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Wolfzhowl Global expands to Southeast Asia and Australia with Waheed Bidiwale as the Global CEO and Jean Paul as the SEA CEO


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 May 2025 – Wolfzhowl, a 13-year-old brand and consumer strategy consultancy, is seamlessly blending strategy with technology. #StraTech, as the company calls it, is an approach to ensure the best of strategy of socio-cultural, behaviors & data-led insights is enacted faster, with scale, and in an omnipresent manner via sentient technology.

To spearhead this global growth, the firm has brought in Waheed as Global CEO and Jean as CEO for Southeast Asia, with Singapore as its regional hub.

With over two decades of leadership in martech, data, and AI across Australia, the USA, Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Waheed, who was previously the global CSO of Verticurl, will now lead Wolfzhowl’s #Stratech vision globally.

Jean Paul, a business leader who thrills in orchestrating people, product & profit, with 20+ years of experience across Publicis, Omnicom, Dentsu networks in APAC markets, will drive the Southeast Asia growth from Singapore.

“Our Australia & Southeast Asia entry is a critical chapter in Wolfzhowl’s evolution. With Waheed and Jean onboard, we are ready to scale our Stratech philosophy to a new breed of clients looking for insight & tech transformation.” Kalyan Ram Challapalli, Founder & Strategy Chief, Wolfzhowl.

“I’m thrilled to join Wolfzhowl at such a pivotal time. We’re here to prove that businesses don’t just grow when strategy meets technology; they transform. Stratech is more than a methodology; it’s a movement.” Waheed, Global CEO, Wolfzhowl Global

“Southeast Asia is full of ambition and complexity, and that’s exactly where orchestration thinking thrives. I’m excited to shape Wolfzhowl’s growth here and help brands win by being behavior-led and tech-enabled.” Jean Paul, CEO, Southeast Asia, Wolfzhowl Global.

Hashtag: #Stratech #WolfzhowlGlobal #BehaviorMeetsTech #StrategicGrowth #OrchestrationThinking #HumanInsightAtScale

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Wolfzhowl Global

Founded in 2012, Wolfzhowl Global is a strategy-first firm that blends brand and consumer strategy, technology, and orchestration thinking. With a presence across India, Singapore, Australia, and MENA, the firm partners with ambitious brands seeking both rapid solutions and deep strategic shifts.

WolfzHowl exists to drive deeper & more meaningful relationships between brands and all its people via the power of technology.

Bybit Lists USDC on Aptos, Launches Super Event With Over 20,000 APT Up for Grabs

DUBAI, UAE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, now supports native USDC on the Aptos blockchain for the first time. This milestone allows users to trade USDC and earnAPT directly on the platform.

“As one of the world’s top 10 blockchains for stablecoins, the Aptos network provides the fast, secure, and scalable infrastructure needed to bring stablecoins into the mainstream and unlock their real-world utility. Collaborations with leading exchanges like Bybit to integrate USDC on Aptos are crucial to realizing that vision — driving broader access, enabling seamless global transactions, and powering the next generation of financial systems,” said Ash Pampati, Head of Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation.

“Bybit is proud to unite the world’s top ecosystems — Aptos and USDC — into a single, seamless experience for our users. This integration not only strengthens the foundation of Web3, but also champions safe, regulated adoption of crypto at a global scale. Together, we’re building the rails for a future where finance is open, inclusive, and seamless,” said MK Chin, Head of Ecosystem Partnerships at Bybit.

In recognition of this launch, Bybit has launched the Bybit x Aptos Super Event — a month-long celebration offering a total of over 20,000 APT in rewards through staking, trading, and exclusive bonuses for new users.

The event runs until June 26, 2025, and gives participants multiple ways to earn APT, whether they’re long-time crypto enthusiasts or just getting started.

Three Reward Opportunities

1. On-Chain Earn Staking Event
Participants who stake APT via Bybit’s On-Chain Earn and maintain their position for at least 24 hours during the event period will be eligible for a share of  5,000 APT.

