18 Nations Warn of Structural Shift in Global Shipping

Eighteen major shipping nations warn that global maritime trade is undergoing a structural shift. The Consultative Shipping Group (CSG) says conflicts, trade restrictions, and growing fragmentation are putting sustained pressure on established shipping rules.

The group states that recent disruptions should no longer be viewed as isolated events. It points to the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, drought in the Panama Canal, and conflict in the Middle East as examples of mounting pressure on maritime supply chains. "These are not episodic shocks; they are signals of a structural shift in the operating environment of global trade," the CSG said. The group added that shipping routes are increasingly becoming instruments of use and risk.

Shipping Rules Face Growing Pressure

More than 80% of global trade is transported by sea, making maritime transport critical to global supply chains, food security, and energy security, according to the CSG. However, uncertainty over access to ports and shipping routes is making long-term commercial planning more difficult.

The group states that different national approaches and discriminatory trade measures can increase fragmentation. This could ultimately lead to higher costs for businesses and consumers. The CSG stressed that freedom of navigation remains essential for resilient supply chains and global trade.

Shadow Fleet Creates Parallel System

The group raised concerns about the expansion of vessels operating outside standard insurance, safety, and transparency frameworks. According to the CSG, the so-called shadow fleet includes hundreds of ships involved in operations that circumvent sanctions.

This is creating parallel systems within global shipping. One operates under established international rules, while another operates with significantly less transparency. The CSG said this two-tier system increases risks and can undermine environmental and safety standards.

Call for Consistent International Rules

Rather than introducing more regulation, the group called for better alignment and enforcement of existing international rules. It highlighted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as central elements of the global maritime framework.

The CSG called for existing rules to be enforced consistently across jurisdictions. It also stressed the need for greater transparency and information sharing between authorities. "Defending freedom of navigation therefore requires a focused and coordinated response grounded in globally recognized rules," the group said.

The 18 nations also called on maritime countries to support freedom of navigation and international maritime frameworks. The CSG warned that further fragmentation could increase the risk of disruption at major maritime chokepoints. "As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates: When shipping supply chains fragment, the global economy fragments with it," the group said.

The Consultative Shipping Group includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Together, the CSG countries represent around 20% of global deadweight tonnage.