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Sources say that companies are scrambling to acquire ships and assemble operations for the transfer of Venezuelan oil.
Four sources familiar with these operations have said that oil companies looking to export Venezuelan crude to America after the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, are in a hurry to find tankers. They also want to put in place operations to safely transfer crude from vessels to Venezuelan ports. Sources say that trading houses and oil companies such as Vitol, Trafigura and Chevron are competing to get deals with the U.S. Government to export Venezuelan crude oil. This is after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela was set to deliver up to 50 million barrels sanctioned oil from Venezuela to the United States. Trafigura told the White House in a Friday meeting that the first vessel would be loaded in the following week. Venezuela, which has been under a U.S. Blockade for the past few months, has stored oil in tankers. Its storage tanks have also nearly reached capacity. The oil-holding vessels are under sanctions, old and poorly maintained. Sources said that other vessels are unable to make direct contact with ships sanctioned due to insurance and liability requirements. The tanks onshore have not been maintained in years and pose a risk to parties attempting to load the oil. Three sources said that Maersk Tankers, a shipping company, is looking to expand its ship-to-ship transfers in Venezuela. Maersk Tankers could replicate the ship-to-shore-to-ship logistics it ?has used before in Amuay Bay in Venezuela, one source said. Maersk has already established operations in Aruba and Curacao. These islands are frequently used for the transfer of Venezuelan oil. Transfers are also possible at Aruba and U.S. port, but they are much more expensive. Another shipping source stated that the transfer operations would be further complicated by the lack of smaller vessels that can transport oil from storage vessels to the piers where it can be transferred onto another ship. Two sources claim that potential clients are contacting AET to expand its operations. The firm had previously been involved in cargoes from Venezuela before U.S. Sanctions were imposed against the country. AET stated in a press release that "it is not currently working with anyone to call, tranship or load Venezuelan cargo directly or indirectly." AET said in a statement that it "is not currently working with any party to call, tranship, load or discharge Venezuelan cargo directly or indirectly." Maersk Tankers & Chevron didn't immediately respond to comments. Sources said that while supply could reach 500,000 barrels of oil per day, which Venezuela exported to the U.S. prior to sanctions, and would "drain" accumulated stocks in 90-120days, it would be difficult to achieve this goal if oil is taken from both tankers and storage onshore, they added. Companies are also fiercely competing for loading slots in Venezuela's main Jose terminal where speed and capacity are limited. Sources claim that Chevron is aggressively competing to maintain its privileged position in Venezuela, as well as lining up their vessel fleet. An industry source in Venezuela reported that oil companies such as Vitol, Trafigura and Chevron are already sourcing the much-needed naphtha. An industry source in Venezuela said that naphtha was typically blended with heavy Venezuelan crude oil to reduce its density and make it easier for refineries to process and transport.
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Boeing signs tentative labor agreement with former Spirit AeroSystems employees
The union that represents about 1,600 workers at Spirit AeroSystems, a fuselage supplier, announced on Thursday?that they had reached a tentative deal with Boeing?on a collective bargaining agreement. The team that negotiated for the Society of Professional Engineering Employees of Aerospace (SPEEA), non-engineering division in Wichita Kansas, unanimously recommended to members that they accept Boeing's offer. Boeing completed the $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems in December, and contract talks began after it closed because of labor law restrictions. James Hatfield, the union's negotiating team chair, said that "the?planemaker’s offer gives us better medical and dental benefits as well as more vacation time." Boeing's proposal included an increase of 20% in wage pools in a period of five years, a 50% increase in promotional funds each year, a $6,000 bonus for ratification, and a 10% match on 401(k)s starting in 2027. We're happy that the union's negotiating committee has endorsed fully our Best and Final Offer, which would provide our teammates with higher wages and better benefits as well as more time off. Boeing's spokesperson encouraged employees to vote "yes". According to the union, members of the union have until 5 pm on 30 January to review and vote on the proposal. The current six-year contract is set to expire January 31, 2026. The talks between Boeing and the?SPEEA have been paused until January 5. Negotiators criticized Boeing for not being prepared for discussions.
