The Consultative Shipping Group has warned that geopolitical tensions, unilateral trade measures and the continued expansion of the shadow fleet are putting pressure on the rules-based maritime system that supports global trade.
Representing 18 major shipping nations across Europe, Asia and North America, the CSG called for stronger international cooperation to protect freedom of navigation and maintain fair competition in global shipping.
The group said recent disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, drought restrictions at the Panama Canal and conflict in the Middle East, have exposed the vulnerability of maritime supply chains.
According to the CSG, those pressures are being compounded by geopolitical fragmentation and discriminatory trade measures. The group said inconsistent rules can divide markets and increase costs for businesses and consumers.
The CSG pointed to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as an example of the consequences that can follow when freedom of navigation breaks down. More than 80% of global trade is transported by sea, linking maritime access directly to global food and energy security as well as the wider economy.
The statement also raised concerns over the continued growth of the shadow fleet. According to the CSG, hundreds of vessels are being used to circumvent sanctions while often operating outside conventional insurance, safety and transparency frameworks.
The group said the expansion of these fleets is creating a parallel shipping system that bypasses established environmental and safety standards and weakens confidence in maritime markets.
Rather than adding new layers of regulation or separate unilateral measures, the CSG called for more consistent enforcement of existing international maritime rules.
The group identified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, as the legal foundation for activities at sea, including innocent passage and transit passage. It also described the International Maritime Organization as the central forum for developing global shipping standards.
The CSG said universal application of those rules gives shipping companies greater predictability when planning investments and operating internationally. It also allows competition to be based on efficiency, innovation and quality rather than regulatory avoidance.
The group called for more consistent enforcement across jurisdictions, greater transparency and information sharing between authorities, and continued political support for common international maritime standards.
The Consultative Shipping Group brings together maritime authorities from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The group said its members remain committed to defending freedom of navigation and preventing geopolitical and regulatory fragmentation from becoming embedded in global shipping.
