Geopolitical disruption in shipping has reached new heights in the first half of 2025 and Maritime Strategies International examine the impact on markets and what is the outlook ahead.

The first half of the year has seen shipping markets impacted by President Trump’s tariffs, the United States Trade Representative 301 investigation into Chinese shipbuilding, conflict in the Middle East, and ongoing sanctions and war in Ukraine.

The Seatrade Maritime Podcast takes stock of movements in shipping markets over the first six months of 2025 and looks ahead at expectations for the remainder of the year.

In this latest shipping markets outlook episode we are joined by analysts from Maritime Strategies International (MSI) to take a look at the outlook for containers, tankers, dry bulk, and shipbuilding in the second half of the year.

Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand discusses the outlook for shipping markets with Adam Kent, Daniel Richards, Will Fray, and Tim Smith from MSI.

Setting the scene Adam says, “It's been yet another busy six months from a shipping market perspective, and I think there's even more moving parts now that we're having to grapple with, and these come on top of the ones that we have the start of the year.”

Hear from the experts on their opinions about where different sectors are headed and learn about key trends impacting major sectors including:

• The impact of US President Trump’s on/off tariffs on the container shipping market
• Weak Chinese dry bulk demand and is China still the engine of growth for the sector?
• The impact of OPEC+ supply increases on demand in the tanker market
• How much do Korean and Japanese shipbuilders stand to gain from USTR fees on Chinese built and owned ships called US ports?

Get ahead on the outlook for shipping in the second half of 2025 by listening to the full episode now

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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/

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The good and bad of the drive to electrification, drug smuggling and the worrying trend of crew criminalisation, and security threats to major sealanes.

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 June, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.

Hear more about:

• ONE signs first European shore power deal in Hamburg
• Crew evacuated from Zodiac car carrier after electric vehicle fire
• Intercargo warns of security risks as bulker safety improves
• Alarm as crew criminalisation on the rise
• Port of LA volumes impacted by on-off tariffs
• What would happen if the Strait of Hormuz closed?
• Seafarer suicides exceed fatal accidents at sea
• Wan Hai 503 fire and the need to provide ports of refuge
• Wan Hai 503 - the burning questions

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

Bangkok-based ship manager Highland Maritime is working with local universities to hire female cadets.

In this episode we are in conversation with Andrew Airey, Managing Director of Highland Maritime.

Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand explores the world crewing and management in Thailand with Andrew.

A key focus of their discussion is how Highland Maritime is partnering with universities in Thailand to encourage young female engineering graduates to take up a career at sea through cadetships with the Bangkok-based ship manager.

The conversation covers:

• Ship management and crewing in Thailand
• Language barriers and training
• Working with universities to bring in female cadets
• The integration of female crew
• The advantages of diversity on board ship
• Carbon capture technology in shipping
• Future plans for Highland Maritime

Listen to the full conversation to learn about all these topics and much more

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

How 10 questions to seafarers on SurveyMonkey turned into a bellwether on the state of crew welfare.

In this latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast we focus on the Seafarers Happiness Index and how it has grown into a key measure for the state of crew welfare in the industry.

Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand talks to index founder Steven Jones, as well as Ben Bailey, Director of Programme at the Mission to Seafarers about their involvement.

The discussion covers:

• What is the Seafarers Happiness Index?
• The genesis of the index
• How the Mission to Seafarers became involved in the index
• How do you measure happiness at sea?
• The importance of giving seafarers a voice
• Corporate partnerships and their impact
• The future of the Seafarers Happiness Index

Listen to the full episode now

Will shipping return to the Red Sea and Suez Canal with US and Houthi ceasefire? Promoting an inclusive workforce in shipping, and transforming logistics with AI and humanoid robotics.

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 May, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.

Hear more about:

Maersk’s posts $1.3 bn Q1 profit, geopolitical tensions cloud outlook

Houthi Red Sea truce could have profound impact on shipping

Cashew nut shell biofuel: ‘just don’t do it’

Stricken Maersk Sana continues to ‘drift safely’ in western Atlantic

Inclusive workforce will be ‘a matter of sustainability’

Revolutionising logistics with AI and humanoid robots

Ballast water system failure sank MSC ship: Indian authorities

US court tariff ruling cements volatility into shipping trades

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:

• 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 this latest episode we are in conversation with Mike Salthouse, Head of External Affairs for P&I Club NorthStandard, talking about the complexities of sanctions affecting the maritime industry.

A discussion with Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand explores the implications of the latest UK sanctions, the rise of the parallel fleet in response to these restrictions, and other developments in enforcement.

The conversation also touches on the evolving risk landscape in the Red Sea following recent ceasefire between the US and the Houthi in Yemen.

Tune in to gain insights into how shipowners and operators navigate this challenging environment.

Topics covered in the episode include:

• Impact of sanctions on shipping
• Understanding the parallel fleet
• Recent UK sanctions and due diligence
• Enforcement of sanctions in Europe
• The situation in Iran and oil exports
• Sanctions as a tool of foreign policy
• Risk assessment in the Red Sea

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 ​pace ​of ​change ​in ​shipping ​creates ​challenges ​to ​ensure ​contracts ​are ​up ​to ​date ​and ​relevant.

The ​latest ​chat ​about ​geopolitics ​and ​trade ​episode ​of ​the ​Seatrade Maritime ​Podcast features Stinne Taiger Ivø, Deputy Secretary General & Director of Contracts of BIMCO.

Host Punit Oza, Founder ​of ​Maritime ​NXT ​talks ​to Stinne ​about ​developing ​new ​contracts ​and ​ensuring ​commercially ​workable ​solutions in a volatile environment.

The episode covers:

• The role of BIMCO and its historical evolution
• An overview of the Document Committee
• The contract development process
• Geopolitical challenges
• Future skills for students

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

For the latest news on the shipping and maritime industries, make sure you visit www.searade-maritime.com and subscribe to our newsletter.

Follow Punit Oza:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/punit-oza-fics-afni-llb-m-sc-6149893/

Shore leave for seafarers in danger of extinction, managing your supply chain in times of disruption, and MEPC falls short of IMO decarbonisation ambitions.

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 March, with their highlights from the news in maritime and shipping, from the biggest stories to those that simply piqued their interest.

Hear more about:

Shore leave eroded and in danger of extinction

Demand for alternative fuelled engines and regulatory uncertainty

CMA Commodores see opportunities in market adjustments

Podcast: Managing supply chains in times of disruption

MEPC 83 agrees to fall short of IMO decarbonisation ambitions

USTR publishes proposed fees for Chinese ships

CMB.Tech and Golden Ocean sign merger term sheet

Tariffs bring swift refocus of supply chains on Southeast Asia

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