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Ivory Coast Port Operator to invest in inland logistic
Africa Global Logistics, the company that operates Ivory Coast’s main port plans to invest more than 60 million euros ($67million) in inland logistic over the next five year to enhance its position as a gateway and transport hub for landlocked West African countries. Regional Director Asta Rosa Cisse said that the company intends to develop dry warehouses with cooling facilities and establish operational hubs throughout Ivory Coast. Africa Global Logistics, which operates Abidjan, the main port of Ivory Coast - the world's largest cocoa and cashew producers - also handles shipments from and to landlocked neighbours Burkina Faso, and Mali. Mediterranean Shipping Company also deals in cotton, rubber and other commodities such as bananas, mangos, palm oil, and even cotton. Cisse stated that "Abidjan is a victim of centralisation with everything convergent on the port". She said that the company will decentralise its operations by creating hubs at Ferkessedougou, in the northern Ivory Coast; Bouake, in the middle and San Pedro, in the southwest. This is to increase speed and efficiency. Cisse said that the import and export traffic in Abidjan’s main port will increase by 50% to 1.8 million 20-foot units (TEUs) this year from 1.2 millions TEUs. Our traffic has increased in accordance with the economic growth of the region. She said that the region's dynamism boosts both export and imported traffic. The second container terminal, to be completed by the end of 2022 at Abidjan’s main port has increased traffic, as it accommodates large vessels from Asia and Europe. Previously, these vessels had to unload their cargo in South Africa, before they could transfer goods to smaller ships bound for West Africa. Cisse said that the expansion of middle class and its increased consumption of European products, along with the increase in infrastructure construction, which attracts many products, have contributed to the surge of traffic in Abidjan.
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Sources: TenneT is in talks to sell a stake of up to 13 billion dollars in its German unit to funds.
Four people with knowledge of the matter have confirmed that the Dutch state-owned power grid operator TenneT began talks with investors to sell a minority stake of its German division. This could be one of the largest deals of Europe in 2025. Tennet Germany's regulated asset base, a key gauge of valuation for energy grids that is 27.8 billion euro ($31 billion), will grow at a rate of 25% per year until 2029 according to a presentation to investors on the company's website. Three people have said that the Dutch government could earn up to 12 billion euro from the sale of a minority stake in the division. However, the amount may be lower, depending on the size and debt level of the company. The Dutch government has guaranteed a BBB capital structure for TenneT Germany in line with the other German high-voltage grid operators (TSOs). Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter was private, said that non-binding offers for the business were due in mid-June. TenneT The Dutch government has declined to comment. Sources said that the U.S. Trade War has hindered dealmaking over recent weeks, but grid assets - which are regulated, and offer fixed returns - are expected to become more attractive for investors in light of declining interest rates and increased economic uncertainty. Two people have said that funds such as Macquarie, Canada's Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and Apollo Global Management are interested in this sale. One person and a third said that Global Infrastructure Partners, a BlackRock company, and CPP Investment Board, which manages Canadians’ pension savings, will also show interest. Two people stated that more suitors may emerge, and parties will likely team up due to the size of the transaction. However, there is no certainty about a deal. Apollo, CDPQ Macquarie GIP, CPPIB and Macquarie all declined to comment. After a failed partial sale of TenneT Germany to the German state lender KfW last year, the Dutch government is now pursuing a dual-track process. The Hague is still open to Germany acquiring a stake in TenneT Germany. The government can opt to sell the company or offer a partial initial stock offering. In a letter to the Dutch parliament sent this week, Dutch Finance Minister Eelco henen said that he wanted a decision on either of two options by early July. In a letter dated May 13, he wrote: "Based on discussions and non-binding offers, I will evaluate with TenneT the expected best option." TenneT Germany, with a network that spans more than 14 000 km, is the largest high-voltage grid operator in Germany. In 2024, it will have earned 2.2 billion euro before depreciation, interest, and tax. $1 = 0.8919 Euros (Reporting and editing by Anousha Saoui, Elaine Hardcastle and Anousha Sakoui; Additional reporting and editing by Bart Meijer and Andres González)
