Latest News
-
Saks Global emerges with a new name and lower debt
After nearly five months, luxury retailer Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday. It now has a new ownership structure and corporate name as well as a smaller footprint of stores and less debt. After a restructuring that took place in the last few months, Saks has closed down most of its low-priced locations. The new company, Exemplar Luxury Group will be focusing on luxury retail. The reconstituted ELG board will consist of two representatives from each investment firm Pentwater Capital Management or Bracebridge Capital that worked with Saks in the restructuring process. Saks, which had been struggling with poor sales for over a year and accumulating debt, defaulted on vendor payments and filed for bankruptcy in January, sought protection from the courts. ELG announced on Friday that its debt was reduced by 75% in the restructuring. Richard Baker, a real estate tycoon, orchestrated the December 2024 merger of Neiman 'Marcus with the company. This caused inventory problems and cash shortages at?its stores. It also strained its relationship with key vendors like Chanel, LVMH, and Kering. Saks Global, with a $3.4 billion debt, filed for bankruptcy just a little over a year after its merger.
-
Tanker seized from the shadow fleet near Marseille
Local authorities reported that an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet was taken into the waters near Marseille, France, on Friday, just a day after it had been seized by France near Sicily. The Deliver is one of nine vessels that have been confiscated across Europe since the start of 2026. All are believed to have been used by Russia to evade Western sanction on its oil trade. The?Bouches du Rhone Prefecture reported that the boat was taken to Fos Gulf. It added that "it will be anchored at the disposal of the Marseille public prosecutor in order to investigate the alleged crime of sailing under false flag." According to TASS, the Russian embassy in France referred to the seizure as "another instance of piracy", and that it was "illegal and unacceptable" from the perspective of international law. According to a military source, the vessel was still flying under the 'Cameroonian flag' despite being formally removed from Cameroon registry weeks before. This meant that it was navigating without nationality, and in violation of 'international maritime law. The source claimed that this allowed France to board the ship and hold it. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens; Dominique Vidalon)
-
UN agency works to restart Hormuz Evacuations after Ship Attack
A top U.N. official announced on Friday that the United Nations was working with countries to resume the evacuating of hundreds of vessels and thousands of stranded seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, after this effort had been halted earlier in the week. The U.N. International Maritime Organization announced on Thursday that it had "temporarily paused' its evacuation initiative following the attack on a container vessel operated by Taiwan-based Evergreen. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said that 115 ships and around 2,500 seafarers were able to navigate through the strait, before evacuations ceased. Dominguez stated that he is working "vigilantly", and has been in contact with various parties, including Oman, Iran, the United States of America, "to find these assurances that were given at the beginning that vessels would not be targeted". He said that as soon as he received confirmation, they would be ready to resume the evacuation process. However, he did not specify a timeline for a restart. IMO CHIEF: EVACUATIONS TO COMPLETE WILL TAKE WEEKS Tehran reasserted on Friday its right to control the shipping in this critical waterway, and warned its Gulf neighbors against siding with Washington. Dominguez stated that his main contact in Iran is with the maritime authority and foreign minister. He said: "I must maintain the positive attitude that there is progress in this conflict, and at least ships are sailing safely through." He said that the IMO is investigating "the motives and reasons" of the attack. The evacuation plan included two "channels" for leaving the strait: either through Iranian waters to the north, or Omani waters to the south. The Traffic Separation Scheme adopted by the IMO in 1968 established routes through Iranian and Omani water?in this strait. The central section is not currently usable because of the presence, according to Dominguez, of around 80 explosive mines. He said that it would take "a few weeks" to evacuate the?just over 500 vessels still needing to be evacuated. The sooner we resume operations, the faster we can increase the number of people until the evacuation is completed. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Jonathan Saul)
-
Iraq asks for a review of quotas as OPEC restores production allocations
