Energy Shipping Tech Monitor

US Inflation & Manufacturing Data

• 🔥 Core PCE at 3.2% YoY: The Core PCE Price Index rose 0.3% in March, lifting the year-over-year rate to 3.2%,...

April PMI highlights:

• 52.7 reading, unchanged from March prior
• Missed consensus estimate of 53.0
• Overall economy in expansion for 18th month

Flat manufacturing points to stable industrial cycles, key monitor for shipping demand.

Historic global boom in vessel orders:

• New vessel orderbooks hit 17-year high in early 2026
• Container orderbook swells to record 13m TEU
• Fuels upside for CSSC, Yangzijiang, HD Korea, Hanwha shipyards

• March core PCE up 0.3% MoM to 3.2% YoY; headline +0.7% shows persistent inflation.
• Cleveland Fed nowcast sees core at 3.7%, headline 5.4% –...

• Oil surge: Brent jumps >4% to near $114, WTI >$105 amid Gulf flare-up; breakout above $114 signals more upside as Strait risks persist.
• Limited...

Scorpio Tankers Q1 2026 earnings presentation flags newbuilding orders have slowed and half the orderbook is LR2s—tight supply signal for tanker peers like Pan Ocean and Star Bulk.

Extreme capacity crunch hit freight markets: LMI transportation capacity plunged to 28.4, second-fastest decline ever, while prices surged to...

US crude exports hit record 6.438 million bpd last week, filling Strait of Hormuz gap as supplier of last resort.

Key angles for...

• Lawmakers grill Pentagon on shipbuilding delays, workforce shortages, and industrial base concerns
• Navy addresses capacity limits via distributed...

• Nhava Sheva freight rates surged 31% in key India container lane.
• Global market diverging on uneven demand and capacity dynamics.
• Spot volatility signals container upside for Hapag-Lloyd/Pan Ocean watchlist plays.

Shipbuilding trend accelerates with high-value deals boosting orderbooks:

• Hanwha Ocean adds three very large ammonia carriers for KRW 507.4bn...

Elevated tanker and freight rates globally are reinforcing profitability across the shipping sector, turning vessel capacity into strong earnings generators. Key tailwind for watchlist shippers.

• No output boost planned despite Trump pleas and ME crisis.
• Chevron prioritizes free cash flow growth over production amid high prices.
• Ongoing...

• Second Red Sea transit: Korean tanker completes detour post-Hormuz blockade, following April 17 voyage.
• Route details: Departed Saudi Yanbu,...

Container Freight Rate Splits

• 🔥 US-Bound Rates Surge: Xeneta data shows Far East to US West Coast rates up 21% to $2,864 per FEU and to East...

• Capital Maritime orders 181,000 DWT bulk carriers from China's Hengli Heavy Industries (Dalian)
• Conventional fuel-powered, deliveries Jan 2028-Dec...

• Trans-Pacific strength: Far East-US West Coast rates +21% to $2,864/FEU, East Coast +19% to $3,873; backhaul N Europe-US EC +45% to $2,188
• Europe...

Hormuz risk mitigation ramps up:

• MSC launches Europe-ME service avoiding strait via Suez, Saudi trucking (Jeddah-Dammam, 800 miles), feeders to...

• Waivers extended (e.g., to August) due to fuel prices and Iran conflict, but shipping interests say negligible impact on gasoline/jet fuel costs.
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Key dry bulk moves:

• Capesize (Star Bulk): BCI 182 5TC climbed to US$40,371 from $38,837, firmer Atlantic support.
• Panamax (Pan Ocean): P5TC rose...