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After Ukraine's attack on refineries, parts of Russia are experiencing gasoline shortages
After Ukraine intensified its attacks on Russian oil refining facilities this month and amid an increase in seasonal fuel demand, several regions in Russia are reporting gasoline shortages. On July 28, Russia banned gasoline exports for oil producers in an effort to avoid shortages during a period of high demand due to summer travels and grain harvesting. Some market participants say this is not enough to prevent a fuel shortage. They said that the problem was exacerbated by bottlenecks in logistics, low stocks at home and repairs being done to refineries. In response to the missile and drone strikes by Moscow, Ukraine has been targeting a number oil refineries, including Novokuibyshevsk and Syzran. Ryazan, Volgograd and Ryazan have also been targeted. Local media in Primorye (Russia's far east region) reported long lines of motorists waiting to fill up their gas tanks. Authorities blamed a surge in tourists. Local media reported that NNK, a major oil company, had said that many of its gasoline trucks in the area were stuck in traffic for up to six hours due to road repairs. Yevgeny Baltsky, the Moscow-appointed Governor of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Region, which is largely under Russian control, stated on Thursday that retail gasoline sales in several regions were experiencing problems due to peak demand and refinery repairs. He said that the fuel shortage in the Zaporizhzhia area is made worse by logistical issues and the possibility of an enemy attack on fuel trains. Sergei Aksyonov - the head of Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. - acknowledged fuel issues in an interview this week with a local television station. He said that "this is an objective situation which could continue for another month" and that the issue will not be resolved until the conflict has ended. Mark Trevelyan (Reporting)
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German prosecutors claim that Italy arrested a Ukrainian for attacks on the Nord Stream pipeline
The German prosecutor general announced on Thursday that Italian police had arrested a Ukrainian suspected of coordinating attacks against the Nord Stream Pipelines. He added that he will be brought before a German court after being transferred. No one has taken responsibility for the explosions in September 2022 that damaged the pipelines transporting gas from Russia to Europe. This marked a significant escalation of the Ukraine conflict, and exacerbated the energy crisis in Europe. A statement from the prosecutor’s office stated that the suspect, who is only identified as Serhii in accordance with German privacy laws was part of a team of people who placed devices near the German Island of Bornholm, in September 2022. The newspaper said that he and his accomplices set out from Rostock, on Germany's northern-eastern coastline, in a sailing boat to carry out the attacks. It added that the vessel was rented by a German firm with the aid of fake identity documents through middlemen. The authorities acted based on an arrest warrant issued by the European Union for the suspect. He is accused of conspiring to cause explosions, anti-constitutional destruction and sabotage. The German prosecution said that Carabinieri officers had arrested him in the nighttime in the Italian province of Rimini, on the Adriatic coast. Italian police had no immediate comment. The Italian police had no immediate comment.
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Sources: Russia has attacked an important Ukrainian gas compressor plant
Two industry sources reported on Thursday that Russia had attacked a compressor station for gas in eastern Ukraine, which plays an important role pumping gas into storage facilities. This is part of a escalation in strikes against energy infrastructure. Later, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said that overnight, a Russian attack had occurred on one of Ukraine's gas infrastructure installations. The ministry did not give any further details but stated that damage was being assessed. One source said, "Yes, this affects gas injection." The Russian Defence Ministry said that its forces carried out overnight strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and other targets. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Ukraine's Energy Ministry said on Tuesday that a Russian attack overnight had caused large fires in energy facilities located in central Ukrainian region Poltava. The attack was carried out by drones, according to the ministry. In the first half of this month, Russia attacked a gas station in southern Odesa, Ukraine, which was used to import LNG from Azerbaijan and the U.S., thereby compromising winter preparations. Since a series devastating Russian missile attacks this year that significantly reduced the domestic production, Ukraine has been facing a severe gas shortage. Russia has denied that it targets civilians in its invasion of Ukraine, which began more than three year ago. However, the country says that infrastructure like energy systems is a legitimate target because they aid Ukraine's war efforts. (Reporting and Editing by William Maclean and Aidan Lewis.)
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Austrian postal group stops parcels to US
Austrian Post joined other European postal service groups on Thursday in stopping the standard parcel shipment to the United States, as U.S. Customs Services are planning to charge duties for packages of low value. In a press release, the Austrian state-controlled company said that it will no longer accept consignments of standard parcels bound for the United States as of next Tuesday. The U.S. administration of Donald Trump announced last month that it would suspend global "de minimis", which allows minimal paperwork for international shipments below $800, with effect August 29. This week, there were several postal strikes. The following groups are a good example of how to get started: Scandinavian and Belgian parcels were halted in the United States. Austrian Post's decision was based on the cancellation of the "de minimis exemption" as well as the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. Postal Customs Clearance. It said that "this tightening poses significant challenges to all postal companies around the world when sending goods into the USA." The company said that it will continue to send gifts under $100 to the United States using standard parcels and that this suspension does not apply to Post Express International, its premium service.