Iraq's Oil -Ministry announced on Friday that OPEC had 'begun slowly restoring Iraq’s prewar production allocations'. This'move', it claimed, would'strengthen Iraq's output 'capacity' and support the recovery of its oil industry. Baghdad, according to a state-run news agency, supports a reevaluation of OPEC's production quotas in order to reflect the conditions of member?states, including Iraqi economic and security circumstances. The statement said that Iraq's Prime minister Ali?Faleh Al-Zaidi has not spoken about the possibility of Iraq quitting OPEC. Sources with knowledge said that Iraq, OPEC’s second largest producer - after Saudi Arabia - and one of the five founding'members', had considered 'leaving the group if it did not allow Baghdad a significant increase in oil production. This would be a major blow to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which was already hit by the departure of the United Arab Emirates less than two months earlier. Oil is the main source of income for the country, but this has decreased since the Iran war effectively stopped exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq's Oil Ministry?said later on Thursday that reports suggesting Baghdad might consider?ending its membership to OPEC didn't reflect the official position of the Iraqi Government. The quota set by Iraq for July is 4.38 million barrels per day, but the current production is well below that due to the disruption caused by Hormuz. Reporting by Muayad Haeed, Writing and Editing by Muhammad Al Gebaly
-
After the earthquakes in Venezuela, power outages have slowed down operations at key ports and plants
Sources said that an outage this week on a power transmission line in Venezuela's Central Region is slowing down efforts to restore?full services at a port, refinery, and petrochemical complex following earthquakes. Residents and sources said that many roads have reopened, and electricity has been restored to areas affected by the earthquakes. The death toll is now at almost 600, but residents and sources say the area closest to the epicenter, in the central region, remains largely without power. Sources said that the lack of electricity is preventing injured people from being transported, hospitals from operating, goods imported at ports discharged, aid distributed, fuel and petrochemicals produced, and fuel and petrochemicals manufactured. The 146,000-barrel-per-day ?El Palito refinery on Friday remained almost completely out of service due to lack of power, while the restart of ?the Moron Petrochemical Complex, the country's second-largest, was progressing slowly for the same reason, ?workers from those facilities said. They added that the?Planta Centro' and Termocentro' power plants located in central region were unable to restore the entire number of units in operation before the earthquakes. Separate sources reported that due to insufficient electricity, only partial operations were possible at Puerto Cabello on Friday. This left a queue of trucks waiting to receive and deliver imported goods. The La Guaira Port, where the Government used to receive an important portion of?imports remained closed. The authorities have given little information about the state of ports and industrial plants, but on Thursday they said that some power plants as well as the Moron Complex were trying to restart. Requests for comments from the oil and information Ministries and?utility Corpoelec were not immediately answered. The large infrastructure damage reported by social media and sources at Maiquetia airport has not yet been confirmed. However, some airlines have temporarily suspended flights or re-organized them to other airports around the country. According to a source close to the preparations, the government hopes to reopen Maiquetia in early July with limited services. Reporting by Tibisay Roma, Mircely Guianipa Mariela Nava Marianna Pararaga. Editing by Julia Symmes Cobb & Chris Reese.
-
Norway's oil and gas production could drop by 12,000 boepd due to lockout, strike next week
The ongoing strike of oil service workers, and the lockout announced on Friday could cause Norway's oil and?gas?production to fall by about 12,000 barrels (of oil equivalent) per day next week. The industry group that represents employers said that four mobile rigs, 5 fixed installations, and?one intervening vessel had already stopped drilling and well operations due to the strike. A lockout that occurred on Saturday morning would force around 1,000 Safe 'union members who are covered by the 'well service agreement' to stop work. Safe had announced earlier on Friday that it would withdraw 63 more workers from the 500 employees employers wanted to retain 'due to safety-critical roles. Offshore Norway said that if the strike continued, the impact could be significant, with production losses reaching?120,000 Boepd by mid-July. It added that the strike would also impact Norway's ability to deliver new wells in 2026 and maintain production plans. Reporting by Nerijus Adomiaitis and editing by Louise Rasmussen
-
Spiegel reports that Lufthansa may ground 40 jets because of fuel shortage.
