Latest News
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DHL suspends global shipments above $800 for US consumers
DHL Express is a division within Germany's Deutsche Post. It has announced that it will suspend all global business-to consumer shipments of over $800 in value to individual customers in the United States as of April 21. This is due to changes made by U.S. Customs regulations which have increased clearance time. The notice posted on the website of the company was not dated but metadata indicated that it was created on Saturday. DHL attributed the stoppage to new U.S. Customs rules that require formal entry processing for all shipments over $800. Prior to April 5, the minimum was $2,500. DHL stated that business-to-business shipping would not be suspended, but may face delays. Changes to DHL's policy do not affect shipments under $800, whether they are sent by businesses or consumers. In a statement, the company stated that this is a temporary move. DHL responded to questions last week by saying that it will continue to process shipments to the United States from Hong Kong "in accordance to the applicable customs regulations and rules" and that they would "work closely with our customers in order to help them adapt to the planned changes for May 2. This came after Hongkong Post announced last week that it had suspended its mail service for goods shipped by sea to the United States. It accused the U.S. Reporting by Amy Lv in Beijing and Lewis Jackson; editing by Saad sayeed
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Boeing jet from China returns to the US, a victim in Trump's tariff war
The Boeing jet, intended for a Chinese carrier, was returned to the U.S. production center of the planemaker on Sunday. It is a victim the bilateral tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as part of his global trade offensive. A witness said that the 737 MAX was intended for China's Xiamen Airlines and landed on Boeing Field in Seattle at 6:11 p.m. (0111 GMT). The Xiamen livery was on the aircraft. The jet was among several 737 MAX aircraft waiting for completion at Boeing's Zhoushan center before being delivered to a Chinese airline. This month, Trump raised the baseline tariffs for Chinese imports from 125% to 145%. China has responded by imposing a 125% duty on U.S. products. The tariffs could cripple a Chinese airline that takes delivery of a Boeing jet, as a new 737 MAX is valued at around $55million, according to IBA Aviation Consultancy. Boeing didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Xiamen has not responded to a request for comment. Boeing's top-selling 737 MAX is back, the latest disruption in new aircraft deliveries caused by the breakdown of decades-old duty free status for the aerospace industry. Boeing is recovering from a five-year-old import ban on the 737 MAX and previous trade tensions. Analysts say that confusion over tariff changes could cause many aircraft deliveries to be delayed. Some airline CEOs have said they will defer plane delivery rather than pay duty. (Reporting from Dan Catchpole in Seattle, Lisa Barrington in Seoul and William Mallard and Joe Brock)
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China's ENN and Zhenhua Oil sign LNG deals with ADNOC
China's privately-controlled ENN Natural Gas, and the state-run Zhenhua Oil each signed a contract to purchase liquefied gas from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. ENN Natural Gas announced on its WeChat official account on Saturday the contract covers annual supplies of around one million metric tonnes for 15 years. This is ADNOC’s largest LNG deal with a Chinese customer. ENN stated that the deal was a major step towards stabilizing and diversifying energy supplies. Shanghai-listed ENN Natural Gas is offering to buy the remaining shares of Hong Kong-listed ENN Energy for approximately $7.65 billion. A Chinese source familiar with the deal said that Zhenhua Oil, a state-owned oil and gas trading company, had also agreed to a five-year contract with ADNOC, starting in 2026, for up 12 cargoes per year. The source declined to give his name as he was not authorized to speak in the media. Zhenhua Oil is building a LNG terminal in Rudong. The first LNG terminal will be operational in the first quarter 2026. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber was present at the opening ceremony of the new Beijing office, according to a source in the industry who attended, as well as a report from Dubai's China-Arab TV. The report did not give any further details but said that ADNOC signed three LNG deals with Chinese partners on Al Jaber's trip. Zhenhua Oil & ADNOC did not respond to requests for comment on the weekend.
