Middle East








LNG Transportation

Transport Infrastructure

Transport Infrastructure

Pakistan is worried that militants could flourish on its restive border if Iran becomes unstable

In a recent meeting with President Donald Trump, Pakistan's Army Chief expressed concern that separatists and jihadists along the Pakistan-Iran frontier could exploit any fall in authority in Iran. Both sides of the 900km (560 miles) border are occupied by anti-Iranian, anti-Pakistan groups. Israel's officials have stated that as they bomb Iran's nuclear programme, they want to destabilize or topple the Iranian government. Pakistan is also concerned that Israel has set a precedent by attacking nuclear installations in another country. In May, nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan & India engaged in a four-day war. After a lunch with Pakistan's Army Chief, Field...

Transport Infrastructure

Port data indicates that a ship is expected to arrive in French ports to load wheat bound for Egypt.

Port data confirmed that a ship will arrive in La Pallice, Western France, on June 21, to load 60,000 metric tonnes of wheat bound for Egypt. This confirms a part of the sale announced earlier this month. Mostakbal misr confirmed that two ships are on their way to France and another one is expected "very soon". Trading sources said that Egypt's state grain buyer Mostakbal Misr had agreed to purchase about 180,000 tonnes of French wheat in April from two major European traders. However, they warned of delays with the delivery of these cargoes. Mostakbal Misr said that it was...

Transport Infrastructure

No outward flights for stranded Israelis

Israel's Airlines said Tuesday that the government had given them permission to begin flights to bring people back who were stranded overseas during the conflict with Iran. Israel's airspace is closed after Israel and Iran started trading attacks on Friday. Tens of thousands were stranded when their flights to Tel Aviv cancelled. El Al Airlines, Israel’s flag carrier, announced that it will operate flights from Larnaca to Israel on Wednesday, as well as to Athens, Rome and Milan. It added that there would be no more passenger flights departing Israel. El Al has canceled all scheduled flights until June 23....

Transport Infrastructure

Sources say that the cost of insurance for Israel war-risk ships has risen after Iranian attacks

Industry sources reported on Tuesday that war risk insurance premiums are up to three times more expensive for shipments going to Israel as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fifth day. They said that the cost of a 7-day trip to Israeli ports ranged from 0.7% to 1.00 % of the ship's value, as opposed to around 0.2% last week. Underwriters may price risks and rates differently. This will result in tens or thousands of dollars extra per day for each voyage. David Smith, the head of marine at insurance broker McGill and Partners said that rates for...

Transport Infrastructure

Russian Sibur resumes LPG supply to India after doubling LPG loadings at Ust-Luga

According to industry sources and LSEG, Sibur, Russia’s largest producer and supplier of liquefied petrol gas (LPG), doubled the amount of LPG loaded through the Baltic port Ust-Luga from January-May 2025 compared with the same period of 2024, to 418,000 metric tonnes. Sources said that Sibur was able to increase its exports through the shipment of new MGC class (medium-sized gas carriers) gas tankers. Each of these vessels can carry up to 20,000 tonnes of product. LSEG data revealed that the company has also resumed LPG deliveries to India, which it had last done in 2023. Sources said that after...

Transport Infrastructure

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's largest oil artery

Israel launched attacks against Iran on 13 June, claiming that it was the beginning of a long-term operation to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran has threatened in the past to close the Strait of Hormuz to traffic as a retaliation for Western pressure. Experts say that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could impact on global oil prices and restrict trade. Here are some details on the Strait. The Strait is located between Oman, Iran and the Gulf of Oman. It connects the Gulf of Oman in the north with the Arabian Sea to the south....

Transport Infrastructure

After Israel's attack on Iran, ships are warned to avoid the Red Sea and log their Hormuz journeys.

