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 Middle East and Africa region is expected to maintain its strategic importance for high-end yacht logistics over the next few years due to the ongoing development of luxury marine destinations, with the United Arab Emirates and South Africa serving as primary hubs. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Expanding refinery conversion projects, record investments in HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology, and growing corporate net-zero pledges from logistics, aviation, and marine sectors are collectively reinforcing robust demand across all major geographies through 2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Canada faces similar climate-related challenges, with coastal regions like British Columbia vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding, and interior provinces facing increasing wildfire threats. Climate X
• [New] New Zealand will engage with Australia and Fiji on the possibility of joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance. National Party
• [New] The offshore segment is expected to register the highest CAGR from 2026 to 2034 due to substantial investments in marine infrastructure, policy incentives, and higher capacity factors achievable over water. Polaris
• [New] Projections of future plastic pollution at current levels - the 'high emissions' scenario - estimate that by 2060 there will be 2.8 times more oceanic plastic than today, with levels rising across all oceans. Environment
• [New] An El Nino summer could suppress tropical storm development in the Atlantic Ocean, influencing NOAA's below-normal hurricane season prediction. Drought.gov
• [New] Systemic Ecosystem Shifts: Weakening major ocean circulation systems could alter global weather patterns, shifting parts of the Amazon rainforest into dry, savanna-like conditions. Insights IAS
• [New] Ice Sheet Liquefaction: Warmer baselines threaten to accelerate ice sheet loss in Greenland and West Antarctica, causing sea levels to rise. Insights IAS
• [New] In 2026, maritime safety is no longer simply about preventing accidents at sea - it is about managing a rapidly expanding spectrum of interconnected global risks. MarineLink
• [New] Red Sea coral reefs that have shown remarkable resilience to global warming could soon receive Unesco world heritage status. Positive News
• [New] The Indian Ocean is forecast to experience development of the positive IOD phase, with the JAS 2026 seasonal mean value of 0.6 °C. World Meteorological Organization
• [New] Many densely populated cities such as Shanghai and Mumbai or megacities such as the Pearl River Delta would be uniquely vulnerable to increased coastal flooding, highlighting one of the many risks that climate change poses to urban health. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The onset of a potentially powerful El Nino weather pattern could boost global heat in the oceans and atmosphere even further in 2026 and into next year. GorakhaPatra
• [New] South Florida's unique vulnerability to sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather is generating a new category of litigation in 2026. The Farber Law Firm
• [New] Vulnerability of Sea Lines of Communication: Conflicts in the South China Sea, Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz threaten India's trade and energy imports by disrupting critical maritime routes. Educratias
• [New] India hosting the next edition of the 'Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission' will strengthen India's MAHASAGAR vision, and it will support India's broader vision of Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute
• [New] Older vessels can pose significant safety risks at sea, with vessels over 20 years old accounting for over half of all safety incidents. gCaptain
• [New] The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract to Bordelon Marine to provide a commercial support vessel that will transport supplies, equipment and personnel to Coast Guard cutters operating in the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and other maritime areas in the Western Hemisphere. MarineLink
• [New] Scientists forecast a 63% chance of sea surface temperatures exceeding 2 C later in 2026. BBC
• [New] If conditions develop as predicted, ECOA-4 and WCOA 2026 will both capture how El Nino conditions affect ocean acidification and impacts to marine resources. Ocean News & Technology
• [New] Quantum sensing could improve accuracy and continuity for all-domain operations, including missions that span land, sea, air, space and cyber environments. The Quantum Insider

Last updated: 12 July 2026