The ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2024-2025 has revealed a steady decline in confidence among global maritime leaders to manage the risks posed by increasing political instability, alongside a growing array of interconnected threats.
The report highlights a broader trend: over four years of data, there has been a consistent decline in global shipping leaders’ confidence in managing geopolitical and regulatory challenges. This unease is compounded by uncertainty around future fuels and infrastructure, with many respondents expressing a desire for clearer pathways to support decarbonisation goals.
Cybersecurity has also grown in prominence, now firmly established as a top-tier risk. Industry leaders are reporting an increasing concern over the vulnerabilities posed by digital integration and emerging technologies, particularly in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions.
The release of the report sets the context for discussions at the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit in Athens, hosted by ICS, the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, and the Union of Greek Shipowners. Senior industry leaders and key policymakers will convene at a critical juncture, with global trade instability at record highs.
Now in its fourth year, the ICS Maritime Barometer draws on comprehensive survey data to identify the key risk areas shaping the strategic priorities of C-suite level leaders, shipowners and operators worldwide.
This year’s results highlight an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, with political instability emerging as the most significant concern across the industry for the third consecutive year since the 2022-2023 report.
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Respondents to the survey also flagged the compounding effects of malicious cyber-attacks, physical security threats, and regulatory uncertainty, risks that are not only intensifying but also further complicating strategic decision-making.
Regulations top the list of the greatest impact factors relating to decarbonisation, fuels, and emissions.
Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, commented: “Geopolitical instability is no longer a background factor; it is actively reshaping our operating conditions, redrawing trade routes, and influencing commercial decisions across the globe.
“The Barometer report continues to provide a clear picture of the risks we are facing and provides community understanding, which will help industry and governments to find workable solutions. Whether addressing the green transition and decarbonisation, cyber threats, or trade barriers, closer collaboration between industry and governments is essential.