2. New User Exclusive – Token Splash
Eligible new users who complete identity verification and meet the deposit and trading criteria will receive 5 APT. Rewards are distributed from a 5,000 APT prize pool and limited to the first 1,000 qualified participants. This activity ends on June 9, 2025.

3. Spot Trading – Token Splash
Users who trade a minimum of US$300 worth of APT on Bybit Spot during the campaign period will receive a share of a 10,000 APT prize pool. Individual rewards are capped at 400 APT.

Aptos (APT) is the native token of the Aptos blockchain, a scalable Layer 1 network built for secure and efficient decentralized applications. On Bybit On-Chain Earn, users can stake APT to receive daily rewards, enjoy flexible redemption, and contribute to the network’s security. More information is available here.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

Bybit Lists USDC on Aptos, Launches Super Event  With Over 20,000 APT Up for Grabs
Bybit Lists USDC on Aptos, Launches Super Event With Over 20,000 APT Up for Grabs

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Over 42 Kilos of Heroin Seized in Two Days at Wattay International Airport

Lao authorities seized 42.5 kg of heroin in two airport busts. (Photo: Lao Ministry of Finance)

Lao authorities intercepted two drug trafficking attempts on 21 and 22 May, seizing a total of 42.5 kilograms of heroin at Wattay International Airport.

The operations, which unfolded within 48 hours, involved officers from the Investigation and Anti-Smuggling Division working with customs officers, immigration police, and international terminal protocol staff.

On 22 May, authorities conducted searches of suspicious individuals and packages, resulting in the discovery of 14 packets of heroin weighing 14 kilograms, concealed within animal feed bags and coffee bags that had been prepared for international transport. 

A Bulgarian national was arrested in connection with the seizure and transferred to the authorities for further investigation.

The previous day, on 21 May, officers conducted a search on three suspicious bags belonging to a passenger from an undisclosed African nation. 

The inspection uncovered 31 packets of heroin, totaling 28.5 kilograms, hidden inside animal feed and coffee bags.

Both cases remain under investigation by the Lao Ministry of Public Security.

Steelmaker SSAB, the Manufacturer of Hardox® Wear Plate, Cracks Down on Trademark Infringement in India

MUMBAI, India, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Swedish steelmaker SSAB has successfully taken action against two India-based companies found dealing in counterfeit Hardox® steel plates. These unauthorised products, bearing the Hardox® trademark and SSAB logo, included falsified product mill certificates and exhibited severe product quality issues, making them incomparable to genuine Hardox® wear plate. Nonetheless, they were misrepresented as genuine Hardox® wear plate.

Following an investigation and a lawsuit, Naresh Steel & Engineering Co. and Parmar Steel admitted to trademark infringement and passing off, both serious violations of SSAB’s intellectual property rights. The companies not only paid exemplary damages but also faced a permanent injunction in the lawsuit, and were directed to cease all use of the infringing marks. Additionally, they issued unconditional public apologies to SSAB and committed to ceasing such activities in the future. In their apologies, Naresh Steel and Parmar Steel acknowledged that “trademark infringement and passing off are gross violations of intellectual property rights of SSAB” and offered “an unconditional apology.”

Naresh Steel Apology
Naresh Steel Apology

Parmar Steel Apology
Parmar Steel Apology

Protecting customers from counterfeit products

Only the Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB produces genuine Hardox® wear plate, and Hardox® wear plate is only available from SSAB and from SSAB-certified suppliers. Each month, SSAB successfully removes hundreds of website links, online marketplace advertisements such as those on Indiamart, and social media pages offering counterfeit products or falsely claiming to stock genuine Hardox® wear plate.

“In the Mumbai area alone, there are a significant number of traders who falsely claim to stock Hardox® steel”, says Subodh Shinde, country head of SSAB Steel India. “Our primary goal is to protect end customers from the risks associated with substandard steel, as these can lead to severe operational, financial and safety consequences, and we therefore continue to aggressively enforce our trademark rights and take legal action against any company infringing our intellectual property.”