The Combined Maritime Force, a multinational force led by the United States, said that despite Israel's attack on Iran, merchant shipping continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, even though some shipowners wanted to avoid the area. Iran has threatened in the past to close down the Strait of Hormuz as a retaliation to Western pressure. The Strait of Hormuz could be closed, which would impact the global oil price and restrict trade. The Combined Maritime Force issued an advisory saying that the Strait of Hormuz was open, and commercial traffic continued to flow unhindered. It also said that...

Transport Infrastructure

Egypt deports dozens planning pro-Palestinian march, organisers say

The Egyptian authorities deported dozens foreigners who came to Egypt for a pro Palestinian march. Dozens more are facing deportation. According to airport and security sources, and the organizers of the event on Thursday. The Global March to Gaza was an international initiative to put pressure on Israel to end its blockade and to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Organizers confirmed that people from 80 different countries would be marching to Egypt's Rafah crossing with Gaza and also confirmed that some were deported or detained at airport. At least 73 foreigners were deported from a flight bound...

Transport Infrastructure

New York Times Business News - June 12,

These are the most popular stories from the New York Times' business pages. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Israel is reportedly preparing an attack on Iran soon, according to officials from the United States and Europe. This could delay the efforts of the Trump administration in brokering a deal that would stop Iran's progress towards building a nuclear weapon. A U.S. official stated on Wednesday that the Trump administration is reviewing a security agreement between the United States and Britain to provide Australia with nuclear subs. The agreement is meant to "align with...

Transport Infrastructure

Three dead in fire at methanol storage in Iran's South

State media IRNA reported that at least three people died and 10 were injured after a methanol tank caught fire in Bushehr in southern Iran. State TV reported that a vessel docked in the port of Bandar Dayyer, belonging to the Kaveh Petrochemicals Company and carrying methanol had caught fire. The cause is unknown. The head of emergency services in the province said that it was likely the death and injury toll would rise, given the size of the fire. A large explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajaee Some officials blamed the poor storage of chemicals inside containers for the...

Transport Infrastructure

Army radio reports that the Israeli Navy has struck Yemen's port Hodeidah.

Israeli Army Radio reported on Tuesday that the Israeli Navy carried out attacks against Yemen's Red Sea Port of Hodeidah in a campaign that is usually airstrikes. Al Masirah TV, a Houthi-run channel, said that Israel had struck the docks at Al Hodeidah Port with two strikes. No immediate reports have been made of any casualties. After the Israeli military called for the evacuation of Houthi-controlled port cities of Ras Isa and Hodeidah on Monday, the strikes came. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have been firing at Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023....

Transport Infrastructure

Panama removes more than 650 vessels from its registry amid sanctions and stricter rules

Panama's Maritime Authority said that it has removed more than 650 ships from its registry since 2019, as part of a campaign to comply with U.S. sanction and enforce stricter regulations for the vessels it flags. The authority said that since last year, 214 ships have been removed from Panama's register, which is among the largest in the world with over 8,500 vessels. Once removed from the registry, ships cannot sail under Panamanian flag. Panama has responded to criticism from non-governmental group United Against Nuclear Iran. UANI, which said last week that Panama had taken insufficient action against sanction violations...

Passenger Transportation Services

Passenger Transportation Services

Euro zone yields are on track to drop by a week, Middle East is in focus

Investors downplayed inflation fears as they awaited clarity about a possible U.S. intervention in the conflict. The White House announced on Thursday that President Donald Trump would make a final decision within the next two week, increasing pressure on Tehran to return to the negotiation table. The German 10-year yields that serve as a benchmark for the entire euro zone fell by 2.5 basis points to 2.49% and are expected to finish the week at 4.5 basis points lower. Money markets have priced in the deposit facility rate of the European Central Bank at 1.77% for December, as opposed to...

Passenger Transportation Services

The second week of the Israel-Iran war is underway as Europe continues to push diplomacy

Israel and Iran’s air war entered its second week of combat on Friday, and European officials tried to bring Tehran back to the negotiation table after President Donald Trump announced that a decision about a possible U.S. participation would be taken within two weeks. Israel launched an attack on Iran last Friday. It claimed it was to stop its long-time enemy from developing nuclear arms. Iran responded with drone and missile strikes against Israel. It claims its nuclear program is peaceful. Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that Israeli air strikes have killed 639 Iranians. The victims include top military...