Spiegel reported that Lufthansa has prepared contingency plans for a fuel shortage. This is in response to the conflict in Iran, which will have an impact on the shipments of 'energy through the Strait of Hormuz. Spiegel reported that Lufthansa's CEO, Carsten Spohr, briefed his employees on Friday at an internal event. He pointed out a dramatic worsening in the crisis. It said that the management had prepared two "contingency plans" which would allow up to 40 planes to be grounded if an emergency occurred. Spiegel reported that the grounding was not yet certain. Spohr said at the event, "Today, we've decided to define a?package. The cancellations will begin at least in July, and possibly not until winter. Early summer bookings are unlikely to be affected by the cancellations due to high booking volume. Lufthansa did not immediately respond to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Matthias Williams, Friederike Heine and Thomas Seythal)
-
Former Italian railways chief begins 5-year prison term for 2009 disaster
Former head of Italy's State Railway Company, 72 years old, has begun a 5-year prison term for a derailment in 2009 that killed 32 people. This case highlights the issue of managerial liability and the slow pace of Italian justice. Mauro Mauretti was CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato when a train carrying goods came off its track as it passed Viareggio station in Tuscany. The cargo of liquefied gases exploded and caused a massive fire to spread throughout the station. Moretti received a seven-year prison sentence in 2017 after a long initial trial. Moretti did not serve his sentence because in Italy, sentences are rarely enforced before an appeals process has been completed. In the years that followed, Moretti's sentence was reduced to five-years and became final on Thursday. In an interview published Friday, Moretti said that "this sentence sets a horribly?dangerous precedence regarding the responsibility of managers." He said that he would be going to prison "with my head high" and "hoping that it will not be for very much time." The young man is likely to ask for an early release because of his age and will serve the majority of his sentence at home by doing "community service". Moretti was charged with "culpable rail disaster" and "culpable blaze". Courts held him accountable, as a senior executive, for failures systemic in infrastructure maintenance, safety protocols, and risk management. In 2014, he left FS to become the CEO of a state-controlled 'defence group Finmeccanica. Later renamed Leonardo. He held this position until 2017, when he was convicted of his first offense. On Monday, a court will hear the?283rd trial hearing in Genoa, regarding the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in 2018, which resulted in the death of 43 people. The?most-known defendant of the 57 is?Giovanni Castellucci who was CEO of motorway operator Atlantia during the disaster. The prosecution has requested an 18-year sentence for multiple manslaughter. He has denied all charges. (Reporting and editing by Crispi Balmer, Gavin Jones, Emilio Parodi)
Shipping companies pull out of Hong Kong to avoid US-China risks
Some shipping companies move their operations discreetly out of Hong Kong, and remove vessels from its registry. Some shipping companies are making contingency planning to do this.
Six shipping executives have said that these low-profile actions are motivated by a fear that their vessels could be seized by Chinese authorities, or face U.S. sanction in the event of a clash between Beijing and Washington. The people said that the growing U.S. scrutiny over the importance of China’s commercial fleet to a potential military conflict, such as one over Taiwan, and Beijing's emphasis of Hong Kong's role in serving Chinese interests is causing concern in the shipping industry. Last month, the U.S. Trade Representative proposed imposing steep U.S. fees on Chinese shipping firms and other companies that operate Chinese-built ships to counter China's "targeted dominant" in shipbuilding and maritime logistic. Washington warned American companies in September about the growing risks associated with operating in Hong Kong. The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on officials who are involved in a crackdown.
Hong Kong has been the hub of shipowners for over a century, as well as brokers, financiers underwriters, and lawyers who support them. Official data shows that its maritime and port industries accounted for 4,2% of the GDP in 2022.
VesselsValue - a subsidiary company of Veson Nautical, a maritime data group - reports that the city's flag was flown on eight out of ten ships in the world.
Interviews with two dozen people familiar with Hong Kong including shipping executives and lawyers revealed a growing concern about the possibility that commercial maritime operations in Hong Kong could be caught up by forces outside their control if a U.S. - China military conflict occurs.
Many pointed out China's increased focus on national security goals, trade frictions, and Hong Kong's leader's broad powers to take control of shipping if necessary, as he is accountable to Beijing.
One executive who, like many others, was allowed to remain anonymous to discuss this sensitive subject said: "We do not want to be in the position where China is knocking on our door, requesting our ships, while the U.S. targets us from the other side."
