Paul Levy In modern industrial markets, infrastructure failure does not always begin with physical destruction. Sometimes the collapse begins when insurance markets withdraw, financing freezes, and mobile capital rapidly exits an ecosystem that no longer appears safe. The disruption surrounding Dubai’s luxury marina sector during the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis provides an important case study in … Read more
The world’s second-largest container line is passing record war-driven costs onto customers, as the Strait of Hormuz crisis enters its tenth week with no resolution in sight. The Freight Report 7 May 2026 – 8 min read Shipping giant Maersk revealed on Thursday that the Iran war is costing the Danish group roughly $500 million … Read more
Methanol is one of the most widely traded bulk chemicals in the global economy, with annual production exceeding 100 million tonnes and continuing to grow steadily. A significant proportion of this output is traded internationally, linking producers, traders and industrial consumers across regions. Within this system, the United Kingdom occupies a very specific position. It … Read more
The UK chemicals sector produces around £34 billion in output annually, yet the way that production is organised has changed dramatically over the past decade. Faced with volatile energy costs, tightening regulatory requirements, and the sheer capital burden of maintaining COMAH-regulated production facilities, a growing number of chemical companies — from multinationals to niche formulators … Read more
The global oil market is being pulled in two very different directions at the moment, and that tension is what makes this such an important point in time to understand properly. On one side, you have long-term infrastructure finally doing what it was always meant to do, which is to make the system more efficient, … Read more
Understanding the long view — from $2 a barrel to $166, and everything in between Introduction: Why Oil Prices Matter More Than Almost Anything Oil prices are not just numbers on a trading screen. They are a barometer of global power, a trigger for recessions and revolutions, and a force that shapes the cost of … Read more
Published 16 April 2026 Seven weeks ago, the world’s most important oil chokepoint effectively closed. The consequences are still unfolding — and they extend far beyond the price at the pump. On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, targeting military installations, nuclear facilities, and … Read more
The Worldwide Marketplace for Bulk Chemicals: From Cracker to Customer The Invisible Industry Behind Modern Life Bulk chemicals are the hidden engine of the modern economy. They are rarely seen by consumers, yet they are present in virtually every manufactured product on earth — from the polyethylene in a carrier bag to the chlorine that … Read more
The Worldwide Marketplace for Oil and Gas: From Reservoir to End User The Industry That Powers Everything Oil and gas is the backbone of the modern global economy. Together, these two hydrocarbons account for over half of the world’s primary energy consumption, fuelling transport, heating homes, generating electricity, and providing the raw materials for thousands … Read more
The Worldwide Marketplace for Fertilisers: From Oil Well to Open Field A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry Built on Fossil Fuels The global fertiliser market is one of the most strategically significant — and least understood — industries on earth. Valued at over $200 billion annually and underpinning the food security of nearly eight billion people, it … Read more