Vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed after Iran declared the waterway shut again, citing Israeli and US violations of a ceasefire, reported Reuters.

Shipping data from analytics firm Kpler showed only five vessels transited the strait, down from 26 the previous day. Three of them were Very Large Crude Carriers transporting about two million barrels of Saudi crude and fuel oil each, with one bound for Japan.



Iran had lifted its blockade last week after agreeing with Washington to extend an April ceasefire for 60 days, but the Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure on Saturday following Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The US military said commercial vessels were still operating.



On Saturday, 13 ships entered the strait, including two VLCCs, while three VLCCs carrying crude from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq exited along with three product tankers.



Gulf producers Abu Dhabi National Oil Co and Kuwait Petroleum Corp have issued tenders offering crude with loading options both inside and outside the strait, according to the data.

The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has begun evacuating hundreds of ships stranded in the Gulf after the US-Iran ceasefire, reported Canada's InvestingLive.

The IMO confirmed it had started contacting individual vessels to arrange passage for ships carrying about 11,000 seafarers. The agency said safety guarantees had been secured and navigation conditions verified, though no timeline was given for completion.



IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said the operation would be conducted with Iran, Oman, the United States and the maritime industry. The joint involvement of Tehran and Washington was described as a significant signal of confidence in the peace process.



Oman's defence ministry issued a separate advisory stressing the evacuation would be phased and controlled due to collision risks. It warned the standard Traffic Separation Scheme adopted in 1968 was unsafe, with two temporary routes north and south of the lanes designated instead.



Ships will be contacted individually and assigned specific transit days, limiting throughput and preventing independent navigation. Floating mines remain a major hazard in waters around Hormuz, reinforcing the need for controlled convoys.



The evacuation marks the first organised movement of commercial shipping through the strait since the conflict began. Oil traders, tanker operators and insurers are expected to closely monitor the phased operation as an indicator of when normal traffic might resume.

Political instability has emerged as the greatest risk facing global shipping, according to the International Chamber of Shipping's (ICS) Barometer Report 2025-2026, report the UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

The survey of senior maritime leaders, including shipowners and managers, found geopolitics to be the leading operational risk for the fourth consecutive year. Cyber attacks, regulations, administrative burdens and trade barriers followed. Political instability was cited as both a standalone risk and a multiplier across sanctions, wars, tariffs and direct attacks on vessels.



The report noted that instability has forced operational changes such as route adjustments, shifts between charter and spot deployment, and vessel registration changes. These measures, combined with other risks, are reshaping industry strategy and pushing companies to prioritise short-term resilience over long-term planning.



Regulations remained the primary operational factor for the fifth year, followed by funding issues and crew availability. The ICS highlighted that uncertainty is now the backdrop for decision-making, with resilience and adaptability becoming central to industry responses.



The report also examined the IMO Net Zero Framework. Some 57.8 per cent of respondents said they had not altered decarbonisation plans after the vote delay in October 2025. Over one fifth paused projects, 16.22 per cent modified plans and 3.24 per cent cancelled. The unchanged group included firms either waiting for clarity or those with firm strategies unaffected by IMO delays.



ICS secretary general Thomas Kazakos said global shipping is entering a period where uncertainty defines market conditions, operational planning and investment. He stressed that geopolitical instability is now a defining risk multiplier, influencing the pace of the energy transition and forcing industry leaders to adopt pragmatic solutions.

Brazil's Paranagua Container Terminal handled 690,000 TEU between January and May 2026, a two per cent increase from the same period last year, reports Miami's DataMar News.

The rise was driven by higher flows of full containers, with loaded cargo volumes climbing seven per cent to 4.8 million tonnes from 4.5 million tonnes. Commercial manager Fabio Mattos said exports reached 3.5 million tonnes, up eight per cent, while imports rose six per cent to 1.3 million tonnes.



Reefer cargo was a highlight, with refrigerated container movements reaching 64,470 units, up nine per cent from 59,054 in 2025. Mattos said TCP's infrastructure and support for meat exporters made the terminal the leading national partner for refrigerated shipments. Paranagua has Brazil's largest reefer storage area with 5,280 plugs, and capacity is set to expand later this year.