Passenger Transportation Services

Ambassador says US is working to evacuate Israeli citizens who wish to leave.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee stated in a Wednesday post on X that the United States was working to evacuate U.S. Citizens who wish to leave Israel. This includes arranging cruise ship departures and flights. Huckabee stated that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is working on evacuation arrangements. He urged Americans to sign up with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Program for regular updates. "Urgent notice! US citizens who want to leave Israel - US Embassy @usembassyjlm will be working on cruise ship departures & evacuation flights. Huckabee said that you must enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). The State...

Ground Transportation

Transportation

Transportation

Careem suspends its decade-old Pakistan services

Careem, Uber’s ride-hailing division in the Middle East will suspend its Pakistani service on 18 July, citing economic issues, increasing competition, and capital restrictions. This marks an end to its core business, which was pioneered in Pakistan nearly a decade earlier. This move highlights the strains on Pakistan's digital industry as tech firms cut back due to high inflation, weak demand from consumers, and tighter capital flows. Careem's nearly 10-year run is over. The app was launched in 2015, and quickly became the dominant player in mobile apps. In a LinkedIn posting on Wednesday, Mudassir Shaikha, Careem's co-founder, CEO, and...

Transportation

Mitsui OSK CEO: Shipping in Gulf is continuing, and we are closely monitoring the situation

Japan's second-largest shipping company, Mitsui O.S.K. Takeshi Hashimoto, CEO of Lines (MOL), said that the company is continuing to operate as usual in Gulf while closely watching the situation in the area. Hashimoto said on the sidelines the Energy Asia Conference that "we are operating so many container, car carriers, and chemical tankers, so it is very difficult for us reduce or stop the service." He added that although there was no alternative route in the Gulf for shipping, it had been re-routed to the Cape of Good Hope following the attack by the Yemeni Houthis on ships in the...

Transportation

Armenians are increasingly worried about war with Azerbaijan due to escalating ceasefire violations

Khnatsakh residents are anxious at nightfall. Locals claim that every evening, around 10 pm, Azerbaijani soldiers fire into the night skies from their positions high above. Villagers say that bullets have been hitting houses regularly, but no one has been injured so far. Azerbaijan has denied that its troops are firing across the border and accused Armenian forces of violating ceasefire. Karo Andranyan (66), a retired mechanic, said, "It is very tense at home because we have children, little ones and elderly." Azerbaijani flags and a military position on a hillside are only 100 metres away from his door. This...

Transportation

Russian Urals oil sold to India at the lowest discount since 2022, traders claim

Four traders who are active in the market stated on Friday that spot supply has tightened and reduced discounts for Russian Urals crude oil to be delivered to Indian ports by July. This is the lowest discount since 2022. Indian refiners are being pushed by tight supplies and narrowing discounts to look for alternative products through purchasing tenders. Sources said that spot discounts for Urals crude for cargoes arriving to India in July decreased to an average of $2.25 per barrel, compared to $2.70 to $3.10 a barrel for dated Brent delivered ex-ship basis the previous month. This is the...

Transportation

Iraq's Kurdish government is legally responsible for the continued oil smuggling

Iraq's Oil Ministry said Thursday that it holds the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), legally responsible for continuing to smuggle oil out of the Kurdish Region. It added that the ministry reserves the rights to take any legal action in this matter. The control of oil and gas is a long-standing source of tensions between Baghdad, Erbil and other Iraqi cities. Iraq is being pressured by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce its output in order to compensate for producing more than the agreed-upon volume. OPEC counts the oil flowing from Kurdistan towards Iraq's quota. In a ruling...

