Freight struggles with regulatory uncertainty
Lack of clarity is affecting demand for new tankers, but LNG vessel orders are booming
Shipowner group the International Chamber of Shipping wants more clarity over emissions regulations for its members and warns the uncertainty is cutting into new vessel orders. “The order book is small in many sectors of shipping,” says ICS chairman Emanuele Grimaldi, because owners fear investing in vessels that could be rendered obsolete soon by environmental legislation. The ICS “wants regulation to be better known and understood”, and is working “towards clarity”, in conjunction with the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO). “Hydrogen and ammonia will play big roles in shipping” Grimaldi, ICS But for now, the lack of certainty is making vessel orders more difficult, Gri
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices






