Latest News
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The government confirms that the ferry was over-capacity.
The government said that the ferry, which capsized last week on Lake Kariba in 'Zimbabwe, was carrying 180 passengers. This is double the number of people the police had estimated. The Herald, a state-controlled newspaper in South Africa, reported that it was the worst transport disaster to have occurred there since 1991. That bus crash claimed 89 lives. The boat capsized as it was traveling from a town in northern Zimbabwe called 'Kariba' to a rural community located on a lake after being hit by powerful?waves. Police said that the ferry was only meant to carry 90 people, last week. The government statement didn't specify the maximum number of passengers that could have been aboard, but it did say that the?180 people and goods on board exceeded the "carrying capacity". The police put the death toll at 94 on Tuesday. The government released a statement after a cabinet session that said 77 people had been rescued to date, and search-and-recovery operations are still ongoing. Lake Kariba is one of the largest reservoirs in the world. It's located on a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. (Reporting and writing by Chris Takudzwa, Nilutpal Timsina, Editing by Alexander Winning & Alison Williams).
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Canada's oil producers target late 2027 for Pathways carbon capture decision
The president of Oil Sands Alliance, an industry group that represents Canadian Natural Resources, Imperial Oil, Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy and ConocoPhillips Canada, said in an interview this week that the country's largest oil producers plan to make a final investment decision by late 2027 on their 6-million-tonne "carbon capture and storage" project. This is a critical part of the country's plans to increase oil production while keeping emissions under control, according the Oil Sands Alliance. Kendall Dilling, the head of the industry group representing Canadian Natural Resources (CNR), Imperial Oil (Suncor Energy), Cenovus Energy (CenocoPhillips Canada), and ConocoPhillips Canada said this week in an interview that he believed oil sands firms would reach a definitive agreement with Alberta and federal governments by mid-November on fiscal terms, which could pave the way for the decision to go ahead with a multi-billion dollar Pathways project. Dilling stated that the window for an upcoming launch is "late 2027 to early 2028". The Pathways project is a proposed CO2 transport pipeline and storage hub, which could reduce greenhouse gas emission from Canadian oil sands. It's part of a nonbinding agreement that was signed by Alberta and Canada earlier this year, who agreed to work jointly to increase the country's oil production. Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, is working to strengthen the oil and gas industry as part of a plan to increase the resilience of the Canadian economy against President Donald Trump's tariffs. However, he says that he remains committed to combating climate change. Mark Carney has endorsed Alberta’s vision for a new pipeline that would export 1 million barrels per day to the Pacific Coast. However, he has stated that his support depends on whether the Pathways project is completed. Oil sands firms, who first proposed the project for 2021, but balked at its construction costs, signed an agreement with both governments in July. The agreement outlines the conditions necessary for Pathways to be implemented, such as agreements on carbon pricing, financial assistance, and permitting. Many of the policy changes proposed have yet to be drafted into legislation. Project Scaled Down Environmentalists have criticized the Oil Sands Alliance over the scaling down of the project. The original goal was to reduce emissions by 22 million tonnes?by 2030. Dilling, however, said that the agreement between industry and government -- 6 million tonnes of emissions reduction by mid-2030s with an "additional" 10 million tonnes?by 2045 -- was a better, more balanced middle ground. He said: "The (prior) proposal was a very aggressive timeline and scale that I thought would have been difficult to manage, and contain costs." Some oil and gas executives publicly criticized the decision to link the approval of the Pathways project with the approval of the new?oil pipe. Cenovus CEO Jon McKenzie stated in June that Pathways may cost as much as C$30 billion. This would make Canadian producers who are also subjected to a federal carbon tax uncompetitive. Dilling said that while the industry is concerned about its competitiveness, it's not accurate to say they have soured on carbon?capture. He said: "Today the global focus on climate change has definitely mellowed, but as an industry we are taking a long-term approach here." "So if in 10 years, the discussion of emissions per barrel is important globally again, we won't be on our heels." We have been on the front foot." Amanda Stephenson, Calgary reporter; Paul Simao, editor
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After 12 years, the US has lifted security restrictions on ships coming from Nigeria
Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, announced on Tuesday that the United States had lifted the security restrictions on vessels coming from Nigeria after more than 10 years. This move is expected to reduce shipping costs and increase the competitiveness in Nigerian ports. The U.S. Coast Guard introduced the restrictions known as Conditions of Entry in June 2014. They required that vessels bound for "the United States" who had visited certain Nigerian ports recently to "comply with enhanced security measures and undergo increased scrutiny before entering U.S. water." The Coast 'Guard' said Nigerian ports failed to maintain effective anti-terrorism procedures, citing deficiencies with the legal framework, oversight by the designated maritime security authority and access?control. Oyetola said the decision was made in response to improvements in the maritime safety framework and compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. U.S. authorities were not immediately available for comment. The lifting of restrictions means that vessels calling in Nigerian ports before sailing to the United States are no longer subject to additional security requirements imposed by the program. Oyetola stated that the move will help improve vessel turnaround times, increase schedule reliability and make Nigerian port more attractive for international shipping lines. Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration said that the U.S. Coast Guard conducted four assessments between March 2024 to April 2026 of Nigeria's maritime safety systems and port facilities. The industry has long claimed that these restrictions increase?operating expenses through increased inspections, documentation and security requirements, as well as delays, higher freight costs and increased insurance rates.
