Special Reports

The fourth quarter of the year is often cited as a traditionally strong period for spot freight markets, with good reason. But from floating storage to experimental fuels, the global shipping markets are instead looking for new opportunities under drastically changed economic conditions. In our new special report, S&P Global Platts Shipping looks at what’s in store for Q4 2020 and beyond.

With the seaborne sector responsible for 90% of global trade, a tentative recovery from the pandemic has brought changing fortunes for seafarers. Tanker markets have seen freight rates plunge after an end to the recent floating storage boom, while rates in the container markets have stayed firm thanks to capacity management. Dry bulk is now turning a corner and the LNG sector is looking for a lifeline. This report looks to dive into what these changing patterns mean for each industry.

As the International Maritime Organization's new global sulfur limit for marine fuels approaches, much attention is given to the implications for the shipping industry and refinery production. In this special report, S&P Global Platts examines the various ways the IMO 2020 sulfur cap may impact the multi-faceted petrochemical markets.

Only months before the effective date of IMO 2020, there are a surprising number of shipping industry participants who believe that getting customers to pay for increased bunker costs will be smooth sailing. However, the reality may prove to be more complicated. This report explores how a lack of negotiating power and imperfect bunker cost recovery mechanisms could turn this shadow on the horizon into a dangerous storm for the shipping industry.

This special report provides an introduction to the IMO's sulfur cap on marine fuel, its impact on markets and what to expect from the new regulatory framework. Aiming to provide market-leading insight and analysis, S&P Global Platts outlines the regulation's impact on refiners and shipowners, analyzes how markets will adapt, and offers birds-eye view on how it could affect the environment.