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The German LNG import terminals
Germany has begun putting into operation natural gas import terminals as part of its efforts to replace Russian gas piped through the country following Moscow's invasion in Ukraine in 2022. According to DET, the state-appointed terminal firm, the Elbe River Terminal at Stade will be operational at the latest in the second quarter 2026. The fifth floating storage regasification (FSRU), which will receive seaborne LNG. According to official data, 11% of German gas imports in the first quarter of 2025. The following are the latest developments on the site: MUKRAN The LNG terminal in Ruegen, Baltic Sea, is operated by the private company Deutsche ReGas. It supplies LNG to onshore grids from Gascade's OAL link in collaboration with Norway's Hoegh Evi FSRU Neptune. The company wants to restart a FSRU and restore its full capacity of 13,5 billion cubic meters by 2027. ReGas, in long-term agreements, has launched a bid round to expand Mukran’s capacity. They are offering 5 bcm more per year between 2027 and 2043. It said that in September it had signed long-term agreements for regas capacities with the chemicals producer BASF, and Norwegian incumbent Equinor. S&P Global Platts added Mukran to its benchmark price assessment for Northwest Europe LNG delivered ex-ship in September. LUBMIN ReGas, Hoegh and Gascade plan to turn the Baltic Sea Port, an early precursor of Mukran into a green hydrogen and ammonia production and import terminal. Once it is completed, Gascade will connect with its customers. WILHELMSHAVEN Utility Uniper launched Germany’s first FSRU operations, Wilhelmshaven 1 on the North Sea in 2022. Uniper has plans to build a 200-MW electrolyser that will be powered by local wind energy and a land based ammonia reception terminal. After testing and preparation since May, DET began commercial operations at Wilhelmshaven 2 officially on August 29, via the Excelerate Energy operated FSRU Excelsior. In October, maintenance was also carried out. In July, all available slots for 2025 and 2026 regasification were assigned to gas market participants. DET announced on November 14, that it had reached an agreement with Hanseatic Energy Hub, a private company, to install FSRUs at the Elbe River inland port. DET stated that it would begin the inspection, planning and implementation of the project immediately. However, the terminal will not be operational until the second quarter 2026. EnBW and Uniper, the sector peers, will be the primary customers. Before the latest developments, DET had cancelled temporary contracts with HEH over unresolved disagreements over construction schedules. HEH intends to build a terminal at Stade for LNG, synthetic natural gas and bio-LNG in 2027. BRUNSBUETTEL According to DET, the Brunsbuettel FSRU - Hoegh Gannet was temporarily removed for two months during September in order to upgrade it ahead of winter. The vessel was chartered initially by RWE's trading arm, before it was handed over to DET. The state has approved the support of 40 million euros for this facility. The terminal may start operating at the end 2026 when an adjacent ammonia facility, which was recently inaugurated, could be opened. Vera Eckert, Joe Bavier and Vera Eckert report.
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Gulf stocks drop on Fed rate uncertainty and weaker oil prices
Gulf stock markets fell in the early trading on Tuesday as caution prevailed before delayed U.S. data, which could give clues about Federal Reserve policy easing timeline. Weaker oil prices also dampened sentiment. Thursday will see the release of September's non-farm payrolls in the United States. The markets have reduced their bets for a Fed rate cut in December, with just over 40% of the market pricing a 25 basis-point reduction. This is down from 60% earlier this month. The U.S. monetary policy changes have a major impact on Gulf markets where the majority of currencies are pegged with the dollar. Oil, which is a major driver of Gulf financial markets fell by nearly 1%, as concerns about supply eased after the restarting of loadings in a Russian export hub. Brent crude traded at $63.64 per barrel as of 0810 GMT. The benchmark Qatari index dropped 1.3% due to a broad-based drop. Ooredoo fell 6.6%, while Industries Qatar dropped 1.9%. The telecoms company announced on Monday that Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will sell 160.5 millions of its existing Ooredoo shares. Dubai's benchmark index fell 0.6% with nearly all of its constituents in the negative zone. Emaar Properties fell 0.7% while Spinneys 1961 Holding dropped 1.9%. Most stocks were in red, and the benchmark Abu Dhabi index fell 0.5%. Aldar Properties, a blue-chip developer, fell 2.3% and Two Point Zero Group dropped 6.1%. This was after the investment platform, created by the merger of Multiply Group and 2PointZero, said it would list 23,36 billion shares through a capital raise. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index of stocks traded in a narrow band and increased marginally. Saudi Aramco lost 0.8%, and ADES Holding fell 2%. Retal Urban Development however, rose 7.1% intraday, its largest gain in over a year. This was after National Housing Company awarded the developer a contract worth 5.2 billion Riyals ($1.39 billion), to build residential units in Riyadh and infrastructure.