Hardox® wear plate is a premium, high-quality product known for its exceptional hardness and toughness. Its guaranteed properties deliver outstanding performance, making it a market leader in wear resistance—and naturally, not a low-cost option. Therefore, a simple guiding principle is that if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely involves counterfeit steel. Extremely low prices are a red flag that the product is not genuine Hardox® wear plate. SSAB strongly encourages buyers to purchase Hardox® wear plate only from SSAB-certified suppliers, who hold the exclusive rights to distribute its products.

Where to buy genuine Hardox® wear plate  and wear parts in India

SSAB maintains its own sales network. To ensure product authenticity, Hardox® wear plate should only be purchased through the following authorised SSAB channels:

Hardox® wear parts should only be purchased through our authorised Hardox® Wearparts Centers in India. An updated list of all authorised centres is available on the Hardox® Wearparts Center website: https://www.hardoxwearparts.com/find-center/ 

Reporting counterfeit steel

At SSAB, we are committed to ensuring that customers receive only high-quality, genuine Hardox® wear plate they can trust. If you encounter branded steel that you suspect is not genuine Hardox® wear plate, we urge you to contact your local SSAB sales team immediately.

The risks of buying from unauthorized sources

Buying from unauthorised sources may result in:

  • Operational setbacks – Counterfeit steel often has lower quality and therefore lower durability, leading to frequent repairs, replacements and increased maintenance costs.
  • Health and safety risks – Inferior materials may compromise structural integrity, increasing the risk of failures and accidents.
  • Legal repercussions – The use of counterfeit steel could lead to litigation, fines or other regulatory consequences.
  • Environmental impact – Counterfeit production methods often neglect sustainability standards, leading to increased contamination and waste.

SSAB is a Nordic and US-based steel company that builds a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world through value added steel products and services. Working with our partners, SSAB has developed SSAB Fossil-free™ steel and plans to reinvent the value chain from the mine to the end customer, largely eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from our own operations. SSAB Zero™, a largely carbon emission-free steel based on recycled steel, further strengthens SSAB’s leadership position and our comprehensive, sustainable offering independent of the raw material. SSAB has employees in over 50 countries and production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the US. SSAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and has a secondary listing on Nasdaq Helsinki. Join us on our journey! www.ssab.com, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

Unilever Food Solutions Future Menus 2025 Sparks Culinary Innovation in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Unilever Food Solutions successfully hosted the FUTURE MENUS EVENT 2025 IN BANGKOK, bringing together over 330 chefs, entrepreneurs, and food service experts to explore the future of dining.

Unilever Food Solutions Future Menus 2025 Sparks Culinary Innovation in Southeast Asia
Unilever Food Solutions Future Menus 2025 Sparks Culinary Innovation in Southeast Asia

Under the theme “Unleash the Taste of Asia,” the event spotlighted four key trends shaping innovation in the evolving restaurant industry. Attendees engaged with forward-thinking ideas through immersive experiences, panel discussions, and live cooking demonstrations, redefining modern dining.

Key Trends Shaping the Future of Dining

  • Street Food Couture elevated bold street flavors into premium cuisine, featuring Spicy Fermented Salmon Salad in Pani Puri Shells(Thailand) and Small Crab Sticky Rice(Vietnam).
  • Culinary Roots honored heritage flavors with Arsik Ikan Fish(Indonesia) and Nasi Lemak(Malaysia), celebrating Southeast Asia’s rich culinary traditions.
  • Borderless Cuisine blended global influences, exemplified by Beef Pares Style Tacos(Philippines) and Green Peppercorn “Tigermilk”(Singapore).
  • Diner Designed – A showcase of personalization in dining, focusing on bespoke culinary experiences rather than specific menu offerings. Creativity and customization took center stage.

