TradeWinds Wavelength

In this week’s episode:Shipowner groups implore the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization to stop Iran from imposing a toll on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and point to the fear of the practice spreading. But will it and what would it cost? Read more: Shipowners unite against domino effect of Strait of Hormuz tollsRead more: Iran and Oman agree transport plan for Strait of HormuzChina has brought its Arctic information services into one portal for its shipping community. It includes route services through the Northern Sea Route and how to liaise with Russia on transits.What does this mean and will it have an impact on Arctic policy in other countries and on other trade routes?Read more: China quietly strengthens its Arctic shipping toolkitRead more: Russian tankers dodge multiple flash points as they head for Northern Sea RouteProducer and host: Craig EasonAdditional reporting: Paul Peachey, Huaqing Ma and Yannick GuerryA TradeWinds/DN Media podcast

In this week's episode:Shipping is beset with growing risks as Houthis intensify maritime risks in the Red Sea as July because one of the most intensive months for attacks. To dissect what's been happening risk assessment experts Nick Maddalena and Rob Peters at Ambrey join podcast host Craig Eason in the studio.Read more: Owners who pay Iran’s Strait of Hormuz toll face losing insuranceRead more: Iran ‘seizes’ damaged Dynacom tanker hit by fire in Strait of HormuzRead more: Saudi tanker on fire after being hit by projectile as Houthis strike in Red SeaRead more: Seafarer killed and tanker on fire as Ukraine bombs two shipsAnd shipping is facing a revamp of the European emission trading system. However this time there's a lot for owners and operators to be happy about. Craig talks to Sotiris Raptis, secretary general at European Shipowners, ECSA, about the carrots being offered and how there could be much more cash now for decarbonisation, though not enough for energy efficiency.And what about the alignment of Europe with the IMO?There's also the toothless legal clause in the ETS directive about sharing the costs between owners and charterers that legal researchers say needs to be addressed.Read more: ETS revamp could see millions pumped into European shippingProduction and host: Craig EasonAdditional reporting: Yannick GuerryA TradeWinds/DN Media podcast

The ceasefire in the Middle East Gulf is over and Iranian forces appear to be attacking merchant vessels even further afield than previously. TradeWinds reporter Matt Coyne tells us how vessel traffic is responding. Read more: US boards VLCC as fighting reignites in GulfMiddle East Gulf tanker shuttle service slows as Iran-US trade blowsThree-quarters of ships in Strait of Hormuz go dark as missiles rain downThe master of a dark fleet tanker is being criminally prosecuted in London for breaching UK sanctions on Russia – the first case of its kind. TradeWinds' Paul Peachey is back from the courtroom with this report.Read more: Master of tanker accused of sanctions busting has trial date set for DecemberCaptain of shadow fleet tanker seized in the Mediterranean released by FranceAll the cool stuff comes out of Copenhagen these days – including maritime finance. TradeWinds' Nordic finance lead Jonas Walgard is back from Denmark to tell us how the sector is evolving, with remarks from Danish Ship Finance CEO Kristian Skovmand.Read more: Danske Bank’s shipping book expands as it takes ‘larger bite out of the market’ financeZeaside Capital targets bigger tankers as platform strategy takes shapeNewbuildings and new customers to drive ‘solid growth’, says Nordea global shipping bossAnd MPC Container Ships is getting into bigger boxships. Ian Lewis speaks to CEO Constantin Baack about what that means for the firm. Read more: MPC Container is following the market, not changing course, says Constantin BaackProduction and host: Holly Birkett.Additional reporting: Matt Coyne, Paul Peachey, Jonas Walsgard, Ian Lewis and Yannick Guerry.A TradeWinds/DN Media podcast  

Not even a month after the Strait of Hormuz "re-opened", President Trump has said he considers the ceasefire with Iran to be "OVER!" in the Middle East Gulf.Vessel traffic in the Gulf has responded to the more risky environment. TradeWinds reporter Matt Coyne is here to round up what has been happening.Read more: Ships steer clear of Omani route through Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran deal collapsesTrump says US has agreed to talks with Iran — but ceasefire still ‘OVER!Meanwhile, the northern hemisphere is HOT. El Nino has arrived, according to US authorities, and water levels are falling in major shipping waterways around the world. All eyes are, of course, on the Panama Canal. Ian Lewis joins us to talk about how container lines are passing extra costs on to customers and what we might see next.Read more: How low-water surcharges are becoming the new normal for container shippingPanama Canal braced for El Nino impact as vital waterway cuts lock draught limitsWhy China’s coal surge matters for panamax bulker ownersTradeWinds' gas expert Lucy Hine has spoken to top management at shipowner BW LNG about a new vessel design that could make shipping gas even more efficient. She is here with a snippet from this week's long-form Wavelength Plus podcast.Read more: LNG carriers: Four tanks good, three tanks — even better, BW LNG saysAnd finally, why does shipping — a 'people business' — enjoy a challenge so much? TradeWinds' editor-in-chief Julian Bray tells us about his trip to Barcelona for le grand départ of the Tour de France, and whether the power of 'alternative networking' is behind the rise of shipping businesses sponsoring sports teams and sometimes even buying them. But will shipping ever kick the booze?Read more: Tour de France reveals how cycling truly is ‘the new golf’Shipping teams take on 24 Peaks Challenge for The Seafarers’ CharityProduction and host: Holly Birkett.Additional reporting: Matt Coyne, Ian Lewis, Lucy Hine, Julian Bray and Yannick Guerry.A TradeWinds/DN Media podcast  

