Latest News
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Turkey demands that Greece coordinate its research in the disputed Aegean waters
Turkey's Defence Ministry said that Ankara had issued a maritime notification urging Greece to coordinate with Ankara all research activities in parts of the Aegean sea that Turkey considers its continental shelf. The relationship between NATO allies and historic rivals has improved over the past few years, but there is still disagreement about where the continental shelf begins and ends in the Aegean Sea - an area that holds significant energy potential, and which could have implications for airspace and overflights. Turkey issued a Navtex – a legal advice message for?mariners – outlining its objections to Greece’s activities in Aegean sea that Ankara claims violate international?law, and demanding coordination. Ankara issued the first notice in history without an expiration date. Both sides had issued temporary advisories in response to the respective activities they were undertaking in the region. This move could fuel tensions among allies who are seeking energy resources in eastern Mediterranean and affect the operations of vessels operated by companies in the region. The Greek foreign minister stated earlier this month that the government had plans to expand its territorial waters, potentially into the Aegean. The Turkish parliament declared in 1995 that Greece's unilateral extension of its waters beyond six nautical miles would be a cause for war. Athens argued this was a violation of international maritime law. Greece has said that the only thing it will discuss with Turkey, is their maritime zones. This includes continental shelves and exclusive economies zones. (Reporting and writing by Tuvan Gümrukcu; Editing by Alexandra Hudson).
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CORRECTED: Shanghai Port given five-point penalty before title defence
Shanghai Port, one of nine clubs in the Chinese Super League to receive hefty penalties announced by the Chinese FA on Thursday at a news conference, will start the defence of its title with a five-point fine. Shanghai Shenhua and Tianjin - the CSL runners-up from last season - were each given a 10 point deduction. According to the state 'news agency Xinhua, authorities handed down the?punishments as a result a?investigation of football-related gambling. Qingdao Hainiu starts the new season with minus seven, while Henan FC as well as Shandong Taishan will both be penalized six points. Wuhan Three Towns will begin with a minus five point score, along with?Shanghai Port and?Zhejiang FC. The fines for the teams ranged from?200,000 to one million yuan (approximately $29,000-$144,000). The CSL's new season begins in March. At a press conference, the Chinese FA said that ex-CFA President Chen Xuyuan 'and ex-China Coach Li Tie are among 73 individuals banned from all football-related activities.
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US LNG plants imported cargoes during winter storm as natural gas prices hit records
In an apparent attempt to take advantage of record prices, several?liquefied gas companies imported natural gas into the U.S. during the last?week. Winter Storm According to LSEG's ship tracking data and analysts, the bitter cold has affected a large part of the country. LSEG data shows that BP and Shell, who together own 90% Trinidad and Tobago’s flagship Atlantic LNG Plant, transported gas from Trinidad to U.S. facilities during the freezing temperatures. Gas prices in some regions of the country reached all-time records as the demand for the fuel soared to near record levels. Meanwhile, homes and businesses turned up the heat while production dropped to its lowest level in two years as oil and gas wells frozen. Gas futures surged by 124% to a 3-year high on Tuesday. According to LSEG data, it appears that LNG companies took advantage of this high-priced opportunity and sent cargoes mainly from Trinidad and Tobago?to Elba Island LNG Terminal in Georgia, Cove Point, Maryland, Everett, Massachusetts, and Canaport, New Brunswick in Canada. Everett, Canaport and Elba Island are all import terminals. However, it is rare to ship cargoes to Cove Point and Elba Island, which exports gas from the U.S. around the world. Due to pipeline infrastructure issues, the U.S. imports three cargoes per year from Trinidad to Everett, but very rarely to Cove Point or Elba, both of which export LNG. According to LSEG's ship tracking data, the Paris Knutsen will arrive on Kinder Morgan Elba Island Wednesday with a cargo of Trinidad and Tobago. Elba Island ceased receiving gas from the U.S. Grid over the weekend of the 24-25th January as the winter storm raged in the U.S. Southeast. Elba was able to pull in about 0.