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FREIGHT RATES

Oil tanker at sea in heavy fog under overcast skies, partially obscured, isolated on calm water with low visibility

When the sea stops obeying the charts

Rethinking power, risk, and signal in the modern tanker market, this essay explores how perception, positioning, and reflexivity now shape freight behavior beyond traditional supply-and-demand logic

Aerial view of large container ships under construction at a major Asian shipyard, with cranes, dry docks, and multiple vessels visible

The 2026 global shipping outlook: A perfectly engineered glut

The global shipping outlook for 2026 is a masterclass in self-sabotage. After years of record profits, the industry has enthusiastically ordered enough new ships to guarantee a spectacular collapse in freight rates, creating chaos

Large dry bulk carrier with red and black hull sailing steadily in open blue sea under clear skies, viewed from an elevated angle

Ultramax & Handy market: Riding the waves before they break

A market entering February with quiet strength, based on data from the week ending 30 January 2026, as Ultramax and Handy segments show resilience, disciplined positioning, and measured upside potential across key basins

Rocky shoreline with strong waves under a dramatic, cloud-filled sky at sunset, conveying a dynamic and unsettled seascape

Decks and Deals Weekly #29

Between 25–31 January 2026, global shipping trends revealed an industry under pressure, as freight rates softened, carrier earnings deteriorated, fleet expansion accelerated, and geopolitical uncertainty reshaped routing, risk pricing, and strategic decision-making across liner markets

A cargo ship advancing through massive waves under stormy skies, symbolizing resilience and navigation through challenging market conditions

Dry bulk under pressure: A market searching for traction

Dry bulk freight markets started the year under sustained pressure, with earnings sliding across all vessel classes, based on data from the week that closed on January 9, 2026, highlighting fragile sentiment and muted demand