Latest News
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Maputo's port volume reaches record 32 million metric tonnes
The operator of the Maputo harbour said that the port will handle a record 32 metric tons of cargo by 2025. This is due to the increased freight rail volumes and the expanded capacity. In a press release, the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), which manages bulk shipments such as coal, chrome ore, and iron ore, as well as agricultural products, said that volumes increased?from 30.9 millions metric tons in 2020. This figure was the previous record. Official data shows that cargo through Maputo grew by 52% in 2019 from 21 million tons, underscoring its growing role as a regional logistics hub. The growth is due to capacity upgrades, improved rail links and logistical bottlenecks that occurred in South Africa. Some cargo was diverted to Mozambique. The gains were also attributed to an increase in mineral production in Zimbabwe. MPDC stated that rail volumes into Maputo will increase to 11,7 million metric tons by 2025, up from 9,7 million in the previous year. Maputo Port is operated by a partnership of?state owned Mozambican Railroad Company and?Portus Indico. This consortium was formed by South Africa’s Grindrod and Dubai’s DP World?as well as local firm Gestores. The concession granted in 2003 was extended to 2058 last year and plans were made to increase capacity. Reporting by Nelson Banya. Mark Potter (Editing)
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The Raspberry Pi project in the UK says that memory issues will make its 2026 forecast uncertain
Raspberry Pi, a single-board computer manufacturer, announced that its core earnings for 2025 would be above expectations, after it shipped 4 million units during the second half. However, its outlook for 2026 was clouded due to volatility in supply and memory prices. The British company stated that it expects core earnings in 2025 to be no less than $45 millions, an increase of more than 20% over 2024. It said that, looking?towards, the cost of LPDDR4, which is a type of memory used in devices has increased rapidly in recent?months, and some of the?major suppliers are now indicating a limitation of supply for?high density?. The report stated that?the trend was largely driven by memory vendors who diverted capacity to meet the surge of AI data centres investment. It said that there was "significant uncertainty" about the timing of a return to more normal DRAM prices and availability. Eben Upton said that the company's supply-chain discipline enabled it to meet growing customer demand despite a difficult memory supply environment. He said: "We enter the year 2026 with substantial inventory buffers and long-standing and growing OEM industrial relationships that typically account for 70% or?our demand. We also have a number initiatives to optimize the performance of our company in the short- and medium-term."
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CANADA-CRUDE-Discount on Western Canada Select narrows
On Monday, the discount between West Texas Intermediate and North American benchmark Western Canada Select?futures was reduced. WCS for February deliveries in Hardisty, Alberta settled at $14.35 per barrel below the U.S. benchmark WTI according to brokerage CalRock. This compares with $14.80 per barrel on Friday. Since the capture by the U.S. of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the discount on 2026 WCS barrels at Hardisty's forward curve has increased more than $2 per barrel. The market is looking for potential increases in Venezuelan barrels that could compete with Canadian heavy oil of similar quality in the U.S. Gulf Coast in the long term. Some analysts believe the market has overreacted because it will be years before Venezuela's oil production reaches current levels. TD 'Cowen stated that Canada had other factors in its favor which could help 'prop up WCS Prices if they are under pressure. These include low oil inventories within the province of Alberta and a depleted U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Oil prices rose and?settled on Monday at seven-week-highs amid fears that Iran's oil exports may decline as the sanctioned OPEC country cracks down against anti-government protests. (Reporting and editing by Sahal Muhammad in Calgary, Amanda Stephenson is based in Calgary)
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US safety board will determine the cause of deadly Washington air crash that killed 67
The?U.S. The National Transportation Safety Board is holding a hearing on Jan. 27 to determine the probable cause of a deadly collision that occurred between a U.S. Army chopper and an American Airlines regional plane in January 2025, which killed 67 people. The Justice Department announced last month that the federal government is responsible for the accident. The Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was flying above maximum altitude ?levels at the time and was not using ADS-B, or automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, an advanced surveillance technology that ?transmits an aircraft's location. The accident over the Potomac River, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, was the "deadliest U.S. aviation disaster" in the past 20 years. It sparked calls to reform aviation safety. In March, the NTSB reported that there have been 15,200 incidents of air separation near Reagan Airport between helicopters and commercial planes since 2021. This includes 85 close calls. Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary and members of both parties in Congress, have asked why the Federal Aviation Administration has not acted for years on close calls between military helicopters and commercial airplanes near Washington Reagan National Airport. In March, the FAA banned helicopter flights near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after the NTSB stated that their presence was "intolerable". After a near-miss that caused two civilian planes aborted landings, the agency?banned the Army from helicopter flight around the Pentagon. Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the NTSB, criticized U.S. officials during a three-day investigation into the crash that occurred last year for not acting on warnings issued by air traffic control personnel. The FAA's air traffic working group urged the FAA to move helicopter traffic from Reagan Airport and establish airborne "hot spots" but this was rejected as it was considered "too politically charged". The U.S. Senate passed a bill last month that aims to tighten the rules for military helicopter safety and requires aircraft operators to equip their fleets by 2031 with ADS-B. In April, the FAA announced that government helicopters must use ADS-B near Reagan National Airport except for "active missions of national security."
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State Department: Trump administration has revoked more than 100,000 visas
U.S. State Department announced on Monday that it had revoked over 100,000 visas in the year since Donald?Trump assumed office. It said this was a "new record" as his administration continues to pursue its hardline immigration policy. The extent of the revocations is a reflection of the immigration crackdown that began when Trump returned to his White House in 2017, deporting a record number migrants, including those who had valid visas. The administration also has a stricter visa policy, including a tightened?social-media vetting process and expanded screening. The State Department has now revoked more than 100,000 visas. This includes 8,000 student visas as well as 2,500 visas for people who have been in contact with U.S. Law Enforcement for criminal activity. The State Department said that it would continue to deport criminals to protect America. Tommy Pigott, deputy spokesperson for the State Department, said that overstays were followed by driving under the influence of alcohol, assault and theft. He said that the revocations were up 150% from 2024. Pigott added that the State Department also has a Continuous Vetting Center to ensure "that all foreign nationals in America comply with our laws and that visas for those who are a threat to American Citizens are quickly revoked." The State Department announced in November that it has revoked 80,000 nonimmigrant visas since Trump's January 20, 2025 inauguration for crimes ranging from DUI to assault and theft. The State Department has issued directives this year ordering U.S. diplomatic missions abroad to be vigilant in preventing?any applicants who Washington might view as hostile towards the United States. And who have a background of political activism. Officials in the Trump administration have stated that students with visas and "lawful permanent residents" with "green cards", who support Palestinians and criticize Israel's behavior in Gaza war, are at risk of deportation. They call their actions a danger to U.S. Foreign Policy and accuse them of being pro Hamas. (Reporting and editing by Paul Simao; Daphne Psaledakis)
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Somalia terminates port agreements and security cooperation with UAE
The Somalia government announced on Monday that it was 'annulling' all agreements with United Arab Emirates. This includes?port deals, defence and security collaboration, and'security and defence cooperation. It accused the UAE of undermining the national sovereignty. The Council of Ministers of Somalia said that the decision was based on "credible reports" and "convincing evidence" of hostile acts undermining the national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Somalia. In a press release, it was stated that the decision "applies?to?all agreements and partnerships relating?to the ports of Berbera?and Bosaso?and Kismayo... and] bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements." The?UAE foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Last week, the Horn of Africa nation?launched a probe after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen claimed that the?UAE spirited away a separatist from Yemen via Somalia. Somalia stated at the time, that if this allegation was proven true, it would be a serious breach of its sovereignty. The UAE also has deep economic and security ties with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland. The centerpiece of this strategy is a 442 million dollar investment from Dubai-based DP World in order to develop and run the Port of Berbera in Somaliland. DP World declined comment on Somalia’s statement. According to an Axios article citing Israeli officials, Israel was the first country to recognize Somaliland as independent last month. Abu Dhabi facilitated this diplomatic breakthrough. Somalia's Council of Ministers stated that it remains open to a cooperation "based on the recognition of Somalia’s unity".