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US approves sale of equipment and services for Peruvian Naval Base
The U.S. State Department approved the sale of equipment and services worth $1.5 billion to Peru to help the country move its main naval base from Callao to a nearby seaport. The Peruvian Government plans to relocate the naval base in Callao on the coast, just a few kilometers west of Lima. This will allow the expansion of Peru's largest commercial port, Callao. It is a rival to the Chinese mega-port Chancay located 80 km north of Lima. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued a statement about the proposal. It said that the "proposed sales will contribute to the United States' foreign policy objectives by helping 'to improve security of an important South American partner who promotes political stability and economic progress in South America." The agency confirmed it had sent the required proposal to Congress informing them of this possible sale. Pentagon officials said that the Pentagon will select principal contractors at a future date, most likely by a competitive process. Callao's port is Peru's most important?commercial port. It is operated by two separate companies, APM Terminals (on the north) and DP World Callao (on the south). Callao began offering direct shipping routes to China and South Korea in November. Analysts say that Callao will compete with Chancay for Asian cargo as infrastructure investments increase along Peru's Pacific Coast. The Cosco Shipping Ports port in 'Chancay will begin operating in November 2024. The port can accommodate large vessels and offers direct trips between South America, Asia and Europe. China is Peru’s main trading partner. The Peruvian defense ministry has not responded to an email sent out of regular working hours. (Reporting from Toronto by Ryan Patrick Jones and Marco Aquino; editing by Christian Schmollinger).
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Tokyo commuter trains are disrupted by a power outage
Two?main lines? with some of the busiest stations in the world were shut down after a report of a fire. East Japan Railway said that trains on its Yamanote and Keihin Tohoku lines were stopped in all directions, with no timetable for their resumption. Shortly before 8 am, a fire was reported near Tamachi Station where both lines stop. NHK, the public broadcaster, reported that the fire occurred at 2300 GMT on Thursday. NHK reported that flames were coming out of a transformer near the track. The fire was almost extinguished 30 minutes later. In footage broadcast on the NTV network, passengers were seen walking down the tracks to evacuate from a Keihin Tohoku train that was stuck?between two stations. They were assisted by railway staff and firefighters. Shinjuku is one of the stations on the?Yamanote line, and it handles?3.5 millions passengers per day. The Keihin Tohoku Line connects major hubs like Tokyo and Yokohama. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard; Satoshi Sugiyama)
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CANADA-CRUDE-Discount on Western Canada Select narrows
On Thursday, the discount between West Texas Intermediate crude oil and North American benchmark West Texas Select futures was reduced. WCS for February Delivery?in Hardisty?Alberta settled at $14.10 per barrel below U.S. benchmark WTI according to brokerage CalRock. This compares with $14.30 per barrel on Wednesday. The discount on Canadian heavy crude oil is still more than $1 higher than last month. The price of Canadian heavy crude grades has fallen due to the increased market volatility brought on by U.S. President Donald Trump's stated aim to increase Venezuelan oil production. Investors are watching for a potential increase in Venezuelan heavy oil barrels in order to compete in the long term with Canadian heavy oils of similar quality in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Some analysts believe the market has overreacted because it will take Venezuela years to increase its oil production. The global oil price settled down by 4% or so on Thursday after Trump announced that the crackdown against protesters in Iran had eased. This helped to calm fears of a possible military strike and disruptions in oil supplies. (Reporting and editing by Sahal Muhammad in Houston)
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J.B. Hunt’s profit increases in the fourth quarter on cost reductions
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, a U.S. trucking company, reported an increased profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday. This was largely due to a strong shipping demand during peak season and efforts made by all departments to reduce costs. As volumes increase, carriers add seasonal surcharges. The company is pursuing cost reductions in order to increase efficiency. This is because the trucking industry has been experiencing a downturn for'more than three years, marked by excessive capacity and seasonal volume increases, which have kept rates low. The expectation of a U.S. trucking market turnaround in 2026 is gaining momentum. This is largely due to?federal regulations that restrict the ability to obtain commercial driver's licenses for non-U.S. residents, thereby reducing truckload capacity. Experts warn, however, that the freight volume must increase for any meaningful recovery. J.B. Hunt's intermodal volumes, which include shipping goods?via more than one mode of transport?, dropped 2% over the previous year in the reported third quarter. The Arkansas-based company reported revenues of approximately $3.10 billion in the quarter that ended December 31, compared to roughly $3.15 billion one year earlier. Revenues for its 'final mile services' fell by 10% in the third quarter to $206 million from a year ago. In after-market trading, the company's stock was down by about 4%. J.B. Hunt announced a fourth-quarter profit totaling $181.1m, or 1.90 per share. This is up from $1.53 per shares or $155.4m, a full year ago. (Reporting from Abhinav Paramar and Nathan Gomes, Bengaluru. Editing by Alan Barona.)
