AS we note in our Annual Lloyd’s List Outlook (available to buy now, see below) exogenous events continue to impose change upon shipping. But the successful players in our industry have always understood that they don’t control the market, only their costs.

Heightened political risk is nothing new for business generally, or shipping specifically. Arguably such disruption has traditionally fuelled opportunity in the maritime markets and political risk merely shapes the context within which global firms operate.

Navigating turbulent waters is, after all, our business.

There are those who argue, quite compellingly, that this time it’s different — that we’re living in an age of unprecedented risks.

It’s a view we have some sympathy with and certainly it’s hard to recall a period of more uncertain political conditions — at least not since the end of the Cold War.

Then at least there were only wo sides to choose from whereas we now live in a more complicated and multi-polar world. Shipping will inevitably face further difficulties via regulations, political sanctions, trade embargoes, conflicts and territorial disputes.

Somehow shipowners have to position their businesses to survive and prosper in the midst of all this uncertainty.

But if all that sounds too macro for your tastes, our team of editorial news hounds and analysts have a few more specific thoughts on the stories that are going to be keeping them busy of the next 12 months.

As ever we always welcome input from our listeners and readers, so if you think there’s a story we are missing or an area that deserves the editorial firepower of Lloyd’s list being targeted at it, get in touch via editorial@lloydslist.com.

Lloyd’s List subscribers can already access our regular series of Outlook analysis articles here detailing our forward looking views of each of the major sectors. If, however, you don’t have a subscription but want to benefit from this unique resource we highly recommend you take a look at this.