According to Veson Nautical’s 2025 End-of-Year Market Report, a report which breaks down prevailing trends in all major oceangoing shipping sectors globally, these are the prevailing trends shipowners should watch in 2026.1.
According to Veson Nautical’s 2025 End-of-Year Market Report, a report which breaks down prevailing trends in all major oceangoing shipping sectors globally, these are the prevailing trends shipowners should watch in 2026.
1. Routing Normalization vs. Geopolitical Reality
Much of 2025’s earnings strength—especially in containers, crude tankers and dry bulk—was driven by longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope. Any sustained return to Suez transits in 2026 would compress ton-mile demand quickly. Owners should plan for volatility rather than assume a clean reversion to pre-Red Sea norms.
2. Newbuild Deliveries Finally Hit the Water
After years of orderbook expansion, 2026 is when supply growth becomes unavoidable, particularly in containers and LNG. Owners with exposure to oversupplied segments should stress-test earnings assumptions against falling utilization and shorter charter durations.
3. Asset Quality Gap Widens
The divide between modern, fuel-efficient tonnage and older ships will widen further. FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS and charterer ESG pressure will increasingly translate into real commercial penalties for older vessels—lower utilization, shorter charters, or outright obsolescence.
4. Product Tankers vs. Crude Tankers
The tanker bifurcation is not going away. Crude segments remain structurally supported by sanctions inefficiencies and trade dislocation. Product
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