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DHL suspends global shipments above $800 for US consumers
DHL Express is a division within Germany's Deutsche Post. It has announced that it will suspend all global business-to consumer shipments of over $800 in value to individual customers in the United States as of April 21. This is due to changes made by U.S. Customs regulations which have increased clearance time. The notice posted on the website of the company was not dated but metadata indicated that it was created on Saturday. DHL attributed the stoppage to new U.S. Customs rules that require formal entry processing for all shipments over $800. Prior to April 5, the minimum was $2,500. DHL stated that business-to-business shipping would not be suspended, but may face delays. Changes to DHL's policy do not affect shipments under $800, whether they are sent by businesses or consumers. In a statement, the company stated that this is a temporary move. DHL responded to questions last week by saying that it will continue to process shipments to the United States from Hong Kong "in accordance to the applicable customs regulations and rules" and that they would "work closely with our customers in order to help them adapt to the planned changes for May 2. This came after Hongkong Post announced last week that it had suspended its mail service for goods shipped by sea to the United States. It accused the U.S. Reporting by Amy Lv in Beijing and Lewis Jackson; editing by Saad sayeed
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Boeing jet from China returns to the US, a victim in Trump's tariff war
The Boeing jet, intended for a Chinese carrier, was returned to the U.S. production center of the planemaker on Sunday. It is a victim the bilateral tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as part of his global trade offensive. A witness said that the 737 MAX was intended for China's Xiamen Airlines and landed on Boeing Field in Seattle at 6:11 p.m. (0111 GMT). The Xiamen livery was on the aircraft. The jet was among several 737 MAX aircraft waiting for completion at Boeing's Zhoushan center before being delivered to a Chinese airline. This month, Trump raised the baseline tariffs for Chinese imports from 125% to 145%. China has responded by imposing a 125% duty on U.S. products. The tariffs could cripple a Chinese airline that takes delivery of a Boeing jet, as a new 737 MAX is valued at around $55million, according to IBA Aviation Consultancy. Boeing didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Xiamen has not responded to a request for comment. Boeing's top-selling 737 MAX is back, the latest disruption in new aircraft deliveries caused by the breakdown of decades-old duty free status for the aerospace industry. Boeing is recovering from a five-year-old import ban on the 737 MAX and previous trade tensions. Analysts say that confusion over tariff changes could cause many aircraft deliveries to be delayed. Some airline CEOs have said they will defer plane delivery rather than pay duty. (Reporting from Dan Catchpole in Seattle, Lisa Barrington in Seoul and William Mallard and Joe Brock)
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China's ENN and Zhenhua Oil sign LNG deals with ADNOC
China's privately-controlled ENN Natural Gas, and the state-run Zhenhua Oil each signed a contract to purchase liquefied gas from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. ENN Natural Gas announced on its WeChat official account on Saturday the contract covers annual supplies of around one million metric tonnes for 15 years. This is ADNOC’s largest LNG deal with a Chinese customer. ENN stated that the deal was a major step towards stabilizing and diversifying energy supplies. Shanghai-listed ENN Natural Gas is offering to buy the remaining shares of Hong Kong-listed ENN Energy for approximately $7.65 billion. A Chinese source familiar with the deal said that Zhenhua Oil, a state-owned oil and gas trading company, had also agreed to a five-year contract with ADNOC, starting in 2026, for up 12 cargoes per year. The source declined to give his name as he was not authorized to speak in the media. Zhenhua Oil is building a LNG terminal in Rudong. The first LNG terminal will be operational in the first quarter 2026. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber was present at the opening ceremony of the new Beijing office, according to a source in the industry who attended, as well as a report from Dubai's China-Arab TV. The report did not give any further details but said that ADNOC signed three LNG deals with Chinese partners on Al Jaber's trip. Zhenhua Oil & ADNOC did not respond to requests for comment on the weekend.