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China Shipbuilders Criticize Trump's "short-sighted" US Port Fees
China's Shipbuilders on Sunday blasted the U.S. Port Fees announced by Donald Trump's Administration on China-linked vessels as "shortsighted". The measure was aimed at China's shipbuilding sector. Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to revive U.S. shipbuilding while reducing China's hold on the global shipping market. The next day, his government diluted the measures by protecting domestic exporters and vessel owner serving the Great Lakes region, Caribbean and U.S. territory. The dispute over ocean shipping, which carries 80% of all global trade, is just the latest in a trade war that has intensified between China and the U.S., pushing levies against each other's imported goods beyond 100%. China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry has expressed "extreme anger and resolute resistance" against the U.S. measures, joining the protests of the government and the country's owners of ships. The shipbuilders stated that the decline of the U.S. industry of shipbuilding is due to its protectionist policies and has nothing whatsoever to do with China. It warned that the U.S. restriction would disrupt the global shipping system, cause a rise in shipping costs and increase U.S. prices, as well as harming the interests of the U.S. public. The industry group said that it expected the Chinese authorities to take strong measures to counteract the shortsighted U.S. behavior. On Friday, the government condemned "discriminatory steps" and urged Washington to "correct any wrongdoings." In a press release, the Ministry of Commerce pledged to "resolutely" take the necessary measures to protect our interests, saying that the fees "fully reveal its unilateralist and protective policies and are typical non-market practices". (Reporting and editing by Beijing Newsroom)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat capsized and caught fire. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are common, as old wooden boats are used to transport people between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. The previous estimate of 50 dead people was revised upwards. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to an improvised refuge at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to local hospitals. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a fire broke out while a woman was cooking aboard the vessel. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, and at least 78 drowned. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in December, in western Congo. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat caught fire and capsized. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are common, as old wooden boats are used to transport people between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. Previous estimates put the number of deaths at 50. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to a temporary shelter set up at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to hospitals in the area. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a woman cooking aboard the vessel started a fire. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, and at least 78 drowned. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in western Congo in December, (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
Local officials cited in media reported that at least 148 bodies were discovered after a motorised wood boat sank and caught fire. According to reports, the boat carried up to 500 passengers including women and kids when it sank in the Congo River, located in the northwest region of the country, on Tuesday. In Congo, boating accidents are very common. Old wooden boats are used as the main means of transport between villages, and they are often overloaded. The reports also stated that officials estimate hundreds of missing people. The previous estimate of 50 dead people was revised upwards. The boat, named HB Kongolo caught fire near Mbandaka after leaving the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba Territory. Sky News reported that about 100 survivors were transported to an improvised refuge at the town hall. Those with burn injuries were then taken to local hospitals. According to Competent Loyoko of the Associated Press, the incident happened when a woman cooking aboard the vessel started a fire. The report said that several passengers, including children and women, died when they jumped into the water, despite not being able swim. In 2024, 78 people died when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo. In a separate event, At least 22 people have died After a riverboat sank in western Congo in December, (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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Russian oil rates from Baltic to India continue to fall as Urals remains under price cap
Two traders reported that the freight rates for Russian oil shipments to India from Baltic ports are dropping further from their recent highs in April, as Urals crude is trading well below $60, increasing tanker supply. The Group of Seven, together with the EU, will impose a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian crude oil by late 2022. This will restrict access to Western shipping services and insurance for purchases above this limit in an effort to reduce Moscow's funding of war. Costs of shipping Urals Oil from the Baltic Ports of Primorsk & Ust-Luga, to India have fallen to an average of $6 million for a one-way shipment. This is down from $7 million in late March and $8 million at the beginning of this year. Early in April, the global oil price fell, pushing Urals crude into Russian ports below $60 a barrel. This allowed more Western shipping firms to resume their services, including freight, for Russian oil. On Thursday, the price of Urals oil shipped from Primorsk port was $53.5 per barrel. After a new round U.S. energy sanctions announced in January took effect, the price of Russian crude shipping increased sharply. Russian oil sellers had to find new tankers to replace the ones that were hit by the sanctions. The cost of shipping Russian crude oil from the Baltic ports to India in January was $4.7-4.9million. Reporting by
What is the US and Europe doing in response to the Houthi attacks on the Red Sea?
In a group message that accidentally revealed plans by the U.S. for an attack on Yemen's Iran aligned Houthis, senior Trump officials including Vice President JDVance and Defense Sec Pete Hegseth accused Europe "freeloading"
The attacks by the Houthis on ships in Red Sea have impacted trade between Europe and the U.S.
What is the situation in the Red Sea?
