BGN Expands LPG Fleet Capacity With Addition Of Four New VLGCs
BGN Expands LPG Fleet Capacity With Addition Of Four New VLGCs
in
International Shipping News
19/04/2026
BGN, the 6th-largest independent energy and commodities trading group, has signed a contract with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for the construction of four dual-fuel Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), each with a cargo capacity of 90,000 cbm. The vessels will be built at HD HHI’s shipyard in Korea and are scheduled for delivery by 2029.
The order marks another step in BGN’s strategy to expand its LPG shipping capacity and further strengthens the company’s strategic growth. Designed to run on both conventional fuels and lower-emissions alternatives, the dual-fuel VLGC vessels are also capable of carrying cleaner fuels such as ammonia.
BGN already operates one of the largest shipping fleets in its sector, and this expansion will further strengthen its position in the LPG sector and wider global energy trading and logistics industry.
BGN Shipping Director Ozan Turgut said: “We ar
China Deploys Warship For Combat Drills In Western Pacific
Chinese Navy’s guided missile destroyer Taiyuan takes part in a naval parade. REUTERS/Jason Lee
China Deploys Warship For Combat Drills In Western Pacific
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 19, 2026
By Catherine Wong
Apr 19, 2026 (Bloomberg) –The Chinese People’s Liberation Army is pushing beyond a chain of archipelagos to hold rare military drills that could be seen as a challenge to US dominance in the Western Pacific.
The Chinese navy has dispatched a naval task group led by a
Chinese warship
— the Type 052D destroyer Baotou — to transit through the Yokoate Waterway and conduct training in the Western Pacific Ocean, according to a statement from the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command on Sunday.
The excursion signals
China’s efforts
in breaking through the first island chain, a string of Pacific archipelagos encompassing US allies and partners including
Japan
, Taiwan and the
Philippines
, forming a key defensive line aimed at containing Chinese maritime expansion.
The drills are designed to
France And Greece To Renew Defense Pact For Another Five Years
The submarine ‘Le Temeraire’ (The Bold) at the naval nuclear submarine base at Ile Longue in Crozon, France, March 2, 2026. Yoan Valat /Pool via REUTERS
France And Greece To Renew Defense Pact For Another Five Years
Reuters
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April 19, 2026
ATHENS, April 19 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Greece next week to renew a security pact between the two countries against the backdrop of the
war in Iran
, a Greek government official said on Sunday.
France and Greece,
long-standing NATO allies
, signed a security and defense agreement in 2021, which required them to come to each other’s aid if attacked and included the purchase of three
French-made frigates
and around 24 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets by Athens.
Macron’s visit to Greece on April 24-25 will renew the agreement for a further five years, with an automatic renewal thereafter, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Macron and the Greek government will also discuss maritime
Carsten Brzeski: ECB rate hikes? Not so fast
Carsten Brzeski: ECB rate hikes? Not so fast
in
World Economy News
19/04/2026
There is renewed excitement in financial markets about how the ECB might react to the war in the Middle East, with markets now pricing in more than three rate hikes. Needless to say, in such uncertain times, almost anything is possible, and nothing can be entirely ruled out. The real question, however, is whether markets have looked beyond the headlines and taken on board the messages from Wednesday’s ECB Watchers Conference, including remarks by Philip Lane and Christine Lagarde.
At least in my own humble opinion, those remarks point to a somewhat different reaction function than what markets are now pricing.
ING: Our latest views on the major central banks
ING: Our latest views on the major central banks
in
World Economy News
19/04/2026
Federal Reserve
The Fed currently views the oil price surge as a supply shock that it can’t do much about. So far, market and consumer inflation expectations are within tolerable ranges, and there is a sense that inflation is more likely to be transitory this time around than in 2022.
While inflation is likely to test 4%, the Fed’s dual mandate is also an important consideration. Having failed to create jobs in meaningful numbers over the past 18 months, when growth was strong, the risk is that we see weaker US jobs figures on the back of geopolitical, financial-market and economic angst.