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Hapag-Lloyd CEO: Trade truce between the US and China boosts Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd saw an increase in freight traffic between the United States of America and China this week, after a cooling down in trade tensions between the two countries. The U.S. & China agreed on Monday to reduce steep tariffs at least for 90 days. This ends a trade conflict between the two largest economies in the world that had sparked fears of global recession. Rolf Habben Jansen, the CEO of Rolf Habben Jansen said on Wednesday that he expected an increase in trade between China and the U.S. This is what has already been seen over the past few days. He added that it remains to be determined how long the process will take, and whether or not demand will increase. In the first few days, bookings for U.S. to China traffic were up by 50% week-on-week at the German container shipping company. Hapag-Lloyd's share price was up 7.3% at 1341 GMT. The company reported earlier on Wednesday a 27% increase in earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT. This was partly due to many Chinese manufacturers bringing forward consignments for the United States, anticipating trade barriers. Habben Jensen, the company's CEO, said that it was using ships of various sizes to adapt to a volatile market. He said, "Our problem, of course is that ships are unfortunately not elastic." The two sides announced that under the temporary truce the U.S. would reduce the extra tariffs on Chinese imports that it imposed last month, from 145% to 30 % for the next three-month period, and Chinese duties on U.S. imported goods will drop to 10 % from 125%. Hapag has confirmed that it expects its EBIT for the full year to range between breakeven and 1,5 billion euros.
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Spot premiums on Russian June ESPO blend decline amid OPEC-driven increase in supply
Four traders reported that spot premiums for Russian ESPO blend crude oil dropped in June compared to May, amid abundant supply following OPEC+'s agreement to increase output for a 2nd month. They said that the premiums for June-loading shipments fell to between $1.50 and $1.70 per barrel compared to ICE Brent, on a basis of delivered cargoes in Chinese ports. Two traders reported that May-loading crude oil cargoes were trading at premiums of up to $2.50 against ICE Brent despite a large export plan. Early in May, the producer group OPEC+ decided to increase oil production for a second month in a row. The output will be increased by 411,000 barrels / day in June. ESPO Blend, a lighter Russian oil grade that is loaded from the port of Kozmino in the Pacific to Asian markets is favored by Chinese refineries. Two traders stated that the demand for June-loading ESPO blend was somewhat reserved. Cargoes were estimated to be plus $1.50-1.70 a barrel over ICE Brent. A trader pointed out that the regional Murban oil grades prices were also weakening amid increased OPEC+ production plans and expected increases in supplies. Third trader: plus $1.50 per barrel to ICE Brent at Chinese ports is a "reasonable price" for volumes of ESPO blend in June. ESPO Blend Oil is traded 1.5 months before loading. This means that June cargoes will soon be sold out. One of the traders stated that private Chinese refineries were the biggest buyers of Russian ESPO Blend loading from Kozmino at the moment, as state oil companies continued to show a cautious approach towards Russian oil purchases on the spot market. Another trader on the ESPO Market said that the reason for the lower than expected demand in June for ESPO blend oil loading was the high amount of oil purchased for storage during the spring months. He said that demand for ESPO blend could increase after the summer holidays start due to increased fuel consumption in Asia. (Reporting in MOSCOW by Siyi Liu, and additional reporting in SINGAPORE by Aizhu Chan; editing by Jan Harvey).
