Global Scans · Life Below Water · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

• [New] The coverage of protected and conserved areas at sea still needs to triple by 2030 and it is critical that both new and existing areas are managed effectively to deliver positive outcomes for people and nature. IUCN
• [New] Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, has issued Nature Expectations - guidance for portfolio companies as they assess, disclose, and manage risks arising from impacts on land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems. JD Supra
• [New] Increased economic activities alongside major sea routes such as the Malacca Strait still represent risks despite enhanced safety measures being declared. All About Shipping
• [New] The Black Sea is still considered a region of high risk due to the ongoing conflict and sanctions imposed on Russia and Ukraine. All About Shipping
• [New] The Baltic Sea has continued to be considered a high-risk maritime area due to GNSS interference, hybrid threats, and Navigational / safety rules violations of Russia's shadow fleet. All About Shipping
• [New] The rapid proliferation of cheap, expendable aerial threats in Ukraine, the Red Sea, and across contested regions has rewritten the defence electronics procurement map. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] The ongoing instability in West Asia, particularly around key maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, has amplified concerns over supply chain disruptions, rising freight costs, and delayed shipments. Economic Times
• [New] Retrofitting legacy lighting systems presents a major growth opportunity, particularly as a large share of global marine and small-vessel fleets continues to rely on outdated incandescent and halogen technologies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The latest climate projections indicate the possibility of a super El Nino forming as early as in 2026, and if confirmed, it could be the strongest recorded in the last 140 years in the Pacific Ocean. CPG Click Oil and Gas
• [New] The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to global sea lanes, has seen traffic freeze or divert as governments and shipping companies respond to the threat of missile and drone strikes. The Traveler
• [New] Post-ceasefire maritime security architecture for the Black Sea no longer needs to plan against a Russian Kalibr strike threat at scale. Grosswald | European Defence Intelligence
• [New] Now that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and the Red Sea hostage to the whims of Yemeni militias, it is clear that even a superpower with America's might cannot guarantee safe passage in the face of drones, speedboats and mines. Tumblr
• [New] As the war in West Asia continues to rage, fears and concerns regarding internet disruptions have increased due to possible cuts in the Red Sea cables. Open The Magazine
• [New] Maritime risks have been heightened after the sinking of a Russian LNG vessel in the Mediterranean Sea and the latest strikes in the Black Sea. All About Shipping
• [New] Sea level rise and coastal erosion will accelerate with warming. youth4planet
• [New] Rail Baltica, designed to connect the Baltic States with the rest of Europe, will become a key component of the North Sea-Baltic Corridor once operational around 2030, opening new intermodal opportunities and improving north-south freight flow. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Following the NREL Marine Energy in the United States: An Overview of Opportunities, the NHA MEC developed a U.S. Marine Energy Commercialization Strategy calling for domestic marine energy deployment targets of at least 50 MW by 2025, 500 MW by 2030, and 1 GW by 2035. National Hydropower Association
• [New] The Ocean Climate Action Coalition supports (and we believe influenced) the Biden executive action to allow 30 GW of offshore wind leasing by 2030. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
• [New] A UN target to protect and restore 30% of nature by 2030 will not be achieved in ocean environments until 2107 on current trends. Morning Star
• [New] Plastic waste in marine ecosystems is expected to increase by 65% in 2030, even under the current ambitious commitments set by governments. Siemens
• [New] Scientists warn of a likely El Nino event in 2026, raising concerns over rising temperatures, extreme weather, and impacts on both land and marine environments. Grand Pinnacle Tribune

Last updated: 12 April 2026