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Flotilla for Gaza says boat struck by drone at Tunisian port, authorities deny strike
The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza (GSF) said on Tuesday that a drone struck one of their main boats at a Tunisian port, but all six passengers were unharmed. The interior ministry of Tunisia said that the reports that a drone had hit a boat in its Sidi Bou Said Port "are not true" and that there was a fire on board. GSF released a statement stating that the Portuguese-flagged vessel, which was carrying the steering committee of the flotilla, suffered fire damage on its main deck as well as below-deck storage. The international flotilla aims to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid using civilian boats. It is supported by 44 delegations, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese leftist politician Mariana Mortagua. The GSF posted a video on X showing the moment that "the Family Boat" was "hit from above". It captured a luminous object striking the vessel and smoke rising shortly after. Witnesses said that after the strike, people gathered in front of the port of Sidi Bou Said, where the boats of the flotilla were at the time, and began waving Palestinian flags while chanting, "Free Palestine". Israel has been imposing a naval blocade against the coastal enclave ever since Hamas seized control of Gaza, in 2007. It claims to be doing this because it wants to prevent weapons reaching the militant group. Israel's tallies show that the blockade was in place during the current conflict, which began in October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Gaza's Health Ministry reported that Israel's military attack against Hamas resulted in the deaths of over 64,000 Palestinians. A global hunger monitor also confirmed that a part of Gaza is experiencing famine. Israel closed off Gaza on land in early march, stopping all supplies for three month and causing a severe shortage of food. Hamas is said to be diverting aid. In June, Israeli forces boarded a British flagged yacht that was carrying Thunberg and others. Israel referred to the aid ship's appearance as a Hamas-supporting propaganda stunt. The GSF said that an investigation was also underway into the drone attack and its results will be released as soon as they are available. "Acts of aggression designed to intimidate and derail our mission won't deter us." "Our peaceful mission to end the Gaza siege and show solidarity with the people of Gaza continues with resolve and determination," said the GSF. Francesca Albanese was present at the port and said: "We don't know who committed the attack but we wouldn't be surprised if Israel was responsible." It is an attack on Tunisian sovereignty if confirmed." Israel has not yet responded to the report.
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Shipping executives predict that the adoption of alternative marine fuels will accelerate after 2030.
Shipping executives at the APPEC Conference in Singapore said that the use of alternative fuels will accelerate in shipping after 2030, as stricter emission standards become effective, in contrast to a stop-start approach for the moment. Shipping companies will likely struggle to gain traction in this decade as they deal with trade volatility, geopolitical unrest and other factors. However, gains should be expected over the next 10 years. Emma Mazhari is the CEO of Maersk Oil Trading. She said, "I think between 2030 and 2040 we will see a real shift in volume to low-carbon fuels." Mazhari stated that the change is due to regulations such as the European Emission Trading Scheme and maritime fuel standards. She said: "We're already seeing a change in the fuel supply when we bunker here in Europe. Maersk no longer invests in ships that use only one fuel because of the anticipated shift. Mazhari stated that "if we invest in new assets, they must be dual-fuel so that we also have the option to ensure that we can recoup our investments on a longer-term basis." Takeshi Hashimoto is the CEO of Japan's 2nd largest shipping company, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), told the conference that shipping companies would focus on reducing their emissions by using "proven products", such as LNG and methanol, over the next 5 to 10 years. MOL also explores the use of wind energy to assist propulsion systems on ships, he added. Hashimoto said that the shipping industry is currently experiencing a "stop-and-go" decarbonisation process, but the long term development of low carbon marine fuels such as green ammonia and green methanol will be a necessity for the sector. In order to meet the International Maritime Organization's carbon reduction targets, the shipping industry is exploring alternative fuels that are lower in carbon to reduce its reliance upon oil. Unaffected by geopolitical instability, a Tata NYK shipping executive said that decarbonisation should be a top priority. Amitabh Pande, the managing director of Tata NYK, a joint-venture between India's Tata Steel, and Japan's NYK Line, said that decarbonisation will continue to be a necessity for shipowners, regardless of what we hear from the White House. He acknowledged, however, that the changing geopolitical environment complicates corporate decisions. Capital allocation is a problem because we are unsure when to invest and how much.
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Executives say that the oil price outlook is weak due to rising supply and tariff impact.
