Oceans
The Financial Times proposes to publish this Special Report on September 22, 2026
We plan to include the following pieces of content (please note:this list is provisional)
From global shipping lanes to the hidden ecology of the deep sea, the health of the ocean is increasingly linked with trade, security, climate and financial stability. This FT report, in print and online, will examine the political, economic and technological forces shaping the future of the world’s oceans.
Governance
Despite growing threats, a very small percentage of life at sea is currently protected. The High Seas treaty, which entered into force in January 2026 and has now been ratified by more than 80 countries, is designed to change that. But can it withstand geopolitical tensions and pressure from the fishing and deep-sea mining industries?
Shipping
The recent Iran war and the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz have been another reminder of the vulnerability of main shipping routes and global supply chains. What are the longer-term implications for the shipping industry, and can repeated shocks accelerate the search for alternative routes, greater resilience and new maritime strategies?
Interview / Opinion: Expert commentary on ocean science or marine protection.
Financial risk
Recent research has highlighted the material financial risks associated with declining ocean health across sectors including energy, tourism, food systems, shipping and utilities. Are those risks being properly reflected in financial regulation, supervision, disclosure frameworks and monetary policy? Are policymakers still underestimating the economic consequences of ocean degradation?
Graphics
A visual look at the latest data on ocean warming, acidification and sea-level change — and what those trends mean for ecosystems, industry and coastal economies.
Mapping
The Seabed 2030 project aims to map the entire ocean floor by 2030, bringing together bathymetric data to build the clearest picture yet of the seabed. How can this effort — alongside satellite imagery, AI and other ocean-data initiatives — deepen our understanding of the seas, reveal new geological and ecological features, and support marine protection, including efforts to track unregulated fishing?
Technology
How low-Earth-orbit satellites are transforming connectivity at sea, improving maritime communications and strengthening the ability to monitor weather patterns, currents and vessel movements.
In pictures
A photographic essay on life underwater — from marine mammals to deep-sea species and little-seen habitats — and the role biodiversity plays in sustaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
Information
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