Transportation

US LNG exports fall in May compared to April's record

The preliminary LSEG ship tracking data shows that U.S. liquefied gas exports dropped in May as a result of plant outages and repairs at the largest export facility. U.S. LNG production is a major factor in global LNG price. According to LSEG, the U.S. exports 8.9 million metric tonnes of LNG in May, down from a new record of 9.3 MT set in April. The LSEG data revealed that all U.S. plants had short periods in May when compared with April. Cheniere Energy confirmed its Sabine Pass facility, which is the largest in the country, at 30 MTPA. Since May...

Transportation

US LNG production drops in May from April record

The preliminary LSEG ship tracking data shows that the U.S. liquefied gas output dropped in May as a result of plant outages and repairs at the largest export facility. U.S. LNG production is a major factor in global LNG price. According to LSEG, the U.S. exports 8.9 million metric tonnes of LNG in May, down from a new record of 9.3 MT set in April. The LSEG data revealed that all U.S. plants had short periods in May when compared with April. Cheniere Energy confirmed its Sabine Pass facility, which is the largest in the country, at 30 MTPA. Since...

Natural Gas Pipeline

Data shows that Russian gas exports to Europe increased 10% m/m during May.

Calculations showed that the average daily supply of natural gas to Europe by Russian energy giant Gazprom via TurkStream's undersea pipe increased 10.3% from a year earlier in May, according to calculations released on Monday. The only remaining transit route for Russian gas into Europe is through Turkey after Ukraine decided not to renew a transit agreement with Moscow that expired in January. Based on data provided by the European gas transmission group Entsog, calculations showed that Russian gas exported via TurkStream rose from 41.7 million cubic metres per day to 46.0 mcm in May. This was down from the...

Transportation

LSEG and other sources showed that Russia increased its Arctic oil supply to Syria.

According to LSEG and shipping data cited from an industry source, Russia has increased its supplies of oil to Syria. Syria needs it for its refineries. Russia has considered Syria a major gateway for its military and commercial operations in the Middle East. The Kremlin announced in January that Moscow was in negotiations with Syria's newly islamist-led government to maintain its bases in the west. According to LSEG and a source, a tanker that was hit by U.S. sanction, Mitzel, has loaded 140,000 metric tonnes of Russian oil at the Arctic port Murmansk. It is now heading to Baniyas, which...

Transportation

Syria signs deal with Qatar's UCC to double electricity supply

On Thursday, the Syrian government will sign an agreement with four companies to expand its electric grid by 5,000 Megawatts. This could double supply in a nation that has experienced severe power shortages for more than a decade. In most areas of Syria, electricity is only available for two to three hours per day. The government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged that power would be increased in the country as soon as possible. According to an invitation sent out by Qatar's UCC Holding whose UCC Concession Investments unit will be the lead developer for the project, the deal launching Syria...

Transportation

Saudi Aramco announces indicative prices for benchmark dollar bonds

Fixed income news service IFR announced on Tuesday that Saudi oil giant Aramco had launched the sale a three-part dollar-denominated debt, with tranches maturing in five, ten, and thirty years. IFR reported that the oil giant set an indicative price of 115 basis points for the 5-year tranche, and the 10-year and 30 year tranches have initial price guidance at 130 bps and 182 bps, respectively, over U.S. Treasuries. The price is expected to be set later on Tuesday, and the deal will be a benchmark size. This is usually at least $500m. Citi, Goldman Sachs International and JPMorgan lead...

Transportation

Iraqi oil minister sues Kurdish government over US contracts

Three sources with direct knowledge of this matter and a document show that the Iraqi oil ministry sued the government of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region over oil and natural gas contracts signed with U.S. companies. The legal challenge is a new obstacle to the restart of oil flows through the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline, which have been stopped since March 2023 despite the pressure from the Trump administration. Masrour barzani, prime minister of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), oversaw the signing two energy contracts worth a total of $110 billion in their lifetimes, with U.S. firms HKN Energy, and WesternZagros. Has contacted companies...