Culinary Innovation Meets Data-Driven Strategy

Beyond food trends, the event emphasized the power of data in modern dining. Entrepreneurs Krittikul Chumkaew (After Yum) and Rungsun Promprasith (QueQ Thailand) shared insights on using data to optimize restaurant operations and enhance customer experiences.

An Inspired Culinary Finale & Industry Insights

Future Menus 2025 culminated in a stunning four-course dinner curated by Chef Pam – Pichaya Soontornyanakij and the Unilever Food Solutions chef team, featuring dishes inspired by event trends.

Reflecting on the event’s impact, Kulnipa Lertpimonchai, Managing Director of Unilever Food Solutions SEA Mainland, described Future Menus 2025 as more than just a trend showcase. She emphasized its significance as a platform where visionaries can exchange ideas and drive progress in the food service industry.

Meanwhile, Angela Klute, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Unilever Food Solutions, underscored the industry’s evolving landscape, as Gen Z embraces personalization, Asian flavors gain global popularity, and consumers seek accessible luxury. She reinforced Future Menus 2025 as a key driver helping chefs and restaurateurs adapt to these transformative shifts.

With its resounding success, Future Menus 2025 solidified its position as a landmark event driving culinary innovation in Southeast Asia, reinforcing Unilever Food Solutions’ commitment to shaping the industry through creativity and forward-thinking ideas.

View the Gallery: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wlmr1t3Ui7cTuNPOpWk128G7KfIN7EIT?usp=sharing

NEC highlights retail solutions at NRF 2025 APAC in Singapore

– Leveraging data and AI to create a more enriched future –  

TOKYO, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) will demonstrate advanced retail solutions at “NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific” (NRF 2025 APAC) at Hall A-C, Stand 821 from June 3-5 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo, Singapore.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) hosts one of the world’s largest retail conferences every January in New York, boasting a 114-year history with approximately 35,000 participants from 75 countries. This year is the second time for the NRF to host an APAC event, and first time for NEC to participate.

During the show, NEC will demonstrate cutting-edge technologies that are driving digital transformation (DX) in next-generation retail by addressing societal and business challenges, enhancing customer experiences, and improving employee efficiency.

NEC Booth
NEC Booth

Together with its partners, NEC is committed to leveraging data and AI to create a more enriched and sustainable future.

Exhibition Details:

Smarter POS, Broader Reach, Omnichannel ready  
Product/APP: NEXT-Gen POS, Omni Software

A stylish, space-saving POS system with 13 modular combinations maximizes retail store needs. The Omni POS APP leverages the latest cloud technology for flexible use in both retail and dining.

Customer Experience x Data Analytics – Unified shopping journey powered by apps
Product/Solutions: NEC CxD (Customer Experience x Data Analytics)

By leveraging corporate apps to collect offline data and utilizing AI-driven attribute expansion, as well as integrating offline and online data with e-commerce for advanced analytics, app integration helps retail companies enhance the customer experience.

Business Transformation with Data-Driven Utilization
Product/Solutions: Celonis

By visualizing operations and systems, data-driven utilization enables the early detection of issues that hinder digital transformation (DX). Furthermore, AI-driven process optimization, automation, and practical consulting facilitate smooth and effective business transformations.

Integrated Management Platform for digital stores I
Product/Solutions: NEC ITS/DSP Solution

This scalable platform centralizes retail operations, streamlining store openings and closures, equipment and inventory management, and on-site workflows. With mobile compatibility and features that include notifications and report visualization, it enables faster decision-making and optimized operations.

Please see the following link to register for NRF 2025 APAC.
Registration | NRF Retail’s Big Show APAC

NEC’s Vision
NEC’s Vision

About NEC at NRF 2025 APAC
https://www.nec.com/en/global/solutions/enterprise/nrf2025/index.html

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nec/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NECglobalOfficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nec.global/

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2025 NEC Corporation.