In this week’s episode: TradeWinds has reported on sanctioned tankers often flying false flags, but perhaps none so brazenly as those pretending to fly under the Norwegian International Register. TradeWinds’ Matt Coyne looks at what this means and why it is happening.Read more: Sanctioned tanker tycoon turns to false Norwegian flagShipping is now included in the UK’s emission trading scheme and and any vessel over 5,000 gt is included. TradeWinds talks to Lloyd’s Register and the UK Chamber of Shipping about the impact. Read more: Any large ship calling at a UK port set to fall into new emissions trading schemeShipping researchers at UCL have devised a unique tool to help create a future risk score for tonnage to give financiers and charterers a better understanding of shipowners tonnage. UCL’s Professor Tristan Smith offers the insights. Read more: Climate researchers roll out risk scorecard tool for commercial ship financeProduction and host: Craig EasonAdditional reporting: Yannick Guerry, Matt CoyneA TradeWinds/DN Media podcast

In this weeks episode:The situation with the Strait of Hormuz remains as confusing as ever, yet despite talks of evacuation corridors and new attacks vessels have been transitingRead more: After the attack: How shipping is navigating fragile Strait of HormuzRead more: Day of violence and threats in Strait of Hormuz as Iran turns back five tankersThe day of the seafarer is a day of celebration of an important role, but with so much to point to how seafarers get treated there is more that needs to be done.Sascha Meijer, new secretary general at seafarer union Nautilus International has a few ideas.We also have an audio postcard from one seafarer to show it is not all bad news.Read more: Stop reinventing the wheel: Union chief on seafarer crisesRead more: Try accused crews in their home countries, union and lawyer urgeUS gears up to make its shipbuilding and shipping industry great (again)Read more: More Senate Republicans join team behind Ships for America ActRead more: Trump’s maritime bill revealed: Much-anticipated legislative proposal handed to US Congress

It's what shipping has been waiting for since early March: the Strait of Hormuz is re-opening to vessel traffic, following a temporary peace deal signed between the US and Iran this week.The reporters who have been leading TradeWinds' coverage of the conflict — Harry Papachristou, Matt Coyne and Paul Peachey — are here to round up what it will mean for traffic, trade and safety going forward.Read more: Mine spotted in Strait of Hormuz as ship traffic climbsChubb turns to London after failure of $40bn Strait of Hormuz insurance projectUS fully lifts Iran blockade, as Tehran promises swift Hormuz transit handlingTradeWinds' gas expert Lucy Hine is here to talk to us about how Russia is growing its shadow fleet of LNG Carriers and why now.Read more: Russia adds sixth LNG carrier buy of 2026 to its burgeoning shadow fleetRussia poised to deliver second home-grown Arc7 LNG carrier newbuildingAnd after pounding the pavement in New York this week, TradeWinds' finance chief Joe Brady is here to tell us what we can expect after another failed move by Diana Shipping to take over Genco Shipping. Plot twist: could Diana become the acquisition target?Read more: Genco Shipping repels Diana advances in clean-sweep shareholders voteProduction and host: Holly Birkett.Additional reporting: Harry Papachristou, Matt Coyne, Paul Peachey, Lucy Hine, Joe Brady and Yannick Guerry.A TradeWinds/DN Media podcast  

In this episode of TradeWinds’ Wavelength podcast, we look at the spate of attacks by US forces on merchant vessels in the Middle East Gulf region in recent days, including missile strikes which have led to the deaths of seafarers.The attacks have come from all sides as Iran, the US, Russia and Ukraine target shipping, adding heightened risks, but for some hefty rewards.TradeWinds risk correspondent Paul Peachey and reporter Gary Dixon look at the latest attacks and what they mean for shipping.Read more:Ship hit in Strait of Hormuz as Trump talks up peace prospectsUS confirms strike on third Indian-linked tanker off OmanOnassis VLCC sailed for four days with Iranian missile lodged in fuel tankContainer shipping is having a bumper second quarter. We hear from Hapag-Lloyd chief executive Rolf Haben Jansen on how and why, and TradeWinds’ Ian Lewis looks to the near future with a warning.Read more: Hapag-Lloyd chief: Strong demand driving tight container shipping marketThe Sea Cargo Charter signatories published their annual emissions reduction report, benchmarking against the International Maritime’s net-zero trajectory. The gap has not got much smaller.Read more: Sea Cargo Charter emissions reduction stagnates under pressure of global frictionsNorwegian owner Eitzen consolidates tech subsidiary Zen and orders the first fully electric shortsea container vessels.Read more: Eitzen orders electric powered boxship pairProduction and host: Craig EasonAdditional reporting: Paul Peachey, Gary Dixon, Ian Lewis, Matt Coyne and Yannick GuerryA TradeWinds/DN Media podcast