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China Shipbuilders Criticize Trump's "short-sighted" US Port Fees
China's Shipbuilders on Sunday blasted the U.S. Port Fees announced by Donald Trump's Administration on China-linked vessels as "shortsighted". The measure was aimed at China's shipbuilding sector. Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to revive U.S. shipbuilding while reducing China's hold on the global shipping market. The next day, his government diluted the measures by protecting domestic exporters and vessel owner serving the Great Lakes region, Caribbean and U.S. territory. The dispute over ocean shipping, which carries 80% of all global trade, is just the latest in a trade war that has intensified between China and the U.S., pushing levies against each other's imported goods beyond 100%. China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry has expressed "extreme anger and resolute resistance" against the U.S. measures, joining the protests of the government and the country's owners of ships. The shipbuilders stated that the decline of the U.S. industry of shipbuilding is due to its protectionist policies and has nothing whatsoever to do with China. It warned that the U.S. restriction would disrupt the global shipping system, cause a rise in shipping costs and increase U.S. prices, as well as harming the interests of the U.S. public. The industry group said that it expected the Chinese authorities to take strong measures to counteract the shortsighted U.S. behavior. On Friday, the government condemned "discriminatory steps" and urged Washington to "correct any wrongdoings." In a press release, the Ministry of Commerce pledged to "resolutely" take the necessary measures to protect our interests, saying that the fees "fully reveal its unilateralist and protective policies and are typical non-market practices". (Reporting and editing by Beijing Newsroom)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat capsized and caught fire. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are common, as old wooden boats are used to transport people between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. The previous estimate of 50 dead people was revised upwards. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to an improvised refuge at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to local hospitals. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a fire broke out while a woman was cooking aboard the vessel. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, and at least 78 drowned. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in December, in western Congo. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat caught fire and capsized. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are common, as old wooden boats are used to transport people between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. Previous estimates put the number of deaths at 50. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to a temporary shelter set up at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to hospitals in the area. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a woman cooking aboard the vessel started a fire. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, and at least 78 drowned. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in western Congo in December, (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat sank and caught fire. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are very common. Old wooden boats are used as the main means of transport between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. The previous estimate of 50 dead people was revised upwards. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to an improvised refuge at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to local hospitals. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a woman cooking aboard the vessel started a fire. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, 78 people died when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in western Congo in December, (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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Russian oil rates from Baltic to India continue to fall as Urals remains under price cap
Two traders reported that the freight rates for Russian oil shipments to India from Baltic ports are dropping further from their recent highs in April, as Urals crude is trading well below $60, increasing tanker supply. The Group of Seven, together with the EU, will impose a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian crude oil by late 2022. This will restrict access to Western shipping services and insurance for purchases above this limit in an effort to reduce Moscow's funding of war. Costs of shipping Urals Oil from the Baltic Ports of Primorsk & Ust-Luga, to India have fallen to an average of $6 million for a one-way shipment. This is down from $7 million in late March and $8 million at the beginning of this year. Early in April, the global oil price fell, pushing Urals crude into Russian ports below $60 a barrel. This allowed more Western shipping firms to resume their services, including freight, for Russian oil. On Thursday, the price of Urals oil shipped from Primorsk port was $53.5 per barrel. After a new round U.S. energy sanctions announced in January took effect, the price of Russian crude shipping increased sharply. Russian oil sellers had to find new tankers to replace the ones that were hit by the sanctions. The cost of shipping Russian crude oil from the Baltic ports to India in January was $4.7-4.9million. Reporting by
Global thermal coal exports and power utilize to hit new highs in 2024: Maguire
Global exports and usage of thermal coal will reach alltime highs in 2024, in spite of the record rollout of renewable resource generation capability across all major continents.
Exports of thermal coal through the very first 11 months of 2024 are up by 9 million metric heaps from the exact same months in 2023, per Kpler ship-tracking information, and will climb even more in December as power firms stock up for the Northern hemisphere winter.
Global coal-fired power generation is up by around 2% to brand-new highs so far in 2024, while coal-fired power emissions are also at a record, data from energy think tank Ash programs.