WIP Capital Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 686 632 066) as trustee for WIP Capital Investments Trust (the Issuer)

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Issuer would like to offer your institution the opportunity to participate as a noteholder under a loan note deed poll, dated as of 27 May 2025 (the Loan Note Deed) in respect of notes to be issued by the Issuer under the Loan Note Deed, as described in more detail in the commercial terms sheet attached to this offer letter (the Notes). The proceeds of the Notes will be used by the Issuer to, among other things, make investments that are consistent with the Investment Plan set out in the trust deed of the WIP Capital Investments Trust (the Trust).

For the purpose of carrying out certain regulated activities, the Issuer is appointed by Wingate Financial Services Pty Ltd (ACN 106 480 602) (the Investment Manager or Licensee) as its corporate authorised representative. This offer letter, and any offer in respect of the Trust, will be made by the Licensee under an intermediary authorisation agreement between the Issuer and Licensee, where the Licensee will make offers to arrange for the issue, variation and disposal of financial products in connection with the Trust. The Issuer will then issue the financial products in accordance with the offer, if it is accepted.

Tax Act Public Offer

The Notes will be documented under the Loan Note Deed in accordance with section 128F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) of Australia (the Tax Act). This letter constitutes an offer to issue the Notes in accordance with the “public offer test” in subsection 128F(3) of the Tax Act.

It is intended that the Notes will be issued in a manner that satisfies the public offer test and other requirements of section 128F of the Tax Act. Accordingly, Offshore Associates (as defined below) of the Issuer will not be permitted to acquire an interest in the Notes.

Participants will be required to make customary representations, warranties and covenants regarding their status to ensure compliance with Australia’s interest withholding tax exemption regime, and in particular, will be asked to confirm that except as disclosed to the Issuer at the time of this offer, they are not so far as they have actual knowledge, an Offshore Associate of the Issuer.

In this letter, “Associate” has the meaning given in subsection 128F(9) of the Tax Act and “Offshore Associate” means an Associate who would acquire an interest in the circumstances specified in subsections 128F(5)(b) and (c) of the Tax Act.

General Conditions of Participation

Final allocations will be determined by the Issuer in its absolute discretion. The Issuer reserves the right to scale back or accept oversubscriptions, and to withdraw this offer at any time or close or extend the review period for considering this offer at any time before or after the stated date for receipt of responses.

Each offered investor must independently make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into the transaction.

Principal terms

The details of the Loan Note Deed are set out in the term sheet in the schedule to this letter (the Term Sheet).

Confidential Information

Please note that the recipients of this offer are required to keep all information regarding the Notes, the Loan Note Deed, and the Trust (the Confidential Information), confidential. Recipients are not to discuss the Confidential Information with each other or disclose any details to any third parties without the prior written consent of the Issuer. This letter must not be reproduced, used or given to any other person, in whole or in part, for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer may disclose any Confidential Information and the information contained in this letter as required by law or regulation or by any applicable stock exchange without the need to obtain any prior approval or consent.

Singaporean Selling Legend

The offer, issue, and sale of the Notes are and will be exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities and Futures Act of Singapore 2001 (SFA), and have not and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, statutory liability under the SFA in relation to the content of prospectuses does not apply, and you should consider carefully whether the investment is suitable for you. The Monetary Authority of Singapore assumes no responsibility for the contents of this document or any other document or material related to the offer, issue, and sale of the Notes. This offer and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. The offer of the Notes relates to schemes which are not authorised or recognised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and are not allowed to be offered to the retail public.

Process

If you are interested in participating as a noteholder under the Loan Note Deed you are requested to sign and return the below expression of interest by no later than 10 June 2025 to:

Wingate Financial Services Pty Ltd
Level 48, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Attention: Michael Sack
Email: msack@wingate.com.au 

By countersigning this letter, you are merely expressing your interest to participate as a noteholder under the Loan Note Deed. Such expression of interest is non-binding and is not intended to indicate your approval of the Term Sheet.

By countersigning this letter, you represent and warrant that your institution is not, so far as you have actual knowledge or grounds to suspect, an Offshore Associate of the Issuer.