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Sources say that Russia is rerouting Kazakh crude oil to the Black Sea in order to increase Baltic export capacity.
Sources say that Russia has rerouted Kazakhstan's crude exports to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk from the Baltic port?of Ust-Luga, in order to free up more capacity for Russian oil exports?from the Baltic due to a heightened Black Sea security risk. Sources familiar with the issue said that Kazakhstan exports crude oil through Novorossiysk as well as Ust-Luga. However, Moscow wants to route all Kazakh transit volumes through the Black Sea starting in late August and continuing until the end of September. This move would allow Russia to replace Kazakh crude barrels at Ust-Luga by its own crude exports. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks are making it harder for Russian exporters and tankers to secure Black Sea loadings. Three sources said that at least two cargoes destined for Ust-Luga to be loaded with Kazakh KEBCO crude in late August were redirected to Novorossiysk. Three of the?sources said that at least two cargoes of Kazakh KEBCO crude due to load at Ust-Luga in?late August have been redirected to Novorossiysk. Requests for comments from the Energy Ministries of Russia and Kazakhstan were not immediately responded to. Two sources claim that Russian exporters struggle to find tankers to load crude oil in the Black Sea because shipowners do not want to transport Russian crude to the region due to security concerns. The vessel shortage has caused delays in cargo loadings. Kazakh crude oil is viewed as having lower risks and therefore making it easier to chart tankers. The Financial Times reported that Ukraine has pledged to stop strikes on tankers transporting non-Russian crude from Black Sea ports. Two sources stated that Kazakh producers are in favor of the agreement because Black Sea exports are more profitable at the moment than Baltic shipments. The majority of KEBCO crude oil is sold to Mediterranean refining companies or to European refineries that are owned by Kazakhstan state oil company KazMunayGas. Reporting by Mark Potter Mark Potter (Editing by Mark Potter).
