Investors' Chronicle The Middle East, shipping & energy prices: The Companies & Markets Show
Mar 13, 2026
Julian Hofmann, market analyst on sector reactions and retail investor behaviour. Michael Fahy, maritime commentator on rerouting, insurance and LNG risks. Valeria Martinez, shipping journalist on Clarkson results and outlook. They discuss shipping disruptions and rerouting, insurance and security limits, LNG and fertilizer risks, and immediate moves in energy and market positioning.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Use Order Books As Earnings Floor Signals
- Watch order books and early-2026 spot business as floor indicators for earnings.
- Valeria points out Clarkson's order book rose through the year and early 2026 container/tanker spot activity is already above last year.
Shipping Services Suspended After Multiple Attacks
- Attacks in the Gulf have hit many vessel types and led carriers to suspend services, disrupting Far East-to-Europe transits and local transshipment hubs.
- Michael Fahy cites 20 reported incidents and suspensions by Maersk, MSC and others, pressuring ports like Jebel Ali.
End Of Voyage Declarations Shift Costs To Local Importers
- Carriers declare end-of-voyage and drop at alternative ports, leaving local actors to arrange expensive onward transport.
- Michael explains this forces transshipment hubs to redirect cargo hundreds of miles, raising costs and delays.