On September 8, 2026, shipping authorities from 18 countries, operating under the Consultative Shipping Group (CSG), issued a joint warning about the growing risks to global maritime trade due to geopolitical conflict, diverging regulations, and sanctions-evasion networks [1]. The CSG highlighted that these factors are fostering the emergence of 'parallel systems,' which threaten to create a two-tier structure in international shipping, undermining trust and safety at sea [1].
The group emphasized that over 80% of global trade is transported by sea, and disruptions to maritime supply chains—such as those caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, drought in the Panama Canal, and the ongoing U.S.-Iran war—have significantly raised costs and uncertainty across global supply chains [1]. In particular, conflict in the Middle East has led to major bottlenecks in global shipping, especially around the critical Strait of Hormuz, resulting in surges in the prices of oil and other commodities like fertilizers [1].
The CSG warned that 'discriminatory trade measures' and diverging national rules reinforce these disruptions, leading to market fragmentation and higher costs for businesses and consumers [1]. The group called for stronger international cooperation and enforcement of common shipping standards to protect safety, transparency, and market stability [1]. They also noted that an increasing number of vessels are engaging in operations that circumvent sanctions, contributing to the rise of an 'unregulated shadow fleet' [1].
According to the CSG, these pressures are not merely episodic shocks but represent a structural shift in the operating environment of global trade. The group stressed that 'shipping routes are increasingly instruments of leverage and risk,' and that maintaining sovereignty, resilience, and prosperity depends on partnerships and practical cooperation to preserve an open global trade system [1].
CONCLUSION
The Consultative Shipping Group's warning signals a high-impact, negative shift in the global maritime trade environment, driven by geopolitical conflict and regulatory fragmentation. Market participants face increased costs, uncertainty, and risks, underscoring the urgent need for international cooperation to maintain stability and efficiency in global shipping.