Asia

Three sources said that a train owned by Russian aluminium producer?Rusal, derailed over the weekend in Guinea's Dubreka Prefecture, halting exports of alumina and slowing production. Two company officials reported that the train carrying alumina fell off the track near Kagbelen, on Saturday evening. The incident injured four people and forced the suspension of rail traffic. Senior Friguia refinery officials said that alumina production continued at a slower pace after the accident but they could not quantify its impact. Exports are at a standstill. "A team has been dispatched on the site to assess and repair the situation," said the...

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin 'granted the Russian state authority to seize control of critical infrastructure that is not adequately protected against Ukrainian drone attacks or other threats. A presidential decree outlines the special powers that will allow Ukraine to temporarily take over management of these facilities. This is at a time where drone attacks on oil refineries, retail warehouses and other critical infrastructure have increased. According to the decree, the state can take control of assets such as physical or financial and formal ownership rights when entities in charge of these?facilities fail to do their job to protect them....

The Russian state was given the authority by President Vladimir Putin to take control of critical infrastructure facilities that are deemed to have been 'poorly protected' from Ukrainian drone attacks and other threats. A presidential decree outlines the special powers that will allow for temporary management of these facilities. This is at a time where?Ukraine is intensifying drone attacks against oil refineries and retail warehouses. According to the decree, the state can take over 'physical and financial assets' and formal ownership rights when the entity responsible for these 'facilities is judged to be negligent in protecting them and too slow...

APK-Inform, an agriculture consultancy, said that the Black Sea ports were blocked, causing a drop in weekly exports of key grains to Ukraine. This was 188,200 tons. The Russian missile and drone attacks on vessels and terminals in the Odesa port hub have effectively stopped operations since the end of July. APK-Inform reported that the?exports consisted of 119,300 tonnes of?wheat and 51,900 tonnes of _corn, as well as 17,100 tons barley. The report by the consultancy stated that "Trading of key grain crops is expected to remain subdued because of security risks in Black Sea ports, and due to limited...

Indian coastguards and navy carried out search-and rescue operations on Sunday off the eastern coast of India after a Panama flagged?bulk ship?carrying a crew of 24 sank. Two Chinese nationals were rescued. Shyam Jagannathan of India's Maritime Administration told Shyam that the two Chinese seafarers claimed the vessel called Ocean Winner developed a list and sank in eight minutes. This forced the crew to abandon the ship. Jagannathan stated that the chances of finding survivors usually fall after?the initial 12 hours. However, rescuers continued their search. Sarbananda Sonowal said, in a post on social media, that "all agencies are coordinating...

India's Coast Guard &?Navy conducted search and rescue operations on Sunday off the east coast of India after a cargo vessel?flagged by Panama sank with a crew of?24. Two Chinese nationals were rescued. Shyam Jagannathan is the director general of India’s Maritime Administration. He told reporters that two Chinese seafarers were rescued. They said their vessel began to list and sank in eight minutes. This forced crews to abandon ship. Jagannathan stated that the chances of finding survivors usually fall sharply after 12 hour, but rescuers are continuing their search. According to the Indian Coast Guard, 22 crew members are...

The Indian Coast Guard reported that India's maritime rescue agency had lost contact with a cargo vessel flying the Panamanian flag, which sank near the eastern coast of India. According to Commandant Amit?Uniyal?, a spokesperson for Coast Guard, the vessel was manned by 24 people, 20 of whom were Chinese, three Myanmarese and one Bangladeshi. Uniyal reported that the Coast Guard dispatched?two vessels from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly known as Port Blair) for a search and rescue mission. The Coast Guard has rescued two people from life rafts. The agency reported that a search and rescue mission was underway for...

On Saturday, a South Korean container vessel set sail?for Europe via arctic in the nation's first commercial trip on the route. The?nation is testing its viability and hopes to turn the southeastern port of Busan into a maritime hub. The PanStar Acro is expected to sail north hugging the eastern Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, crossing the Bering Sea and taking the Northern Sea Route. It will stop in Felixstowe, Britain, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Poland's Gdansk before returning in a trip that should take between 40 and 45 days. President Lee 'Jae Myung made Arctic shipping for South Korea a priority,...