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Kazakhstan's oil production fell 3% but remained above OPEC+ quota
According to an industry source who is familiar with the calculations and statistics, Kazakhstan's oil output fell 3% in March, to 1,82 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) by April. However, it was still above the OPEC+ quota. Saudi Arabia, the group's leader, has demanded that all members adhere to their quotas. Kazakhstan, a country in the top 10 oil producers, had a quota of 1.473 millions bpd for OPEC+. The energy ministry of the country said in May that they were committed to OPEC+ but did not plan to reduce output as it "frequently informed" their OPEC+ partner. OPEC+ agreed to increase oil production for a second month in a row, increasing output by 411,000 barrels despite lower prices and expectations that demand would be weaker. The expansion of the Tengiz oilfield, Kazakhstan's largest, led by Chevron has resulted in an increase in oil production this year. In April, the field produced 885, 000 bpd. This is down from 950,000 in March. The Kazakhstani energy ministry didn't immediately respond to a comment request on Wednesday. Kazakhstan had previously pledged to compensate its overproduction by decreasing its cumulative production by 1.3 millions bpd before April 2026. Western oil majors such as Shell, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Eni and Chevron are involved in Kazakhstan oil projects.
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Maguire: How to gauge China's potential power rebound after the trade truce
The recent agreement between the United States of America and China to pause hostilities in trade for 90 days is likely to spur new activity within China's massive manufacturing sector. This will have repercussions on the country's need for energy. The trade truce, on paper, is only temporary and could be rescinded by either party if they feel unfairly treated in negotiations. The sharp reduction in tariffs during the truce period marks a significant deescalation of trade tensions and should lead to a rebound in output and sentiment among Chinese manufacturers. Here are some key metrics you can use to track the impact of the trade tensions reduction on power generation, emissions and manufacturing output in China in the next few months. CLEAN START As factory production increases across China, the share of clean energy sources in China's overall mix of electricity generation will decline. Ember data shows that clean power sources made up a record 39% (950 TWh) of China's electric supply during the first quarter 2025. This was aided by a 18% increase in the production of clean electricity from the same period of 2024. Clean energy has increased its share in the mix of power generation partly due to Beijing’s efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which have resulted in a steady increase in clean power production capacity. The subdued tone in China's manufacturing sector between January and March also contributed to a higher share of clean power. Since the beginning of the year, scores of Chinese factories have reduced their output as Trump's tariffs threatened or came into effect. This has led to a reduction in the power consumption of these plants. In turn, this allowed utilities to reduce the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation. Ember data show that fossil fuel-fired power production was down by 4% compared to the previous year, at 1,494 TWh. The use of fossil fuels in China's energy mix will continue to increase, and any increase in industrial output and factory production is likely to give it a boost. SUMMER PEAK The impending factory production rebound is likely to occur during China's traditionally peak period of power consumption. This could lead to record electricity generation and usage over the summer, regardless of whether the trade truce lasts. China's electricity demand peaks in the summer, due to a greater use of air conditioners. The temperatures can reach over 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) in Beijing on average. In order to meet the high demand, power companies tend to rely heavily on fossil fuels, particularly during evenings, when air conditioner usage increases and solar farm production falls. China's energy firms could be forced to reduce fossil fuel generation more than usual if China's massive manufacturing sector increases its collective output in the summer. The use of fossil fuels could reverse the gains that were made in China by using clean energy sources during the first quarter of this year. The increased use of fossil fuels could also cause a new rise in emissions from the power sector, which are already at their highest during summer. This could reach a record high in 2025, if fossil energy production also reaches new heights. OUTPUT MOTOR MONITORING The trade truce is likely to spark an increase in manufacturing, but some materials will see a greater rise in production. Assemblies will increase and stockpiles will be replenished, resulting in a significant increase in the production of resins, plastics, and copper wires. Tariffs reduced, exports of Chinese goods and products are expected to increase in the next few months. Solar cells, toys, and furniture are examples of products that cannot be manufactured in large quantities elsewhere. They can provide a good indication of the health of China's manufacturing industry. The traffic at key Chinese container port could also be a good indicator of the health of Chinese manufacturers. Shipments of semi-finished and finished products are expected to increase in the coming months. These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.
