Shipping is a complex and volatile

Shipping is a complex and volatile industry
that is constantly navigating the many twists
and turns of the global economy. While
currently going through a tough time, the
industry is cyclical by nature and has
experienced many peaks and troughs in
the past.
Given the complexity that characterises the
shipping industry, how can one predict what
technologies will be implemented in the
world fleet by 2020?
In this chapter, we look at four important
driving forces and trends that we believe will
impact future technology ‘uptake’ and the
development of the world fleet as we move
towards 2020. The first part of the chapter
outlines the economic factors that may affect
the demand for and supply of vessels. The
second part of the chapter takes a closer look
at the regulatory outlook, while the third part
discusses various technologies as solutions to
the possible future regulatory landscape. In
the final part of the chapter, we take a closer
look at fuel trends and possible development
in the prices of various types of fuel.