Hormuz shock and the shipping gamble
The duration of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz will determine whether shipping markets see a temporary freight-rate boom or face the early signal of a broader global economic slowdown
The duration of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz will determine whether shipping markets see a temporary freight-rate boom or face the early signal of a broader global economic slowdown
After six weeks of pressure, the dry bulk market shows tangible recovery, based on data from the week ending 23 January 2026, led by Capesize strength and improving sentiment across vessel segments
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
Global shipping 2026 is shaping up as a year of controlled anxiety, where executives speak softly, watch capacity closely, distrust geopolitics deeply, and quietly fear that markets may punish complacency faster than strategy can react
Drawing on market activity from the week ending 19 December 2025, this report examines the seasonal slowdown across Ultramax, Supramax and Handysize segments as year-end calm replaces late-Q4 momentum