Signs of a further slowdown in speed limits were recorded by Clarksons Research in the first quarter of 2025, according to which all six main sectors of ocean-going shipping are now implementing slow steaming (reduced sailing speed).
Shipping brokerages said that this is attributed to the fluctuations of the broader market on an annual basis, as well as the dynamics of marine fuel prices.
“Speed limit”
The implementation of a “speed limit” on ships to reduce pollutant emissions has been a subject of ongoing discussions among shipping companies and industry organisations over the last years.
By reducing speed, pollutant emissions from ships will be reduced as well as fuel consumption.
At the same time, this will also give the necessary time for new technologies to “emerge” that will provide a definitive solution in the effort to minimize the burden on the environment.
According to Clarksons Research, ship speed trends were mixed among the respective sectors in 2024, with container ships implementing a small increase, as a result of the unstable situation in the Red Sea, while decreases were observed in tankers and bulk carriers.
In early 2025, a consistent pattern of slow steaming emerged across all sectors of the ocean-going industry (containerships, VLGCs, PCCs, Oil Tankers, Bulkers, LNG Carriers), with vessel speeds now generally decreasing.
It is worth noting that ship speeds have been on a long-term downward trajectory, and more specifically since 2008 the reduction has reached approximately 20%-30%.
Initially, slow steaming was largely a response to excess production capacity after the economic crisis (also affected by high fuel prices), while more recently efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships have been in the spotlight.
LNG carriers lead the way in reducing cruising speeds
Clarksons Research stated that since the start of 2025, speeds have been decreasing at an increasing rate and are reaching record lows.
The largest decline is recorded by liquefied natural gas carriers (LNG Carriers) with 14.6 knots or -2% compared to the 2024 average.
This is followed by bulkers with 10.7 knots (-1.7%) and product tankers with 11.2 knots (-1.1%).
