Geopolitical instability puts seafarer welfare under pressure

With available ship recycling tonnage scarce, leading recyclers are offering attractive prices, says the vice-president and green recycling coordinator for cash buyer Wirana. For the longer term, he reflects on some regulatory developments likely to reach conclusions in the coming months

THERE’S been quite a bit more optimism around nuclear power. There is hope that next-gen small modular reactors made on a shipyard-based assembly line will enable fast, zero-emissions shipping, with far less refuelling. The US government is getting behind this in a big way. Its Department of Transport has signed a deal with British start-up Core Power to come up with a framework for nuclear merchant ships, including the potential for specialist nuclear shipyards. The Port of Houston is looking at floating nuclear power, and the energy department is looking into all sorts of future maritime applications. None of this is about decarbonisation; energy dominance is the new buzzword. But there are still big questions about whether nuclear can succeed. Joining Declan to discuss the viability of nuclear shipping are: Mikal Bøe, chief executive, Core Power Farah Bziker, research fellow, University College London Professor Stephen Thomas, emeritus professor of energy policy, University of Greenwich

International insecurity is placing seafarer welfare under increasing pressure. This podcast, featuring London P&I, outlines risks and priorities for owners, clubs and crews

Container shipping’s orderbook looks significant, tanker contracting is rising again and dry bulk is becoming more top-heavy — but Lloyd’s List markets editor Rob Willmington says the headline numbers only tell part of the story

Data lies behind virtually all decisions and calculations related to vessel performance, yet errors can easily creep in, says Selin Sari, a product manager at StormGeo. In this podcast, she explores where data quality can go wrong and why getting the data right is critical to making better performance and commercial decisions. She also considers the role of AI and human expertise in interpreting vessel performance data

Record premiums, softening rates and war risk dominated debate at IUMI 2026, and Lloyd’s List’s marine insurance editor David Osler was there to find out whether there’s more to the eye-catching numbers being discussed

Any company planning to incorporate AI into its operations should start with a clear plan and set of objectives, Ben Thurecht, chief technology officer at maritime freight management solution provider Veson Nautical, advises in this podcast

WEATHER risk is increasing for shipping. In part one of this episode, we highlighted some particular hotspots to watch out for in the near-term future and laid out how more regions of the globe will be affected by changing weather in the long-term future. This week, Lloyd’s List senior reporter Joshua Minchin asks how stakeholders can mitigate their risk and avoid being disrupted by weather affecting sites a few links up or down the supply chain. Joining Joshua on this week’s podcast are: Mike Yarwood, managing director – loss prevention, TT Club Eirik Hooper, senior associate – ports and terminals, Drewry Shipping Consultants Drew Lerner, founder, World Weather

As chief executive of international towage and marine services company Svitzer, Kasper Friis Nilaus has identified opportunities to improve performance at many ports where the company operates. In this podcast, he shares his ideas for achieving greater efficiency

This episode of the Lloyd’s List Podcast is brought to you by Veson ASK the compliance team of a major shipping company what the biggest risk to their business is and they might say its sanctions. Ask the security officer and they’ll likely say geopolitical uncertainty and conflict. But ask the operations manager and they might give you a different answer: the weather. Weather risk is something that is assessed by people working hard in shipping offices and on board vessels all over the world, but it has been catapulted into the headlines in recent months amid drought in Europe and a so-called “Super El Nino” phenomenon currently unfolding across the Pacific. How is extreme weather affecting the way vessels operate? What can we expect from El Nino in the coming months? Should we be braced for low water levels across river systems in the future? Joining Joshua on this week’s episode are: Drew Lerner, founder, World Weather Chris Aversano, partnership lead, Wood Mackenzie Eirik Hooper, senior associate ports and terminals, Drewry