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UK sends drones, warships and jets to defend Strait of Hormuz
The UK announced on Tuesday that it will contribute 'autonomous mine-hunting gear,' 'Typhoon jet fighters, and a warship HMS Dragon to a multilateral defensive mission designed to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. John Healey, the Defence Minister, announced his commitment at a virtual meeting with over 40 of his counterparts in other nations. He said that the mission would be operational as soon as conditions permitted. In a statement, he stated that "with our allies?this multinational missions will be defensive and independent. The Iran War has severely curtailed the traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This has disrupted oil exports, and sent energy prices up. Around a fifth (25%) of all oil in the world passes through this strait. The UK's contribution is backed up by a new funding of 115 million pounds (155.53 millions) for?minehunting drones? and counter-drone system?, as London tries to reassure the commercial shipping industry of its commitment towards?freedom? of navigation in light of increased regional tensions. The package includes autonomous systems to detect and clear mines in the sea, high-speed drones, Typhoon jets used for air patrols, and HMS Dragon an air defence destroyer already on its way. Britain has more than 1,000 personnel in the area as part of defensive operations. This includes counter-drone squadrons and fast jet squadrons.
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Data shows that a second Qatari LNG tanker has successfully crossed the Hormuz Strait to Pakistan, as the Iran war continues.
The second Qatari LNG tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. This was days after the first cargo, which had been arranged by Iran and Pakistan, did so. It highlights 'how cargoes are being transported case-by-case amid the ongoing conflict risk. Mihzem with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters left Ras Laffan Monday, and crossed the strait Tuesday. It is headed to Port Qasim, Pakistan, where it will arrive later that day. It is the second time a Qatari LNG tanker has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the Iran War. Al Kharaitiyat, a LNG tanker, began crossing Hormuz on Saturday via the Iranian-approved northern route. On Sunday the vessel was able to?cross the strait. According to LSEG, it is currently anchored close to Port Qasim. The LNG is being sold by Qatar to Pakistan - a mediator in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran - under a government-to-government deal, according to two people familiar with the matter on May ?9. Two people familiar with the matter said that Qatar was selling LNG to Pakistan, a mediator in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Sources said that two more tankers, laden with Qatari LNG, are expected to arrive in Pakistan within the next few days. A source familiar with the agreement said that Pakistan and Iran are in talks to allow a small number of LNG tankers to cross the Strait. Islamabad is 'urgently trying to solve its gas shortages,' the source added. The source said that Iran had agreed to "assist" and the two sides are now coordinating the safe passage of the first vessel carrying gas provided under Pakistan's deal with Qatar, which is its main LNG provider.
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US LNG ships leave for China following a year-long pause before Trump-Xi Summit
China could receive its 'first direct U.S. liquefied gas shipment to China in over a year' in a possible sign of thawing ties in the energy sector as U.S. president Donald Trump heads this upcoming week to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to LSEG, three vessels left U.S. export LNG plants in Louisiana in the last week. They are expected to arrive in China between mid- and late June. Other LNG tankers left U.S. port and claimed to be heading to China in the last year. However, no LNG tanker has gone directly from the United States to China since Trump took office as president in January 2025. China is the largest gas importer in the world, and the United States is its biggest?gas supplier. The trade dispute and the ability to profit from the high global LNG prices has led to several companies in China selling LNG to buyers in other countries. Due to the market disruptions brought on by the Iran War, 'Chinese buyers' were able sell U.S. LNG to other countries at higher margins in recent months. Analysts at EBW Analytics Group stated in a note that China has become more reliant upon pipeline imports from Central?Asia and Russia. China will likely become more interested in receiving U.S. LNG as it reduces its inventories, but the country will still prefer to import cheaper pipeline gas and produce domestically. This is according to Erica Downs of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. Downs stated that Beijing likely views the United States of America as a non-reliable trading partner. The White House has not responded to a comment request. According to LSEG, the Umm Al Hanaya ship left Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass Export Plant on May 5. The Al Sailiya vessel and Id'Asah vessel both left Venture Global's Plaquemines Plant on May 8. The three vessels are expected to arrive at China's Tianjin Port between June 15 and 20. Cheniere and Venture Global, the two largest U.S. producers of LNG, are respectively. According to LSEG, if any of these vessels arrive in China it will be the first LNG vessel from the U.S. to have gone directly to China since?February 20,25 when the Mu Lan discharged a shipment that had been loaded at Cheniere Corpus Christi's plant in Texas, in December 2024. Three other LNG ships arrived directly in China from the U.S., all before Trump began his second term in 2025. They had left in November and December 2024. The U.S. Department of Energy also said that two ships dropped relatively small amounts of U.S. LNG in China, one in 2025 and another in 2026. They had first unloaded most of their cargoes from Bangladesh. The DOE stated that these two vessels left the United States between September 2025 and February 2026. Comparatively, the Department Of Energy (DOE)?said that 64 vessels left the United States by 2024 and dropped off cargoes to China. In 2023 there were 52 vessels, in 2022 30 and in 2021 a record of 131. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data dating back to 2000, the United States has sold LNG to China at least since 2011.