In response to threats by the Houthis to resume attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea, the U.S. launched massive military strikes against them on 16 March that resulted in the death of at least 31 people.
The Houthis, a group that has controlled most of Yemen in the last decade, announced on March 12 that they would resume their attacks on Israeli vessels passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Seas. This ended a relative calm which began with the Gaza ceasefire.
Since the threat, there have not been any seaborne attacks reported on shipping. However, Israel and the U.S. claim to have intercepted drones and missiles launched by Yemen.
The Houthis launched over 100 attacks against ships near Yemen's coastline since November 2023. They claim to be in solidarity with Palestinians in response to Israel's conflict in Gaza with Hamas militants.
According to the U.S.-based company Project44, which specializes in supply chain management, after the attacks, traffic through Suez canal will drop by 75% by 2024. Transit times have also increased by seven to fourteen days on average, as shipping companies choose longer routes.
The U.S. has also been forced to launch a costly offensive against drones and missiles after its air defences have been exhausted.
What has Donald Trump said about the U.S. STRIKES ON HOUTHIS?
Trump warned the Houthis, in a Truth Social posting that "HELL WOULD RAIN DOWN ON YOU LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE", if they didn't stop their attacks.
The White House stated that by launching these attacks, Trump’s government "was standing up to terrorism" and protecting international trade.
Five of the 10 largest importers of goods through the Red Sea were EU countries, according to the statement. The statement also stated that the Houthis had attacked U.S. commercial vessels and warships on 145 occasions since 2023.
Although no response has yet been received, the Houthis have stated that they are ready to "respond with escalation".
WHAT SHIPPING TRAFFIC DOES IT AFFECT?
Houthis has sunk at least two ships, taken another vessel and killed four seafarers.
According to a report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, published in April 2024, the attacks affected at least 85 countries as well as at least 29 major shipping and energy companies.
According to the report, the majority of the targeted ships were owned and operated by European companies. However, at least eight of them were owned and operated by U.S.-based companies.
Shipping companies have avoided the Red Sea since the beginning of the attacks, choosing expensive alternative routes in Africa that have hurt their profits.
Rolf Habben Jansen, Hapag-Lloyd's Frankfurt-based Chief Executive Officer, said that he didn't expect a rapid resolution of the crisis.
Rolf Habben Jansen, during a 2024 financial presentation, said: "Two to three weeks ago I would have felt more optimistic about when it will be open. Now, I am even more concerned."
Maersk, a Danish shipping company, said that last year the diverting of shipping around Africa's Cape of Good Hope had a "cascading effect" on alternative routes hubs by creating congestion.
Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc stated in February that the Houthis must "degrade their capability (to launch an attack)" or a ceasefire will be needed in Gaza to allow shipping to return to Red Sea.
What are countries doing to combat the HOUTHIS?
The former U.S. president Joe Biden announced in December 2023 that his administration would form a multinational coalition consisting of at least twenty countries, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, to protect shipping through the Red Sea.
The mission included Britain, Bahrain Canada France Italy the Netherlands Norway Seychelles Spain. Operation Aspides was created by the European Union in February 2024 after France and several other countries refused to join the U.S. led mission.
According to an EU official, Aspides has intercepted 4 ballistic missiles as well as 18 aerial drones, 2 sea drones, and protected over 400 commercial vessels.
Aspides stated last week that traffic in the Bab al-Mandab Strait immediately decreased after the U.S. Air Strikes on Yemen.
In addition, the U.S. and Britain conducted five airstrikes together against Houthi targets last year. The U.S. is continuing separate strikes.
Australia, Bahrain Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand and Bahrain provided non-operational assistance for the joint strike.
A spokesperson for British PM Keir Starmer informed reporters on March 18 that Starmer and Trump discussed U.S. airstrikes against Houthi targets which Britain supported through routine air-to–air refuelling.
The French navy accompanied CMA-CGM vessels in the past, but in February 2024 the company halted its operations through the Red Sea. In January it said that the company was not yet ready to resume these operations due to ongoing security concerns. Reporting by Elizabeth Piper in London and Jonathan Saul, Lili Bayer and John Irish in Paris; Renee Maltezou and Alex Richardson in Athens. Writing by Charlie Devereux. Editing by Alex Richardson.
(source: Reuters)