Countersigned by

Signed:_____________________________

Name:   _____________________________

Title:     _____________________________

Schedule – Term Sheet – WIP Capital Investments Trust

Terms

Issuer

WIP Capital Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 686 632 066) acts as trustee for the Trust.

Trust

An Australian unit trust established to make direct or indirect debt investments across multiple asset classes and sectors in Australia known as “WIP Capital Investments Trust”. The Trust will be predominantly funded by the issuance of Notes to the noteholders (the Noteholders).

Domicile

Australia.

Investment Manager

Wingate Financial Services Pty Ltd (ACN 106 480 602).

The offer

An offer to subscribe for loan notes on the terms described in the Loan Note Deed. The offer is intended to satisfy the requirements of section 128F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

Issue Maximum

AU$100 million excluding co-investments, or as determined by the Issuer from time to time in order to meet the Trust’s funding requirements.

Currency

Australian Dollars (AUD).

Security

Unsecured.

Interest payment

Interest is linked to the underlying loans and it is targeting a return equal to the aggregate of the RBA Cash Rate plus a variable return of 2.5% – 5.5%. The anticipated return is not guaranteed. The interest will only be paid to the extent there are cash receipts available for distribution.

Purpose

The Issuer will establish the Trust to gain exposure to borrowers situated in Australia by making direct or indirect debt investments across multiple asset classes and sectors in Australia.

Term

5 years from closing plus extension for up to 1 additional year, provided that if the Noteholder does not request repayment of the Notes 90 days before the termination of last day of the Term, the Notes will automatically rollover to new notes for another 5 years on the same terms of issue as the Notes unless the Issuer determines otherwise.

Currency Hedging

None. The Trust will make loan investments in AUD.

Fees

Nil.

Early Prepayment

The Noteholder may request early prepayment of any or all of its Notes on a monthly basis (Early Prepayment Request). If there is sufficient cash to prepay the Notes specified in the Early Prepayment Request, the Issuer shall prepay such Notes in full. If there is insufficient cash available, the Issuer may prepay the Notes the subject of Early Prepayment Request as and when the underlying loans or investments are repaid, redeemed or otherwise disposed of.

Limitation of liability

The Issuer enters into the transaction documents (including Loan Note Deed) only in its capacity as trustee of the Trust. Any liability is limited to, and can be enforced against the Issuer only to the extent to which it can be satisfied out of the assets of the Trust out of which the Issuer is actually indemnified for the liability.

Transferability

The Noteholder can only transfer any or all of its Notes if the Issuer, in its sole discretion, consents to the transfer in writing and satisfies other requirements set out in the Loan Note Deed.

Governing Law

Victoria, Australia.

 

Geopolitical tensions lead to increasing risks for shipping sector globally

  • Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025: Trade conflict between the US and China and growing shadow fleet add to substantial challenges for the shipping industry.
  • Despite geopolitical headwinds: only 27 large ships lost worldwide in 2024, down by more than 20%, the industry’s lowest-ever total.
  • Progress made on traditional risks such as fires, collisions, and groundings, which are the main causes of losses, but potential for large claims remains a concern.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 May 2025 – The fast-changing geopolitical landscape is creating new risks and challenges for a shipping industry already juggling the energy transition and the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review. The industry faces an increasingly volatile and complex operating environment, marked by attacks against shipping, vessel detentions, sanctions, as well as the fall-out from incidents involving damage to critical sub-sea cables. Furthermore, the ripple effect of increasing protectionism and tariffs threatens to remake supply chains and shake up established trade relations.

Given 90% of international trade is transported across oceans, those developments are concerning, especially as the industry continues to see the potential for large claims from traditional risks such as fires, collisions and groundings, which are still the main drivers for total losses of large vessels. However, there is also good news. The shipping industry has made significant improvements when it comes to maritime safety in recent years. During the 1990s the global fleet was losing 200+ vessels a year. This total had halved 10 years ago and is now down to a record low of 27 as of the end of 2024 (from 35 in 2023).