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Etihad Airways orders 15 Airbus A330s to boost its wide-body fleet
Etihad Airways CEO announced on Tuesday that the airline had placed an order with Airbus for 15 A330 900s aircraft. The plane will be added to its widebody fleet to help it meet its ambitious growth goals. At the Dubai Airshow, CEO Antonoaldo Neves announced that Abu Dhabi Airlines will purchase six A330-900s from Dublin-based Avolon and lease nine more aircraft. Neves, speaking about the size of the fleet in general, said: "With this order we can get up to 200 planes." The company previously stated that it would aim to have 170 aircraft in service by 2030. Etihad also purchased seven Airbus A350-1000s bringing the total number of planes in this type to 27, as well as three A350Fs. Neves has not disclosed the financial details. Neves, in a conversation with reporters, stressed the importance of Airbus A330neo, a crucial aircraft for the airline that provides flexibility in route planning. Reporting by Federico Maccioni, Ahmed Elimam and Tala Ramadan. Editing by Susan Fenton, Joe Bavier and Joe Bavier.
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Airbus wins order for 150 jets from Flydubai
Airbus has won a provisional contract for 150 A321neo aircraft from flydubai, displacing Boeing as the exclusive supplier of the fast-growing low-cost carrier. The order comes after a tepid start to the Dubai Airshow. On Sunday, it was reported that Airbus Europe would win a three-digit contract from Dubai's government-owned carrier. Flydubai Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said at a press conference that the move was an exciting one for diversifying and expanding our fleet. Flydubai, which was founded as a sister airline of Dubai's Emirates in 2008, has bought Boeing jets since its founding. Airbus Commercial CEO Christian Scherer joked with Sheikh Ahmed, sitting next to him on Tuesday: "What took so long?" Sources in the industry said that Boeing was also negotiating with one of its largest 737 MAX operators to save a part of their growth requirements. Flydubai operates 95 Boeing 737s including 69 MAX aircraft and more are on order. The announcement on Tuesday was the second major commercial success at the show, after Boeing received a surprise order from Emirates for 65 additional 777X aircraft despite delays. Emirates Airline's President Tim Clark stated on Tuesday that the airline was not ready to place an order for the Airbus A350-1000. This ended speculation about a possible deal during the show. Etihad Airways also ordered Airbus A350s on Tuesday. (Reporting and editing by Susan Fenton, Louise Heavens and Federico Maccioni)
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Emirates orders 777X but rejects A350-1000 at Dubai Airshow
Emirates Airline's President Tim Clark stated on Tuesday that he is confident in the case for Boeing to make a larger version of its 777X Wide-body Jet, but acknowledged the U.S. aircraft manufacturer was focused on certifying their current model. Clark said that there are no further plans to order aircraft at the Dubai Airshow, after his airline purchased 65 additional 777X jets Monday. He denied that an Airbus A350 1000 plane order was ever in the works. He praised the A350-900, calling it a "peach" of an airplane and said that Emirates will order more in due course. Clark reiterated his faith in the 777X, despite numerous development delays. "I believe that the 777X will work out in the end. (Reporting and writing by Tim Hepher, Ahmed Elimam, Jamie Freed).
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Cnergyico and Vitol deliver the largest single shipment of marine fuel to Pakistan
The global trading company said that the largest single shipment of low-sulfur fuel oil in Pakistan was delivered to ship refueling by Vitol Cnergyico. This will allow large vessels to refuel in Pakistan to sail longer routes, from east to western without stopping anywhere else. It will also give Pakistan a better local supply of marine fuel that is environmentally friendly. The shipment was the first batch of Cnergyico fuel to meet low-sulphur standards set by the International Maritime Organization. After importing the first U.S. crude cargoes, in August and Septembre, Cnergyico began to produce it. Vitol delivered VLSFO at Port Qasim to a vessel operated and owned by shipping giant MSC, using the bunker barge Marine Ista of Singapore. This barge has the capability to deliver 6,800 metric tonnes of marine fuel during a single delivery. The first barge that loaded fuel directly at the Oil Pier of the Karachi Port Trust, rather than by truck delivery. Vitol reports that Cnergyico continues to provide Vitol this cleaner marine fuel. Aumar Abbassciy is the director of Cnergyico Pk Limited. He said, "This initiative will enhance Pakistan's ability to provide sustainable fuel solutions for global shipping industries." According to Ammar Hussaini, Vitol’s bunker trading manager and marketing director, the new locations for Vitol bunkers in Pakistan include Karachi Port (Port Qasim), Karachi Anchorage and Port Qasim.