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), of gas, from the U.S. grid before the weekend. Elba is able to convert 0.4-bcfd gas into LNG. Shell's unit in the UK has contracts with Elba Island to both liquefy and regasify LNG. Shell stated that it would not be able to comment until the earnings presentation scheduled for 'next week. Cove Point exports LNG and has so far brought in two cargoes this winter: one in December, and one in January. According to LSEG, both?cargoes were from Trinidad. According to EIA, the last cargo that Cove Point received was in December of 2024. The British Listener, owned by BP, was close to the U.S. Wednesday with super-chilled gas that had left Trinidad and dropped off some LNG at Colombia. BP has said that it will not comment on trading or shipping movements. Jason Feer, head of business intelligence for shipping company Poten and Partners, said: "This is a problem with the Jones Act. The most efficient way to move LNG cargoes would be from the Gulf coast up to the East coast." The Act prohibits the sale of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between U.S. port. Feer said that it is amazing to see the largest LNG exporter in the world importing LNG. However, with prices exceeding $100 per mmbtu, it was a sensible decision to import cargoes. A billion cubic feet of natural gas is enough to power about 5 million U.S. households for one day. Reporting by Curtis Williams, Houston; and Scott Disavino, New York. Editing by Nathan Crooks & Deepa Babington
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The US robotaxi company Waymo plans to launch in London during the fourth quarter of 2026
Waymo, a U.S. roboticaxi company, said Wednesday that it aims to launch its "fully driverless ride hailing service" in London by 2026's fourth quarter. The company is a unit of?Google parent Alphabet. It has grown steadily in the United States over the years despite strict regulations and expensive technologies, which allows it to consider expanding its presence overseas. Ben Loewenstein of?Waymo's head?of government and policy affairs for the UK & Europe, presented the timeline in a London briefing. The company?had said previously that the launch would be in 2026. The British government is developing a regulatory framework that will ensure the technology can be safely rolled out on British roads. The sector is estimated to create up to 38,000 jobs, and unlock an industry that could be worth up to 57.86 billion pounds (42 billion pounds) to the UK's economy by 2035. Waymo’s plans for expansion?also come as artificial intelligence is generating a lot of?investor attention and amid fierce competition in the marketplace, with Uber-backed startup Wayve slated to launch in London in this year. Elon Musk's Tesla, a major competitor, predicts that millions of robotaxis would be on the road by 2026. Last June, the electric-vehicle manufacturer deployed its first driverless taxis in the United States. Bill Berkrot and Muvija M reported on the story.
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Senate Republicans: Energy projects approved should not be stopped
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate Environment Committee said that on Wednesday,?U.S. Infrastructure?project developers must be assured that projects fully approved will not be halted or cancelled due to changing political priorities. The Republican Senators' statements were an apparent criticism against President Donald Trump's attempts to stymie the development of renewable energy, especially his administration's decision to stop offshore wind projects which are permitted. At a hearing, the lawmakers discussed federal environmental review and permitting processes that Congress has promised to reform. "I strongly believe that no project should be worried about being halted by an administration," said Senator John Curtis from Utah at a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. We saw it with the Keystone XL Pipeline in 2021 and we are seeing it now with wind projects all over the country. Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, also made a comparison between the cancellation of the Keystone oil pipeline by Biden's administration and Trump's attempts to slow down renewable energy. Lummis stated that "we need some certainty." Shelley Moore Capito of the West Virginia Republican Party, who chairs the committee, stated that legislation on permits should be unbiased by technology. She said, "Let’s get rid of the politics in permitting for good." Trump has used his second-term to stifle the growth of clean energy technologies, which were at the core of Joe Biden’s climate and energy agenda. In December, the?House of Representatives approved legislation to speed up environmental approvals and streamline energy infrastructure projects. This is important for many legislators who see it as a way to meet rising U.S. demand. Some Democratic legislators oppose a?amendment to the bill which would allow Trump to block offshore wind farms. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democratic senator, said that he and other Senate Democrats could not advance the permitting reform until Trump and his cabinet secretary?leveled the playing field for renewable energies. Whitehouse stated that it was "dishonest" to pass a bipartisan reform of permitting laws which would be illegally and irrationally butchered by an executive branch without law. The Trump administration has claimed renewables are more expensive and less reliable than conventional fuels. It also claims that offshore wind farms could pose a threat to national security by interfering radar systems. (Reporting and editing by Nia William, Valerie Volcovici, Nichola Groom)
