1. Kosmos Energy confirms takeover talks with Tullow Oil. US oil and gas player Kosmos Energy has confirmed that it is in preliminary discussions to take over the UK-based independent exploration firm Tullow Oil.
Both companies issued statements which confirmed the discussions after media reports speculated on the possibility of the deal happening.
https://splash247.com/kosmos-energy-confirms-takeover-talks-with-tullow-oil/
https://splash247.com/kosmos-energy-confirms-takeover-talks-with-tullow-oil/
2. Ineos buys CNOOC’s US assets. The deal increases Ineos’ production globally to over 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. These assets in the Gulf of Mexico are the third major investment by the company in the USA, in the past three years, following the 1.4 mtpa LNG deal completed with Sempra in December 2022 and the acquisition of Chesapeake Energy’s oil and gas assets in South Texas in May 2023.
https://splash247.com/ineos-buys-cnoocs-us-assets/
https://splash247.com/ineos-buys-cnoocs-us-assets/
3. China stretches lead over Greece as world’s largest shipowning nation. China is building a commanding lead over Greece as the world’s largest shipowning nation, its lead now stretching to close to 30m gt, according to the latest data from Clarksons Research.
https://splash247.com/china-stretches-lead-over-greece-as-worlds-largest-shipowning-nation/
https://splash247.com/china-stretches-lead-over-greece-as-worlds-largest-shipowning-nation/
4. Canadian Bulk Carrier ‘Tim S Dool’ Successfully Refloated After Three-Week St. Lawrence River Grounding. The Canadian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Tim S Dool has been successfully refloated after spending more than three weeks aground on Crysler Shoal in the St. Lawrence River, part of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
https://gcaptain.com/canadian-bulk-carrier-tim-s-dool-successfully-refloated-after-three-week-st-lawrence-river-grounding/
https://gcaptain.com/canadian-bulk-carrier-tim-s-dool-successfully-refloated-after-three-week-st-lawrence-river-grounding/
5. EU Imposes First-Ever Sanctions On Yamal Gas Project Targeting ‘Christophe de Margerie’ LNG Carrier. The ice-capable tanker Christophe de Margerie, one of fifteen Arc7 ice-class carriers built for Yamal LNG, was included in the package adopted in Brussels today. The vessel, named after France’s TotalEnergies’ former CEO, remains affiliated with Russian shipping operated Sovcomflot though direct ownership is now through an entity, Zelitiko Shipping, in the UAE.
https://gcaptain.com/eu-imposes-first-ever-sanctions-on-yamal-gas-project-targeting-christophe-de-margerie-lng-carrier/
https://gcaptain.com/eu-imposes-first-ever-sanctions-on-yamal-gas-project-targeting-christophe-de-margerie-lng-carrier/
6. EU Extends Naval Operation ATALANTA Until 2027 as Somali Piracy Surges in Indian Ocean. The European Council has extended its counter-piracy mission Operation ATALANTA for two more years, coming amid a dramatic resurgence of Somali piracy that has seen 43 incidents in the past year.
https://gcaptain.com/eu-extends-naval-operation-atalanta-until-2027-as-somali-piracy-surges-in-indian-ocean/
https://gcaptain.com/eu-extends-naval-operation-atalanta-until-2027-as-somali-piracy-surges-in-indian-ocean/
7. Atlantic Suezmax mini-rally to cool off as the year ends. Suezmax rates from the US Gulf, Guyana, and West Africa to Europe have surged by approximately 35–45% since hitting one-year lows at the end of November. This rise contrasts starkly with intra-regional rates for shipments to Europe—originating from the Mediterranean, North Sea, and Black Sea—which have remained subdued.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/atlantic-suezmax-mini-rally-to-cool-off-as-the-year-ends/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/atlantic-suezmax-mini-rally-to-cool-off-as-the-year-ends/
8. Rising trade tensions may affect global chemical demand growth. Rising trade tension risks could exacerbate the global chemical sector’s challenges, including pressure on margins, soft demand, and oversupply, Fitch Ratings says. Modest improvements in volumes and lower energy and feedstock costs offset some pressures and underpin a ‘neutral’ sector outlook in 2025.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/rising-trade-tensions-may-affect-global-chemical-demand-growth/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/rising-trade-tensions-may-affect-global-chemical-demand-growth/
9. Global Gateway: EU and Tanzania sign agreement to improve port performance and enhance trade connectivity. The European Union (EU), together with its partners Enabel, UN-Habitat, TradeMark Africa, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, have signed a project agreement to enhance the performance of the Port of Dar es Salaam.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/global-gateway-eu-and-tanzania-sign-agreement-to-improve-port-performance-and-enhance-trade-connectivity/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/global-gateway-eu-and-tanzania-sign-agreement-to-improve-port-performance-and-enhance-trade-connectivity/
10. French shipping major CMA CGM seeks 2025 Singapore biofuel bunker supply. French shipping major CMA CGM is seeking marine biofuel for term delivery in Singapore, the world’s largest bunker hub, between January and December 2025, according to market sources.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/french-shipping-major-cma-cgm-seeks-2025-singapore-biofuel-bunker-supply/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2024/12/17/french-shipping-major-cma-cgm-seeks-2025-singapore-biofuel-bunker-supply/