The continued expansion in coal imports and use underscores the trouble of dislodging fossil fuels from energy systems, and might dissatisfy those expecting a peak in coal burning.
Nevertheless, environment advocates can take heart from the slowing speed of export growth, which at just 1% marks the tiniest yearly expansion because 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns triggered a. uncommon contraction in worldwide energy output.
Climate guard dogs may also be cheered by yearly declines in. coal imports by numerous of the largest coal-consuming nations,. which if repeated next year might trigger falls in coal exports. from 2025.
Below are the key nations that have helped raise coal. exports to tape highs in 2024, and will be the primary motorists of. coal purchases and use in the years ahead.
GROWTH MARKETS
For Indonesia, the world's leading coal exporter, 2024 will be a. banner year and mark the very first time the nation has shipped. over 500 million metric tons of thermal coal, according to. Kpler.
Australia will come in second with around 203 million loads,. followed by Russia (94 million lots), South Africa (55 million. loads), and Colombia (50 million heaps).
Simply 10 nations account for 87% of worldwide coal imports so. far in 2024: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam,. The Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey and Thailand.
And half of those purchasers will tape a yearly decline in. coal purchases in 2024.
Sadly for climate trackers, leading coal consumer China. - which represents 35% of all thermal coal imports - stays. in the import development classification.
China broadened imports by around 8% to a record 340 million. heaps from January 1st through the very first week of December,. according to Kpler.
China's electricity generation from coal-fired plants. climbed 2% over the first 10 months of 2024 to a brand-new record of. 4,838 terawatt hours, according to Ember, making 2024 the ninth. successive year of coal-fired growth in China. Nevertheless, quickly rising renewable energy production has. assisted cut coal's share of electrical energy generation to a record. low of 58.7% up until now in 2024, from practically 62% in 2023 and more. than 66% in 2019.
For now, China's total coal usage levels remain on a. increasing course even as coal's share of the generation mix decreases.
But in time China's total coal needs must likewise decrease. in line with coal share, and result in progressively diminishing coal. usage, production and imports by the country.
Beyond China, other essential development markets for coal imports and. usage this year are throughout Southeast Asia, where a number of. economies have gained from expanded production output and. exports, and increasing regional consumption.
Vietnam increased its coal imports by nearly 7 million loads. ( or 24%) to a record in the very first 11 months of this year from. the very same duration in 2023, and has raised coal-fired electrical power. production by 17%.
The Philippines and Malaysia have both likewise raised coal. imports to record highs this year, and have actually raised coal-fired. generation in line with general electricity output.
Thailand's coal imports were up almost 5% this year,. matching a comparable increase in coal-fired and overall electrical power. generation.
CONTRACTIONS
Over the first 11 months of 2024, the 2nd, third, fourth. and fifth biggest coal importers all reduced imports compared to. the exact same months in 2023.
India, the number two coal importer, cut imports by almost. 10 million tons from 2023 levels, due in large part to a climb. in domestic coal production.
South Korea cut imports by near to 6 million heaps, while. Japan cut coal imports by around 3.1 million lots and Taiwan cut. imports by 3.8 million loads.
Turkey, the ninth largest importer, has so far in 2024 cut. imports by around 1 million loads from the same duration in 2023.
Collectively, those nations imported around 23.5 million. lots less coal than during January-November in 2023.
What's more, 2024 will be the 2nd consecutive year when. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan will all tape-record lower coal imports. from the year before, as they pursue decarbonisation targets.
India's fast-growing economy is likely to trigger erratic. revivals in coal imports going forward, as it counts on coal for. around 70% of electrical energy production.
Vietnam and the Philippines are likewise most likely to further. boost coal imports in the coming years as their power need. needs go beyond domestic tidy energy supply growth.
However, over the longer run, all significant coal importers have. energy system decarbonisation objectives that must see coal's share. of the total energy mix fall steadily lower from around the. middle of this century.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market. expert .
(source: Reuters)