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UKMTO reports crew injuries after vessel struck by unknown projectiles in Strait of Hormuz
The 'United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations' said a?report?was received?on -Tuesday? that a vessel had been struck by an unidentified projectile as it transited outbound through the Strait of Hormuz. This caused engine room damage? and a crew fatality. According to the report, the remaining crew members were being 'assist by the Omani Coast Guard. UKMTO stated that no environmental impact had been reported, and authorities were investigating. Sources in maritime?security identified the vessel as Minoan Dignity with Liberia flag, saying that it was struck by a projectile unknown while on an outbound transit along a strategic waterway. According to sources, the chief engineer of the vessel was killed. This incident occurs as'shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is severely disrupted. Iran. Reporting by Tala Ramadan, Rene Maltezou and Alex Richardson; Editing done by Christian Schmollinger and Shri Navaratnam
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IAEA: drone explodes at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant bus stop killing one
The 'International Atomic Energy Agency' said Tuesday that a drone exploded at a bus stop used by the staff of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, killing one person and injuring others. In a statement released on?X, the IAEA (the United Nations' nuclear watchdog) said that the director of the plant described the incident as "the worst the plant has ever faced". According to the agency, the director of the plant said that the explosion occurred at 6 am and caused 16 casualties, including one death and three serious injuries. The station is Europe's biggest with six reactors and was seized by Russian forces in the first week of their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, both sides have accused each other of actions that compromise nuclear safety. Water supplies to parts of the power plant were cut off?in July. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi called on military commanders and others who are threatening nuclear power plants or their staff to immediately stop these unacceptable acts. He added that they "constitute?great risks for nuclear safety and security in the conflict". (Reporting and editing by Miranda Murray, with Ludwig Burger)
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Trump claims that no Iran talks are being held and none are scheduled
?U.S. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump?said that he had?no scheduled conversations with Iran and there were none taking place. He also said the Strait of Hormuz is open. There are no scheduled or ongoing?conversations with the Islamic?Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade is still in full force. The Hormuz Strait remains open and operational. Trump stated in a Truth Social post that all water mines have been removed or detonated. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the top Iranian negotiator, said in remarks published by state-run media on Tuesday that the Strait will remain closed until the U.S. meets the conditions of the interim 'deal' signed with Iran in June. Qalibaf said that these conditions included the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian?ports and lifting oil sanctions. They also include releasing Tehran’s frozen assets and ending threats and military operations across a range of fronts. Reporting by Katharine J. Jackson, Susan Heavey, and Daphne Psaledakis. Editing by David Ljunggren.
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American Airlines will restore seatback screens and add premium seats to its profit-driven push.
American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will add more premium seats to its narrowbody aircraft and bring back seatback entertainment screens. The airline is focusing on the higher-spending traveler as it attempts to close a large profit gap between Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines. Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, has increased the number of premium upgrades in order to boost earnings. U.S. carriers are competing more aggressively with each other for premium revenue. American Airlines said that premium seating will increase to about 40% of seats in narrowbody departures from the current 25%. As aircraft reconfigure and new jets are added to the fleet, American will add more 'first class seats' and main cabin seats that have extra legroom. Premium travelers accounted for nearly half of the revenue generated by?American in the second quarter, while occupying roughly 30% of seats. Isom is under pressure to prove that the strategy will close the gap. Flight attendants called for a change in leadership earlier this year, and the pilots' union questioned whether or not the current management can bring about the improvements. Delta and United expect solid profits this year. American is expecting a break-even result. Isom, who reshuffled senior management last week, acknowledged that there was a "meaningful difference" between American's results and what it should be. SEATBACK SCREEN? RETURN Seatback screens are also a return to American's former in-flight entertainment strategy. The airline started moving away from screens almost a decade earlier, betting that passengers would watch movies and TV on their own devices. American Airlines said that customer preferences have changed, especially among younger travelers. They want larger screens to go with their devices. The airline said that advances in high-speed satellite Wi Fi have made it possible to provide a more personalized and connected onboard experience. Seatback screens will be installed on more than 800 narrowbody aircraft by the end of 2028, according to the carrier. Retrofits are scheduled to begin in 2028, and should be completed by the early 2030s. American has already ordered more than 140 Airbus A321XLR widebody aircraft and seats with screens. It refused to reveal how much money it planned to spend on this program. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed; Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Airbus plans to launch A350F in September, according to sources
Airbus 'tentatively' scheduled the first flight of its delayed A350F cargo plane for the third week in September, according to industry sources. The company is attempting to?loosen?Boeing’s grip on the airborne trade.
The European planemaker has a well-balanced certification schedule as it strives to complete flight tests and deliver the first deliveries?to its customers by the end of the next year.
Industry sources claim that flight trials usually take between 12 and 15 months.
Airbus' spokesperson stated that it had nothing more to say about its latest?predictions, which included a maiden flight by the end of the year and a first delivery in 2027's second half.
Airbus launched its dedicated freighter version of the A350 long-haul aircraft family in 2021, with a target of entering service within four years. The aim is to take a piece of the market that has been dominated for decades by Boeing.
Airbus has sold 107 of the A350F lightweight composite cargo planes compared to 38 older A330F models. In May, it was reported that Airbus faced delays with cargo doors for the new freighter. These were built in Spain by 'Airbus.
This month, aviation publication?Leeham News' reported that A350F delivery could be delayed until 2028. Reporting by Tim Hepher Editing Susan Fenton and David Goode
(source: Reuters)