The terminal received 427 ships in the period, supported by 22 weekly services covering long-haul and cabotage routes. Rail operations recorded 545 train arrivals and moved 972,000 tonnes, while truck operations reached 267,000 units, up six per cent.



Meat and frozen products led exports, totalling 1.7 million tonnes, up 13 per cent. Mattos said the lifting of restrictions on chicken shipments boosted volumes, while pork exports also increased. Wood exports were stable at 598,000 tonnes, and paper and pulp rose nine per cent to 446,000 tonnes. Pulp exports alone reached 12,286 TEU in the first four months, 30 per cent higher year on year.



On the import side, the automotive sector handled 236,000 tonnes, up three per cent, while chemicals reached 214,000 tonnes, led by inputs for fertiliser and crop protection industries.

Japanese shipowning venture Sakura Ocean Corporation has placed its first newbuilding orders, signing contracts for three bulk carriers at domestic shipyards less than six months after its establishment, reported Singapore's Splash 247.

The Tokyo signing ceremony covered construction of a 40,000 dwt bulker at Imabari Shipbuilding, another 40,000 dwt unit at Onomichi Dockyard and a 42,000 dwt ship at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding. Deliveries are scheduled by 2030, with the vessels to be employed under long-term charters with Japanese shipping companies.



Sakura Ocean was formed in January through a capital and business alliance between SOMEC Corporation, the ship trading arm of ORIX, and Japanese shipping and shipbuilding groups Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Onomichi Dockyard and Kambara Kisen. The venture aims to develop and own vessels serving Japan's domestic market while supporting renewal of the merchant fleet.



The partners said the company would combine shipmanagement and operational expertise with financing, trading and shipbuilding capabilities of its shareholders. The three bulkers mark the inaugural project under the Sakura Ocean platform and the start of a long-term fleet development strategy.



The company said the newbuilds would contribute to stable maritime transport services in Japan while supporting sustainable development of the country's shipping industry.

China is moving from traditional exports to innovation-driven advanced manufacturing, while domestic consumption is set to become a stronger driver of growth, said Joe Ngai, chairman of McKinsey & Co's Greater China office, reports China Daily.

Mr Ngai said despite geopolitical tensions, rising labour costs and supply chain disruptions, China's trade linkages with the world have expanded. He noted the country can remain competitive in both high-tech and low-tech manufacturing due to its market scale and economies of scale.



He added China is exporting not only goods but also ideas, intellectual property and engineering capacity. Multinationals once brought technology into China, but now Chinese firms are exporting their know-how abroad to aid industrialisation in other countries.



Mr Ngai said consumption will play a growing role in China's economy, supported by high savings and low personal debt. He acknowledged confidence issues linked to real estate prices but predicted spending will rise as markets stabilise.



Chinese consumers are becoming more selective and sophisticated, requiring tailored marketing strategies. Mr Ngai said companies must adopt precision, localisation and faster iteration to succeed in the competitive market.



He described China's involution, marked by aggressive price competition and overcapacity, as a driver of innovation. He cited the electric vehicle sector, where domestic oversupply has produced globally competitive brands in Brazil and Europe.



Mr Ngai concluded that China remains a market full of surprises, where companies that balance both sides of the coin can achieve success.

China has placed 10 United States companies on its export control list and barred government procurement from nearly 50 US firms, two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted major Chinese companies, reported Al Jazeera.

The Ministry of Commerce said Chinese companies are prohibited from exporting dual-use goods to the US firms, while foreign institutions worldwide are also banned from transferring such items. The order requires all ongoing transactions to be suspended immediately.



The list includes rare-earth miner MP Materials, magnet maker USA Rare Earths, and defence contractors in aerospace, drones, radar and shipbuilding. The ministry said the measure was taken to safeguard national security and meet international obligations on non-proliferation.



