Congo tightens its grip on cobalt by imposing new export restrictions
According to a government document reviewed by, the Congo has introduced new conditions for exporters of cobalt. This could complicate a recently implemented quota system, as the country tries to maintain a tight hold on this key mineral. Circular shows that the new conditions include, among others, pre-paying a 10% royalty in 48 hours, and obtaining a certificate of compliance. In October, the Democratic Republic of Congo introduced a quota-based system to replace a long-standing export ban.
Sources say that RPT-Gunvor is weighing the US energy push, which could strengthen Washington ties.
Sources familiar with the situation said that Gunvor, a commodity trader, has been in active discussions to invest into U.S. oil and gas producing assets. This could help to repair relations with the Trump Administration after the fallout of Gunvor's attempt to purchase the foreign assets of the sanctioned Russian company Lukoil. Gunvor dropped its offer to purchase Lukoil assets after the U.S. Gunvor was interested in increasing its U.S.
Gunvor considers US energy push, which could strengthen Washington ties
Sources familiar with the situation said that Gunvor, a commodity trader, has been in active discussions to invest into U.S. oil and gas producing assets. This could help to repair relations with the Trump Administration after the fallout of Gunvor's attempt to purchase the foreign assets of the sanctioned Russian company Lukoil. Gunvor dropped its offer to purchase Lukoil assets after the U.S. Gunvor was interested in increasing its U.S.
Lukoil to Sell International Assets
Russia's Lukoil is selling its international assets after the U.S. imposed sanctions on the company.Washington refused to approve the sale of assets to Swiss commodity trader Gunvor, throwing Lukoil's operations in disarray and leading to a scramble of potential buyers.The U.S. Treasury cleared potential buyers to talk to Lukoil until December 13. They will need separate approval for specific deals. U.S. oil major Chevron is studying options to buy some global assets of Lukoil, sources have said. U.S.
Glencore reduces Century Aluminum stake from 33% to 33% following tariff-driven rally
Glencore cut its stake in Century Aluminum from 10% to 33%. This has resulted in millions of dollars in profit following the share price rally that was sparked by U.S. Tariffs on Aluminium Imports. On June 4, U.S. president Donald Trump increased the tariffs on aluminum imports from 25% to 50% in order to encourage investment in the production of this metal in the United States. The largest shareholder in Century is Glencore, a London-listed company.
Lukoil Declares Force Majeure in Iraq as Operations Strain Under US Sanctions
Lukoil declared force majeure at its Iraqi oil field, sources told Reuters on Monday, and Bulgaria was poised to seize its Burgas refinery, as the Russian company's international operations buckled under the strain of U.S. sanctions.The force majeure at the West Qurna-2 field in Iraq marks the biggest fallout yet from the sanctions imposed on Russian oil majors Lukoil and Rosneft last month as part of U.S. President Donald…
Lukoil Struggles to Maintain Overseas Operations Amidst Sanctions
Russian oil major Lukoil is struggling to keep operations running at its sprawling foreign businesses as Western sanctions disrupt oil loadings in Iraq, pump stations in Finland and trading in Switzerland, sources said.The United States and the United Kingdom last month imposed sanctions on Russia's second-largest oil company, complicating how it carries out its normal operations.The U.S. Treasury Department issued a licence giving companies until November 21.
Bulgaria Temporarily Bans Fuel Exports to EU Following Lukoil Sanctions
Bulgaria's parliament temporarily banned on Friday exports of some fuels, mainly diesel and aviation fuel, to EU member states to ensure the stability of the local market following U.S. sanctions on Russia's Lukoil, which runs the country's biggest oil refinery.Last week, Bulgaria announced it would take measures to secure uninterrupted supplies of oil and oil derivatives after the U.S.
Energy Traders Steer Shipping Toward Greener Horizons
The maritime industry is charting a new course toward decarbonization, yet this time round it is not only traditional shipowners at the helm. Major energy and commodity traders, whose shipping operations often carry large carbon footprints, are now investing in cleaner and more efficient shipping. With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) calling for a 40% reduction in shipping’s carbon intensity by 2030 from 2008 levels, these players are now deploying new methods to cut emissions at sea.
CMOC IXM declares Force Majeure on Cobalt Deliveries from Congo
IXM, a commodity trader owned by China's CMOC Group has declared force majeure for deliveries of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, after the country extended the ban on exports of battery material. In February, the Congo suspended all cobalt exports for four months to reduce oversupply and stabilize prices which were at a nine-year-low of around $10 per lb. The world's biggest cobalt producer country announced last week that it would extend the suspension by another three months.
