Dealing with freight rate volatility in today’s markets

IN today’s episode, we're diving into one of the most significant transformations in modern shipping: how geopolitical tensions and supply chain realignments are altering maritime trade routes. From the implementation of tit-for-tat port fees between the US and China to the rise of Southeast Asia as a manufacturing powerhouse, the shipping industry is navigating uncharted waters. Today, we'll hear from three industry leaders who are at the forefront of these changes. In an era where regulations increasingly link vessel nationality to cargo access, shipping’s hard‑won resilience is being tested as never before. But for those who can successfully navigate these changes, the question isn't whether they're temporary or permanent—it's whether they can adapt fast enough to turn chaos into opportunity. Joining APAC editor Cichen Shen on the podcast are: SK Lim, managing director Pacific, G2 Ocean Jayendu Krishna, head of Maritime Advisory, Drewry William Khoury, vice president of ports and terminals Southeast Asia, DP World

IN THIS episode of the Lloyd’s List podcast, Synergy chief executive Jesper Kristensen considers two significant and timely questions: where is maritime leadership heading and who will define it? He tackles them from both an individual and an industry standpoint before discussing whether attitudes outside shipping are now influencing the sector’s direction. In the current climate of global regulatory and trade changes, the shipping industry is extremely volatile, requiring its leaders to be rapid adapters; “we need to be capable of accepting that tomorrow is most probably not going to be like yesterday”, he says in this podcast.

In this podcast, Veson Nautical’s Chief Operating Officer Sean Riley shares his thoughts on current pressures on market volatility. It is not necessarily a bad thing, he says, especially if data is used properly to understand its causes and effects

This episode of the Lloyd's List Podcast was brought to you by Veson. Visit veson.com for more information. In just over a week’s time the International maritime Organization will take what could be one of the most consequential votes shipping’s history. At an extraordinary meeting of the Marine Environment protection Committee, IMO member states will vote on whether to formally adopt the net zero framework agreed at MEPC83 in April. A yes would see shipping adopt the world’s first legally binding carbon price. A no would undo years and years and work and dump the industry back where it started. Lloyd’s List senior reporter Declan Bush explains what will actually be voted on next weekand outlines the consequences of a yes vote, and perhaps more pertinently, what happens if the answer is no.

FIGURES from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime suggest the annual global value of laundered money is between $800bn and $2trn, representing between 2% and 5% of global GDP. Much of this money is cleaned through trade-based money laundering, where criminals disguise the proceeds of crime through trade transactions to legitimise their origin. When that money hits a bank account, its links to say a smuggling ring or drug cartel will be masked, and anyone that looks will instead be presented with a legitimate transaction, say for the sale of commodities. With 90% of global trade transported by sea, shipping companies find themselves in an unwanted position of vulnerability. It’s of course impossible to check every container and grain hold, but due diligence still has to be performed. If not, the consequences can be severe, from a loss of reputation to even legal ramifications.

Singapore literally would not exist without the shipping industry. In 1819 the East India Company reached agreement with the local ruler to use it as a waystation for vessels carrying opium to China. Five years later, it bought the entire country for cash. Two hundred years later, it would not be much of a stretch to describe it as a powerhouse port with a small southeast Asian city-state attached. But until last month, the International Union of Marine Insurance conference had not taken place there since 2004. Even then, Singapore’s standing in the maritime industries was undeniable. But at that point it remained an emerging market in marine insurance terms. As the 600-plus delegates who assembled for this year’s event were told, that is clearly no longer the case. It is now the fourth-largest hull market in the world. Its share of the global hull book now stands at 7.9%, leaving it just a fraction of a percentage point behind the once-almighty Lloyd’s. Nor is it the only Asian nation to see its marine insurance presence take a great leap forward. China is now writing around 12% of world hull premiums and must now be counted as a core market for H&M. It also writes 17% of cargo business, which is more than Lloyd’s and the London companies markets put together. The late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping - who died in 1997 - argued that the twenty-first century would be the Asian century. If marine insurance is anything to go by, he may have had a point. Joining David on the podcast are: Veith Huesmann, chief analyst, IUMI Sean Dalton, head of marine underwriting North America, Munich Re Alicia Leong, head of marine liabilities Asia, Markel Jun Lin, vice president, Gard

Why is the shadow fleet growing? Why do Chinese owners continue to sail their vessels through the Red Sea? And what happens if the International Maritime Organization does not adopt the Net-Zero Framework next month? In an age where uncertainty is simply part of doing business, Lloyd’s List gathered some of its expert analysts and journalists to brief selected guests on the key issues of the day during London International Shipping Week. Listen to the highlights of the event in this edition of the Lloyd’s List podcast. If you want to learn more, you can download the slides produced by our expert panel, featuring Lloyd’s List Intelligence data and figures. Featuring on this episode are: Richard Meade, editor-in-chief, Lloyd’s List Bridget Diakun, senior maritime risk analyst, Lloyd’s List Cichen Shen, APAC editor, Lloyd’s List Declan Bush, senior reporter, Lloyd’s List

On the final day of London International Shipping Week, Lloyd’s List reporter Joshua Minchin brings you the key takeaways from the week, alongside senior maritime reporter Greg Miller, maritime risk analyst Tomer Raanan and senior reporter Declan Bush. The three ask whether shipping could suffer from too much inefficiency, or at least the wrong kind anyway, and reflect on the policy uncertainty coming out of Washington at present. Plus, Declan offers his final take of the week on how the net zero framework will fare at next month’s extraordinary MEPC meeting. Will the US’ threats make any material difference at all?

Does shipping whinge too much? That’s the question Lloyd’s List senior reporter Joshua Minchin is asking on this edition of the daily reaction from London International Shipping Week, joined by editor-in-chief Richard Meade, APAC editor Cichen Shen, and senior risk and compliance analyst Bridget Diakun. Governments around the world, but particularly in the UK, are often criticised for being uninformed and unenthusiastic about the maritime industry. But former shipping minister and Core Power vice-president Baroness Vere argues the shipping industry doesn’t sell itself in the right way, and instead comes to politicians with complaints, rather than solutions. Elsewhere, Cichen reflects on conversations he’s had with the Cosco delegation in London this week, while Bridget explains why there is a feeling of helplessness surrounding the shadow fleet in the industry at the moment.

Day three of London International Shipping Week sees the circus descend on the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, which is playing host to the week’s headline conference. Lloyd’s List editor-in-chief Richard Meade, who moderated a session on decarbonisation, and senior reporters Joshua Minchin and Declan Bush were joined by Cargill Ocean Transportation president and chair of the Global Maritime Forum Jan Dieleman to reflect on the day’s discussions and ask whether next month’s crucial Net-Zero Framework vote would go through. Plus, Joshua asks whether shipping is suitably reassured by the several, passionate promises by military leaders this week that their forces are determined to protect shipping.