Over 5,000 vessels, representing 14.5% of the global merchant fleet, are registered under flags with minimal ratification of international maritime and labor conventions, leading to increased regulatory risks, warns Kpler. Sanctioned vessel operations have doubled since early 2023, with over 600 vessels operating under high-risk flags, while new countries like Cambodia and Eswatini are being used to bypass sanctions, raising concerns about compliance. The growth of shadow fleets has prompted the emergence of questionable ship registers in distant locations, impacting classification and insurance trends in the global maritime industry.
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A Montana Senator Seeks to Be Trump’s Voice in Beijing
Since President Trump's second term began, high-level US officials have not met with their Chinese counterparts amid ongoing trade tensions; Senator Steve Daines has acted as a mediator by meeting with Chinese officials to discuss issues such as fentanyl exports and potential talks between Trump and Xi Jinping. Daines, a key Trump ally, aims to pave the way for a meeting between the two leaders, as China seeks to avoid further tariffs and engage in...
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