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FedEx to return MD-11 cargo planes by May 31 after UPS accident
FedEx announced on Wednesday that it is 'working with Boeing and U.S. aviation safety regulators to bring back to service the MD-11 cargo jets by May 31, after the fatal crash of one of these jets operated by United Parcel Service in November. FedEx said, "We are continuing to work with Boeing to determine any inspections and maintenance required to safely return our MD-11 aircraft to service," referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. UPS announced on Tuesday that it had accelerated a plan to retire its remaining MD-11 cargo jet fleet, which consisted of over two dozen aircraft. UPS announced that replacement Boeing 767s will be delivered soon. In the fire-filled?crash that occurred at Louisville Airport, 15 people?including 3 plane crew members - died. This incident led to the?grounding of the MD-11 cargo aircraft?model. The National Transportation Safety Board announced this month that a cracked part on the UPS cargo plane that crashed was reported in a Boeing Service Letter more than 10 years earlier. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel.)
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Blackouts are more likely with record-high electricity demand forecast to test the largest US power grid
The PJM interconnection predicts that winter power demand will be at a record high ahead of the weekend, causing transmission line congestion and increasing electricity prices. Congestion makes it impossible to deliver the cheapest electricity to homes and businesses. This forces PJM, and other grid operators, to dispatch power plants that are less efficient and costlier to meet demand. PJM spot wholesale electricity rates have risen to over $1,000 per megawatt-hour this week, in areas where congestion on power lines has restricted the flow of energy. Turbulence in power lines and equipment can also cause small blackouts that can spread if not addressed. PJM has issued five 'warnings' to utilities this week about possible small power cuts due to transmission line issues. PJM has not yet ordered any power cuts. According to analysts and PJM, the limiting of natural gas supplies 'to power plants has also played a significant role in causing outages for generators and a rise in spot prices. PJM, the company that manages electricity for 67 million residents in 13 Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states, as well as Washington D.C. forecasts that more than 1,400 lines at high voltage will be affected on Thursday, with interruptions averaging 'nearly thirteen hours. Around 64% of the restrictions will last between 1-3 hours, and around 30% will be lasting from 4-12 hours. PJM data show that the turmoil is a continuation of a pattern which began to emerge late last week. According to PJM, on Wednesday morning power lines and transmission gear serving Fort Martin Power Station in West Virginia, a coal plant located near the Pennsylvania border had constraints. PJM data shows that before heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures hit eastern U.S. last week, only 60 power lines were affected by congestion in PJM's network. The constraints lasted an average of 4 hours. PJM and the electric grids of New York and New England are reporting that their high-voltage power lines are overloaded due to an increase in electricity demand, or have equipment problems caused by temperatures above 0 degrees Fahrenheit. PJM expects that electricity demand on Friday will reach 148 gigawatts, a record-breaking winter high. On Wednesday morning, PJM’s average spot -electricity price was around $730 per MWh. Prices in the Dominion -Energy zone were more than twice as high at approximately $1,600 MWh. The financial firm LSEG reported that the average gas production in the Lower 48 States has dropped to 106.1 billion cubic feet per day in January. This is down from a monthly high of 109.7 bcfd set in December. According to LSEG, the daily output is expected to increase for a third consecutive day to 97.5 bcfd, after dropping to a 2-year low of 92.5 bcfd Sunday. This was mainly due to frozen wells in Texas Louisiana and Oklahoma.
