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 →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipCruise
18 June 2026MSI

Weaponized waterways unsettle grain freight

In their recently published book, “How to Win a Trade War,” the Financial Times economics columnist Soumaya Keynes and the Peterson Institute’s Chad Bown explained how governments and companies should fight the trade conflicts that have become a permanent feature of the global economy. In the current shipping climate, though, a more fitting title might have been … Continue reading Weaponized waterways unsettle grain freight →

Dry Bulk
18 June 2026MSI

Anchor-handler scarcity leads to record high North Sea rates

Changes are taking place in the OSV market in the North Sea as the number of high-spec anchor-handling tug/supply (AHTS) vessels declines, partly because of demand elsewhere, partly because of a dearth of newbuilds, and partly because of a contraction in the number of owners of specialized tonnage. Figures provided by Maritime Strategies International (MSI) … Continue reading Anchor-handler scarcity leads to record high North Sea rates →

OffshoreOSV Anchor HandlerOSV Platform Supply
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? →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
4 June 2026MSI

Structural risks on the horizon in Middle East offshore industry

A combination of contract terminations, spiralling insurance costs and the threat to EPC projects are creating a complex combination of risk for offshore operators in the Middle East as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz In its latest Horizon Monthly Offshore report, MSI notes that, whilst contract terminations for rigs have … Continue reading Structural risks on the horizon in Middle East offshore industry →

EnergyMODU Jack-Up RigOffshoreOSV Anchor Handler
3 June 2026MSI

Gulf disruption drives divergence between oil tanker earnings and cargo

Spot earnings in market segments less exposed to the Middle East have already taken a distinctive downturn and large tankers are likely to follow if cargo levels drop, says research firm MSI. “In segments less exposed to the Middle East, such as Aframaxes and MRs, spot earnings have already taken a distinctive downturn and are … Continue reading Gulf disruption drives divergence between oil tanker earnings and cargo →

Oil Tanker
3 June 2026MSI

Geared bulker values surge on robust demand for modern vessels

Firm earnings and shipyards focussed on tankers have pushed five-year-old Ultramax values above newbuildings and equivalent-age Kamsarmaxes. The latest HORIZON Monthly Dry Bulk Report from MSI notes that since the middle of 2025, bulker asset values have been steadily on the rise, with particularly notable gains seen within the Handymax segment (45-70k Dwt). Over the … Continue reading Geared bulker values surge on robust demand for modern vessels →

Dry Bulk
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 →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
8 May 2026MSI

Global Containership Orderbook Surpasses 13 Million TEU

The bulk of the new capacity is scheduled for delivery in 2028, a year for which confirmed orders already total 5.2 million TEU, leaving very limited remaining delivery slots available. The container market is also dealing with events in the Middle East. However, compared with the tanker or bulk carrier markets, the container market has … Continue reading Global Containership Orderbook Surpasses 13 Million TEU →

Containership
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 →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
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? →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk