Benelux








Transport Infrastructure

Transport Infrastructure

The crash of a coach carrying German students in high school in the Netherlands

Dutch police reported that a?coach? carrying high-school students from Germany crashed early Monday morning in the Netherlands, causing eight injuries. The injured were taken to hospital. In a post posted on X, the police department in Gelderland Province?stated that "some of the victims taken to hospital are seriously injured." The accident also caused minor injuries to other?people. A police spokesperson said that the coach, which was carrying more than 50 passengers, "crashed" near Wezep (about 100 km east of Amsterdam) at around 4 a.m. A collision with a delivery van, whose driver was among the injured victims, caused the accident...

Transport Infrastructure

El Nino threatens to revive shipping concerns, prompting Brazil's port terminals to call for the dredging of Tapajos River

Lobby groups for port terminals in Brazil have urged government officials to allow the 'dredging' of the Tapajos River. This is a major waterway for grain-exports, which cuts through the Amazon?rainforest. They are concerned that a severe El Nino would make one of Brazil's most important export routes too narrow for barges. Industry data shows that global trading firms such as Bunge Cargill and Louis Dreyfus move 15 million metric tonnes of grain annually along the Tapajos. Brazil is one of the largest corn and soybean suppliers in the world. The Brazilian government, however, has refused to grant the permission?to...

Transport Infrastructure

South Korean container ship to test Arctic route from Europe amid Western concerns

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...

Transport Infrastructure

One person killed in blast at Rotterdam Port Energy Facility

Officials said that a blast occurred at a storage area for 'petroleum' products in the?Port of Rotterdam,?the Netherlands, on Thursday. One person was killed and several others were injured. The cause is unknown. Gunvor, a major trading company in energy commodities, said that an "incident occurred"?during the maintenance of a storage tank. Police spokesperson said that no immediate signs of sabotage were present and?that the investigation was looking at all possibilities. Rotterdam, Europe's biggest port, is home to?oil refining facilities?,?liquefied gas terminals? and?multiple chemical plants? Shell, Exxon 'Mobil, BP, and Gunvor Energy, among others, are energy giants that operate at...

Transport Infrastructure

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Aeroports de Paris - The Paris airport operator ADP reported that the net income attributable to the first half nearly tripled, reaching?312 millions euros. It has lowered its estimate for the annual traffic growth of Paris Aeroport by 2026 from an earlier range of 1.5% to 2.5%. Now, it expects recurring EBITDA?of between?2.30 and 2.35 billion euro. AIRBUS: Airbus AIR.PA voiced increasing confidence in its critical jet delivery target and maintained other 2026 goals as it unveiled stronger-than-expected second-quarter results...

Transport Infrastructure

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets or stocks in France and Benelux. PARIS AIRPORTS/AIRFRANCE KLM: France’s civil aviation authority has asked airlines to reduce flights by 20% at Paris-Orly airport on Thursday evening, due to storm risk. Delays are also expected at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. AEROPORTS de PARIS SA : The Paris airport operator reported that June group traffic dropped 1.4%, to 33.4 millions passengers. It also revised its 2026 passenger traffic growth projection for Paris from a range of 1.5-2.5% to 0.5%. AEDIFICA: Aedifica, a Belgian investor in healthcare real estate,...

Transport Infrastructure

Dutch court rejects Glencore's bid to purchase back a logistics unit at a discount

The Dutch court rejected Glencore’s bid to buy back Access World Group, its former logistics unit through a private transfer. Opponents said that the price proposed was too low. According to a ruling of the Amsterdam District Court dated July 2, which was released last week, Glencore, a London-listed company, could not transfer Access World Shares?to Tironimus. Hearing was held on 21 May. The court stated that Glencore did not demonstrate that a public auction was harmful. The court added that Tironimus might participate as a bidder at a public sale that could also identify other potential buyers. Glencore sought...

Transport Infrastructure

Exxon Mobil Antwerp refinery will stop production from June 29 to July 3 due to a strike

The company's Press Office announced on Wednesday that Exxon's oil refinery in the 'Belgian Port' of Antwerp will stop production from June 29 until July 3, due to a striking action. ABVV Petroleum union stated on its website that workers at the refinery oppose a plan of cutting 35 jobs from a total of 735. According to the union, staff are also protesting about their deteriorating conditions of work and fewer options for early retirement despite ExxonMobil making higher profits because fuel prices have risen. The union stated that the job cuts were part of a wider reorganization, which will...

Transport Infrastructure

Dutch transportation minister defends Tesla FSD approval

The Netherlands' transport minister denied on Tuesday that the influential 'RDW' authority had used statistics provided by Tesla to approve the "Full Self Driving" software of the company for use on Dutch highways. RDW approved Tesla's software on 10 April, a European-first. It said it thought it would contribute to safety. The agency has requested that the European Union approve FSD for use in the entire 27-nation block. This led to preliminary approvals being granted to Belgium, Denmark and Estonia. Minister Vincent Karremans who oversees infrastructure faced questions in parliament after a report that claimed Tesla had misled the RDW...

Transport Infrastructure

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news stories and updates from France and Benelux that could have an effect on individual stocks or the markets in these regions. Aeroports de Paris, a French airport operator, reported that May group traffic rose by 1.2% to 32.8 million passengers. Traffic at the Paris Aeroport was up 1.0%, at 9.5 millions passengers. This is due to easing Middle East instabilities. EDENRED - French payment solutions provider Edenred has acquired Mobility House Solutions to strengthen its position in Germany, Austria and the rest of Europe. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter 2026....

Transport Infrastructure

From corn fields and cargo ships, early interest in ethanol as a marine fuel

Maersk, Vale and other shippers are using ethanol to reduce emissions. Its low cost and abundant supply make it more appealing than other fuels with lower carbon content. Further commercial use is expected to begin as soon as next year. The use of ethanol in shipping can open up a new market for the fuel which is in some countries blended with gasoline. It also offers'shipowners' another way to reduce conventional fuel consumption to meet emission targets. The global shipping industry is under increasing pressure to manage the uncertainty of oil prices as the hostilities in Middle East and the...

Transport Infrastructure

From corn fields and cargo ships, early interest in ethanol as a marine fuel

Maersk, Vale and other shippers are using ethanol to reduce emissions. Its abundant supply and low cost make it more appealing than other fuels with lower carbon content. Further commercial use is expected to begin as soon as next year. The use of ethanol for shipping could 'open up a new market for the fuel which is?in certain countries blended with gasoline. It also offers shipowners a way to reduce conventional fuel use in order to meet emissions reduction targets. The global shipping industry is under increasing pressure to manage the uncertainty of oil prices as the hostilities in Middle...

Passenger Transportation Services

Passenger Transportation Services

ArianeGroup examines increase in European space launch

ArianeGroup, a European rocket manufacturer, is looking at a "potential increase" in the deployment of its Ariane 6 heavy launcher. CEO Christophe Bruneau said to reporters on Monday. The European Space Agency said 'on Friday that it was looking at increasing the launch rate for Europe's Ariane 6 rockets and Vega-C in future years in order to deal with a looming satellite deployment bottleneck. Arianespace, ArianeGroup's subsidiary in charge of marketing and operating launches out of French Guiana, wants to achieve a stable launch rate between nine and ten Ariane 6 rockets per year, starting in 2027. Bruneau said at...

Passenger Transportation Services

Portugal asks Air France, KLM and Lufthansa to improve their offers for TAP sale

Portugal's government asked rivals Lufthansa and Air 'France-KLM to submit better offers for a'minority stake' in the 'flag carrier TAP', starting a final round of negotiations, after judging that both groups' first bids were too similar to choose one. In July, both European airline groups made binding but undisclosed offers to purchase a 44.9% stake in TAP. They also offered to become TAP's strategic partner. The?government received the assessment of the offers from Parpublica, the state-owned holding company. Leitao Amaro stated that the two binding offers "differeced in their content but were rated as being broadly similar overall". He told...

Passenger Transportation Services

Son of Sri Lanka's ex-president arrested on corruption charges

A top court in Sri Lanka announced on Friday that the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested and remanded to a prison until September 18 for alleged graft related to purchases of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines. Namal Rajapaksa is a member of the opposition Sri Lankan Podujana peramuna. He was arrested after more than five hours?of questioning from Sri Lanka's main anti-corruption body, the Commission to Investigate Allegations Of Bribery Or Corruption. The order remanding?him came from Colombo Chief Magistrates?Asanga?S. Bodaragama. Rajapaksa has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers weren't immediately available to comment. His arrest is...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

Transportation

Transportation

German shippers warn Rhine may be "split into two" by low water

The 'federal association of German inland saftey (BDB) warned on Monday that low water levels could halt cargo traffic this week along a critical stretch of the Rhine, effectively dividing the vital?waterway in two zones. BDB managing director Jens Schwanen said to the Rheinische Post that water levels at Germany’s Kaub gauge station, which is a major bottleneck in Rhine navigation, were forecast to fall into single digits, for the first time, due to a lack of rain. Kaub is located south of Koblenz, at the lowest point of the Middle Rhine. He said that commercial?shipping would no longer be...

Transportation

Fuel shortages in Russia and restrictions on sales

Fuel shortages are affecting Russians in all 11 time zones. Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries have disrupted supply and caused long queues, high gasoline prices, and even rationing?in some regions. Fuel access has improved in Moscow and other cities, mainly due to measures such as increasing imports and clearing low-quality fuels for use. However, the situation in Russian-annexed Crimea is still tense. Fuel shortages began in June, when some regions began to restrict gasoline and diesel use. Here is the situation in some Russian regions: CENTRAL RUSSIA According to 'witnesses, local media, and service aggregators who monitor the availability of...

Transportation

Maguire: 'Roi-Hormuz is half-open, but tanker prices are recovering in hope:

Oil tankers behave as if the Strait of Hormuz was reopening, even though the waterway is only partially navigable. The signals are clear, from ship tracking data to the freight rates: Owners and charterers have moved early to position their vessels for a possible return to Gulf exports. The gap between expectations and reality is still wide. This leaves the global oil transportation system on a fragile "middle ground" between crisis and recovery. Signs of Recovery Real-time vessel movement is the most obvious?evidence? of adjustment. The number of tanker transits in Hormuz has begun to increase. During the conflict they...

Transportation

Fuel shortages in Russia and restrictions on sales

Russian regions are restricting fuel sales due to a lack of certain grades of gasoline and diesel and long lines at the filling stations. This is because Ukrainian attacks on oil refining facilities have disrupted supply. The following are statements by Russian regional authorities and companies on the current situation: CENTRAL RUSSIA Surgutneftegaz, Tatneft and the authorities in Tver announced on the 20th of June that temporary restrictions were introduced for individuals at the Surgutneftegaz & Tatneft gasoline stations because of increased demand. Igor Artamonov, the Governor of Lipetsk, said that several filling stations in the region, including?the cities?of Lipetsk,...

Transportation

AirAsia X CEO: Prices for jet fuel have fallen since June 15, resulting in a reduction of fares.

Bo Lingam said that the CEO of Malaysian budget airline AirAsia?X, has announced a 5% reduction in fares since June 15. The airline will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis as jet fuel prices fall, he added. As the U.S. - Iran war wreaked havoc on travel around the world, the airline has used the last three months to reduce underperforming flights, shift the demand, and renegotiate all contracts with vendors and lessors. Lingam said to reporters that they were still renegotiating and restructuring all of their contracts. He added that "week by week we will be...

Transportation

FAA cancels San Francisco International Airport's short ground stop

The?U.S. The?U.S. According to a FAA notice, the ground stop was from 9:53 pm to 11:15 pm PDT (0435 - 0615 GMT on Monday). The ban was lifted a little before the end. The airport didn't immediately respond to our request for a comment. According to the airport's website, more than 54 million passengers will travel through SFO by 2025. The airport is home to many airlines, including United Airlines. It also offers many international flights from and to Asia. The FAA announced in March that it would be imposing new safety restrictions on SFO. These would restrict?some landings, and...

Transportation

Argentina recommends awarding the dredging contract to Jan de Nul, and local partners, despite US concerns

The Economy Ministry announced that the Argentine government had recommended awarding an important?dredging contract in Argentina to Belgian dredging firm Jan De Nul, and its local partner Servimagnus. Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned in May about the "malign influence" of China in the bid to win the major contract for Argentina. Jan De Nul, and its local partner Servimagnus, denied any Chinese ties. * The recommendation is for the concession to dredge the Parana River and maintain it, as this river carries 80%?of?the trade of the country. In a late-Thursday statement, the ministry...

Transportation

Andy Home: Warning lights flash when aluminium reels are impacted by Gulf shock

The Iran War is shaping up as one of the largest?supply shocks' in the history the aluminum market. According to the International Aluminium Institute, the Gulf's production of this metal, used in sectors such as transportation, packaging and solar panels, plummeted in April to its lowest level for over a decade. The regional run-rates fell by 2 million metric tons annually between March and April. In missile strikes, two Gulf aluminium smelters were damaged. Al Taweelah, the Emirates Global Aluminium plant in Al Taweelah will require a year to repair. At least one other manufacturer - Qatalum has reduced its...

Transportation

Andy Home: Warning lights flash when aluminium reels are impacted by Gulf shock

The Iran War is likely to be the largest supply shock in the history on the aluminium market. According to the International Aluminium Institute, the Gulf's?production? of the metal, used in sectors such as packaging, solar panels and transport, plummeted in April to its lowest level in more than a decade. The regional run-rates fell by 2 million metric tonnes annually between March and April. In missile attacks, two Gulf aluminium smelters were damaged. The?Al Taweelah facility of Emirates Global Aluminium will require a full year to be repaired. One other producer,?Qatalum, has also reduced its?capacity. The ongoing closure of...

Transportation

Hantavirus risks to US public remain low, CDC states

The risk of hantavirus spreading to the general public is very low, according to the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention has over 100 staff working on this outbreak, a government official said on Wednesday. Please know that we are here to safeguard your health. Dr. 'David Fitter', incident manager of the CDC hantavirus response said that based on the current information the risk to the general public is low. Dr. Brendan Jackson is the CDC's team leader in Nebraska. He said that the CDC was conducting public health assessments in Nebraska where 16 out of 18?passengers? from...

Transportation

Authorities say eight people were killed in a helicopter crash in West Kalimantan in Indonesia.

Authorities?said?that all eight people aboard a helicopter died?when it crashed?in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province?as they tried to recover the bodies and wreckage. Mohammad Syafii said that the Airbus H130 helicopter had lost contact five minutes after it took off from a plantation in Melawi. The location of the crash, or the loss of contact, is in an area of dense?forested terrain with steep hills," Syafii stated. He added that'rescuers found debris believed to be the tail from the helicopter about 3 km (2 miles), west of the point where contact was lost. The cause of the crash is still unknown....

Transportation

Why is the port of Fujairah important to the oil industry?

After a Saturday drone attack and fire, some oil-loading activities have been suspended at the United Arab Emirates’?Fujairah Port, a global hub for refuelling vessels?aswell as crude fuel and exports. Why Does FUJAIRAH Matter Globally? According to Kpler, Fujairah exported a total of 1.7 million barrels of crude oil per day and refined fuels in average during the past year. This volume is equivalent to 1.7% of world daily demand. Fujairah is situated on the Gulf of Oman and is approximately 70 nautical mile from the Strait of Hormuz which is currently closed because of the Iran conflict. This increases...