The chemicals industry, which contributes trillions of dollars to the global economy every year, is undergoing a significant transformation due to recent social and political trends.
Ex-Asia rates have increased by around $1,000/FEU since the end of April, climbing to $4,000/FEU for routes to the U.S. West Coast and Northern Europe.
When sanctions were placed on Russian oil sales following the war in Ukraine, the Laconian Gulf became a key spot for switching cargoes between vessels, prompting environmental concerns.
Although Houthis have regularly hit vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, there's little evidence they can do so beyond those waters.