Maritime Industry Briefing: Shipping Outlook, EU Port Strategies, Hydrogen Corridor

## Shipping Outlook for the Year of the Fire Horse According to the annual Maritime CEO outlook published on Splash247, the shipping markets are facing a mixed outlook in the coming year. The report, which consults hundreds of industry experts as well as a Feng Shui master, suggests that 'fortunes will be mixed' in the Year of the Fire Horse. Key factors expected to shape the markets include continued supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and the ongoing energy transition. ## EU Unveils New Maritime and Ports Strategies The European Commission has adopted a new EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and a Ports Strategy, reports Splash247. The initiatives aim to drive competitiveness, sustainability, decarbonization, security, and resilience across the EU's wider waterborne sector. The Maritime Strategy will focus on strengthening Europe's maritime technology and equipment industries, while the Ports Strategy will seek to improve connectivity, digitalization, and green infrastructure at major European ports. ## Japan-New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor Launched A new consortium led by Mitsui OSK Lines, Obayashi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Chiyoda has launched a project to study the commercial production of green hydrogen in New Zealand and the export logistics to Japan, according to Splash247. The 'Japan-New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor' initiative will begin feasibility work in the first half of 2023, exploring the potential to establish a supply chain for sustainable hydrogen between the two countries. ## NYK and JMU Ink Tanker Deal with Fuel-Saving Guarantee Shipping major Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and shipbuilder Japan Marine United (JMU) have signed a contract for a next-generation crude oil tanker that incorporates an 'actual-sea performance guarantee' to cut fuel consumption, reports Splash247. This novel approach aims to provide validated estimates of the vessel's real-world propulsion performance, going beyond typical design specifications. ## No Takers for Alaska Offshore Lease Sale The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has reported that its recent 'Big Beautiful Cook Inlet' oil and gas lease sale off Alaska received zero bids, according to Splash247. The auction, which ran from February 2 to March 4, 2026, failed to attract any interest from energy companies, potentially signaling a lack of appetite for new offshore developments in the region.