Linton Nightingale
Deputy Editor

Linton is Lloyd's List's deputy editor. He is also editor of Lloyd’s List’s monthly special reports and annual publications, including our end of year ranking of the 100 most influential people in shipping.
An award-winning journalist, he specialises in the global container market with a particular focus on Europe, writing regular market reports, features and commentaries, whilst keeping our readers up to speed with the latest breaking news from the box industry.
Prior to his position at Informa, Linton was editor of a respected maritime trade journal at a UK publication house.
Linton is also a diehard Tottenham Hotspur fan and proud father to his daughter Luna.
Latest From Linton Nightingale
May box volumes hit all-time highs
Global container traffic hit a record 16.3m teu in May 2025, up 4.9% from April, driven by strong demand in Europe and from the emerging markets. US tariff policies continue to dent North American volumes, with Chinese imports notably down despite a healthy increase in traffic from Southeast Asian countries that has helped mitigate the impact
MSC ship sails through Bab el Mandeb for first time since Red Sea exodus
MSC Antonia, which ran aground off Jeddah in May, has become the first MSC-operated vessel in 18 months to transit the Bab el Mandeb. The voyage may not signal MSC’s return to regular Red Sea routing, but is a further notable test case amid maritime security concerns
Asia-northern Europe spot rates hit five-month highs
Spot freight rates from China to Northern Europe have surged to $2,020 per 20ft container — up 70% since early May — driven by seasonal demand and heavy port congestion. Although Red Sea rerouting continues to support prices by limiting capacity, analysts expect spot rates to decline later in 2025 as new vessels enter the market and demand softens
Red Sea rerouting prompts recalibration of Saudi trade
The Red Sea crisis triggered a big rerouting of global shipping around Africa, slashing Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port volumes. King Abdullah Port volumes fell 83% in 2024, Jeddah fell 33%, while Dammam surged 43% as traffic shifted to the Middle East Gulf. Feeder ships replaced mega-vessels in the Red Sea to ensure regional cargo coverage was maintained, but renewed conflict keeps risk levels high and recovery uncertain
Tariff turmoil and fleet glut cast shadow on box trade
Container shipping is expected to grow 3%-4% in 2025, but headwinds loom. US imports will likely drop in the second half of the year because of tariffs and weaker economic growth, while Europe and the Mediterranean offer bright spots. Overcapacity, Middle East tensions and supply-demand imbalance keep the sector’s outlook subdued
Box carriers maintain Israeli port calls amid escalating Iran tensions
Despite growing security concerns linked to Israel’s confrontation with Iran, major container lines have continued to call at Israeli ports, though several global carriers are scaling back frequencies and tightening operational protocols