiered freight market may stabilise global tanker rates until 2023

MSI Director, Tim Smith, said in a recent report that due to longer voyages, demand for ships, including ton miles, grew faster this year at 8% compared with oil itself around 2%. Read more at SPGlobal

ChemicalOil Tanker

3 January 2023MSI

Commodities 2023: Two-tier freight market may keep global tanker rates firm

Global tankers freight across clean and dirty products segments will likely be firm in 2023 but unlike the spectacular gains made in 2022, rates would face challenges due to possible crude production cuts and costlier oil prices, analysts said including MSI Director Tim Smith. Read more at S&P Global

ChemicalOil Tanker

3 January 2023MSI

Repair yards and offshore wind make for sound investments

The industry is set for one of the most dynamic periods it has ever witnessed during the remainder of the decade as it grapples with decarbonisation, the energy transition, geopolitical ramifications and the further maturing of the Chinese economy. Read more in TradeWinds

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30 November 2022MSI

UN warns of muted maritime trade growth through to 2027

UNCTAD’s latest seaborne review has some forecasts to shock shipowners. Adam Kent, MSI’s Managing Director, comments on UNCTAD’s latest numbers placing them in context. Read more at Splash247.com

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9 November 2022MSI

Shipyards look to plug the gap as two-horse newbuilding race runs its course

Shipyards banking on a decarbonisation-driven order boom must contend with present day realities, writes MSI Director Stuart Nicoll. Read more in Splash247.com

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27 October 2022MSI

Newbuild Prices Peak

Newbuild prices have peaked with MSI predicting they will drop by up to 10% in the coming 12 months. Read more at Splash247

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6 October 2022MSI

Uncharted Waters or Familiar Territory – Which way next?

Watch Adam Kent’s presentation from the 21st Annual Marine Money Week Asia event in Singapore via YouTube, covering changing trade routes, supply side developments and how earnings and prices will develop.

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30 September 2022MSI

Prepare for higher shipping costs but the EU ETS should be a manageable change

Carbon taxes will increase, favouring energy efficient ships and requiring closer co-operation between owners and charterers, says Will Fray, Director, Maritime Strategies International. Read more in Safety4sea.com

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27 July 2022MSI

Yards toy with adding capacity

Amid a record ordering boom – and with an eye on fleet renewal ahead of IMO 2050 – shipbuilders are looking at expansion for the first time in a decade. MSI Director Stuart Nicoll states that “physical capacity tends not to disappear as yards are either mothballed or put to work on other forms of … Continue reading Yards toy with adding capacity →

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25 July 2022MSI

Shipyards face cancellations over weak freight market and interest rates

Yards have built up a large order backlog, with deliveries scheduled up until 2026. This means that construction of most vessels on order will start in the next two years, when buyers will start to pay the remaining ship price. MSI is currently expecting to see an increase in cancellations amid rising interest rates and … Continue reading Shipyards face cancellations over weak freight market and interest rates →

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27 June 2022MSI

2020 was problematic for shipping!

In general, the markets have bounced back exceptionally well, with perhaps the exception of crude and chemical tankers outlines MSI’s MD Dr Adam Kent at MM NYC. Read more at gcaptain

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

24 May 2022MSI

May favours product tankers as politics and policy cloud market picture

Product tankers are in the spotlight as recovering demand meets constrained supply and crude trades recalibrate to new geopolitical realities. A combination of geopolitics and COVID policy is colliding with rising demand for oil products to sustain the extreme volatility seen in tanker markets in Q2 22, writes MSI Director Tim Smith. Read more in Splash247.com

ChemicalOil Tanker

3 May 2022MSI

MSI adds environmental benchmarking tool to HORIZON vessel data platform

MSI has added a new tool, Environmental Credentials, to its FMV output, enabling users to understand the performance of their vessels and fleets – and those of their competitors. The new service provides estimated ratings against the International Maritime Organization’s EEXI and CII regulations to 2026 and Annual Efficiency Ratios for 2020 and 2021 measured … Continue reading MSI adds environmental benchmarking tool to HORIZON vessel data platform →

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28 April 2022MSI

Vessel efficiency will be key to employability

Speaking to an audience of shipping finance specialists, Dr Adam Kent, MSI’s Managing Director, noted the boom in the container ship sector has been mainly supported by inefficiencies such as port congestion. It has been a driving force in the container ship and to some extent, the dry bulk sectors, with trade and tonne-miles only … Continue reading Vessel efficiency will be key to employability →

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28 April 2022MSI

Capes among the most exposed ship types with incoming EEXI legislation

Capesize owners are likely to be among the hardest hit when new Energy Efficiency Existing Index (EEXI) rules kick in on January 1 next year based on MSI’s new environmental benchmarking tool. Read more on Splash247.com

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20 April 2022MSI

Podcast: In Focus – Shipping markets and shipbuilding impact

MSI Director, James Frew, talks to The Maritime Podcast and puts the spotlight on the outlook for the shipping markets and shipbuilding, including the developing orderbook, alternative fuels and new ship types. Listen to the podcast here Seatrade Maritime

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8 April 2022MSI

Tanker trade growth seen rising 6% in 2022

GROWTH in product and crude tanker trades will rise by an average 6% in 2022, supported by vessels sailing longer distances in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to MSI. Crude import growth will come from North America, Europe, and north Asia regions. Read more in LloydsList

ChemicalOil Tanker

1 February 2022MSI

Chemical tankers looking good despite Chinese policies cutting imports

Research company MSI has a positive view of the sector as production outside China ramps up. Read more in TradeWinds

Chemical

24 November 2021MSI

How EEXI and CII will impact the S&P market

Decarbonisation programmes set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shipping’s regulatory body, will be one of the most difficult tasks for the industry in the coming years. This starts with the implementation of the EEXI, and CII criteria, all of which aim to reduce carbon intensity and will impact prices of the existing fleet. The … Continue reading How EEXI and CII will impact the S&P market →

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30 July 2021MSI

Getting the balance right on shipping’s GHG emissions reductions

Complying with IMO’s short-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy will not be easy, but non-mandatory measures will prove more challenging, write MSI’s David Jordan and Will Fray. Read more in Riviera

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

26 July 2021MSI

Regulation and market measures combine to reshape the shipping market- Foresight July 2021

As decarbonisation efforts, global regulation, along with the Poseidon Principles gather momentum after what has been a volatile year, even by the shipping industry’s standards, MSI thought it pertinent to publish some analysis looking at what we might achieve in the near-term.

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7 July 2021MSI

MSI adds Annual Efficiency Ratio values to MSI HORIZON platform

‘ “The Poseidon Principles AER trajectories are a market measure not a regulation but their alignment with IMO goals makes them an important measure of success in shipping’s decarbonisation efforts,” says Dr Adam Kent, Managing Director, MSI. ‘ Read more in Hellenic Shipping News

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6 July 2021MSI

MSI urges Poseidon Principles to adjust efficiency calculations

Shipping research company Maritime Strategies International (MSI) said there is a “pressing” need to adjust the ship energy efficiency calculations used by major banks under the Poseidon Principles. Read more in TradeWinds

ChemicalContainershipDry BulkLNG

5 July 2021MSI

Less than one in two ships comply with the annual efficiency ratio created by the Poseidon Principles

UK consultants Maritime Strategies International (MSI) has added annual efficiency ratio (AER) calculations used in the Poseidon Principles to its Horizon platform … Read more here

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