Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-02-04 02:01Core Viewpoint - Cosco Shipping Energy (中远海能) shares rose over 4%, currently at 14.85 HKD, with a trading volume of 75.23 million HKD, amid news of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd adjusting their shared shipping routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal [1] Group 1: Market Developments - Maersk announced a route adjustment for its shared service with Hapag-Lloyd, which will now pass through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, following multiple attacks in the Red Sea region since late 2023 [1] - Major shipping companies are considering returning to this critical trade route connecting Asia and Europe, with Maersk stating that naval forces will provide security support for the passage through the Red Sea and Suez Canal [1] Group 2: Industry Outlook - CITIC Securities predicts structural growth in compliant market demand by 2026, with low oil prices potentially driving crude oil replenishment demand, estimating annual VLCC freight rates to range between 60,000 USD/day and 75,000 USD/day [1] - The upward cycle in VLCC freight rates is expected to lead to rapid profit growth for the fleet next year, despite the approaching seasonal transportation off-peak period [1] - Guotai Junan believes that the oil shipping sector has been on the rise for four consecutive years, forecasting that Cosco Shipping Energy will achieve record profits in 2025, with a significant year-on-year increase in Q1 2026 [1] - The firm anticipates that the oil shipping market will continue to outperform expectations in the coming years, with sufficient elasticity in foreign trade oil shipping profits [1]