Kpler

Arctic LNG 2 Ships First Cargo on Pioneer Tanker The #Novatek-operated Arctic LNG 2 export plant on Russia’s Gydan Peninsula has exported its first #LNG cargo via the 138,000 m³ Pioneer LNG tanker. This marks a significant development for the 19.8 mtpa plant, which has faced delays due to Western #sanctions and a shortage of ice-class ships. The first 6.6 mtpa train of the #Arctic LNG 2 project started at the end of last year, with exports initially expected in Q1 2024. According to Kpler data, the Pioneer docked at Arctic #LNG2 on August 1, but its current location is unclear. Notably, this is the first instance of signal #spoofing in the LNG market, a tactic of manipulating a ship’s AIS to send false information about its location. It was previously used in the oil sector to circumvent sanctions. Kpler’s Director of Data Science, Petar Todorov, confirmed:  “A vessel whose physical characteristics match Pioneer (MMSI 511101396) berthed at Arctic LNG 2 between July 30th and August 1st. Since July 23rd, Pioneer entered a position pattern similar to oil tankers during spoofing events, indicating likely deceitful behaviour. On August 1st, a flaring event was detected in satellite thermal imagery, suggesting activity on-site. The Kpler Data Science team has verified the positions of other potential vessels, confirming the Pioneer’s presence at Arctic LNG 2.” This development follows a July 23 order permitting ship-to-ship cargo transfers at #Sabetta port. The Pioneer, part of a so-called shadow fleet, reflects #Russia's strategy of using older ships with dubious ownership to navigate sanctions. The screenshot below shows the spoofing pattern of the #Pioneer vessel since the 29th of July. Further updates will follow as more details become available regarding the vessel's movements and the operational status of Arctic LNG 2. #kpler #ArcticLNG2

Lower mineral chartering demand sees Capesize bulk carrier earnings fall Capesize dry bulk carrier earnings retreated to a three-month low at the start of August amid seasonally softer demand for bauxite, coal, and iron ore chartering. Australian iron ore exports dropped to a five-month low of 73 Mt in July after hitting a record 87 Mt in June. Coal exports also slowed. In the Atlantic, Guinean bauxite exports fell to an eight-month low of 9 Mt in July due to seasonal rains. Brazilian iron ore exports decreased to 34 Mt, down from a multi-month high in June. #kpler

US LNG exports dip in July on lower Freeport shipments due to hurricane-induced outage In July, the US exported 6.76 million tonnes (mt) of LNG, down from 7.06 mt in June and 7.13 mt last July, due to a 57% drop in Freeport’s #LNG shipments after Hurricane Beryl damages caused a shutdown from July 7-21. Increases from other plants helped offset these losses. January to July exports totalled 49.61 mt, up from 48.48 mt last year. Asia has been the top destination for #US exports since March due to higher prices and hotter weather all the while the US leads global LNG exports, followed by Australia at 47.61 mt and Qatar at 47.02 mt in the first seven months of 2024. #kpler

Unlock New Compliance Insights with Kpler's Latest Updates We’re thrilled to announce the latest enhancements to our Risk & Compliance product, designed to provide you with even more powerful insights and tools to navigate the complexities of global #trade. Here’s what’s new: ◾ High-Risk Port Calls and STS Transfers in Public API Access critical #compliance information directly via our API. Now, you can retrieve high-risk port calls and STS transfers for one or more vessels, streamlining your risk management processes. ◾ Enhanced Sanctioned Cargo and Trades Fields We've updated the "Sanctioned Cargo" and "Sanctioned Trades" fields for increased granularity. The grade name is now displayed instead of the family, providing you with more precise information. ◾ HS Codes for Sanctioned Cargo To improve clarity, HS codes are now included with sanctioned cargoes. This addition helps you detect import/export restrictions more efficiently, ensuring your operations remain compliant. These updates are part of our commitment to continuously enhance our offerings and support your business in managing compliance and mitigating risks effectively. Curious to learn more? Visit our website or reach out to our team to see how these updates can benefit your business. https://lnkd.in/dpwbsYMU #kpler