An executive from shipping company Maersk said that there is a very high risk of the oil price falling due to a slight increase in demand, and a higher OPEC+ output. This was his message at the APPEC Conference in Singapore. Emma Mazhari said that there was a "high risk of the downside" when it came to global oil balances. She was referring to a statement made by OPEC+ on Sunday, which announced it would increase production from October due to weak growth in oil demand. Saudi Arabia, which wanted to punish overproduction by other members like Kazakhstan, began to reverse its production cuts in April. Mazhari explained that the increase in output is not only aimed at boosting quota compliance but also helps to meet an increased domestic demand, such as from the power generation sector, which, so far, has had a limited impact on the international market. She added, "There is not much extra exports on the market from the additional OPEC+ supplies so far." Trafigura's chief economist Saad Rahim said that while there may be a delay in the supply arriving on the market, the supply will increase within the next year. Saudi Aramco is eager to sell more crude oil after it cut its official selling price on Monday. Executives were also pessimistic on the demand outlook, predicting that U.S. Tariffs would dent global growth and reduce fuel consumption. Rahim said that the macro-risks are inherently negative, and not only for the U.S. but also elsewhere. On Tuesday, global benchmark Brent crude futures were hovering around $66 a barrel. This is down from $75 a barrel at the start of this year. Reporting by Florence Tan in Singapore, Siyi Liu and Colleen howe in Beijing, and editing by Jacqueline Wong Tom Hogue, and Sonali Paul
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Mitsui OSK, a Japanese shipbuilder, is looking for partnerships in India
Mitsui O.S.K., Japan's second largest shipping company. Lines' chief executive Takeshi Hashimoto has said that the company wants to partner with Indian companies in order to build tankers on Indian soil, helping to boost the South Asian nation’s efforts to boost local manufacturing. New Delhi has modernised its maritime laws in order to allow foreign participation, including in shipbuilding, ports, and shipyards. This will reduce freight expenditures for foreign firms by atleast a third between 2047-2047. The Indian government is keen to have the new vessels built in India. Hashimoto, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday at the APPEC Conference in Singapore, said that he would like to be involved with the project if possible. India's fleet of ships has not kept up with the rapid growth of its trade, which includes the importation of energy products and the exportation of refined oil products. Hashimoto stated that "we definitely need to work together with local partners and with strong cooperation with Indian shipsyards". In its February budget, the Indian government announced that it would create a maritime development fund of 250 billion rupees (2.84 billion dollars) to finance the shipbuilding and repairs industry on a long-term basis. Shipbuilding is one of the industries that the Indian government wants to promote as part of a multi-billion dollar effort to make India a world-class manufacturer nation.
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South Korea sends chartered plane to Atlanta for workers held in US
A Korean Air spokesperson announced on Tuesday that South Korea would send a chartered flight to Atlanta by Wednesday to return workers who were detained in a massive immigration raid on a U.S. car battery factory last week. According to the spokesperson, a Korean Air Boeing 747-800i with 368 seats is scheduled to fly from Incheon in South Korea to Atlanta. About 300 South Koreans made up 475 of the people arrested during the U.S. Immigration raid The site of the $4.3 billion project between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, to build batteries for electrical cars. Cho Hyun, the South Korean foreign minister, is visiting Washington to discuss issues including reentering detained Koreans into the United States. After meeting the workers, a senior diplomat in Georgia told reporters that South Korean officials have begun the process to bring them home. The raid was the biggest single-site enforcement in the history of Department of Homeland Security investigative operations. It sent shockwaves throughout South Korea, an ally of the United States that is trying to finalise the trade agreement agreed upon with Washington in July. (Reporting and editing by Ed Davies; Ju-min Park)
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After a double-decker Mexican bus is hit by a train, 10 people are killed and 61 injured
A freight train crashed into a double decker passenger bus in central Mexico, killing 10 people and injuring at least 61 others. The train operator claimed that the double decker bus was trying to pass the moving train. Canadian Pacific Kansas City de Mexico, the railroad, sent condolences and urged drivers to obey road signs and stop at railroad crossings. Herradura de Plata, the bus operator in question, did not respond immediately to a comment request. First responders had cordoned off and photographed the scene. The bus's metal frame was badly dented as well as the front of its top deck. Local authorities reported that the collision occurred in an industrial area on the highway between Atlacomulco (a town located 115 km northwest of Mexico City) and Maravatio in the nearby state of Michoacan. According to the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office, seven women and three males were killed. In Mexico, buses are the main mode of transportation. Although freight rail lines are widespread, passenger train routes are limited. The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum wants to expand the country's passenger rail system to connect many areas of northern and central Mexico. Reporting by LizbethDiaz; Additional reporting and writing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Rod Nickel; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle.
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FAA has yet to make a decision about Boeing 737 MAX production limit
On Monday, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the agency has not yet made any decisions about whether or not to abandon the plan to produce 38 737 MAX planes per month since early 2024. It also did say it had not decided how it would overseen Boeing production. "Progress is made. "It may not be as quick as Boeing would prefer, but it's as fast as we are able to move through the process," FAA administrator Bryan Bedford told journalists after an event in Washington. The FAA implemented the production cap in January 2024, shortly after an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency occurred. Four key bolts were missing from this new aircraft. Since then, FAA has increased its in-person supervision of Boeing production. Bedford said that he is encouraged by Boeing's improvement but that he needs data to answer some key questions. Bedford explained that this would be a bottom up process, with the front line FAA team being the ones to decide if they think we have reached certain milestones which warranted any changes. "None have been made yet." This tells me that the work continues. Boeing declined to comment immediately. Bedford also said that his agency is "stretched" in an interview, as it tries to pursue a $12.5 billion overhaul of U.S. Air Traffic Control System, overseeing Boeing, as well as new regulations on supersonic and drone airplanes and modernizing aircraft certification. Bedford stated, "The agency is now stretched thin trying to get as much information out of the door."
