Part of a new industry series Shipping the Future™: Climate Business Intelligence™ For The Maritime Industry
Introduction: Climate Risk at Sea
The maritime industry stands at the intersection of global trade and climate risk. Ships and ports handle over 80 percent of the world’s trade by volume, but these vital parts of the global economy are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Rising seas, stronger storms, and constant heat stress are not just future concerns—they are current realities that are already changing how shipping companies, port authorities, and the entire logistics sector operate.
Escalating Physical Risks
The physical challenges confronting maritime operations are complex. Rising sea levels increase the risk of storm surges, putting port infrastructure, container yards, and low-lying terminals in immediate danger. Flooding interrupts port activities, damages cargo, and speeds up the corrosion of essential assets. At sea, ships face more frequent and intense storms, creating dangerous conditions that raise the likelihood of accidents, groundings, and insurance claims. Heat stress also hampers the performance of cranes, engines, and other equipment, causing costly delays and shortening the lifespan of assets. Collectively, these risks threaten not only infrastructure but also the safety of maritime workers and communities reliant on functional ports.
Operational and Financial Implications
Every disruption at sea or in port triggers cascading effects throughout the maritime supply chain. A flooded terminal can delay vessel turnaround, cause bottlenecks in container flows, and stall inland distribution networks. Even brief interruptions can destabilize just-in-time delivery models, creating ripple effects for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers worldwide. Financial consequences are increasing as insurers reassess coverage and raise premiums, while investors and regulators demand more transparent disclosure of climate-related risks. Companies that fail to demonstrate resilience face growing risks of reputational damage, loss of access to capital, and regulatory violations. The maritime industry is recognizing that climate risk is not a distant environmental issue but a significant financial and operational challenge.
Ready to get started? To learn how ClimaTwin can help you assess the physical and financial impacts of future weather and climate extremes on your infrastructure assets, capital programs, and investment portfolio, please visit www.climatwin.com today.
© 2025 ClimaTwin Corp. All rights reserved worldwide.
ClimaTwin® is a registered trademark of ClimaTwin Corp. The ClimaTwin logos, ClimaTwin Solutions™, Climate Risk Intelligence™, Climate Business Intelligence™, Future-proofing assets today for tomorrow’s climate extremes™ are trademarks of ClimaTwin Corp. All trademarks, service marks, and logos are protected by applicable laws and international treaties, and may not be used without prior written permission of ClimaTwin Corp.
###