Venezuela’s controversial presidential elections to keep US sanctions in place Tensions remain high in #Venezuela as President Nicolás Maduro wins Sunday’s controversial presidential election. The US and other nations question the legitimacy of the results, potentially leading to stricter #sanctions on Venezuela’s #oil industry. These measures could impact Venezuela’s oil exports, creating challenges for the Biden Administration, which aims to balance sanctions with keeping domestic oil prices stable ahead of the upcoming #US presidential election. Venezuela remains an important source of heavy sour barrels, especially as competing heavy sour flows from Mexico have been easing strongly amid multi-decade low crude supply and an expected ramp-up at the Dos Bocas refinery. This has deprived US Gulf Coast refiners of much-needed heavier #crude. Despite these developments, the outlook for Venezuelan crude supply and exports is expected to remain robust, with output projected to stay around 920-930 kbd in the coming months. #kpler

Divergence in China’s Iron Ore Imports and Steel Output Persists Chinese seaborne #ironore imports are poised for their ninth consecutive month of annual growth in July, with shipments once again expected to exceed 100 Mt. This resilience is remarkable given the ongoing weakness in the country’s #steel sector. In stark contrast, Chinese crude steel production is set to hit a three-month low in July and is almost certain to be lower year-over-year. Consequently, much of the growth in iron ore imports is anticipated to go into already elevated stockpiles. Measures announced at the Third Plenum this month have done little to boost sentiment in the steel sector. This week, the delivered price of 62% Fe iron ore in North China dipped below $100/t for the first time since May 2023. The market dynamics are shifting, and it’s critical to stay informed. #kpler #China

EGAS Issues Tender for Five LNG Cargoes for Ain Sukhna and Aqaba Delivery EGAS has issued its fourth summer tender to satisfy high seasonal gas demand which forced it to switch from an exporter to an importer of LNG. EGAS is seeking five #LNG cargoes, the tender closes on 29 July. Deliveries for both Ain Sukhna and Aqaba are scheduled for mid- and late-August and September. #Kpler data shows EGAS received five cargoes this month, with the sixth arriving this weekend on the Hellas Athina. The Global Sealine is also expected at Aqaba this weekend. Estimates suggest EGAS has bought 25-30 LNG cargoes this year. Stay updated with the latest news of the market. Learn more about Kpler Insight here: https://lnkd.in/dParFvuh

Last chance to sign up! Join us tomorrow at 10 am New York / 3 pm London for an insightful webinar where we dive into the complexities of #maritime risk management and explore how data analytics can be leveraged for proactive strategies. Our expert panel of risk & compliance analysts, Dimitris Ampatzidis & Kevin Kinnee, will cover critical topics such as fleet #compliance statuses, #AIS gaps, high-risk ship-to-ship transfers, AIS spoofing, and more. Register now to secure your spot!

President #Biden endorses #Kamala Harris, who has a tough stance on the oil industry. A #Trump win could boost US drilling and tighten Iran policies, supporting oil prices. Biden’s withdrawal is a shock to industry observers. Harris may challenge Trump with strong climate and social policies. Trump’s pro-oil and anti-EV stance could reshape the #energy landscape. A Trump administration might increase drilling leases and tax incentives, but higher #oil prices are needed for new investments. However, the impact on production would be small given US oil production, currently at a record of 13.25 Mbd, is driven by shale basins from non-federal lands. A tougher stance on Iran could reduce global supply by 200 kbd in H2 2024, impacting oil prices, but this would be at odds with the objective of taming domestic gasoline prices. Stay ahead of the market with Kpler Insight. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dParFvuh #kpler

How does #Israel's attack on #Yemen's Hodeidah port impact the region? Our Head of Oil Analysis, Viktor Katona, discusses the potential #war risk in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader implications for the #oil market. #kpler