“The relevance of political risk and conflict as a potential cause of maritime loss is increasing with heightened geopolitical tensions. Total losses from traditional causes may have reduced over time, but we could be in a position where this positive trend is potentially offset by war and other political-related exposures. As an industry, we are in a better position with regards to traditional risks, but there is a renewed focus on geopolitical risks,” says Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial.

US-China trade conflict and growing shadow fleet bring uncertainty and challenges
China has been the biggest target of the protectionist measures of the US administration with tariffs reaching 145%, before both countries agreed to reduce them for 90 days. Developments have significantly impacted global maritime trade with approximately 18% of it subject to tariffs as of mid-April 2025, compared with 4% in early March, and dramatic declines in shipments reported in the immediate aftermath of the “Liberation Day” announcements. While the future of US trade-focused policies remains uncertain, another phenomenon is posing an increasing challenge for the maritime and insurance industries: the shadow fleet. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the size of the shadow fleet has grown significantly. Today, around 17% of the world tanker fleet is thought to belong to the shadow fleet: estimates indicate there are close to 600 tankers trading Russian oil alone. Shadow fleet vessels have been involved in tens of incidents around the world including fires, collisions and oil spills.

“Although recent sanctions are making it harder for these vessels to trade, the shadow fleet continues to pose a serious risk to maritime safety and the environment, as many are likely to be older vessels that are poorly maintained and inadequately insured. In case of an oil spill involving a shadow fleet tanker, cleanup costs could be as much as US$1.6bn,” says Justus Heinrich, Global Product Leader, Marine Hull, Allianz Commercial.

Red Sea rerouting: older vessels and riskier routes in addition to higher costs
With ongoing geopolitical volatility in the Middle East, many ship operators have rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to transits between Asia and Europe. For example, this rerouting adds around $1mn in costs and at least 10 days to a typical transit between China and Europe. According to estimates, cargo volumes in the strait had fallen by two-thirds by September 2024, with rerouting costing the global economy some US$200bn that year. The quality and safety of vessels may also be impacted as a result of this rerouting.

“With container capacity under pressure, some shipowners have gone out to the market to meet supply, purchasing tonnage that is often older and second best. This has helped push up values and seen vessels scheduled for scrap and older tonnage stay in the market longer. The concern is that when called back into service, these vessels may not be in the best state to operate safely on longer sea routes and in rough weather,” says Captain Nitin Chopra, Senior Marine Risk Consultant, Allianz Commercial Asia.

Fires and mis-declared cargo remain a top concern for large vessels
Large vessel fires are still a major concern for hull and cargo insurers. There were seven total losses reported across all vessel types during 2024, the same number as a year earlier. The number of incidents overall was up year-on-year to a decade high of 250, again across all vessel types. Around 30% of these fire incidents occurred on either container, cargo or roll-on roll-off vessels (ro-ros) (69). More than 100 total losses of vessels have been caused by fires in the past decade. Efforts to mitigate these risks are underway, with regulatory changes and technological advancements aimed at addressing mis-declared cargo, a primary contributor to such fires. This is critical as the electrification of the global economy poses further challenges given the growing number of lithium-ion batteries and battery energy storage systems being transported.

There is little doubt the shipping industry is becoming more resilient against the risks associated with large vessels, although we can by no means say they are under control. However, only 27 total losses during 2024 underlines the positive trend. To put this into perspective: there are over 100,000 ships (100GT+) in the global fleet. However, uncertainty and multiple risks persist. Cyber-attacks and GPS interferences are increasing. Ceasefires have raised hopes, but the Red Sea security threat and supply chain disruption will likely remain. Meanwhile, the green transition requires much work. The coming years will be decisive and will determine the path of the sector and global trade,” explains Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial.

Hashtag: #shipping #allianzcommercial


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Allianz Commercial

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, , and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us in providing a wide range of traditional and risk transfer solutions, outstanding and services as well as seamless handling. Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2024, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €18 billion in gross premium globally.