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Airbus jetliner deliveries rose 4% in 2025
Airbus delivered 793?planes last year, a 4% increase, and is on track to remain the largest?planemaker in the world despite recent industrial snags. Airbus has warned that it is facing a "continued dynamic and complex operating environment", as its deliveries are edging beyond the revised goal of 790 jets. This was lowered last month from 820 due to an issue with a Spanish supplier of fuselage parts. Airbus reported that it won 1,000 'gross orders' last year or 889 net orders after cancellations, both of which are higher than 2024. Boeing is set to release its own full year data on Tuesday. Between January and November, it delivered?537 aircraft and received 1,000 gross orders, or 908 after cancellations. Rob Morris, aviation analyst, said: "It is true that the supply chain has challenges. However, I believe Airbus would argue that they could have met the (original) guidance for 2025 if it weren't for the relatively recent new quality issue." But that shows a complex supply chain they're not on top of. Airbus announced that it has delivered 607 A320 family?jets. This is an increase of 1%. Recent engine delays and other snags have hit these aircraft hard. The A330 led the way in wide-body deliveries, but the A350's - which were hit by a separate issue with the delivery of a critical fuselage section during the year - saw a flat number at 57. The A220 is the smallest Airbus aircraft model. Deliveries increased by 24%, to 93 aircraft.
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Russian drones hit two foreign vessels near Ukrainian port
Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, said that Russian drones attacked two foreign-flagged ships on Monday. This was the second attack on Black Sea shipping in four days. Kuleba stated that the vessels were flying the flags of Panama and San Marino. He also said one person was injured. He added that the San Marino flagged vessel had just been loaded with corn and was on its way to Panama to pick up vegetable oil. Kuleba posted on Telegram that "this is further proof that Russia is deliberately targeting civilian vessels, international commerce, and maritime security." Sources familiar with the situation say the attacks occurred near the port of Chornomorsk in the southern Odesa region. The person who spoke to us said that one of the ships was headed for Italy. Odesa is home to Black Sea ports which are vital for Ukraine's trade with the rest of the world and its survival during wartime. (Reporting and writing by Yuliia Dyesa, editing by Tomasz Jánowski and Sharon Singleton).
Diesel exports from Russia jumped 40% in December due to higher fuel production
Data from LSEG and market sources showed that Russia's seaborne gasoil and diesel exports increased by almost 40% in December compared to November, reaching about 3,41 million metric tonnes. This was due to higher fuel production, and a'seasonal decline in domestic demand.
Sources said that exports of ultra-low sulphur diesel via Primorsk - Russia's largest outlet for diesel shipments - grew 35% on a month-on-month basis to 1.7 millions tons as major suppliers increased output and supplies.
Last month, diesel?and gasoline loadings at southern ports Tuapse?and Novorossiysk increased by?almost 60 percent compared to November. This was due to local refineries increasing shipments.
Rosneft's Tuapse Refinery, which exports the majority of its output?, resumed processing on November 21,?after two weeks of halting due to Ukrainian drone attacks. Fuel export loads were lifted in December.
LSEG data shows that Brazil was the largest buyer of Russian gasoil and diesel last month.
Diesel loadings into Morocco increased sharply from 70,000 tons to 321,000 tonnes in November.
Last month, the total amount of supplies for ship-to-ship transfer near Limassol in Malta and Port Said in Egypt was nearly 0.5 millions?tons. These cargoes' final destinations are still unknown.
According to LSEG, several tankers that have a total of?about 310,000 tons diesel from Russian ports are yet to declare the ports of discharge. (Reporting from in Moscow. Mark Potter is the editor.
(source: Reuters)