Russell: The seaborne thermal coal markets in Asia are shrinking slowly.
In the next few years, the market for seaborne coal thermal is in a slow race as a slight decline in demand competes with?an equally mild decline in supply. The longer-term price outlook will be largely determined by which of the two factors dips slightly faster than the other. In recent years, Asia has dominated the seaborne trade of the coal type most commonly used for generating?electricity. Nearly 90% of all volumes have been traded.
Teodoro, a Filipino, says China can exploit the US-South Korean military exercises
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on Monday that China may see the recent reductions in U.S.-South Korean exercises as an opportunity to re-establish itself in the Indo-Pacific. He also said Washington had reassured Manila of its commitments towards the Philippines. Teodoro, speaking on the sidelines the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul, said that there has been no reduction of U.S.-Philippine…
Thailand invests in rooftop solar to protect against LNG price shocks
Akanat PROMPHAN, Thailand's Energy Minister, said that the country will assist 1 million households in installing 5 gigawatts of rooftop solar panels by year-end to protect citizens from soaring energy prices caused by the Iran War. This move is financed through a 200 billion Baht ($6.01billion) emergency energy transition fund. It's the third major Asian importer of liquefied gas to use rooftop solar as a hedge against rising prices after the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
Eneos' global ambitions are tested by the Japanese oil giant.
Eneos Holdings is a top Japanese refiner, with a large cash reserve and declining domestic demand. It's currently expanding its overseas footprint and testing its ability of managing assets and diversifying revenue sources. Eneos is looking to expand its fuel business, as it believes that diversification in the core fuel sector will be more profitable than its previous loss-making venture into renewable energy. In May, it announced its $2 billion plus purchase of Chevron’s downstream assets across Asia.
Europe and Asia boost renewable energy in response to the US-Iran War
The U.S. and Israel war against Iran has lasted six months. Governments in Europe and Asia are now scrambling to build out renewables to?cut dependency on fossil fuel imports. This will provide a new impetus for the global energy transformation. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has slowed down a fifth of world oil and LNG shipments, has led governments from South Korea to Thailand and the European Union to pledge to increase funding to renewable energy sources.
Pharos Energy to be acquired by Ratio Petroleum, based in Israel
Ratio Petroleum Energy agreed to purchase Pharos Energy for a total of PS124.3million ($164 million) in an all cash deal. This gives the Israel-based company access to production assets located in Egypt and Vietnam. The transaction takes place amid increased commodity price volatility, linked to the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran. This has boosted energy company share prices. In this context, Pharos wanted Ratio to make a better offer that reflected its higher cash flow generation.
ROI-Emerging markets defy energy shock. But how long will it last? McGeever
The bond spreads on emerging market bonds are at their tightest level in years, despite the largest energy supply shock ever. It is unclear how long the current situation will last. According to the Institute of International Finance, emerging markets experienced a strong sell-off in March. EM equities recorded their largest outflow in over 20 years. This?rout? has now given way to a stronger rally. Both the MSCI…
ROI-Emerging markets defy energy shock. But how long will it last? McGeever
The bond spreads on emerging market stocks have been tighter than ever in recent years, despite the largest energy supply shock in the history. It is a question of how long it can continue. According to the Institute of International Finance, emerging markets experienced a strong sell-off in March.?EM equities recorded their largest outflow in over 20 years. This rout was followed by an even stronger rally. Many observers would have never imagined this resilience.
China's solar panel exports reach record levels in March due to Africa and Southeast Asia
China's solar panels exports reached a new record in March, according to data from China's customs and industries. Southeast Asia and Africa stocked up ahead of anticipated price increases, and the fallout of the Iran war also boosted demand. Exports of panels jumped 42.2% in March to reach 1.75 million metric tonnes, which is equivalent to 13.3% in 2025. Chinese customs data revealed that the shipments had a value of $3.61 billion. This was up 67% compared to a year ago and 125% compared to February.
A krill harvesting vessel and an activist vessel collide off Antarctica
Aker QRILL, the owner of the vessel, confirmed that an environmental activist vessel had collided with a Norwegian krill harvesting vessel on Tuesday, damaging its hull. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation's 65-metre Bandero vessel, operated under the Norwegian flag, deliberately struck the trawler Antarctic Sea. Aker QRILL reported that Bandero hit near the stern, where Aker QRILL's diesel fuel tank is located, causing only minor damage. It shared photos and videos of the incident.