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Maguire: China's battery exports are at new heights.
China's exports have reached a new record for 2025. They are up 24% compared to the previous year in the first nine month of the year. Ember, an energy think tank, shows that batteries have been China's top clean energy export since mid-2022. This year, they have generated export revenues of about $60 billion for the country. This is a significant increase in exports of electric vehicles, grid components and renewable energy infrastructure. China is a global leader in the manufacturing and export of battery technology. It is also benefiting from a boom in worldwide demand for batteries that are used in EVs or power networks. Here is a list of top markets for China’s battery exports. These are expected to continue growing in most major markets by 2026. WIDE SPAN In 2025, 23 different countries have purchased batteries made in China worth $500 million or higher. This shows the reach and profitability of the battery export market. Germany has been the largest market for China's battery sales so far in 2025. Sales of $10.5 billion have been recorded in just September. The top battery customers in Germany include the leading car manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and BMW, as well as grid operators who are expanding Germany's BESS network. Vietnam ($3.6 billion) and the United States ($9.3 billion) are the two next biggest markets for China's battery products. Germany also saw the biggest annual increase in the purchase of China's battery this year. Receipts were up by $2.5 Billion compared to 2024. The Netherlands, Australia, and India all saw steep increases in their imports year over year. Each country has spent more than $1 billion in 2025 as compared to the previous year. RAPID GROWTH Europe has been the number one destination for China's batteries exports in recent years, accounting for 42 percent of total China battery exports. Asia has the second largest market with 26% of all sales in 2025. North America is next (with 17%). The Middle East and Latin America, however, have seen the highest growth rates in 2025. They posted 107% and 99% increases respectively compared to last year. Battery exports from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's biggest battery buyer, are nearly fourfold higher than in 2024. Meanwhile, Chile is Latin America's number one buyer and has seen a 320% increase in imports since 2024. Oceania, primarily driven by Australia, and Africa, mainly driven by Nigeria, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have both seen rapid growth in 2025. CRITICAL MASS China's battery exporters are enjoying rapid growth in a number of countries outside of those noted above. These markets will continue to be a lucrative market for battery sellers. Spain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, Mexico, and The Philippines are all countries with ambitious plans for solar energy generation and electric vehicles, which heavily depend on batteries. China's extensive distribution and services networks in these countries will ensure that further sales are possible. Greece, Egypt and Italy are also fast-growing markets. Each of these countries has seen its sales exceed $100 million this year. They look set to continue being promising destinations for the growth of EVs and energy batteries systems. The United States is one of the few countries that has seen a decline in China battery imports in 2018. It is involved in a trade dispute with China and has reduced federal support for EVs. In total, 114 countries and territories have bought Chinese batteries worth $10 million or higher in 2025. This has given China a significant sales outlet to distribute its leading battery sector. China is likely to remain the main supplier of EV and BESS battery for many years. These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for. You like this article? Check it out Open Interest The new global financial commentary source (ROI) is your go-to for all the latest news and analysis. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on You can find us on LinkedIn.