Sources: SOCAR, Gunvor and Bin Butti will bid for refiner Italiana Petroli
Two sources familiar with the matter said that next week, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan SOCAR, global commodity trader Gunvor as well as Abu Dhabi's Bin Butti Group will be expected to make binding offers to acquire Italian oil refiner Italiana Petroli. UniCredit is advising IP, or API Group as it's also called, on the sale. IP, owned by the wealthy Brachetti-Peretti family in Italy, has a refining capacity totaling around 200,000 barrels a day. It also has a network consisting of 4,600 fuel station.
Sources say that commodity traders will submit bids by May for Italy's IP.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that global commodity traders Glencore and Gunvor were considering the possibility of buying oil refiner Italiana Petroli API group. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is also interested in the asset, two sources with knowledge of the transaction said. Glencore, Gunvor, and IP have declined to comment. SOCAR did not respond to a request for comment. IP, owned by Brachetti Peretti, an Italian family, has a refining capacity totaling around 200,000 barrels a day.
Sources say that commodity traders are expected to bid for Italy's IP in May.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that global commodity traders Glencore and Gunvor were considering the possibility of buying oil refiner Italiana Petroli API group. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is also interested in the asset, two sources with knowledge of the transaction said. Glencore and Gunvor have declined to comment. SOCAR and IP did not respond to requests for comment. IP, which UniCredit advises on the possible sale, is owned and operated by the Italian Brachetti Peretti family.
Glencore refinery in South Africa invests in cleaner fuels
Astron Energy, an affiliate of the global commodity trader Glencore will invest up six billion rands ($328 million) in order to install new equipment, and to become compliant with South Africa’s cleaner fuel specification before a 2027 deadline. Astron officials have said that the foundations for a Gasoline Hydrotreating Process, which will reduce petrol to Euro 5 specifications has already been laid in the 100,000 barrels a day crude oil refinery near Cape Town.
Trafigura cancels plans to build a $471 million hydrogen facility in South Australia
Trafigura, the global trading company for commodities, has canceled plans to build a green hydrogen plant worth A$750m ($471.2m) at its Port Pirie Lead Smelter in South Australia. A spokesperson said this on Tuesday. Trafigura, a Swiss company, had commissioned a design study, funded jointly by the South Australian government and Trafigura, in order to reduce the carbon emissions of the plant. Trafigura has completed a feasibility study worth A$5million for a green hydrogen project in Port Pirie.
Sources: ERG declares force majeure for cobalt supplies from Congo
Two sources with knowledge of the situation said that Eurasian Resources Group has declared force majeure for deliveries of cobalt battery material from its Metalkol operations due to the temporary export ban by the Democratic Republic of Congo. ERG is the largest cobalt producer in Congo. This is also the top mineral producing country worldwide for the production of lithium-ion battery powering electric vehicles. One source said that the Luxembourg-based firm had to declare force majore…
Trafigura warns that misconduct in Mongolia could cost $1.1 billion
After an internal review, global commodity trader Trafigura said it expects to set aside $1.1 billion as a provision for misconduct by individuals within its Mongolian petroleum product supply business. Trafigura stated that an external investigation, which was conducted after the internal review, is still in progress but confirmed the significant exposure accumulated by the group over the past five years. In a statement…
The UK will try Glencore's former head of oil in 2027 on charges of bribery
In 2027, Glencore's former oil head Alex Beard will be tried in London on charges of bribery along with five other former employees of the Swiss commodity trading company. Beard was not asked to enter his plea during a short hearing on Wednesday at London's Southwark Crown Court. He had indicated in his first court appearance that he would plead not-guilty. The 57-year old is accused of two counts of conspiracy for corrupt…
Glencore's former head of oil is charged with bribery in a UK court
Alex Beard, former Glencore head of oil, appeared before a London court Tuesday to answer bribery allegations relating to Glencore's operations in Africa. Beard's lawyer told the London Westminster Magistrates' Court that he will plead guilty. The 57-year old is accused of two counts of conspiracy for corrupt payments made to officials of government-owned oil companies and government officials in Nigeria from 2010 to 2014 and in Cameroon, between 2007 and 2008.
Trafigura-Entara Consortium to Buy French Refinery
Rhone Energies, a consortium of commodity trader Trafigura and Entara LLC, has agreed with ExxonMobil's ESSO SAF to buy the Fos-sur-Mer refinery and Toulouse and Villette-de-Vienne terminals in France."Discussions with the relevant authorities are ongoing and the necessary authorizations are expected by the end of October," Trafigura said in a press release on Thursday.The parties signed the sale agreement having completed an information and consultation procedure with employee representatives…