Geopolitical developments, politely called “exogenous factors” have a funny way of creeping up on shipping people, and, sometimes, but not always, impacting trade flows in ways not envisioned only a few days earlier.
The ban of Qatar vessels from many ports in the Middle East region could impact the VLCC market according to Affinity Research.
Euronav has sold one of its oldest VLCC named Ti Topaz for $21m, leading to a capital loss of $21m, an amount similar to the sale price.
Kongsberg believes autonomous vessels will be a “real opportunity” for shortsea shipping as it develops the first autonomous electric vessel with Yara.