Shipping Markets Outlook for 2026

2025 was a year like no other for shipping buffeted by US tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical conflicts but through it all markets across most major sectors performed remarkably well. Going into 2026 there seems to be not let up with the US military action in Venezuela with days of the New Year so what does the rest of the coming 12 months have to offer the world of shipping?

In the first episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast for 2026 you will hear from Maritime Strategies International (MSI) analysts Adam Kent, Daniel Richards, Will Fray, and Tim Smith. They will be covering the macro-outlook for shipping as whole and then drilling down into the individual markets of container shipping, dry bulk, tankers, and shipbuilding.

Find out the MSI team’s views on:

1. On when container shipping might fully return to the Red Sea
2. Will the container ship newbuilding order boom finally slow down in 2026?
3. Whether the dry bulk shipping upturn will continue or are we headed for a Q1 seasonal lull?
4. The drivers for dry bulk shipping demand in 2026
5. How an oversupply of crude oil will impact the tanker market
6. The impact of geopolitical events on the tanker sector
7. Will the newbuilding boom continue for shipyards in 2026 and which sectors are likely to be ordering?
8. Can anyone challenge China's dominance of global shipbuilding?

To hear the answers to these questions and much more listen to the episode now.

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