Transport Infrastructure

Zefyros's manager in Greece confirmed that the tanker was struck by a missile overnight during a ship-to -ship transfer. Benetech Shipping SA reported that the incident took place at Iraq's Umm Qasar Anchorage late Wednesday during a transfer of fuel cargo with the Safesea Vishnu Tanker. All 23 crew members have been accounted for and are safe. The 23 crew members were evacuated and brought to land, according to a statement. SOMO reported that the Safesea Vishnu had been chartered by a company in Iraq contracted with State Organization for the Marketing of Oil. The Zefyros, meanwhile, was loaded with...

After a 'court of appeals' ruled against the Trump administration on Wednesday, the U.S. will have to continue paying for the $16 billion New York Hudson Tunnel. The Hudson Tunnel Project will build a new commuter train tunnel between Manhattan and New Jersey, and repair an existing tunnel that is used daily by over 200,000 people and 425 trains. The existing tunnel was heavily damaged by hurricane Sandy in '2012 and requires frequent emergency repairs. This disrupts travel on America's busiest passenger rail line. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has a three-judge panel. The Appeals Court of the...

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold an?hearing on March 31 to determine the probable causes of two fatal accidents involving Ford Motors'?hands free advanced driver assistance?system BlueCruise. In both crashes, 2024, Ford Mustang Mach-Es of the 2022 model year were operating in partial automation mode. The Ford SUVs hit stationary vehicles in San Antonio and Philadelphia at highway speeds. The crashes raise serious concerns about the limitations of the current system. The NTSB will vote on "safety suggestions designed to prevent future crashes." Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Traffic Safety Board have been...

The Trump administration reinstated on Wednesday the 'Global Entry program, which expedites U.S. Customs and Immigration clearance for pre-approved low-risk travellers entering the United States. On February 22, the Department of Homeland Security suspended the program, but retracted its original plan to suspend the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck program. The DHS stated that the action was needed to "preserve funds and personnel limited" during a partial government shut down. The DHS announced that Global Entry was reactivated at 5 am ET. The government stated that it was working to reduce the inconvenience caused to travelers by the Democrats' shutdown, but...

The Trump administration reinstated the Global Entry program on Wednesday, which speeds up?U.S. A U.S. travel organization said that pre-approved low-risk travellers entering the United States would be granted a streamlined customs and immigration clearance. Department of Homeland Security suspended the PreCheck program on February 22. However, it reversed its original?plan of suspending the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck program. The DHS stated that the move was necessary to "preserve funds and personnel during a partial shutdown". The Trump administration was urged by airlines and travel groups to restart the program. Travelers?entering?the United States have faced a wait of up to...

On Wednesday, two drones were spotted near the main airport in Dubai and Bahrain evacuated some planes as attacks on infrastructure in the Gulf continued disrupting air traffic. The war against Iran is now entering its 12th day. U.S. and Israel's war on Iran has resulted in tens or thousands of cancellations, reroutings, and schedule changes around the world. This has shut down much of Middle?East airspace, including Qatar, due to drone and missile threats. The aviation industry is in its worst crisis since the pandemic. Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is the busiest hub of global passengers, along with...

Investors remain wary about inflationary?and economic growth risks associated with the U.S./Israeli war against Iran. Pentagon and Iranian sources described the U.S.-Israel airstrikes as "the most intense" of the war. Global markets were betting that Donald Trump would try to end the conflict soon. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by the war -- a major route for approximately one-fifth of all global oil and gas flows. Producers have had to stop production as their storage tanks fill up, and energy prices are now soaring. Air Arabia's 5.6% rise in the index led to a 0.9% increase for...

According to an email obtained by the. Charter plane operators were informed by the airport authorities on Friday that due to current crisis management measures, flights are limited to seasonal approved services. This measure is necessary, according to the airport, in order to reduce congestion and maintain acceptable capacity. Financial Times first reported the email. It 'asked all airlines and operators to cancel any slots that did not fall within the approved seasonal schedule, and to refrain from submitting unapproved flight requests up until further notice. The email stated that "the only additional flights that may be considered are those...