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NY regulators oppose Williams' proposed PA-NY Constitution pipeline
New York's Environmental Regulator said on Wednesday that it had filed a complaint with the federal energy regulators in opposition to the bid by Williams Cos, which is leading Constitution Pipeline to revive a permit for building canceled natural-gas pipelines from Pennsylvania to New York. Constitution has recently asked the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a reissue of a Certificate Of Public Convenience And Necessity. This is a necessary?permit required to build the controversial pipeline. In a filing made to FERC Wednesday, the New York Department of 'Environmental conservation' said it was opposed to Constitution's request. It claimed that the move would override its oversight authority under the Clean Water Act. The DEC stated that despite its proposed 99-mile pipeline crossing New York, Constitution is trying to "bypass important environmental reviews and undermine New York State's regulation authority." DEC stated that it has not waived its Clean Water Act Section 401 Authority and will explore all options available to vigorously defend state rights. Williams officials were not available to comment immediately. Williams cancelled Constitution in 2020 and the?NESE by 2024, after fighting for years to get permits from state regulators, particularly water permits. In May, as part of an agreement with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the Trump Administration used New York's reconsideration to Williams' proposed gas pipelines in the state. This was done in order to lift the federal ban against the construction of the Norwegian energy firm Equinor's Empire Wind off-shore wind farm near?New York. Hochul refused to approve either pipeline project, but said that the state would work with the U.S. Administration and private entities on projects which meet the legal requirements of New York law. The DEC granted a permit to the NESE in November. Reporting by Ashitha Shivprasad from Bengaluru, and Scott DiSavino from New York. Editing by Aurora Ellis
Fuel shortages are a risk when Balkan truckers protest EU regulations.
Western Balkans truckers' protests against restrictive EU entry laws have led to fuel shortages and losses of business as they blockaded cargo terminals at the borders of EU countries.
Truckers in?Bosnia and Herzegovina?, Serbia?, Montenegro? and North Macedonia?launched protests against the EU’s new stricter entry/exit system, under which they could face detention and expulsion for exceeding Schengen's visit limits.
The Montenegro energy ministry warned on Tuesday night that the country may face fuel shortages as a result of a blockade in the Adriatic port?of Bar. This is the main entry for fuel imports from overseas into Montenegro. Montenegro does not have its own?oil refinery capacity. It also has its largest fuel depots.
The blockade of border crossings between?the four countries has halted the transport along an important road corridor connecting the EU to Turkey and the Middle East.
According to a survey by the Foreign Trade Chamber published on Wednesday, Bosnian businesses have lost around 8 million euro ($9.55million) since Monday. The losses could reach 22 million euros, if protests continue for more than a week.
The Montenegrin Energy Ministry has warned that the oil companies estimate that the current fuel supply is effectively reduced to what's available in petrol stations. This would only allow the market to function for a few days.
The Montenegrin Police?said that the truckers had a permit for protesting until Thursday midday.
DRIVERS DEMAND EU ACTION
The Logistika association which represents 47,000 transport employees reported that in the past year, over 100 Bosnian truckers were deported because they exceeded the 90-day limit for staying in the EU. Another?100 deportations were announced last week.
Zijad Sric, a transporter, said: "We demand the European Union to stop the discrimination of Bosnian truckers urgently." "We are not?migrants or illegal workers nor tourists."
Members of Logistika said that the drivers will continue their protests until other demands are met, including a refund on excise tax on oil and the return of VAT. They also want the government to reduce motorway tolls.
Since last year, Bosnian truckers protested to demand government support for the transport sector. ($1 = 0.88375 euros) Reporting by Aleksandar Vaovic in Belgrade, and Daria SitoSucic in Sarajevo. Editing by Ros Russel
(source: Reuters)