Previously, the concerns of shipowners as well as their efforts to limit exposure to Hong Kong were not reported. In recent years the perception of risk has increased, in line with the tightening security environment in the Chinese-ruled area and the tensions between two of the largest economies in the world.
Turning Tide
To comply with safety and environment rules, commercial ships must be registered or flagged with a specific country or jurisdiction.
VesselsValue, an independent research firm, found that despite the influx of Chinese ships on Hong Kong's register, the number oceangoing vessels registered in the city dropped by more than 8% in January, from 2,580 in January 2004. Government data show a similar drop.
In 2023 and 2024 74 ships, mostly dry-bulk carriers, were re-flagged for Singapore and Marshall Islands. These vessels transport commodities like coal, iron ore, and grain. VesselsValue reports that 15 tankers and 7 container ships left Hong Kong's registry to fly these flags.
Hong Kong's ship registry has seen a dramatic decline in the last two years. Official data shows that it grew by 400% over the past 20 years.
Hong Kong's Government responded to questions by saying that it is normal for shipping companies, given the changing geopolitical, trade and economic circumstances, to review their operations. It is also normal for the numbers of ships registered to fluctuate over the short-term.
A spokesperson stated that Hong Kong will "continue to excel" as an international shipping center, highlighting a variety of incentives, such as profits tax breaks and environmental subsidies, for shipowners.
The spokesperson stated that neither the laws governing registry nor the emergency provisions empower Hong Kong's leader in commandeering ships to serve as part of a Chinese merchant navy.
When asked to comment on the concerns of industry players about how emergency powers from colonial times might be used during a conflict between the U.S. and China, the spokesperson declined. The provisions give the leader of the city "any regulation whatsoever", which includes taking control over vessels and property.
China's commerce and defence ministries did not respond to questions regarding the role of the merchant fleet in Beijing’s warfighting plan, the possible involvement of Hong Kong flagged vessels, or the concerns of commercial shipowners.
The U.S. Treasury declined to comment on potential sanctions, concerns of shipping executives, or the role played by Hong Kong-registered ships in a Chinese commercial fleet.
Lawyers and executives agree that ships can be reflagged in a variety of ways, including through the sale, chartering or redeployment on different routes.
Basil Karatzas of Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co in the U.S. said that Singapore was becoming the preferred domicile for businesses with less exposure to Chinese shipping or cargo trade. It offered many efficiencies including its legal system but also a lower risk than Hong Kong.
Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority stated that decisions regarding domiciles and flags were based on business considerations. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said it had not noticed any "significant changes" in the number Hong Kong shipping companies moving operations or reflagging vessels to Singapore.
MERCHANT FLEEET
Executives and lawyers agree that Hong Kong's registry for shipping is highly regarded by the industry because of its high safety and regulatory standards. This allows its ships to easily pass through foreign ports. Many of China's international state-owned vessels now fly Hong Kong's banner.
According to PLA military studies and four security analysts, in a conflict these tankers and bulk carriers would be the backbone of the merchant fleet that supplies China's oil and food needs.
The U.S., on the other hand, has a very small shipbuilding industry. It also has far fewer vessels under its flag. Three analysts say that while China's growing state-owned fleet would be a target of the U.S. during a military conflict, Beijing would need other vessels in order to supply its needs, given its reliance on international shipping lanes and vast needs.
Donald Trump has been keeping a close eye on strategic maritime operations. Trump said in his January inauguration address that he would "take back" control of the Panama Canal from China. Trump did not provide specifics but his remarks focused on two Panama port operated by a Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings subsidiary. The group did not respond to any questions regarding Trump's remarks, but agreed to sell the majority of the subsidiary's shares to a consortium led by BlackRock this week, giving U.S. interest control over the port. Trump said to Congress that his administration would create a shipbuilding office in the White House, and provide new tax incentives.
In a study conducted by the U.S. Congress in November 2023, it was stated that "cargo vessels typically transport 90% of military equipment required in overseas conflicts". The report noted that Chinese shipyards ordered 1,794 ocean-going large ships in 2022 compared to five in the U.S.
