Consultative Shipping Group Warns of Emerging Two-Tier Maritime System Amid Geopolitical Pressures
The Consultative Shipping Group (CSG), an international forum comprising major maritime nations, has issued a stark warning regarding the erosion of international rules governing global shipping. The group, whose members include Greece, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the UK, highlighted that a series of disruptions—including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, drought in the Panama Canal, and conflicts in the Middle East—are creating a 'two-tier system' in maritime operations. This system is characterized by one tier adhering to established rules and another operating with opacity, largely due to the proliferation of 'shadow fleets' and discriminatory trade measures. The CSG emphasized that this fragmentation undermines trust and safety at sea, leading to increased costs for businesses and consumers. The group represents over a fifth of global trade by tonnage and views maritime transport as critical infrastructure for trade, food, and energy security. 
