Houthi missiles hit bulk carrier in Red Sea: US Centcom
Yemen-based Houthi militants launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea on 28 May, with three striking the Greek-owned and operated bulk carrier Laax, said US Central Command (Centcom).
But the Marshall Islands-flagged Laax is continuing its voyage with no injuries reported. The vessel had unloaded about 60,000t of soybean meal at the Turkish port of Ceyhan on 21 May and is now ballasting to Imam Khomeini port in Iran, according to data from global trade and analytics platform Kpler.
Centcom forces have also destroyed more than 10 uncrewed aerial systems over the Red Sea in the past week, after determining that they presented "an imminent threat to merchant vessels in the region". The systems were launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The Houthis have also launched five other anti-ship ballistic missiles since 18 May when a Houthi missile hit an oil tanker.
Oil prices are rising as the conflict in the Middle East widens. An Egyptian soldier was killed in a clash with Israeli forces at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt earlier this week. The Egyptian Armed Forces are investigating the incident, spokesperson Ghareeb Abdel Hafez said on 27 May. "A dialogue is taking place with the Egyptian side," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
The IDF said on 7 May that it is conducting "targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah in southern Gaza". Israel's war cabinet "unanimously decided" that Israel would continue its operation in Rafah to apply military pressure on Gaza-based Hamas to advance the release of Israeli hostages, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
The Ice front-month July Brent contract was at $84.40/bl at 03:40am GMT, up by 0.2pc from the previous settlement and by about 1.6pc from 27 May. The front-month July WTI crude contract was at $80.11/bl, up by around 0.4pc from the previous settlement and by 3pc from 27 May.
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Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water
Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water
Houston, 3 July (Argus) — High water levels on the upper Mississippi River have caused several lock closures and spurred delays for barge carriers. Lock and Dams (L&D) 12, 16 and 17 on the upper Mississippi River closed 2 July and are expected to remain closed through the rest of this week and possibly into the next, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Locks 11, 13, 18 and 20 are expected to close on 4 July. The Corps will likely close locks 14 and 22 on 5 July, while lock 15 is expected to close 6 July. The Corps said the duration of the July 4-5 closures is unclear. Another 2-5 inches of rain fell along the western Corn Belt in the past week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. High river conditions led to major flood status at Dubuque, Iowa, while other locations along the river are at moderate flooding levels. Water levels are 4-5ft below record highs on the upper Mississippi River. The outdraft at lock and dam 16 was at 211,444 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Tuesday, compared with typical flow of 41,100cfs. Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line anticipates 7-10 days of disruption followed by a 2-3 week catch-up. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
Houston, 3 July (Argus) — Economic activity in the US services sector contracted in June by the most since 2020 while a report earlier this week showed contraction in manufacturing, signaling a broad-based slowdown in the economy as the second quarter came to an end. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services purchasing managers index (PMI) registered 48.8 in June, down from 53.8 in May. Readings above 50 signal expansion, while those below 50 signal contraction for the services economy. The June services PMI "indicates the overall economy is contracting for the first time in 17 months," ISM said. "The decrease in the composite index in June is a result of notably lower business activity, a contraction in new orders for the second time since May 2020 and continued contraction in employment." The business activity/production index fell to 49.6 from 61.2. New orders fell by 6.8 points to 47.3. Employment fell by 1 point to 46.1. Monthly PMI reports can be volatile, but a services PMI above 49 over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. "Survey respondents report that in general, business is flat or lower, and although inflation is easing, some commodities have significantly higher costs," ISM said. The prices index fell by 1.8 points to 56.3, showing slowing but robust price gains. ISM's manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in June from 48.7 in May, ISM reported on 1 July. It was the third consecutive month of contraction and marked a 19th month of contraction in the past 20 months. Wednesday's weaker than expected ISM report, together with a Wednesday report showing initial jobless claims last week rose to their highest in two years, slightly increase the odds that the Federal Reserve may lower its target rate later this year after maintaining it at 23-year highs since last year in an effort to stem inflation. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU’s centre-right EPP mulls Green Deal tweaks
EU’s centre-right EPP mulls Green Deal tweaks