Separately, the Ministry of Finance barred government procurement from 46 US companies, including subsidiaries of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Atomics and General Dynamics. Locally registered US-funded firms were exempted.



Analysts said the move was retaliation against Washington's designation of about 80 Chinese firms as military companies earlier this month. Those named included Alibaba, Baidu and BYD. The Pentagon said the firms contribute to China's military development despite their civilian status.



Nick Marro of the Economist Intelligence Unit described Beijing's action as a tit-for-tat response. Cameron Johnson of Tidal Wave Solutions said the order mirrors US semiconductor export controls but may be difficult to enforce, as many US companies have already shifted supply chains out of China.



Mr Johnson added the broad scope of the directives could signal a new front in the trade war. He said this is likely just the beginning of further escalation.



Despite a trade truce agreed by President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in October and extended at a May summit in Beijing, experts warned goodwill may be short-lived. Steve Okun, a Singapore-based analyst, said both sides remain active in national security measures regardless of diplomatic gestures.

On the SFL Tyne, steel hull and stacked boxes dominate the view rather than glossy logos, and that is exactly the point of this compact 2,000-TEU container feeder from SFL Corporation, reported Berlin's Ad Hoc News. The vessel is built to shuttle quietly between regional ports, feeding the mega-hubs that grab the headlines.

Fleet deals around ships like the SFL Tyne form the operational backbone for the cash flows of SFL Corporation, supporting its dividend-focused equity story. The geared container vessel is designed for short-sea and feeder trades where flexibility matters more than raw size. Two onboard cranes allow loading and unloading even in ports with limited infrastructure, giving the vessel access to shallower, tighter harbours where mega-ships cannot call.



Global shipping headlines focus on giants, but thousands of ports depend on workhorses like the SFL Tyne to connect to those behemoths. For charterers, the 2,000-TEU bracket hits a sweet spot between capacity and port flexibility, especially in Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. SFL Corporation does not operate the ship itself but charters it out on medium to long-term contracts to liner companies.



Cash flows from these contracts help SFL Corporation underpin its dividend policy. Smaller feeders are caught in the same regulatory tightening as larger tonnage, from IMO carbon-intensity rules to regional schemes. For now, conventional fuel remains dominant on such workhorses, but contracts around ships like the SFL Tyne shape the ability of SFL Corporation to keep paying dividends.

DHL Global Forwarding will begin carrying shipments across the Atlantic on wind-propelled cargo trimarans built by French operator Vela from next year, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The aluminium vessels, each 220 feet long, can carry 415 tonnes of goods. They are five times smaller than a typical container ship but offer five times more cargo space than an aircraft. Sailing at about 14 knots, the trimarans will follow wind patterns rather than fixed routes, taking around two weeks to cross the Atlantic compared with nine days for a containership.



Vela co-founder Michael Fernandez-Ferri described the vessels as "gigantic sailboats" using only wind for propulsion. The company was also co-founded by professional yacht racer Francois Gabart, who set a solo round-the-world sailing record in 2017.



DHL said the partnership supports its decarbonisation goals, with the trimarans expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99 per cent compared with air freight and up to 90 per cent compared with conventional sea freight. Laurent Terreyre, chief executive of DHL Global Forwarding France, said the project expands transport options for customers.



The first commercial shipments are scheduled for 2027, with DHL cargo moving alongside goods from other companies. Vela has also partnered with Takeda Pharmaceuticals of Japan to use the wind-powered service.

China's shipments of renewable-energy and battery products to the US surged last month, driven by demand from America's expanding AI sector and global energy-security concerns linked to the Iran war, reported the South China Morning Post.

Customs data showed exports of unassembled photovoltaic cells jumped 346 per cent year on year to US$39.96 million, while shipment volumes rose 357 per cent. The figures underline the growing appetite for solar components in the US market.



Lithium-ion batteries ranked among China's top five exports to the US, with export value climbing 20.8 per cent to US$780 million. Shipment volumes expanded at a similar pace, reflecting strong demand for energy storage in data centres and consumer electronics.



