International Maritime & Trade Finance Policy Council

Maritime Cargo Chronicles – January 10, 2026 The VLCC spot market for the key Middle East Gulf (including Oman) to China route (TD3C benchmark) remains volatile but firm into early 2026, supported by sustained long-haul demand, Chinese winter stockpiling, and constrained compliant tanker supply. Current Rates (as of early January 2026) : Spot TCE (Time Charter Equivalent) on AG-China: $80,000–$90,000 per day (down from December peaks of $100,000+ but still historically stro

Maritime Cargo Chronicles – January 10, 2026 The U.S. blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers has escalated significantly. On January 7, 2026, U.S. forces seized the MT Marinera , the fifth shadow fleet tanker intercepted since the total blockade began in December 2025. The vessel was carrying approximately 1.2 million barrels of Merey 16 crude. Key Developments: Over 50 tankers remain stalled in Venezuelan waters or Caribbean anchorages, unable to load or depart due to fear of s

**Maritime Breaking News – January 10, 2026** 1. **Suez Canal**: Transits remain ~60% below pre-crisis levels despite 100+ days without Houthi attacks. Carriers cautiously test the route (Maersk, CMA CGM), but full return delayed by insurance costs. 2. **Venezuela Blockade**: U.S. seizes fifth shadow fleet tanker (Marinera). 50+ vessels stalled, ~16M barrels stuck. Venezuela vows UN action. 3. **China Ports**: Shanghai/Ningbo-Zhoushan set 2025 records despite U.S. tariffs. 4.

Global shipping is experiencing a significant turnaround as Red Sea transits have surged by more than 35% in recent weeks. This increase brings traffic close to the levels seen before the Houthi crisis disrupted maritime routes. Major shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM have fully resumed using the Suez Canal, which has cut transit times by 10 to 12 days compared to the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. This shift is reshaping global trade patterns an

Russia Delivers First Domestically Built Arc7 LNG Carrier as Arctic Ambitions Advance Zvezda delivered its first domestically-built Arc7 LNG carrier (Sovcomflot) Maritime Cargo Chronicles (MCC) reports that Russia has marked a significant milestone in its shipbuilding and LNG transport ambitions with the delivery of its first domestically constructed Arc7 ice-class LNG carrier, Alexey Kosygin, built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex and delivered to Sovcomflot. The 172,600-c

Maritime Cargo Chronicles | Global Sanctions Watch The global tanker market is facing mounting disruption as Western sanctions continue to expand, pushing a growing share of the world fleet into restricted status. According to the latest industry data, the so-called “shadow fleet” is now a structural feature of the oil trade, with sanctions increasingly reshaping vessel availability and trade flows. Industry analysis indicates that a total of 908 tankers have now been placed

Cargo Chronicles | Breaking News The VLCC newbuilding market is gaining renewed momentum as the fourth quarter advances, with leading shipowners moving quickly to secure remaining shipyard slots. Firm tanker earnings, improving balance sheets, and tightening environmental regulations are collectively driving a new wave of long-term fleet investment. Market participants tracking tanker developments, including commercial advisory and chartering-focused firms such as MAKM INTERN

Date: 31 October 2025 Source: Maritime Cargo Chronicles Industry Reference: Xinde Marine News – Skye Pol Hengli Heavy Industry (Hengli HI) continues to accelerate its rise in China’s high-end shipbuilding sector, announcing a fresh wave of new contracts alongside a landmark technological delivery. Following its October 27 signing ceremony with Greek shipowner EFNAV for six 82,000-DWT bulk carriers, the yard confirmed on October 30 that it has secured seven additional vessel o