The Kansas City International Airport opened on Sunday afternoon after a brief closure while authorities investigated a potential threat. After the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flight during the investigation, the threat caused some planes to evacuate their passengers from the airport tarmac. This impacted thousands of flights. Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, wrote on X that "the security incident?at Fly_KansasCity has now been cleared and normal operations have resumed." Kash Patel, Director of the FBI's X division, said that "the threat was reviewed and found not to be credible." The terminal has been cleaned, cleared and normal operations have...

Some?U.S. airports saw their security line wait times increase to three hours on Sunday. Airports were closed for three hours on Easter Sunday due to the absence of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during a partial shutdown of the government and increased spring break travel. Houston Hobby Airport reported a line of 3.5 hours at one point, and three hours at 4 pm EDT. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport stated: "TSA has a shortage at the security checkpoint which is causing longer than average lines." It is advised that passengers with flights scheduled for today arrive at least three...

The Pentagon announced on Friday that it would 'conduct tests with the Federal Aviation Administration in New Mexico this weekend of high-energy lasers used to combat threatening drones. The Pentagon stated that "this upcoming event will address FAA safety concerns, while gathering data on the material effects of lasers on aircraft surrogates. It will also validate the functionality and safety shutoff systems for automated safety, as well as inform analyses to ensure the safety of aircrews' eyes." On February 25, the U.S. Military erroneously shot down a government-owned drone using a laser-based system. The 'FAA expanded the area around Fort...

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced on Friday that the U.S. would provide reinsurance for losses of up to $20 billion in the Gulf region. This will help oil and gas shipping companies maintain confidence during the war against Iran. The President Donald Trump ordered on Tuesday the DFC to provide financial guarantees and political risk insurance for maritime trade within the Gulf. This was after the transit of?oil tankers and liquefied gas tanks had come to a standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located off Iran. DFC stated that the coverage would be rolled out and initially...

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Thursday that global oil prices are unlikely to reach $200 per barrel, even though?crude?tankers remain stalled in Strait of Hormuz while the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has widened. Wright said that he thought it unlikely but was focused on the military operations and the solution of the problem when asked if oil prices would hit $200 per barrel. This is a price level which could be reached if the war escalates, according to an Iranian official on Wednesday. The spokesperson for Tehran's Khatam al-Anbiya Military Command HQ, Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, "Get ready for...

The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has disrupted the global trade via the Strait of Hormuz - through which a fifth of all oil and liquefied gas in the world normally passes. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that any vessel passing through the narrow Strait would be targeted. Here is a list of reported incidents since the war began on February 28, 2009: MARK 1 V.Ships, the manager of the ship, said that a crew member was killed aboard the crude tanker MKD VYOM, which is registered under the Marshall Islands flag. The vessel was struck by a projectile while...

DP World, a port operator based in Dubai, said on Thursday that its 'Jebel Ali Port was fully operational and had 'no damage to infrastructure. However, it warned that the amount of vessel traffic destined for Iran has been reduced because he war is still going strong. The war, which began with the joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran nearly two weeks ago has caused global chaos in the energy and transportation markets, and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s most important oil artery. The majority of Gulf ports including Dubai's Jebel Al and the primary?ports located...

Oman’s civil defence is working to contain a fire in 'fuel tanks' at the country's Salalah Port, Oman’s state news agency announced on Wednesday. Drones had struck oil storage areas at the port. Citing Oman's Civil Defence, the state news agency said that it "might" take some time to contain the fire, without giving any further details. Oman's State TV reported earlier on Wednesday that drones had struck fuel tanks "in the port". Oman's official news agency, citing the energy ministry, said that there had been no interruption to oil supplies in the country. Ambrey, a British maritime security company,...