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Nigeria and Morocco aim to reach a deal by 2026 for the advancement of Atlantic gas pipeline
Nigeria's foreign ministry announced that Nigeria and Morocco are expected to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement in the?fourth quarter of 2026, to progress a major Atlantic coast gas pipeline project. The agreement to be signed between the Nigerian president Bola Tinubu, and the Moroccan King Mohammed VI follows preliminary studies of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline). In a Tuesday statement, the Ministry said that this development was discussed during a phone call between Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, and her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Borita on Friday. Amina Benkhadra of the?Morocco’s hydrocarbons & mining agency (ONHYM) said last month that a $25 billion Nigerian-Morocco Gas Pipeline would be signed in this year. Benkhadra, from ONHYM, said that the project, which was agreed on 10 years ago, would cover a distance of?6,900 kilometers along a hybrid route between offshore and onshore with a capacity maximum of 30 billion cubic meters (bcm). This includes 15 bcm for Morocco, as well as to support exports to Europe. The two sides also explored collaboration opportunities?in fertiliser distribution and production, citing their?importance for food security in Africa. Both ministers emphasized the need to "re-establish" the Nigeria-Morocco Business Council in order to promote trade and investments, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area and an existing double-taxation treaty. (Writing and editing by Gareth Jones, Chijioke Ahuocha)
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Boeing orders surge in April
Boeing announced on Tuesday that it had received a total of?135?net new orders during April. This is almost the same as its first quarter sales. Boeing booked 284 new orders in the first four month of this year after accounting for cancellations and convertions. This is the highest number of orders for this?period in 2014. Airbus has booked 405 orders after cancellations and modifications through April 30, but the U.S. rival is still behind. Airbus delivered 67 jets last month. Boeing delivered '47 jetliners in the month of April, an increase from the previous one. Investors closely track 'delivery', when customers pay the majority of cash for a brand new aircraft. The last month saw 34 737 MAX jets delivered and six 787s. Boeing's 787 continues to be hampered by certification delays. CFO Jay Malave stated during a?earnings conference call last month that the company still expects 90-100 twin-aisle aircraft to be delivered this year. The majority of the orders for April came from unidentified customers. Also included were 28 777Xs from unidentified customers. Boeing continues to work on certifying the jetliner that has been delayed for so long. On May 7, the first 777-9 configured for passengers took to the skies for its first flight. As reported earlier in the year, this plane was originally scheduled to fly 'in April. It is not uncommon for test flight schedules to change due to a number of factors. Reporting by Dan Catchpole, Seattle Mark Potter (Editing)
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US Senators urge Trump to stand strong' in discussions with Xi on shipbuilding
Bipartisan 'groups of U.S. Senators on Monday urged Donald Trump to stick to the trade remedies proposed by his administration for rebuilding U.S. -shipbuilding, and not make concessions to Chinese Xi Jinping when he meets with him. In a letter to Trump, Democratic Senators Tammy Baldwin and Mark Kelly from Wisconsin, along with Republicans Tim Scott and Todd Young from Indiana, said that China's decades long effort to "decimate American Shipbuilding" required the fullest use of U.S. Trade Measures. Trump and Xi met in South Korea last October. They agreed to halt tit for tat fees?on the other ship for a full year. This would save an estimated $3.2billion annually for large Chinese vessels sailing into U.S. port. The U.S. fees are set to resume on November 10 unless another pause has been agreed. U.S. announced their port fees for the first time in April 2025?to loosen China's grip over the global maritime industry. A U.S. investigation concluded that China was dominating the maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors through unfair practices. Trump will'meet Xi on Thursday and Friday in China for a summit dominated with the Iran War, which 'further strained U.S. - Chinese ties. China is still the largest?buyer despite the pressure of the Trump administration. The senators stated in a letter first reported by that "the United States is at a pivotal point and cannot cede any additional ground to China." "We urge you not to give up during these negotiations, as we work to implement trade remedies and to advance the SHIPS for America Act in order to level the playing fields." White House spokesperson Olivia Wales stated that Trump was committed to strengthening the?U.S. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Trump remained committed to strengthening the?U.S. The SHIPS Act was introduced last year in both the U.S. Senate as well as House of Representatives. It would offer tax credits to investors in domestic shipyards and production. China's share in the $150 billion global industry of shipbuilding grew from 5% to 50% by 2023, thanks largely to government subsidies. Meanwhile, once dominant U.S. Shipbuilders saw their share drop below 1%. South Korea and Japan rank as the second largest shipbuilders. After the U.S. fees were delayed, orders in Chinese shipyards rebounded in the later part of the year. The senators stated that the sudden drop in Chinese shipping orders "shows that when your Administration takes action on this issue, global maritime industry will pay attention." They called the port fees an "urgent, critical step necessary to grow the U.S. Industrial base, expand the U.S. economy and protect national Security." Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by David Gregorio & Rod Nickel
