A black market in ‘black gold’: The shady world of shadow fleets [INSIGHT]

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Russia is believed to have a fleet of over 600 vessels engaged in the illicit oil trade. Photo: Hristo Rusev/Getty Images
 

The boarding by the French Navy of a vessel belonging to the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ on Friday has once again shone the spotlight on a group of ships that play a vital role in Moscow’s war machine.

Income from energy exports is critical for Russia’s funding of its war in Ukraine and the shadow fleet has proved its worth in helping Moscow bring in the cash despite EU attempts to choke off this money supply through the imposition of successive sanctions packages. 

 

But just what is the ‘shadow fleet’ and how it operates

Seguir leyendo

Shipping Stocks Catch A Windfall As Freight Markets Go Vertical

 Mar. 12, 2026 6:36 PM ETS&P 500 Index (SP500), DJI, XLE, USO

Frank Holmes
4.51K Followers
  • (24)

Summary

  • Geopolitical turmoil in the Persian Gulf has spiked oil prices and shipping rates, but historical patterns suggest the disruption will be brief.
  • Shipping companies are immediate beneficiaries, locking in record freight rates regardless of conflict duration, while energy and commodities remain well supported.
  • Airlines face short-term margin pressure from higher jet fuel costs, yet history and hedging suggest a medium-term recovery opportunity.
  • Maintaining composure and core positions, with a 10% gold allocation for diversification, is favored over panic selling during transient geopolitical shocks.

 

Suriyapong Thongsawang/iStock via Getty Images

 

Markets hate uncertainty, and right now there’s plenty to go around. The outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, followed by Iranian retaliation against oil infrastructure

Seguir leyendo

Iran war threatens prolonged impact on energy markets as oil prices rise

 Al Jazeera

The conflict has already led to the suspension of about a fifth of global crude oil and natural gas supply.

 
Tankers are seen off the coast of Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates, on March 3, 2026 [Amr Alfiky/Reuters]

The United States-Israeli war on Iran could leave consumers and businesses worldwide facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices even if the conflict, which is now in its eighth day, ends quickly, as suppliers grapple with damaged facilities, disrupted logistics, and elevated risks to shipping.

The outlook poses a global economic threat and a political vulnerability for US President Donald Trump leading into the midterm elections, with voters sensitive to energy bills and unfavourable to foreign entanglements.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 items

Economistas advierten riesgo de estanflación global ante escalada del conflicto en el Golfo Pérsico

 

 

 

Industria marítima, observa con atención alza del petróleo y efectos de la incertidumbre financiera en el crecimiento
 
 
16 marzo
 La escalada del conflicto entre Estados Unidos e Irán podría generar presiones inflacionarias adicionales y aumentar la incertidumbre económica global deteneiendo el crecimiento y  generando un alto nivel desempleo, conformando un cuadro de estanflación,  según advirtieron economistas de Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) En el marco del webinar “Middle East conflict: implications from a US perspective”.

Al iniciar la presentación, la economista jefe de EIU, Constance Hunter, explicó que el conflicto está escalando con una rapidez considerable. “Creemos que lo que está ocurriendo en Medio Oriente tiene lo que llamaríamos un radio de impacto creciente. Los vectores a través de los cuales esto afectará a la economía global

Seguir leyendo

Guerra en Irán profundiza crisis en el transporte marítimo de contenedores y golpea expectativas para 2026

 
02 de Marzo de 2026
 
La escalada consolida la ruta por El Cabo de Buena Esperanza, genera alzas en seguros y riesgo de congestión regional

Este 28 de febrero, Estados Unidos e Israel lanzaron ataques contra Irán, que respondió con ataques de misiles y/o drones contra bases estadounidenses en Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Baréin, Catar, Kuwait y Arabia Saudí, además de Israel. La nueva fase del conflicto eleva de forma abrupta el riesgo para el transporte marítimo, especialmente en el Golfo Pérsico, el Estrecho de Ormuz y el Mar Rojo.

Las principales líneas navieras reaccionaron de inmediato. Hapag-Lloyd señaló que “la seguridad de nuestras tripulaciones, buques y su carga sigue siendo nuestra máxima prioridad”, advirtiendo que los servicios con recaladas en el Golfo Arábigo “pueden experimentar retrasos, desvíos o

Seguir leyendo