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Heathrow Terminal 4 in London closed over possible hazardous material incident
On Monday, firefighters were called to respond to a possible hazardous materials incident at Heathrow Airport in London. Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest international airport, announced on Twitter that Terminal 4 was closed while emergency services responded to an incident. All other terminals are operating normally. The London Fire Brigade stated on its website that "specialist crews were dispatched to assess the scene, and Terminal 4 Check-in was evacuated for safety reasons while firefighters conducted operations." They added that they were first notified about the incident at 1601 BST (1701 GMT). The brigade reported that around 20 people were assessed by paramedics on the scene. At this point, the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Video clips that were not verified and shared online show dozens of people waiting outside the terminal. Heathrow website's departures page shows that flights have taken off from Terminal 4 ever since the incident. A fire that broke out at an electrical substation in March knocked the power to the airport, causing it to be closed for almost a full day. This caused flight schedules all over the world to be disrupted and thousands of passengers stranded. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Rosalba o'Brien).
Sources say that RPT-Japan has hired Wood Mackenzie for the assessment of Trump's Alaska LNG project.
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Japan hired Wood Mackenzie, an energy consultancy, to assess the proposed 800-mile Alaska gas pipeline project and LNG plant. This is a sign of its support for the $44billion project pushed by U.S. president Donald Trump.
One of the sources said that the assessment could ease concerns of potential Japanese investors and off-takers about a project which has been stalled for decades because of cost and logistical issues.
It is not clear what the scope of the Wood Mackenzie deal is, nor if any report that results from it will be public. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan declined to comment. Wood Mackenzie and Glenfarne, the project developers of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation AGDC (state-owned) have not responded to comments. Trump promised that he would push the project forward since reentering office. The mammoth plan involves moving gas from Alaska's remote northern region across the state, before it is chilled and sent overseas as LNG. Trump announced in July that Tokyo and Washington would form a joint-venture to develop the Alaskan LNG Project. Japan hasn't confirmed this plan. Tokyo committed to exploring a new agreement for Alaskan LNG in the final terms of this trade deal, agreed last week. Japan has also committed $550 billion in unspecified U.S. investments, including energy and pipelines.
When asked about the Alaska LNG Project, Japan's Trade minister Yojimuto said at a late-July press conference that they were continuing to have close discussions with U.S. government officials.
Key Customer Despite Trump’s optimism, several Japanese energy officials and industry leaders have expressed doubts over the projected cost of the project which could make gas more expensive than other sources.
Source: Yet, project developers are in discussions with at least five Japanese companies. These include JERA, Japan’s largest LNG buyer, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas and trading house Mitsubishi Corp. Inpex is an oil and natural gas explorer, whose biggest shareholder is the Japanese Government.
JERA's spokesperson said that it is "considering" this project. Tokyo Gas stated that it was "one candidate for procurement". Inpex stated that nothing has been decided about the project. Osaka Gas & Mitsubishi declined to comment.
Alaskan LNG developers already signed non-binding agreements with the state-owned Thai oil company PTT Group, and Taiwanese energy company CPC Corp.
Securing a deal with Japan would boost the project's success chances. It is the No. The country is the world's No.
A deal of this kind could also open up financing options from Japanese state-owned banks, such as Japan Bank for International Cooperation. JBIC announced earlier this year that it would be willing to provide support, taking into consideration factors such as the involvement of Japanese companies. U.S. officials are promoting the Alaska project to Tokyo, highlighting its security benefits, comparing it to Middle East projects and its proximity to Japan. They also highlight the fact that the project would allow shipments to avoid choke points like the Straits of Hormuz, Malacca and South China Sea.
According to Japan's Finance Ministry, Japan receives approximately one-tenth its LNG from the U.S. and similar proportions of LNG from Russia and Middle East. About 40% of the LNG is produced in Australia. Wood Mackenzie conducted three Alaska LNG studies over the past decade, commissioned by AGDC as well as other stakeholders.
In a 2016 study, it was ranked poorly against other projects which could supply Asian markets such as Japan. However, a review in 2022 that took into account different financing structures and cost-reductions found it to be competitive when compared with U.S. Gulf Coast supplies.
Alaska LNG developers have hired Australian engineering company Worley to conduct a cost estimate of the project. The goal is to reach a decision on the investment by the end the year. (Editing by Christian Schmollinger; Additional reporting by Yuka Golubkova and Katya Obayashi in Tokyo)
(source: Reuters)