Blog

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
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 →

Car/TruckChemicalContainershipDry Bulk
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 →

Car/TruckChemicalContainer BoxContainership
1 April 2026MSI

Saudi’s Folk Maritime shifts India-Gulf service to Red Sea as Hormuz disruption bites

A report issued by MSI, argues that an optimistic base case scenario would see “naval support for partial passage through the SoH at 70% of the pre-war volume in Q2 before transits normalise in H2. “In this scenario, we see the near-term disruption and network inefficiencies mirroring, but falling short of, the dynamics seen in … Continue reading Saudi’s Folk Maritime shifts India-Gulf service to Red Sea as Hormuz disruption bites →

Containership
24 March 2026MSI

From theory to reality: scenario analysis for Strait of Hormuz tanker trades

MSI’s latest scenario modelling asks what happens to Gulf tanker trades when Strait of Hormuz access shifts from disruption to prolonged denial. The effect on tanker markets from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent retaliation, while extreme and spectacular, was somewhat predictable, with a rate spike following similar patterns to previous … Continue reading From theory to reality: scenario analysis for Strait of Hormuz tanker trades →

EnergyOil Tanker
20 March 2026MSI

LNG market facing years-long Qatari supply shortage following attacks

The world’s LNG supply outlook darkened sharply last night after Iran struck key gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, escalating the regional conflict and raising the prospect of prolonged disruption to one of the market’s most critical production hubs. The impact on shipping could be mitigated by more long-haul LNG trade from the … Continue reading LNG market facing years-long Qatari supply shortage following attacks →

EnergyLNG
2 March 2026MSI

Carriers hope blankings and post-CNY boost can bolster rates

“When viewed in aggregate, both Asia-North Europe and Asia-US west coast spot freight rates have fallen in the region of 15% over the past month. Most of this fall can be ascribed to seasonal trends around the lunar new year, although further rates declines are expected to be more heavily driven by overcapacity.” said analysts … Continue reading Carriers hope blankings and post-CNY boost can bolster rates →

Containership