Higher energy costs are likely to be demand destructive, given that household spending power is already under pressure and confidence is at such low levels.
Reassessing the short term global aluminium outlook amid rising market risk
Reassessing the short term global aluminium outlook amid rising market risk
in
Commodity News
19/04/2026
The Middle East conflict will have a lasting impact on the global aluminium market. The initial challenge for regional producers is to secure sufficient alumina and other raw materials to maintain production, even at lower utilisation rates. Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and recent risks to shipping via the Suez Canal have created obstacles to exports.
We recently updated our short-term outlook for global aluminium, using Wood Mackenzie’s Lens Metals & Mining to enhance visibility across aluminium supply, energy exposure and short-term market risk.
World’s largest shipping line to build Vietnam’s $4.9B mega-port
World’s largest shipping line to build Vietnam’s $4.9B mega-port
in
Port News
19/04/2026
Ho Chi Minh City has approved a consortium led by the world’s largest container carrier to build the VND128.872 trillion (US$4.9 billion) Can Gio International Transshipment Port, a project designed to position Vietnam as a regional container hub.
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued the investor approval on April 13, based on the investment policy the Prime Minister signed on Jan. 16, 2025, and on the special mechanisms the National Assembly has granted the city.
Within the consortium, Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A. holds 49%, Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) 36% and Saigon Port JSC 15%.
India flags shipping risks, pushes supply chain resilience as Hormuz tensions hit energy markets
India flags shipping risks, pushes supply chain resilience as Hormuz tensions hit energy markets
in
International Shipping News
19/04/2026
At AZEC Plus meeting, S Jaishankar stressed safe maritime transit and resilient supply chains as Hormuz tensions disrupt energy flows.
India has raised concerns over attacks on merchant shipping and disruptions in global energy markets, calling for stronger supply chain resilience as tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India remains committed to ensuring “safe and unimpeded transit passage” of maritime shipping, underlining that global growth depends on stable energy flows.
“Attacks on merchant shipping are completely unacceptable. Global growth demands that energy markets are not constricted,” Jaishankar said after participating in the ‘AZEC Plus’ meeting convened by Japan.
The remarks come at a time when maritime access restrictions are tightening around Iranian ports following a US-led block
India Flags ‘Deep Concerns’ Over Attack On Two Indian Ships In Strait of Hormuz
Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026. REUTERS
India Flags ‘Deep Concerns’ Over Attack On Two Indian Ships In Strait of Hormuz
Reuters
Total Views: 0
April 18, 2026
By Saurabh Sharma
MUMBAI, April 18 (Reuters) –
India
said it had called in the Iranian envoy to New Delhi and flagged its “deep concern” over
the attack on two Indian-flagged ships
attempting to cross the
Strait of Hormuz
on Saturday.
One of the vessels attacked was identified as the Sanmar Herald, an Indian government source said.
The crew on board and the vessel were safe, the source said.
Related Article:
Fresh Attacks Shatter ‘Open Hormuz’ Narrative as Iran Pushes New Maritime Regime
India’s top foreign ministry official asked the Iranian ambassador to convey India’s view to Iranian authorities and resume at the earliest the process of
facilitating India-bound ships
across the Strait, a statement from the ministry said.
The ambassador said he would convey these views t
Greek, Indian Tankers U-Turn Before Hormuz Amid Reopening Doubt
Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026. REUTERS
Greek, Indian Tankers U-Turn Before Hormuz Amid Reopening Doubt
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 18, 2026
By Weilun Soon
Apr 18, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Several oil tankers have u-turned in the Persian Gulf after appearing to try to transit the
Strait of Hormuz
, as shipowners and oil traders remain in a state of disarray as they try to figure out whether Iran would stick to its promise to keep the chokepoint open for all.
The halted journeys of five Greek and Indian tankers early Saturday paint the first picture of how traffic is
navigating through the energy artery
, after Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday that it was completely open. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency later reported that the passage will still be closed if a US naval blockade was still in effect.
The
Greek and Indian tankers
had all made their journeys northeast toward Hormuz from waters off Dubai, filled with crude, b