Lead-acid batteries also posted sharp gains. Export value rose 151 per cent to US$6.72 million, while shipment volumes increased 253 per cent. Analysts said the figures highlight how China's green-energy supply chain is benefiting from geopolitical tensions and the AI-driven boom in US technology infrastructure.

Hong Kong should build an "aviation silk road" by leveraging its cold chain and specialty cargo services to strengthen connectivity with the Middle East and Central Asia, legislator Jonathan Lamport said, reported Radio-Television Hong Kong.

Mr Lamport told RTHK Hong Kong must enhance ties with emerging markets while maintaining strong links with traditional partners. He said more companies are switching to air freight as sea routes have become unstable due to the Middle East conflict.



He noted high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals and premium food products are increasingly moving through cargo cold chain services, which he said are attracting firms from emerging markets to set up in Hong Kong.



Mr Lamport added that the Northern Metropolis project will further boost demand for cold chain cargo, as high-value industries are expected to cluster in the tech hub.



The lawmaker, also a member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, stressed that while new markets deserve attention, businesses should continue to strengthen ties with Europe. He pointed out that many European companies have long-established operations in Hong Kong, some already in their second or third generation.

Air Hong Kong has signed a lease with Ohio-based Air Transport Services Group for an Airbus A330 passenger-converted freighter, expanding its all-A330 fleet to 15 aircraft, reported New York's FreightWaves.

The Cathay Pacific subsidiary said the new medium widebody aircraft will be deployed mainly on services to mainland China and other regional destinations for DHL Express. The deal adds capacity to support growing demand in Asia's regional cargo market.



Cathay Cargo, which operates 20 Boeing 747 freighters and manages bellyhold cargo on Cathay Pacific's passenger fleet, has also ordered eight Airbus A350F freighters. Dominic Perret, head of Cathay Cargo, said the additional A330 will complement future A350Fs and provide greater agility to build the regional network.



The A330 freighter will join Air Hong Kong's fleet in the fourth quarter. The transaction is notable for ATSG, which has historically focused on Boeing 767 freighters. It is only the third A330-300 the company has converted and placed with a customer, following

China has increased scrutiny of indium exports, raising concerns among buyers that the niche metal could be added to Beijing's export control regime, reported Reuters.

China produces nearly 70 per cent of the world's indium, a byproduct of zinc refining used in displays and solder, as well as indium phosphide for high-speed optical chips powering AI data centres.



While indium is not currently on the export control list, buyers told Reuters they have faced tighter checks from Chinese customs. A European buyer said they were asked for the first time this year to disclose information about end users, including their location.



A major North American buyer said approvals that previously took one day now require several days, citing more scrutiny of paperwork. The buyer described the situation as "tense", reflecting growing unease over China's control of critical materials.

Cathay Pacific reported double-digit growth in both passenger and cargo traffic in May 2026, with Cathay Cargo carrying more than 150,000 tonnes, up 11 per cent year on year, the airline said in a press release.

The carrier said cargo demand was strong across major trade lanes, particularly between the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia. Specialist products also contributed, with Cathay Expert boosted by semiconductor and server shipments, while Cathay Pharma saw growth from pharmaceutical exports from Europe to the Chinese Mainland.



Lavinia Lau, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said cargo demand is expected to remain resilient in June. She added that the airline is monitoring market developments closely as geopolitical tensions continue to affect global supply chains.



Cathay Cargo also announced an order for two additional Airbus A350F freighters, bringing its total commitment to eight. Together with a leased Airbus A330P2F freighter operated by Air Hong Kong, the airline said the investments will reinforce Hong Kong's role as a leading international air cargo hub.



Passenger traffic also grew, with Cathay Pacific carrying 17 per cent more passengers in May compared with a year earlier, while HK Express carried more than 670,000 passengers, up 5 per cent. The group said overall demand was supported by holiday travel and connecting traffic through Hong Kong.



Cathay added that it expects to book a deemed disposal gain of about HK$1.4 billion in the first half of 2026, following Air China's issuance of A shares that diluted the group's equity interest in the mainland carrier.