As the war against Iran enters its seventh month, global trade is approaching a dangerous threshold as so-called “shadow fleets” continue to expand in maritime transport. That is the warning, reported by Fortune, from shipping regulators.
The issue is being amplified by geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies. As a result, global shipping is increasingly splitting into two segments: one operating under established rules, and another functioning in a non-transparent environment and effectively outside common regulation.
In a joint statement, Consultative Shipping Group (CSG), which brings together maritime industry representatives and regulators from 18 countries, warned that continuing disorder at sea could lead to the emergence of two parallel shipping systems. In the group’s view, such a scenario would weaken common market rules and raise systemic risks for global supply chains.
According to the report, the foundations of maritime trade itself are at stake. Maritime transport accounts for 80-90% of global trade, meaning fragmentation in the sector could hit broader economic activity. Fortune also notes that more than 30% of global GDP — around $35 trillion — is linked to maritime transport.
The article also highlights the employment dimension. In the United States alone, the sector supports 41 million jobs, suggesting that disruptions in maritime logistics could affect not only trade flows but also labor markets.