MMC Corporation (which owns Malaysia's largest port operator) informed staff via an internal memo that Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem had been?appointed as executive chairman of the ports unit due to his expertise and proven track record. This was after public outcry regarding his alleged ties with Jeffrey Epstein. The chief executive of MMC Corporation sent the memo to all staff. The memo stated that Emirati Bin Sulayem was appointed to MMC Ports in accordance with the parent's mission of elevating its businesses to international excellence and competitiveness. Exclusively reported in July, Bin Sulayem was to take over MMC Ports five...

South Korea will flag off a container ship bound to Europe via the Arctic on Saturday, testing if a route made possible by melting sea ice is commercially viable. However, the trip requires Russian cooperation, which could cause friction with Western allies. The 'trip' would be South Korea’s first commercial voyage via the Arctic to Europe, if it is successful. It will join China and Russia as the only countries that have run or tested cargo services on this route. PanStar Acro, which will depart from Busan and sail north, will stop at Felixstowe, Britain, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Gdansk, Poland,...

CK Hutchison announced on Thursday that it had filed a?international arbitration proceeding against Panama, and sought?damages in excess of $1.5 billion for?the 'destruction' of its investments. CK Hutchison stated that Panama had violated an investment treaty following a series measures taken over the last two years, which culminated in "the destruction of the concession contract for?the ports?of Balboa?and Cristobal?and the takeover of port terminals". The Hong Kong-based conglomerate stated that "the?board strongly disapproves of the measures taken by Panama to violate the?treaty". Conglomerate owned by Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka shing, is caught up in a diplomatic spat since...

South Korea will launch a container ship bound for Europe via Arctic on Saturday, testing if a route made possible by melting sea ice is commercially viable. However, this could cause friction with Western allies as the journey'requires Russian collaboration. If the trip is successful, it would be South Korea's first commercial voyage via the Arctic to Europe. It would also place South Korea alongside China and Russia as the only countries that have run or tested cargo services on the route. PanStar Acro, which will depart from Busan and sail north, will stop at Felixstowe, Britain, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and...

The CEO of TotalEnergies, a French oil company, said that the company will continue to invest in the Middle East in spite of the Iran conflict. This was revealed at a conference on energy in Norway. Patrick Pouyanne previously said that it was important to fund alternate pipelines in order for oil to leave Middle East, given the paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Pouyanne stated at the ONS Conference that "we are today the largest traders of oil from Iraq or Qatar... it is clear to me that a certain amount equity needs...

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority posted on X that Iran had issued a warning to vessels who violated its 'arrangements for 'transiting the Strait oHormuz. They could be subjected to restrictions such as fines, imprisonment, or confiscation. The 'warning' increases the risks for shipowners and charterers who have vessels that transit the Strait of Hormuz. This is a vital waterway used for energy shipping around the world. The PGSA, a newly-established body?Iran established?with a view to managing the strait has advised cargo owners to refer to an updated listing of vessels deemed uncompliant for 'voyages relating the Persian Gulf. The...

Four industry sources said that India may offer low-cost loans for'renewable energy producers' to compensate them for the losses they have suffered because of inadequate transmission infrastructure. According to official figures, the?transmission?network of this South Asian nation has been unable to keep up with the growth in renewable energy, especially solar. Solar represents 162 gigawatts or almost a third its total power generation capacity. Sources said that India's renewable power developers had lost around 45 billion rupees (470.21 million dollars) since February 2025 due to limited infrastructure. One source said that in some cases, up to 70% of power generated...

According to Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis'?Iran-aligned group in Yemen on Telegram Monday, the Houthis fired missiles at what they 'described' as a Saudi military ship and its four escorting vessels in the Red Sea. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the report. Mocha is a Red Sea Port near the 'Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This strategic chokepoint connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and it is an important international shipping line. The Houthis reportedly attacked a ship on Tuesday in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, at the southern 'entrance to the Red Sea. According to...

