Maritime Trade & Economy focuses on global shipping, seaborne commerce, and the economic dynamics shaping international trade. This category covers developments in maritime logistics, shipping markets, freight trends, port competitiveness, blue economy initiatives, and the economic impact of maritime policies and technologies. It provides insights into how oceans, ports, and shipping networks drive global trade, regional growth, and sustainable economic development.
The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations have formally signed a landmark free trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, concluding more than 25 years of complex and often stalled negotiations aimed at deepening commercial ties at a time of rising global protectionism and trade tensions.
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Red Sea Container Terminals (RSCT) has officially inaugurated Egypt’s first semi-automated container terminal at Sokhna Port on the Gulf of Suez. The milestone project, backed by a 30-year concession agreement with the Egyptian government, reinforces Egypt’s position as a strategic hub for international trade and investment.
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India and the European Union are nearing the conclusion of a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), with negotiations expected to wrap up later this month, according to India’s Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. If finalized, the deal would become India’s largest trade agreement, as New Delhi looks to diversify export markets amid ongoing U.S. tariff pressures and slower progress in trade talks with Washington.
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Maersk, the Danish shipping giant, has announced plans to resume limited operations through the Red Sea and Suez Canal later this month, ending more than a year of avoiding the critical route due to security concerns linked to Houthi attacks.
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The Trump administration has finalized its first sale of Venezuelan crude oil, generating around $500 million in revenue, White House officials confirmed to multiple outlets Thursday. This landmark transaction marks the beginning of Washington’s efforts to market Venezuela’s energy resources globally following recent political developments.
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Norway has issued 57 offshore oil and gas exploration licenses to 19 companies under in its latest annual licensing round and indicated that it will drill more acreage in the next year. This marks an increase in licenses awarded in mature areas, rising from 53 last year, while the total number of companies receiving permits decreased from 20, Energy Minister Terje Aasland announced at a recent energy conference.
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Canada and China are preparing to revive bilateral trade talks after years of diplomatic and economic strain, as shifting global trade dynamics and renewed US tariffs under President Donald Trump push both countries to reassess their reliance on Washington. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing this week has signaled a possible reset in China–Canada trade relations, particularly in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and raw materials.
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WASHINGTON– President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, as Washington evaluates its response to Iran’s largest anti-government protests in years.“Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a25% tariff on all trade with the United States,” Trump stated on Truth Social, emphasizing the order as “final and conclusive.”
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Beijing/Geneva/Washington– Li Chenggang, China’s lead trade negotiator with the U.S., has been at the center of global attention after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described him as “unhinged” for breaking diplomatic norms ahead of a major summit last October. While the remark painted Li as a rebellious junior official, insiders say he is far from loose cannon.
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Two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuela to pick up crude oil as part of longstanding oil-for-debt arrangements have abruptly turned back and are now sailing back toward Asia, according to the latest LSEG shipping data, highlighting fresh uncertainty in global energy flows amid tight U.S. sanctions and political turmoil.
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Taiwan’s exports recorded a strong performance in December, reaching the second-highest monthly level on record as overseas shipments surged 43.4% year-on-year to USD 62.48 billion. Although the growth rate eased from a revised 56.0% increase in November, it still reflected solid external demand, even as it came in below market expectations of a 46% rise.
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The global shipbuilding market experienced a notable slowdown in 2025, with new ship orders declining sharply amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical pressures. Despite these challenges, China’s shipbuilding industry retained its position as the world’s largest by order volume, even as its market share recorded its first decline in five years.
Read MoreDoha, Qatar: Hamad, Ruwais and Doha ports illustrated excellent development in 2025 that enhanced its ability to propel the economic growth of the country following the sharp increase in volumes of handling of cargoes, containers, RORO and building materials as compared to the same period the previous year.
Read MoreOn December 26, 2025, Germany unveils a set of strategic plans that focus on enhancing its maritime economy, and much attention is paid to innovation, green shipping, and offshore energy development.The German government also has plans of develop a new European approach to the maritime transport industry, which is aimed at conserving and enhancing the essential maritime value-chains within the European region.
Read MoreGeneva, Switzerland| UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reports that the world economy is progressively exposed to financial volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, which is increasingly disruptive to international trade.UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimate that the international economy is undergoing an increasing threat due to financial and geopolitical uncertainty that is increasingly affecting international trade.
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