China, well-positioned in a tight global market sells record LNG volumes
Chinese firms are reselling record amounts of LNG to cash in on the soaring spot prices. China has plenty of 'domestic gas and pipeline gas' to meet its weakened demand, unlike other Asian buyers who scramble to replace supplies that were cut off due to the Iran War. China, the world's largest importer of LNG, reloaded between 8 and 10 cargoes during March, a record monthly total, according to analysts ICIS, Kpler, and Vortexa.
Philippines suspends spot electricity sales due to Middle East conflict
The Philippines announced on Thursday that it had suspended the sale of electricity at spot prices until further notice due to fuel supply risks and price volatility caused by Iran's war. The suspension was ordered by a decree declaring a national energy emergency in order to deal with fallout of the war, including disruptions in fuel procurement. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of the country said that it expected to finalise its modified pricing scheme by April 1.
Industry executives warn that the global energy crisis is worsening; attempts to plug the supply gap are not enough.
Executives and oil ministers reaffirmed that the global energy crisis has worsened as emergency measures by governments around the world have failed to plug the huge shortfall of oil and gas caused by the U.S. and Israeli?war against Iran. Energy, fertilizers, and petrochemicals costs are rising as the world loses up to 20 million barrels of crude oil per day due to the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping chokepoint.
China Calls for Gulf Conflict to End, Addressing Southeast Asia Energy Shortages
China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it was ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages as oil markets reel from supply shocks.While the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has allowed China to cast itself as the more reliable superpower, analysts say it is wary of global energy market uncertainty, not least because…
Russell: The war in Iran has a greater impact on refined fuels than crude oil and importers must act.
Media attention is focused on the loss of up to 20% of crude oil and refined fuels due to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The rapid tightening in the markets for refined products in Asia is a greater concern. Major importing countries like Australia and Indonesia could be facing an "emergency" situation with lower supplies and much higher prices. According to Kpler commodity analysts, Australia is Asia's biggest importer of refined petroleum products. It averages around 900,000.
Globally, governments are taking measures to mitigate the impact of Iran's war on energy prices for consumers
Fuel subsidies, price caps and emergency commodity releases are just some of the measures that governments from Asia to Europe have taken to protect consumers from rising fuel and food prices - a result of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. The conflict in the Middle East has caused a halt to a fifth of world oil and gas supplies. It has also forced the top energy producers Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar to reduce their output.
Document threatening legal action by foreign investors against Vietnam for renewables
According to a document seen by the. Last year, the 'dispute' began when Vietnam cut subsidised electricity prices from solar and wind farms. It cited irregularities. Vietnam's energy industry is struggling with high prices and the risk of shortages due to the conflict in Iran. The chambers of commerce of the European Union, Britain and Japan in Vietnam, as well as South Korea, Thailand, and South Korea, sent a letter of joint concern to the government on Thursday.
LNG Canada increases production as Iran's war threatens global supplies
LSEG data shows that LNG Canada, a Shell venture, has increased production and exports to Asia in the past month. This is because 'the iran war' threatens Asian gas supplies, which are especially vulnerable to global disruptions. Data shows that the LNG project in Kitimat (British Columbia), which started operations in June of 2025, exported five cargoes during the first eleven days of March. This is already more than half the volume in February. The sixth shipment will depart on Tuesday.
LNG Canada increases production as Iran's war threatens global supplies
LNG Canada, a Shell venture, increased production?and exported to Asia in this month. LSEG data shows that the Iran 'war' threatens Asian natural gas supply, which is particularly vulnerable to disruptions on a global scale. Data shows that the LNG project at Kitimat in British Columbia exported five cargoes during the first eleven days of March. This is already more than half the volume it had in February. A sixth shipment will depart on Tuesday.
Novak, quoted by the media as saying that Russia is considering redirecting LNG from Europe to Asia-Pacific
Interfax and Izvestia reported that Russia's Deputy Premier Alexander Novak stated on Friday he had discussed the?possibility? of redirecting Russian LNG supplies from Europe to alternative markets. This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia can halt gas supply to Europe immediately due to the spike in energy costs triggered by the Iran Crisis. He was preempting EU plans for stopping 'Russian LNG imports until end-2026 and pipeline gas before September 30, 2027.