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Five Minutes from Autocracy: Georgia's U-turn from its Western Path
Four of the eight main opposition coalitions won seats in Georgia's Parliament just over a month ago. All but one of the eight leaders are either in prison, exiled or facing criminal charges. The ruling party wants to outright ban the main opposition groups. Many in the tiny South Caucasus nation of 3.7 millions have been shocked by the slide towards one-party rule. Georgia was a democratic country that appeared to be on the rise in the years after the fall of the Soviet Union. It seemed poised to join the EU, and escape Russia's influence. Brussels' assessment, however, says that it is now further away from the West today than ever before in its post-Soviet past. It describes its democratic institutions and courts as being under the thumb of state. In a report published this month, the EU stated that Georgia is now a candidate to join "in name only". The EU ambassador to Tbilisi stated that Georgia is no longer a candidate for membership in the EU. Senior Georgian politicians and diplomats who were interviewed about recent events said that it appeared as though Georgia was close to a point beyond which it would be difficult for democracy to recover. "We are five minutes from a one-party dictatorship," Sergi Kapanadze said, a former vice foreign minister and deputy speaker of the parliamentary until 2020. "DEMOCRATISATION MEANS YOU WILL LOSE THE POWER AT SOME POINT" Natalie Sabanadze said that despite decades of sometimes caustic internal political disputes, there was always a political consensus in Georgia that it belongs to the West. This has now been lost. She said that the Georgian Dream Party, the ruling party, knows that democratisation - which the EU requires - means accepting the fact that you will eventually lose power. "They don’t want that. They are building an authoritarian system. Georgian Dream claims it protects the country against opposition figures that are attempting to seize control and incite a war with Russia. The fear became tangible after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This evoked memories of Russian tanks rolling through the suburbs in Tbilisi, in an embarrassing defeat by Moscow during a short war in 2008. Nino Tsilosani is a lawmaker from the ruling party who serves as deputy speaker of parliament. He said, "Georgia has a unique peace within a geopolitical area that's very challenging." "What businesses and investors need is stability." She accused opposition politicians in jail of plotting a coup. The opposition parties deny these accusations as fabrications to justify a crackdown. Bidzina ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream, is portrayed by opponents as the cause of the shift to authoritarianism. Some accuse him to be in league with Russia where he made his fortune in 1990s. Gia Khukhashvili who was Ivanishvili’s top advisor and helped launch the party before parting ways with him in 2013 said that it is wrong to see his former boss as being subservient towards Moscow. Ivanishvili, however, sees only a "coincidence" of interests between the two countries. "He knows that he will need an older brother in this ocean full of sharks. Who is the elder brother? "It can only be Russia," Khukhashvili replied. ECONOMY TAKES A TURN TOWARDS RUSSIA AND CHINA Georgia, strategically located on the Black Sea, is a region that's crossed by oil and natural gas pipelines. In theory, this could play a key role in the West’s plan to divert energy and trade away from Russia. Georgia's rapid growth was fueled by its investor-friendly policies and political shift towards the West. This openness is now rapidly reversing, with foreign direct investments falling in the last two years to levels not seen since the early 2000s. The economy has remained stable, thanks to a flood of Russian IT workers and businesses into Georgia following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The World Bank predicts that Georgia's GDP will grow by 7% in this year after growing 9.4% in last year. Construction of a deep water port on the Black Sea, a key transit hub between Asia and Europe, has been largely stalled after a Western-led group was kicked out of the project. Since then, a Chinese company won the contract. However, progress in building the port is minimal. Georgia imports 45% of the oil it uses from Russia. This is up from 8% in 2012. Tbilisi has no diplomatic relations with Moscow. Former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly said that the West could have done much more to strengthen ties with Tbilisi. He said, "We're blowing this." "Georgia opened the door to Russia and China." SPEED CHESS Georgian Dream, in recent weeks has taken a number of measures to eliminate any remaining political dissension. The Constitutional Court is preparing to ban three of the main opposition parties. Meanwhile, new criminal charges brought against nine opposition figures, including the jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili, will keep potential opponents behind bars for many years. Recently, criminal charges have been filed against former Georgian Dream founder Ivanishvili and senior government ministers. The government is moving so fast that Kapanadze (the former deputy speaker) compared the situation to a game of "speed chess", where the opposition is trying to avoid checkmate and hoping that the government will make tactical mistakes. The arrests of political activists at the nightly protests against the government outside parliament keeps them in a state of fear, despair and resignation. Dozens of people are in prison or have been fined after blocking the road. "Georgia is gone, not only from the European table but also from the world stage," said Grigol Gegelia, a member of the Lelo Party, which faces a ban. "We are losing the country." Reporting by Lucy Papachristou, Editing by Peter Graff
Gulf Air completes deal to purchase at least 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
Gulf Air said that it signed an agreement with Boeing on Tuesday to purchase at least 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Gulf Air announced that the finalized purchase agreement, which was signed at the Dubai Airshow and consists of 12 Dreamliner aircraft, with the option to buy six more, is a culmination of the announcement made in July, when the airline said it would be buying 12 aircraft, with the option to buy six additional.
An official at the White House said that the Gulf Air agreement was valued at around $7 billion. This deal is part of Bahrain's commitment to invest $17 Billion in the U.S.
Gulf Air stated in its statement that the additional 787s would allow it to strengthen its premium long-haul offerings and position itself in a regional market that is becoming increasingly competitive. Reporting by Mahal Dahan and Tim Hepher, Writing by Yousef Raba and Tala RAMAdan; Editing and proofreading by Jacqueline Wong & Susan Fenton
(source: Reuters)