Eighteen major shipping nations have warned that global maritime trade is undergoing a structural shift as conflicts, trade restrictions and growing fragmentation put pressure on established shipping rules. The Consultative Shipping Group (CSG) said recent disruptions should no longer be viewed as isolated events. The group pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, drought in the Panama Canal and conflict in the Middle East as examples of mounting pressure on maritime supply chains. “These are not episodic shocks; they are signals of a structural shift in the operating environment of global trade,” the CSG said. The group added that shipping routes are increasingly becoming instruments of leverage and risk. Shipping rules face growing pressure The CSG said more than 80% of global trade is transported by sea, making maritime transport critical to global supply chains, food security and energy security. However, uncertainty over access to ports and shipping routes is making long-term commercial planning more difficult. According to the group, different national approaches and discriminatory trade measures can also increase fragmentation. This could ultimately lead to higher costs for businesses and consumers. The CSG stressed that freedom of navigation remains essential for resilient supply chains and global trade. Shadow fleet creates parallel shipping system The group also raised concerns about the expansion of vessels operating outside standard insurance, safety and transparency frameworks. According to the CSG, the so-called shadow fleet includes hundreds of ships involved in operations that circumvent sanctions. The group warned that this is creating parallel systems within global shipping. One operates under established international rules, while another operates with significantly less transparency. The CSG said this two-tier system increases risks and can undermine environmental and safety standards. CSG calls for consistent international rules Rat