More than 25 German-flagged vessels, including two cruise ships with 7,000 passengers, are reportedly trapped in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing crisis in the region.

Shipping companies tell vessels to steer clear of Gulf  Kuwait Times

Dozens of ships sailing under the Dutch flag or owned by Dutch shipping companies are struggling to leave the Persian Gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran, a near standstill in traffic through t

Major shipping companies have suspended navigation through the Gulf, citing the constantly changing security situation in the Middle East, The Guardian reports.

BIMCO, representing global shipping companies, is examining new clauses to clarify the regulatory framework for biofuels and the application of the European Emissions Trading System (ETS).

An attack on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly by a naval drone, killed a crew member and caused oil prices to rise, leading leading shipping companies to suspend traffic and reduce passage by 70%.

How the US-Israeli attacks on Iran affect SA travellers to and from Middle East  Daily Maverick

Crisis meetings at German shipping companies after attack on Iran +++ OPEC apparently wants to expand oil production more strongly +++ Rosneft Germany remains under federal trusteeship +++ News…

Two major shipping groups suspended navigation through the Gulf as conflict flared between the United States, Israel and Iran, piling onto a growing maritime slowdown in the region.

Ship Orders From South Korea Are Surging Thanks To U.S. Fees On Chinese-Made Ships South Korea is tightening the race with China in global shipbuilding after U.S. plans to curb Chinese-built vessels disrupted order flows and redirected demand , according to Nikkei.  Worldwide new orders fell 27% in 2025 to 56.42 million compensated gross tonnage (CGT) — the first annual drop in two years — according to U.K.-based Clarksons Research. China remained No. 1 but saw orders tumble 35% to 35.36 million CGT, shrinking its share to 62.7%. South Korea, ranked second, moved the other way: orders climbed 8% to 11.59 million CGT, lifting its share to 20.6%. Japan, in third, recorded a 53% plunge to 2.77 million CGT, with its slice slipping to 4.9%. The shift followed a U.S. announcement last April outlining fees on Chinese-built ships entering American ports starting in October 2025. Although the policy was delayed for a year after a U.S.-China summit in late October, uncertainty had already prompted global shipping companies to hesitate on new Chinese orders. A unit of China State Shipbuilding Corp. said it was disadvantaged in contract talks last summer, opening the door for South Korean yards to win more large container ship deals. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering cited weaker demand for Chinese shipyards as a key reason for its recent surge in orders. Nikkei writes that the company posted record results for the year ended December: revenue rose 17% to roughly 29 trillion won ($20.1 billion), while net profit doubled to about 3 trillion won. Government-backed workforce initiatives have also supported the industry. Seoul opened a training center in Indonesia in 2024 to prepare skilled workers, including Korean language instruction, before dispatching them to local yards. Shipbuilders have raised wages and introduced AI tools to ease labor strain. Foreign employment in South Korea’s shipbuilding sector hit a record 22,824 at the end of 2024 — about four times the level five years earlier — with foreigners making up more than 20% of the workforce. Japan, meanwhile, has struggled to capture orders shifting away from China. Data from the Japan Ship Exporters' Association show export contracts in 2025 fell 20% to 8.93 million gross tons, marking a fourth straight year of decline. Limited yard capacity, slipways booked through around 2029, and labor shortages have constrained growth and pushed up costs. Looking ahead, global demand is expected to rebound in 2026 as stricter environmental rules accelerate orders for vessels powered by next-generation fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has set a 2026 order target of $23.3 billion, up 26% from this year, citing steady demand for new builds and fleet replacements. China is working to regain momentum. In December, Cosco Group placed 50 billion yuan ($7.23 billion) in orders with China State Shipbuilding Corp., underscoring coordinated support among state-owned enterprises. Japan is also attempting a reset. Imabari Shipbuilding recently completed its acquisition of Japan Marine United to streamline operations. The government aims to double domestic shipbuilding capacity to 18 million gross tons by 2035, seeking to narrow the wide gap with South Korea and China. Tyler Durden Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:00

The ongoing conflict in Iran, particularly attacks from Yemen, is once again threatening container ship traffic in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, but paradoxically, this situation is securing profits for shipping companies.

Though the conflict is centered on the Persian Gulf, shipping companies fear that the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen could resume attacks on vessels in the Red Sea hundreds of miles to the west.

Major global shipping companies have already announced the suspension of using the Strait of Hormuz. One-fifth of the world's oil production could be at stake.

Two major shipping companies on Saturday suspended navigation through the Gulf as conflict flared between the U.S., Israel and Iran, resulting in a growing maritime slowdown in the...

Shares of Greek shipping companies are experiencing a significant surge in the US market, driven by robust global tanker freight rates that are boosting cash flows and valuations.