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YLE in Finland reports that a tanker captain who is accused of cutting a cable along the Baltic Sea says he's 'innocent.'
In an interview on Thursday with Finland's national broadcaster, the Georgian captain who was in charge of a tanker that caused damage to undersea cables at the Baltic Sea late in 2024 denied all wrongdoing and called the incident "a maritime accident". Next Monday, the captain Davit Vadatchkoria along with the first and second officers of Eagle S Oil Tanker will be charged in Helsinki over the cutting of power cables and telecommunications lines last December when they dragged the vessel's moorings some 90 km (56miles) down the Gulf of Finland while it was heading west from a Russian port. "We are innocent. "It's just a maritime accident," said Captain Davit Vadatchkoria to YLE, the broadcaster that posted excerpts from his interview. Vadatchkoria, when asked why he and the crew did not notice the anchor was dragging on the ship, said that the autopilot of the ship had not detected any unusual movements or vibrations, which would have triggered an alarm. The Cook Islands Eagle S, registered in Finland, broke four internet lines and the Estlink 2 underwater power cable that connects Finland and Estonia. According to the Finnish authorities the damage caused by the Cook Islands Eagle S is at least 70 million euros. The Georgians and Indians were charged with aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference. NATO allies in the Baltic Sea region were on high alert after the incident. This was followed by a series of suspicious power cable, telecommunication link and gas pipeline failures since Russia invaded Ukraine 2022. On Christmas Day, the Finnish police special forces boarded Eagle S by helicopter after its captain was ordered to steer it from international waters to Finnish ones. Vadatchkoria, recounting the events of the day, criticised the operation for being excessive and endangering maritime safety. "They are so aggressive, it's like they have caught some terrorists." He told YLE that there were 60 to 70 police or soldiers with cameras and guns. Vadatchkoria was not allowed to make any comments by the Finnish police because this matter is now before court.
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Berlin is a magnet for tourists, while Paris and Barcelona are tired of the crowds
Berlin, which is a city that has been ravaged by tourists in many cities of southern Europe, wants to be seen as a solution. It offers a way out from the heatwaves, crowds and anti-tourism protests. The German capital promotes its avant-garde art scene, Prussian Palaces and renowned techno clubs in order to boost the tourism sector which has lagged behind other parts of Europe following the pandemic. Christian Taenzler is the spokesperson of VisitBerlin. He said, "We don't really have a problem with excessive tourism." The city is big and the people are spread out. There's a lot of room, especially in the summer when Berliners go on vacation. Berlin, home to 4 million people, attracted 5.9 million tourists in the first six months of the year. This amounted to 13.9 million nights spent, according to Berlin-Brandenburg Statistics Office. This represents a drop of 1,8% and 2,9%, respectively, from the year before. The average occupancy rate of hotels was 52.8% in the same time period. This is lower than Madrid at 65%, and Paris at 79%, two cities that have seen a faster recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Berlin attracted 14 million visitors in 2019, with 34 millions overnight stays. According to estimates from a DIW Econ report, tourism generated 4,6% of Berlin’s output, including indirect effects. Comparatively, the tourism industry accounts for 14% in Paris, Rome and Madrid and 8% in Madrid. Berlin, however, is more dependent on German tourists who are cost-conscious. In the first half, arrivals from abroad fell by 4.7%. CLIMATE TRENDS Tourist boards are hoping that climate change will lead to a shift in demand towards the north. Heatwaves in the south are making them less appealing during peak summer, according to a study by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. "While this trend may emerge in the future, there are few signs of it," said Adrian Prettejohn. Capital Economics' Europe economist noted that there has only been a shift towards the off-peak seasons. Taenzler believes that tourists looking for cooler climates should consider Berlin, where the maximum temperatures in summer are typically around 25 degrees Celsius. "We live in a very green and shaded city with lots of swimming and water options. Taenzler believes that this will become more important in the future. According to industry figures, Berlin's new airport BER (which opened in 2020) is partly responsible for the slowdown in international visitor growth. The number of passengers handled at BER in 2024 will be 25.5 million, a 10.4% increase from the combined 35.7 million handled at the former Tegel airport and Schoenefeld airport in 2019. Ralph Beisel is the head of ADV Airports. He said that "recovery in passenger volume is less than 85%" for Germany. Ryanair, a low-cost airline, announced in August of last year that it would reduce flights at BER to 20%. Eddie Wilson, the CEO of Ryanair's DAC, has complained repeatedly about taxes and noted that Berlin's airport can accommodate 50 million passengers. Berlin's hotels, restaurants and attractions are still relatively affordable despite the higher prices of airfare. Jan Philipp Bubinger is the managing partner of Staendige Vertretung, a restaurant in Berlin. Many people attribute the disappointing numbers of tourists to Berlin's cultural sector, which has traditionally been its main attraction. Berlin wants to reduce the culture budget by 130 million Euros for 2025. Julian Schwarze, a Greens legislator, said: "This is a catastrophic budgeting." If I get the impression that culture is being lost in Berlin, then I will not go. Reporting by Maria Martinez, Rene Wagner and Ulrike Heil; Additional reporting by Lena Toepler and Ulrike Toepler. Editing by Helen Popper.