Merchant vessels played a crucial role in Britain's 1982 long-range operation to retake Argentina's Falkland Islands. Declassified CIA files show that UK-flagged ships operated out of Hong Kong, many of which were owned or controlled by Chinese firms, supplied communist Hanoi in the Vietnam War.
In 2013, President Xi Jinping outlined the need for a Chinese merchant fleet that would help to build China's maritime strength in a Politburo session.
In the past decade, Chinese military and government documents and studies have emphasized the dual-use value of China’s merchant ships.
According to state media, regulations enacted in 2014 required Chinese builders to build five types of commercial ships, including tankers and container ships, to be able to serve military requirements.
Since then, COSCO has seen a significant increase in its line.
Documents from COSCO show that China places political commissars, officers who make sure Communist Party goals are served, on nominally civil ships.
The U.S. banned COSCO subsidiaries in January for what they said were links with the Chinese military.
COSCO has not responded to any questions regarding its deployment of commissars, U.S. restrictions, or what role COSCO's ships -- including those with Hong Kong flags -- might play in wartime.
'REALLY DE-RISKED'
Hong Kong is still an important shipowners' base, despite geopolitical issues. Some shipowners are quietly hedging.
Taylor Maritime (London-listed) a company that was founded in Hong Kong, in 2014, has a much smaller presence in Hong Kong now after several strategic moves in the last few years.
It has been flagging its ships in Singapore and the Marshall Islands since 2021. The company has offices in London, Guernsey and Singapore.
A person with knowledge of the matter said that the firm "really reduced the risk of Hong Kong". This was due to investors' fears of a Chinese invasion in Taiwan and the Communist Party taking control of Hong Kong.
Taylor Maritime's spokesperson stated that the company initially moved its Asia-based teams from Hong Kong to Singapore to be closer to their clients.
Taylor Maritime, after acquiring Grindrod, a shipping company with an Asia office in Singapore and expanding its operations there, relocated certain functions from Hong Kong to Singapore, where it became the primary Asia hub.
Two people with knowledge of the situation said that Pacific Basin Shipping, a Hong Kong listed company, has always flagged its 110 bulk carrier fleet in Hong Kong. However, it is now preparing contingency plans for them to be registered elsewhere while it assesses possible risks.
Pacific Basin's spokesperson stated that the company constantly evaluated geopolitical risk but its fleet still flew the Hong Kong flag "which, at least for the moment, outweighs the challenges".
The spokesperson stated that "Being located in Hong Kong places us near China's 40% share of the global dry bulk export/import activity as well as close to Asia's strong industrial and economic growth regions."
Angad Banga said that shipping firms adjust contingency plans based upon risk assessments, but he has not heard of concerns regarding the commandeering vessels.
Banga said that although some organizations may be re-evaluating their operational strategies, they do not see a widespread exodus from Hong Kong or a loss of confidence. The city, he added, remained attractive to maritime commerce.
Some industry figures have described a general unease in Hong Kong, which has affected their planning.
Three lawyers have said that, until recently, contracts for the increasing number of ships constructed in China that are financed by Chinese banks stipulated that the ship must fly the Hong Kong Flag.
Lawyers said that in the past two years some companies have added a disclaimer to their contracts, stating that they are willing to consider other flags as an alternative. Could not independently verify these changes. Beijing officials have stressed that Hong Kong is important in achieving national security goals. They also referred to China's modernisation of its military and refusal to abandon the use of force against Taiwan.
Three executives and lawyers said that the sweeping security laws, which were first implemented in Hong Kong in July 2021 and then strengthened in March 2020, have increased dangers.
Lawyers said that any attempt by Hong Kong’s leader to commandeer ships in an emergency could prove difficult, since locally registered vessels often travel routes far away from Hong Kong. They said that such powers, which have been in place for a long time, now needed to be seen through the lens of national security.
One lawyer stated that some shipowners would not object to a request from the government to hand over their vessels. This could be due to patriotism, or because they might profit by a crisis.
Another veteran lawyer said that it is "better to avoid being in a situation where you could be asked".
It was not an issue a few short years ago. The national security map has been redrawn. (Reporting and editing by David Crawshaw; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal, Idrees, and Idrees in Washington and Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong;
(source: Reuters)