Two trading sources reported that the main Black Sea oil terminal of Russia, Novorossiysk, resumed its operations on Sunday following a Friday drone attack. Sources said that a Suezmax class tanker had been loading Kazakh KEBCO crude since Sunday. It was due to depart on Monday. One of the sources stated on Monday that another tanker will begin loading 80,000 tonnes of KEBCO crude oil on Tuesday. Novorossiysk is capable of handling?around 700,000. barrels per day. It can load Russia's Urals and Siberian Light grades as well as Kazakh KEBCO. The Sheskharis Terminal, the port’s main oil export facility, is...

According to regional authorities and media, fuel shortages returned to certain regions of 'Russia in August. Local authorities in at least ten regions tightened controls on the sale of motor fuel at petrol stations. On Monday, witnesses reported that diesel fuel was still available in almost all fuel stations throughout the Moscow region. However, gasoline was again unavailable. Fuel?crisis began in May, and by July, it had spread to almost all of Russia. It was caused by the closure of several refineries that were?targeted in drone attacks, and an increase in seasonal demand. The authorities increased fuel supplies on the...

L'IMAD, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, announced on Monday that it plans to buy out AD Ports Group. L'IMAD owns 75.42% of AD Ports' shares through its wholly-owned subsidiary ADQ. It is now looking to purchase the remaining capital by way of a conditional voluntary cash offer at 6.25 dirhams for each share. According to calculations by?' calculations. AD Ports shares rose by nearly 15% to 5.86 dirhams at 0745 GMT on Monday morning, bringing them closer to the offered price. L'IMAD, one of Abu Dhabi's wealth funds, is chaired?by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al...

Iraq's plans for a 'pipeline' to transport oil through Syria in order to avoid future disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz would likely take four years to build and cost $15 billion, according to sources familiar with the project. U.S. officials and energy executives have billed the plan as part of an effort to reduce the industry’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed largely by the Iran War. The initial feasibility study is being funded by a consortium that includes Chevron. Over the next two-year period, the Strait will become irrelevant. Last week, U.S. Treasury secretary...

Grid gridlock could stall the renewable energy transition * Many green energy plants cannot connect to an overloaded grid * Government plans major grid expansion over next decade By Kate Bartlett The President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the latest green energy projects last month. He called it part of a "clean-energy revolution" and a 155 megawatt wind farm located in Mpumalanga Province. He said that "electricity which is reliable, affordable and becoming increasingly clean is the 'lifeblood' of a growing economic system." South Africa plans to add 105 Gigawatts to its grid by 2039. This will include nuclear, wind, and solar...

Open Interest (ROI), every Friday, distills the previous five days' financial week into five charts that highlight the most important trends, surprises, and overlooked moves. 1. HORMUZ REALISTIC CHECK CLYDE RUSSEL, 'ROI Asia Commodities and Energy'?Columnist : Middle East crude exports, including?flows across the Strait of Hormuz?, have been depressed this summer, say commodity analysts Kpler. The data is in line with other vessel tracking companies but it stands in stark contrast to the claims made by U.S. Energy Sec. Chris Wright this week that 15 million barrels of crude oil per day were leaving the region. This includes 9...

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reported that two of its vessels were attacked Thursday evening while they transited the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported. This was the second incident in which ADNOC vessels were involved in less than one week. The UAE condemned an alleged Iranian attack against a vessel associated with the state oil company on Saturday as it crossed the strait. According to WAM, the state news agency of the UAE, ADNOC has confirmed that the situation is under control. The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned a "hostile Iranian assault" on the two ADNOC ships. The...

Ukraine will ship more grain via the?Danube River and neighbouring countries in?eastern Europe after a Russian?blockade? of key Black Sea ports caused exports to plummet 76% year-onyear so far this August, said the state railway operator on Thursday. Ukrzaliznytsia reported that grain exports have reached 201,700 tons this month. In a recent report, it stated that "the pace of export shipments has been extremely low due to the blockade at seaports." Since the end of December, Russian attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea export terminals, vessels and ports have effectively stopped shipments. Ukrzaliznytsia stated that export cargo is being redirected towards...