Investors remained cautious about inflation and growth risk stemming from the U.S./Israeli war on?Iran. According to the Pentagon and Iranian sources, the U.S. launched the most intense airstrikes in the war. Global markets were still betting that Donald Trump would try to end the conflict soon. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by the war. It is a major route used for approximately one-fifth of all global oil and gas shipments. Producers have had to stop production as their storage tanks fill up, and energy prices are now higher. Dubai's main stock index fell 2.4%. Blue-chip developer Emaar...

According to two sources in the trade and a tanker tracking service, a Chinese oil terminal that was sanctioned by Washington in October is now operating again after a Sinopec logistics unit sold its stake to a local port operator. Sinopec had to divert cargo because of the U.S. sanctions imposed on the Rizhao-Shihua terminal, which handled Iranian oil on vessels sanctioned by Washington. Sinopec received a fifth its oil imports through this facility in Shandong Province. The terminal at Lanshan with its three berths that can handle very large crude carriers was idle for months as shipowners and traders...

Industry sources claim that some ships struggle to refuel in Asia's key ports as bunker prices soar. In anticipation of a tightening supply triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, bunker prices have reached record levels. The longer waits for fuel could cause congestion in Asian ports like Singapore, Shanghai, and Ningbo/Zhoushan, China. This is because the Iran War will reduce traffic through the Strait of Hormuz causing delays or diversions. Prices for marine fuel are up sharply, despite the fact that there are still daily offers on the market. This is because the Middle East conflict has curtailed...

Denmark's Government said on Friday that the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East may prevent some overseas votes from being counted in the country's general election of March 24. The war in Iran has caused major disruptions to global air travel, including the closure of Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. This has left passengers and cargo stranded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that under these circumstances, it could not guarantee that postal ballots cast in countries affected will arrive on time for general elections. It said that the risk was for 'votes cast' in...

As the Gulf conflict intensifies, premiums on maritime insurance for war coverage have risen -- some by as much as 1000%. This has led to a dramatic increase in the cost of transporting energy along a crucial maritime corridor. The conflict sparked Saturday by Israeli and U.S. airstrikes against Tehran has 'paralyzed' traffic through the Strait of Hormuz - a major shipping chokepoint. Iran said on Monday that it would shoot at any ship trying?to pass' and nine vessels have been damaged in the area ever since the conflict started. Ship owners can claim for any damage their vessel or...

As the Gulf conflict intensifies, premiums on maritime insurance for war coverage have risen -- some by more than 1,000% -- driving up the price of transporting energy along a crucial maritime corridor. The conflict sparked Saturday by the Israeli-U.S. strikes on?Tehran, a major shipping chokepoint, has paralyzed all traffic through Strait of Hormuz. Iran said on Monday that it would shoot at 'any ship' trying to pass. At least nine vessels in the area have been damaged since the conflict began. Ship owners can claim for any damage their vessel or cargo may suffer due to conflict or terrorism....

Azerbaijan has evacuated its diplomats to Iran, according to Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Friday. This comes a day after Baku claimed that four Iranian drones crossed the border into Azerbaijan and injured four people at Nakhchivan. Bayramov, speaking at a press conference in Baku said that Azerbaijan is evacuating its employees from its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Tabriz. Tabriz is the largest city in Iran's northwestern region, where ethnic Azerbaijanis reside. On the orders of President Ilham Aliyev instructions were given to evacuate our embassy in Tehran, as well as the consulate in Tabriz, from Iran. These...

Ship tracking data revealed on Thursday that Iranian dry bulk'vessels' are trying to transport their cargoes through the Gulf to the export markets for the first time since the U.S. launched an attack? on Iran at the weekend. Since the start of the conflict, international shipping has been largely shut out of Strait of Hormuz. Vessels are wary of being shot at. According to MarineTraffic, two Iran-flagged?bulk ships - the Parshad? and the Parisan? - left Iranian port Bandar Imam?Khomeini? and Bandar Abbas on Thursday and were on water heading towards Kuantan in?Malaysia. The two ships that were sanctioned by...