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 not 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?

In the first episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast for 2026 you will hear from Maritime Strategies International (MSI) analysts Adam Kent, Daniel Richards, Will Fray, and Tim Smith. They will be covering the macro-outlook for shipping as whole and then drilling down into the individual markets of container shipping, dry bulk, tankers, and shipbuilding.

Find out the MSI team’s views on:

1. On when container shipping might fully return to the Red Sea
2. Will the container ship newbuilding order boom finally slow down in 2026?
3. Whether the dry bulk shipping upturn will continue or are we headed for a Q1 seasonal lull?
4. The drivers for dry bulk shipping demand in 2026
5. How an oversupply of crude oil will impact the tanker market
6. The impact of geopolitical events on the tanker sector
7. Will the newbuilding boom continue for shipyards in 2026 and which sectors are likely to be ordering?
8. Can anyone challenge China's dominance of global shipbuilding?

To hear the answers to these questions and much more listen to the episode now.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads.

For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com.

Connect with Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/

Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

US seizes tankers of Venezuela, plenty of options for Zim, and find out what was the most read story on Seatrade Maritime News in 2025.

These are just some of the stories that are covered in the latest episode of Maritime in Minutes.

Seatrade Maritime News’ Marcus Hand and Gary Howard reflect on the month of December, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.

Hear more about:

VLCC newbuild pair to get Norsepower sails

Houthis release 10 seafarers from the Eternity C

US seizes VLCC Skipper off Venezuela

Cash stockpile gives Zim options for its future

Premier Alliance quietly shifting to hub and spoke network

Maersk completes first Red Sea transit in nearly two years

Most read story on Seatrade Maritime News in 2025

Listen to the full episode now to catch up on December in maritime and shipping

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads.

For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com

Connect with Marcus Hand:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/

Connect with Gary Howard:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaryLeeHoward
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyleehoward/

Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

In the latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast, Emma Howell, Content Director at Seatrade Maritime News speaks to Women in Ports CEO Raj Kehal about her journey from the Port of London Authority to founding Women in Ports in 2024. The interview goes in-depth on Women in Ports as an organisation, its objectives, methods, and the importance of collaboration with organisations like WISTA.

The conversation covers:

• Kehal's background and the inspiration to start Women in Ports
• The formation of the organisation and its initial challenges
• Collaboration and the building of the Women in Ports team
• Addressing gender imbalance and structural issues in the ports sector
• Confidence-building and training initiative
• Future plans, expansion, and upcoming projects in 2026

The return of Somali piracy, find out what is the most violated seafarer regulation, and the cause of the Dali and Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore.

These are just some of the stories that are covered in the latest episode of Maritime in Minutes.

Seatrade Maritime News’ Marcus Hand and Gary Howard reflect on the month of November, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.

Hear more about:

Pirates fire on tanker Stolt Sagaland in attempted hijacking off Somalia

MSC surpasses 7m teu in fleet capacity milestone

Heavyweight shipowners call for decarbonisation pragmatism

Seafarers routinely have to falsify work and rest hours

Shipping investors cough up $35m for FEET

Loose wire led to Dali destroying Baltimore Key Bridge: NTSB

Fire stricken ONE container ship towed to anchorage in Port of LA

Maersk moves towards Suez transit return

Listen to the full episode now to catch up on November in maritime and shipping

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads.

For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com

Connect with Marcus Hand:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/

Connect with Gary Howard:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaryLeeHoward
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyleehoward/

Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

This latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast is the final part in a series of three focusing on major international companies with a strong footprint in the Chinese market.

In this episode we will take a dive into the world of offshore vessel design with Edwin van Leeuwen, Managing Director at Ulstein Designs and Solutions.

In a conversation with Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand we explore the complexities of creating specialised vessels for marine operations, the significance of the Chinese shipbuilding market, and the innovative technologies that shape the future of maritime engineering.

Edwin shares insights on current projects, the shift towards sustainable practices in vessel design, and the importance of collaboration between designers, shipyards, and clients.

The conversation includes:

• Meet Edwin Van Leeuwen
• Discussion of unique vessel designs
• The importance of the Chinese Market
• An overview of current projects
• The shift to sustainability
• Expectations for Marintec China 2025

Listen to the full episode now

This latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast is the second in a series of three focusing on major international companies with a strong footprint in the Chinese market.

You’ll be hearing from Focus on China with Alf Kare Adnanes from ABB Marine & Ports about the meeting the demands for electrification and hybrid propulsion.

The conversation with Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand takes a deep dive into the world of electrification and hybrid propulsion and new developments from ABB Marine & Ports.

You will hear about:

• The key products of ABB Marine & Ports
• New developments with propulsion and DP2 packages
• The importance of the Chinese market
• Hybridisation of propulsion
• Market outlook
• Expectations of Marintec China 2025

Listen to the full episode now

This latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast is the first in a series of three focusing on major international companies with a strong footprint in the Chinese market.

You will be hearing from Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President, Head of Two-Stroke Business at Everllence, formerly MAN Energy Solutions, about the company’s rebranding and focus on decarbonisation.

Bjarne shares insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by new low and zero carbon fuels, including methanol and ammonia, and their implications for ship technology and infrastructure.

The conversation explores the evolution of marine engines and the significant role of the Chinese market in shaping the future of shipping.

The discussion covers:

• The Everllence rebrand
• The importance of the Chinese market
• A discussion on dual fuel engines
• Methanol and ammonia fuel developments
• The future outlook and Marintec China 2025

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to ensure you don't miss our latest uploads.

For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, visit www.searade-maritime.com.

Connect with Marcus Hand, Editor of Seatrade Maritime News:

• Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcushand1
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hand-b00a317/

Don't forget to join the conversation and let us know what topics you want us to cover in future on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn

The latest episode of Seatrade Maritime Podcast focuses on women in maritime and the recent WISTA AGM in Barcelona.

Emma Howell, Content Director at Seatrade Trade Maritime News,talks to Elpi Petraki, President, WISTA International and Louise Proctor,Deputy Director, Planning & Programming, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO.

They discuss the WISTA AGM addressing themes of diversity, progress, and the challenges facing the industry today.

Among the topics covered in the conversation are:

• Overview of the WISTA International AGM
• Louise's experience at the AGM
• Elpi’s insights on industry challenges
• Discussion about the Women in Maritime survey results
• The IMO WISTA Maritime Speakers Bureau
• Key takeaways from the AGM
• Future of WISTA International events

Listen to the full episode now