Brussels, 3 July (Argus) — The European Parliament's largest group, the centre-right EPP, is working to complete the bulk of its strategy programme on 4 July at a meeting in Portugal. Key elements in the party's 2024-29 policy agenda include significant changes to the bloc's climate and energy policy for 2030. A draft of the five-point policy plan lists revising CO2 standards for new cars and vans to "allow for the use of alternative zero-emission fuels beyond 2035". The EPP also calls for a new e-fuel, biofuel and low-carbon fuel strategy "with targeted incentives and funding to accompany the EU hydrogen strategy". Additionally, the EPP wants the incoming European Commission to create a "single market for CO2" with a market-based framework for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), through an accompanying legislative package similar to that adopted for the EU's gas and hydrogen markets. The strategy document discusses a "Green Growth Deal" aiming to achieve the EU's 55pc emission reduction target by 2030 — from 1990 levels — and climate neutrality by 2050, while boosting the EU's competitiveness and ensuring technological neutrality. The draft document emphasises the need to transition "away from fossil fuels towards clean energy", also by ramping up international hydrogen production. And the draft advocates for a "simple, technology-neutral, and pragmatic definition for low-carbon hydrogen" in upcoming technical legislation from the commission. More controversial points include postponing application of the EU's deforestation regulation and addressing problems related to its implementation. The EPP also wants to split the EU's industrial emissions directive into "industrial and agricultural parts", conduct a "full-scale" inquiry into why farmers are not receiving fair prices for their products, and require robust impact assessments for the economic viability of farms for any new animal welfare proposals. The group's members of parliament are meeting until 5 July. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is also attending. She was [recently nominated](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/25825320 by EU leaders for re-election. The EPP programme will significantly influence policy priorities that von der Leyen would support, if she is approved by an absolute majority of 361 votes at a session in Strasbourg on 15-18 July. But von der Leyen may need to drop more controversial points to secure a majority with liberal, centre-left and green support. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vancouver crude exports up fourfold in June
Vancouver crude exports up fourfold in June
Houston, 2 July (Argus) — Crude oil exports on Canada's Pacific coast quadrupled in June, the first full calendar month with ship loadings on the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline system, according to data from Vortexa. About 300,000 b/d of crude was exported from the port of Vancouver last month, up from 75,000 b/d in May and up nearly ninefold from 35,000 b/d in June 2023, according to Vortexa. The 590,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project began commercial service on 1 May, nearly tripling the capacity of the pipeline system to 890,000 b/d, though the first TMX cargo loaded on 20 May . Up to 250,000 b/d of crude from Trans Mountain can also go to Washington state on the Puget Sound pipeline system. Of the 19 Aframaxes that had discharged TMX crude by 1 July, nine discharged onto very large crude carriers (VLCCs) at the Pacific Area Lightering (PAL) zone, six discharged at ports on the US west coast and three went directly to China, according to Kpler data. Three remained in transit for either Los Angeles or PAL as of 2 July. Another Aframax, operated by Unipec, partially discharged at Long Beach, next to Los Angeles, before topping off a VLCC at PAL. Prior to TMX, two to four Aframaxes per month discharged Canadian crude at ports on the US west coast. According to Kpler, four VLCCs departed PAL with Canadian crude for destinations in Asia-Pacific: the Eagle Verona , which co-loaded one 550,000 bl cargo of Access Western Blend (AWB) with 1.5mn bl of Colombian Castilla destined for China; the Advantage Value , which has three 550,000 bl cargoes of AWB destined for India; the Cosrich Lake , which has four cargoes of TMX crude totaling 1.75mn bl destined for China; and the New Pearl , which co-loaded two 550,000 bl cargoes of AWB with Ecuadorian crude destined for China. Of the 22 Aframax voyages from Vancouver in June, half went on time-chartered vessels and the other half went on spot market tonnage, including rehired time-chartered vessels. Freight rates to ship Cold Lake from Vancouver last month averaged $2.25/bl for voyages to the US west coast and $6.33/bl for voyages directly to China, according to Argus data. Over the same span, the cost to reverse lighter, or transfer, three 550,000 bl shipments of Cold Lake from Vancouver onto a VLCC at PAL then onward to China averaged about $7.075mn lumpsum, or $4.32/bl, excluding demurrage costs, according to Argus estimates. The heavy nature of Canadian crude and Aframax draft restrictions in Vancouver may complicate fully loading a 2mn bl VLCC. Twenty-nine Aframaxes are expected to be available to load in Vancouver throughout July, of which 17 are time-chartered and 12 are spot market vessels. Time-chartered ships can still be relet for use by other shippers. By Tray Swanson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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