At the end of 2025, the global maritime industry faced a unique paradox: cargo volumes are barely growing, yet demand for ships is breaking records. The primary cause is geopolitical tension, particularly the crisis in the Red Sea.  Most vessels traveling from Asia to Europe are forced to take the longer and more expensive route around Africa, extending transit times by 1–2 weeks. To maintain regular shipping schedules, companies must deploy more ships. As a result, while actual demand for cargo transport remains weak, the demand for vessel chartering is artificially inflated. This creates an "ideal storm" where shipowners reap high profits while the freight market stagnates.