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CPC Blend Oil offered at wider discounts
The differential between Urals and Brent oil was stable on Thursday despite a low trading volume, but the discount for CPC Blend oil continued to widen when compared with Brent oil, traders reported. Urals cargoes were slow to load in January and many tankers had already been on the water?without a destination?, traders reported. Demand for 'the volumes in Asia wasn't high due to?the availability of alternatives? CPC Blend Oil values are under pressure due to recent attacks on tankers heading for the CPC terminal and the instability of the grade's oil exports. PLATTS WINDOW * ExxonMobil has offered to load 120,000 tons CPC Blend on February 10-14 for a price of minus $1.35 a barrel, almost $1 below yesterday's bid, but traders claim that they have not found a buyer. The traders reported that no bids or offers for Urals or Azeri BTC were made on Thursday. Trade data shows that India's 'Russian oil imports' fell to their lowest level for two years in December as Western sanctions pushed refiners into alternative sources of fuel, resulting in an increase in OPEC imports. Diane Craft (reporting)
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Greece warns its shipping fleet about increased risks following Black Sea drone attacks
According to shipping ministry advisories, Greece warned its shipping fleet to take the most stringent security measures when sailing into Russian Black Sea ports following drone attacks this week on two Greek-operated oil tankers. Drones hit two oil tankers, including one chartered from U.S. oil giant Chevron as they approached the marine terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium on the Black Sea coast of Russia. Greek-operated tankers are among the largest in the world. They are crucial for trade along the Black Sea, where Bulgaria,?Georgia?, Romania?, Turkey?, and Russia?, who are at war with Ukraine?, which Moscow invaded?in February 2022?. It is strongly recommended that all Greek ships that are docked, anchored, or about to dock in the terminal take the highest possible security measures. The shipping ministry released a document on Thursday that included a warning to avoid being outside of the ship. After the attacks, in documents published this week, the ministry advised that security managers for shipping companies and Greek vessels conduct an updated threat analysis of ships located near the Black Sea and other maritime areas. The cost of war insurance for ships sailing into the Black Sea has risen this week due to the deteriorating risk environment. Two drones hit the Matilda tanker, which was operated by Thenamaris in Greece. Thenamaris officials said that while there were no serious injuries or damage to the ship, the company has since taken additional security precautions and instructed crews on their vessels to be more vigilant and avoid unnecessary exposure. In previous advisories the ministry had also directed shipping companies to a document that it published in April of 2022, which recommended that additional protective security measures should be maintained for a period of time due to the increased risk of the Russian Black Sea Ports of Novorossiysk, Taman, Tuapse, and Kavkaz. Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Yannis Souliotis, Editing and rewriting by Mark Heinrich, Timothy Heritage and Mark Heinrich
Mitsubishi will buy Texas and Louisiana Shale Gas assets for $7.53 Billion
The Japanese trading house Mitsubishi Corp announced on Friday that it would "take over" the U.S. assets for shale oil production and pipelines of Aethon Energy management, including its debts.
The deal, which is?the largest?acquisition by Mitsubishi to date - will give the company an extensive natural gas operation near the U.S. Gulf Coast and the energy export infrastructure being developed there. The company stated that the transaction included $5.2 billion for Aethon equity interests, and $2.33 billion of net interest-bearing loans. This is a 'latest example of Japan investing into the U.S. Energy Sector after Tokyo positioned Gas?as key transition fuel, even beyond 2050. And as Japan prepares to meet the surging demand for power from data centres driven by artificial intelligence boom.
Mitsubishi is a global leader in the liquefied natural gas (LNG), spanning the entire value chain, from upstream production, to trading, marketing and logistics.
It has equity in several LNG projects around the world, including in Malaysia, Oman and Australia. Russia, U.S.A., Canada, and Australia are also involved. Total equity LNG production is currently about 15 million metric tons per year.
Aethon's upstream assets, which are mainly focused on the Haynesville formation in Louisiana and East Texas, make it one of the biggest privately owned U.S. Gas producers. JERA, Japan's largest power generator, announced in October that it would purchase U.S. gas production assets worth $1.5 billion. Japan Petroleum Exploration, which has U.S. tight gas and oil assets, announced in December its biggest-ever acquisition of Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings, VRIH.
Following the news, shares in?Mitsubishi continued to decline, falling 2% against a 0.3% drop on the Nikkei index. In June, it was reported that Mitsubishi was in talks to buy the assets of Aethon Energy Management. Reporting by Yuka Obabayashi and Editing by Chang Ran Kim
(source: Reuters)