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South Korea's MFG purchases about 64,000 T of feed wheat, traders claim
Major Feedmill Group of South Korea (MFG) bought about 64,000 metric tonnes of animal feed wheat from worldwide origins that were optional in a private transaction on Wednesday, without holding an international tender. A consignment of goods was purchased for an estimated cost and freight (c&f), plus $1.50 per ton, as a surcharge to cover additional port unloading. The trading house Cofco was thought to have sold it. If the shipment is from the Black Sea, as some traders anticipated, it will be between July 25 and august 25. Black Sea wheat shipped via Cape of Good Hope (often done to avoid attacks against shipping in the Red Sea) should be transported between July 5 and august 5. If you are sourcing from Australia, Canada or the United States, your shipment will be between August 15 and Sept. 15 Russia, Denmark India and China cannot be considered as origins. Ukrainian wheat cannot be loaded in Ukrainian ports. The reports reflect the opinions of traders, and it is still possible to estimate prices and volume later. The MFG bought around 60,000 tons soymeal on a separate deal with traders, said traders. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens, Michael Hogan)
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South Korea's NOFI buys estimated 65,000 tons corn, traders say
European traders reported that the leading South Korean animal feed manufacturer Nonghyup Feed Inc., (NOFI), bought approximately 65,000 metric tonnes of animal feed corn on Wednesday in an international bid seeking up to 138,000 metric tons. The corn was bought in one shipment for arrival in South Korea on or around 10 September. It was expected that the corn would only be from South America and South Africa. The estimated price was $234.46 per ton, cost and freight plus $1.50 for port unloading. It was thought that the seller would be Mitsui, a trading house. A second consignment up to 69,000 tonnes, also requested in the tender, was not purchased. The reports reflect the assessments of traders, and future estimates on prices and volume are possible. The tender requested shipment from South America from July 14 to August 2, or from South Africa from July 24 to August 12. The seller has the right to choose the origin of the corn they supply. However, traders were expecting South American origin. If South African corn was sourced, then only 55,000 tonnes would be required. Chicago corn futures dropped to Five-month lows Technical selling and ideal planting conditions in the U.S. Corn Belt pushed prices on Tuesday. NOFI also purchased about 60,000 tonnes of soymeal on Wednesday in a separate bid. (Reporting and editing by Vijay Kishore, with Michael Hogan)
Alstom confirms that talks are ongoing about the Channel Tunnel trains but says there has been no agreement yet
Alstom, a French train manufacturer, said that it is in discussions about providing high-speed, double-decker trains to be used through the Channel Tunnel. However, no contract has yet been signed, according to the company.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that there were talks, but refused to name the operators, citing their confidential nature. The spokesperson also said the company would not reveal the size of any potential contract until it was signed.
Financial Times reported the first reports of the talks. The Financial Times said that the second largest train manufacturer in the world was looking to supply trains between London and Europe's continental cities, including Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
Alstom CEO Henri Poupart Lafarge told analysts in a call after earnings that deregulation of the high-speed rail industry in Europe was creating new opportunities for both traditional and new operators to expand their fleets.
Poupart-Lafarge stated that "Even the traditional operators now want to acquire more rolling stock in order to meet this growing demand." "We have made significant progress in certifying and homologating our trains for use in tunnels."
Alstom’s Avelia Horizon is the only double-decked high-speed train on the market that offers low costs per seat with high capacity.
The spokesperson stated that the model meets all technical requirements for operation in France, Britain, and the tunnel between the two.
Avelia Horizon has so far confirmed orders for 115 trains with France's SNCF and 12 with Proxima - the first independent company in France to enter the high speed market - as well as 18 with Morocco's ONCF.
Alstom is positioning this model as an important product for Europe's expanding cross-border rail industry, which has seen a surge in passenger demand amid the push to find more sustainable travel options. (Reporting from Anna Peverieri, Gdansk; editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak).
(source: Reuters)