Editorial of Ship&Offshore 02/2025: Second term ahead

Kathrin Lau, Editor in Chief
Journalists and editors are rarely speechless. Nor should they be, as communication is their profession, the principal tool of their trade. And yet, I don’t really know where to start at the moment.
Almost every conversation – professional or private, at home or abroad – turns at some point to Trump, to the start of his second term, to the executive orders he has just signed, to questionable statements about the forest fires in California compared with Austria and Finland, to disrespectful remarks towards sovereign states like Canada and Denmark.
Will the atlases be rewritten because it is no longer called the Gulf of Mexico, but now the Gulf of America? And what will happen to the Panama Canal? Will the United States actually reclaim influence as Trump wants to reduce the excessive fees for US vessels?
And above all: the withdrawal of the United States of America from the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Agreement and the broad freeze on foreign aid.
However, even President Trump is not above the Constitution, and legal constraints apply to everyone. Initial lawsuits have already been filed, challenging his actions and ensuring adherence to constitutional principles. So are we paying too much attention to his current statements and should we only judge him – like every politician in fact – by his actions?
The re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States also introduces a complex set of dynamics for the global maritime industry. His approach to international trade, environmental regulations, and geopolitical tensions is expected to have significant implications for maritime stakeholders worldwide. US-flagged vessels might face less stringent emissions standards, creating a competitive disparity. Additionally, Trump’s support for the fossil fuel industry could slow the transition to alternative fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, or biofuels, potentially delaying global progress toward decarbonisation – not only in the maritime industry but regarding international climate protection progress.
By the way, why do conservative and – you have to call them that – fascistic politicians work themselves up over wind turbines?
How can dangerous half-knowledge about risks – which must of course be sensibly considered and addressed, such as potential dangers to birds and other wildlife or the use of certain materials – combined with loud blustering make certain groups in society completely forget all the advantages of on- and offshore wind farms and the far more serious dangers of fossil or
nuclear power generation? Not surprisingly, Trump has signed an executive order to halt approvals temporarily for new wind energy projects in federal lands and waters, threatening thousands of jobs and renewable energy and climate targets in several US states. It is really hard to comprehend.
And to stay briefly on the subject of labour, which of course influences not only, but also the maritime industry: new immigration policies could affect the availability of skilled labour for the maritime and logistics sectors, particularly in regions reliant on foreign workers.
Another issue is Trump’s approach to foreign policy, which is set to heighten geopolitical tensions, particularly with China and Iran. This will have direct implications for maritime security and the stability of key shipping routes. For example, conflicts in the South China Sea or the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global trade and increase shipping insurance costs.
To summarise: the global maritime industry faces a period of uncertainty as it navigates the implications of Donald Trump’s second term. His policies will create trade tensions and challenges to environmental regulations and geopolitical stability. Industry stakeholders will need to remain adaptable and proactive in addressing these shifting dynamics, ensuring resilience in an ever-changing global landscape.