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US indicts foreign operators and individuals in collapse of Baltimore Key Bridge in 2024
U.S. Justice Department?said Tuesday that a grand jury had indicted two?foreigners and a shoreside supervisor in the collision in March 2024 of?the cargo ship Dali?that sank Baltimore's Francis?Key?Bridge, and killed six construction workers. Justice Department stated that the collision resulted in at least $5 billion of damage, as well as significant environmental damage. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that a loose wire in an electrical system was the cause of a breaker opening unexpectedly, which led to a series of events leading to two blackouts on board and loss of steering and propulsion. Synergy Marine Pte Ltd based in Singapore and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd based in Chennai in India, as well as Radhakrishnan Nair, 47 an Indian national who worked in both companies for both of them, the Dali's technical superintendent, have been charged with conspiracy and obstruction of an agency proceeding. The prosecution said that Nair was believed to be in India. Companies and individuals were accused of conspiring to defraud United States, and causing death on the bridge for six construction workers. The companies, as well as Nair, are accused of providing false documents and statements to the National Technical Standards Board. Both Synergy Corporations are charged with violating the Clean Water Act and Oil Pollution Act as well as the Refuse Act. They have discharged?pollutants' into the Patapsco River. According to the indictment the Dali lost power twice in four minutes as it left the Port of Baltimore. This caused it to crash into Key Bridge. The Justice Department said the defendants were accused of relying upon a flushing 'pump' to supply fuel to the Dali generators. However, the pump was not built to automatically restart following a blackout and the Dali generators couldn't operate without fuel. According to the indictment, if the Dali had been using the proper fuel pumps, it would have recovered power in time for the vessel to safely navigate beneath the bridge. (Reporting and editing by Andrea Ricci; David Shepardson)
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Airline cancellations in response to Middle East conflict
Middle Eastern carriers increased capacity following the disruption caused by the Iran War, while airlines from outside the Gulf region rerouted flights between Europe & Asia away from major hubs. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically: AEGEAN AIRLINES On May 21, Greece's largest airline will resume flights from Heraklion to Tel Aviv, as well as Rhodes and Larnaca. Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights are cancelled up until June 26. Flights to Beirut, Riyadh, and Amman will resume on May 12. The?airline?will cancel flights to Dubai until August 31 and Erbil and Baghdad till July 2. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has announced that flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until the 28th of June. Dubai flights are cancelled until 24 October. AIR CANADA The Canadian carrier has canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu Dhabi until September 7. AIR EUROPA Spanish Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv till May 31. AIR FRANCE-KLM Air France has suspended flights to Riyadh, Riyadh and Beirut until May 27, and Tel Aviv and Dubai until May 19 KLM suspends flights to Riyadh Dammam, and Dubai until 28 June. CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong Airlines has suspended all flights to Dubai, Riyadh and cargo freighter services to Dubai, Riyadh and Dubai until June 30, and until May 31, respectively. The airline plans to continue operating all scheduled flights after June. The U.S. airline has extended the suspension of service for the Atlanta-Tel Aviv flight route until November 30, and plans to resume New York JFK-Tel Aviv flights starting September 6. The launch of the Boston-Tel Aviv flight, originally scheduled for late October, was delayed. EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES All flights to Dubai have been cancelled until May 31. FINNAIR It has cancelled all flights to Doha until July 2 and continues to avoid the airspaces of Iraq, Iran Syria, and Israel. The airline will not resume Dubai flights until October. British Airways, owned by IAG, will reduce flights to the Middle East once services resume, and permanently drop Jeddah from its list of destinations. It will increase capacity in India and Africa. From July, it plans to reduce the number of flights to Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv from two to one. Riyadh will be reduced from two daily flights to one starting in mid-May. The changes will be in effect until the end of the summer season on October 24. One Dubai service will resume on October 16. Iberia Express, the Spanish low-cost carrier of IAG, has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until May 31. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines has suspended its scheduled Tokyo-Doha and Doha-Tokyo flight until July 1, as well as Doha-Tokyo until June 30, 2009. The Polish airline has suspended flights to Tel Aviv up until May 31. The airline also cancelled flights from March 31 through June 19 to Beirut and Riyadh. LOT will operate its winter route from Dubai to Riyadh in October. LUFTHANSA GROUP Edelweiss, Lufthansa and Swiss have suspended flights from Tel Aviv to Dubai and Brussels Airlines to Dubai until May 31. Flights are suspended to Amman, Beirut Dammam, Riyadh Erbil Muscat and Tehran until October 24. Eurowings, a low-cost airline, has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until July 9, Erbil and Dubai until June 22, and Amman and Abu Dhabi until October 24. ITA Airways has extended the suspension of flights from Tel Aviv to Riyadh and Dubai until May 31, 2019. MALAYSIA AIRLINES From June 2, the Malaysian airline will resume limited service to Doha. NORWEGIAN AIR The low-cost carrier has delayed the launch of its Tel Aviv, Beirut and Beirut services until?June 15th. PEGASUS Pegasus Airlines, Turkey's national airline, has cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, Amman Beirut, Kuwait Bahrain Doha Dammam Riyadh Dubai Abu Dhabi Sharjah and Abu Dhabi until June 1. QANTAS Australia's national carrier has added flights to Rome, Paris and other European destinations to meet the increased demand. The Perth-Singapore flight will go from daily to ten flights a week. Flights to Paris are also increasing from three to five weekly return flights. A new?schedule' will be implemented gradually for flights starting in mid-April. It will run through late July. QATAR AIRWAYS From June 16, it will expand its international flight network by over 150 destinations. ROYAL MAROC Moroccan airline said that flights to Doha and Dubai were cancelled until June 30. SINGAPORE Airlines In response to increased demand, the carrier extended its Singapore-Dubai suspension until August 2. It also added services on Singapore-London Gatwick (late March) and Singapore-Melbourne (late March-October 24). TURKISH AIRLINES SunExpress, Turkish Airlines joint venture with Lufthansa has cancelled flights from Dubai to June 30. WIZZ AIR Low-cost airlines suspend flights from Europe to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until mid-September. All flights to Medina are suspended permanently. (Compiled by Josephine Mason and Jamie Freed. Elviira Louma, Tiago Branao, Agnieszka Oenska, Bernadette HOG, BoleslawLASOCKI, Romolo TOSIANI. Rod Nickel, Lisa Shumaker Jonathan Ananda Matt Scuffham Alexander Smith and Susan Fenton edited the book.
Top shipping executives say they are waiting for "safe and sustainable" strait crossings
Two top executives in the shipping sector said that they wanted to see a safe and sustainable passage through Strait of Hormuz before much oil or cargo leaves or enters the Gulf.
We thought that there was some hope when, two weeks ago, the temporary ceasefire came into view. In reality, the agreement did not translate into safety and passage for the vessels", Jotaro Tamura, chief executive officer of Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in an interview conducted on the sidelines the Singapore Maritime Week.
MOL is one of the largest shipping companies in the world and is the leading owner of liquefied gas and oil tankers.
Tamura said that questions about safety would remain, even if the Strait were to reopen.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that there are mines in the area.
It's about?the definition of the word open. Is it open or only half-open? "Is it really open or is there a risk?" Tamura spoke. "At some stage, the (voyages will resume) and normalisation is a reality. It's difficult to predict how the reality will be."
He said that MOL follows international law which allows for free passage through the Strait.
CMB.Tech in Belgium, a large and diversified maritime firm with more than 250 vessels, is also waiting to get more clarity.
"We cannot hedge." Alexander Saverys, CEO of Saverys Group, said at the Singapore conference that we should just wait and see what happens in the Middle East.
It creates a lot more uncertainty."
He said, "We must be confident we can travel without any problems." Today, we are in no way reassured. "We will only be able to'reassurance when we see that the ships can pass through in a safe,?sustainable manner."
Saverys stated that "the Strait of Hormuz is normally a free-passage where no toll should have been paid." If that were to change, we would investigate.
He refused to comment on how many ships his company has stranded in the Gulf.
"We are in constant communication with all the governments to ensure that our ships can navigate. As you may know, right now the situation is still not safe.
Since the U.S. - Iran war broke out on February 28, energy supplies from Gulf have been disrupted.
About 130 ships a day pass through the strait to enter or exit the Gulf. This translates into about 20% of daily global oil and LNG supply. (Reporting from Siyi Liu in Singapore and Florence Tan; editing by Jason Neely).
(source: Reuters)