News Breakbulk & Project Cargo
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MPV carriers expect gradual cargo shift amid US focus on fossil fuels
By Keith Wallis
A shift in multipurpose vessel( MPV) trade patterns in response to a US focus on fossil fuels over renewables will be more evolutionary than revolutionary, industry executives tell the Journal of Commerce.
MPV operators are expecting to see a shift from wind energy to oil and gas-related cargoes to the US due to the Trump administration’ s emphasis on hydrocarbon developments at the expense of renewables. This recalibration in energy resource development, coupled with the impact of tariff uncertainty, could also lead to a shift in trade patterns as project developers and engineering contractors source equipment from alternative markets, executives said.
However, while oil and gas projects have a shorter lead time in planning and construction compared with renewable projects, the shift in focus will probably take some time to materialize.
“ We are likely to see a shift in energy-related shipments rather than a complete switch, with less wind energy cargo and more oil and gas-related shipments,” said Michael Morland, G2 Ocean’ s project cargo director / Atlantic.
“ Wind energy projects typically take longer to plan, finance and build, so changes in policy or market conditions are slower to show.” he added.“ On the other hand, the oil and gas sector tends to react more quickly to changes.”
The readjustment in US energy priorities— summed up by President Donald Trump’ s mantra“ drill, baby drill” and a presidential directive in January to immediately stop offshore wind development— was highlighted in several recent US government decisions.
These include the launch by the Department of the Interior on April 18 of public consultation for the five-year 11th National Outer Continental Shelf( OCS) oil and gas leasing program. This will liekly include new offshore development areas in the High Arctic offshore of Alaska and large tracts off the Atlantic and Pacific that were protected under the Biden administration.
A prioritization of oil and gas projects in the US and wind energy abroad could overhaul traditional MPV trade lanes. Luciavonu / Shutterstock. com
18 Journal of Commerce | June 2025 www. joc. com