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Shipping sources claim that Turkish ports ask ships to declare their non-connection with Israel.
According to two shipping sources, Turkish port authorities are now formally requiring shipping agencies to provide letters stating that the vessels they are using are not connected to Israel or carrying any hazardous or military cargo bound for Israel. Sources said that the harbour master’s office verbally instructed agents to give written assurances. They added that there was not an official circular regarding the issue. According to one source, the instructions applied to all ports in Turkey. Second source: The letter of guarantee should state that the vessel owners, managers and operators do not have any ties with Israel and that certain cargoes, such as explosives, radioactive materials, or military equipment are not aboard en route to Israel. The Transport Ministry did not respond immediately to a comment request. The war between Hamas and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza led to a $7 billion annual loss of trade for Turkey with Israel. Reporting by Can Sezer, Ezgi Erkoyun and Aiden Lewis.
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Gulf shares tame ahead of Fed Jackson Hole Symposium
Investors waited for Jerome Powell, the U.S. Federal Reserve chair's speech on Friday at the Jackson Hole Symposium to determine the direction of interest rates. The markets are looking at whether Powell will buck the market's expectations of a rate reduction next month, following a poor jobs report in July. The U.S. monetary policy changes have a major impact on Gulf markets where the majority of currencies are pegged with the dollar. The benchmark index in Qatar fell 0.2% due to declines across the board. Qatar National Bank, which is the largest lender in the region, dropped 0.4%, while Industries Qatar declined 0.7%. Dubai's benchmark index fell 0.1% due to losses in consumer staples and communication shares. Gulf Navigation fell 1.4%, while Deyaar Development dropped 1%. Mashreqbank, and toll operator Salik both gained 0.6% and 1.2%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index of stocks traded within a narrow range, as gains from utilities and IT shares offset losses in energy and finance shares. Saudi Awwal Bank fell 3.1% while Sadr Logistics rose 9% following the signing of a 10-year contract with Starlinks Company for logistics services in support of the SADR Park Project. The deal was valued at 249.3 millions riyals. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, a blue-chip developer Aldar Properties, and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company both gained 0.6% while the benchmark Abu Dhabi index remained unchanged. TAQA (the state-owned utility company) has announced that it has obtained a term loan of 8.5 billion dirhams, or $2.3 billion, to improve liquidity and accelerate its growth.
Tracking data shows that Arctic LNG 2 is home to the fifth LNG ship sanctioned berth.
Shiptracking data from LSEG & Kpler revealed that a liquefied gas (LNG), tanker, targeted by U.S. Sanctions, berthed to Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project on Thursday. This was the fifth LNG tanker in this project so far.
Late in June, loadings at the Arctic LNG 2 Project resumed, sanctioned due to the war that Moscow waged in Ukraine. Four cargoes are also heading east towards Asia on sanctioned oil tankers.
Buran was formerly known as North Air. Its name was changed to Buran in April, after the U.S. imposed sanctions on it last August.
The shipping database Equasis revealed that the ship manager or commercial manager of Buran is Angara OOO with a registered office in Moscow. This followed White Fox Ship Management.
Buran's registered owner at the moment is LNG Alpha Shipping, with an address in Angara. Last year, the United States imposed sanctions on White Fox and LNG Alpha in order to target Russia's oil revenues.
Angara or LNG Alpha could not be reached.
Arctic LNG 2, 60 percent owned by Novatek was set to be one of Russia's biggest LNG plants with a final output of 19,8 million metric tonnes a year.
The sanctions have hampered its prospects and it has had difficulty selling LNG produced by the project.
According to Kpler, last year the plant loaded eight loads onto LNG vessels that were sanctioned. Some vessels discharged the fuel at two facilities. (Reporting and editing by Clarence Fernandez; Emily Chow)
(source: Reuters)