In the aftermath of the 2026 Iran-Hormuz crisis, which severely disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and triggered the largest oil supply shock in decades, oil markets are shifting from acute supply fears to a more structural driver of price support: the urgent need to rebuild depleted inventories and strategic reserves worldwide. A […]
Continue Reading
The fragile truce between the United States and Iran is unraveling. Renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, fresh U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, satellite evidence of Iran rebuilding damaged nuclear sites, and mixed signals from Washington and Tehran have once again put global energy markets on edge. The central question for […]
Continue Reading
An in-depth look at the July 2026 brief by the National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA), Dr. Lars Schernikau, and Portia Roberts, with updates on U.S. policy and global fleet management. Dr. Schernikau has been on the Energy News Beat Podcast, and we highly recommend buying his book. In a world racing toward ambitious net-zero […]
Continue Reading
Be careful who you vote into office – you will end up paying for their decisions. Humanity’s growing thirst for energy shows no signs of slowing. Despite years of “energy transition” rhetoric promising a shift away from fossil fuels, the reality is far different: we are in an Energy Additions Era, where new sources are […]
Continue Reading
The global oil market is experiencing sharp volatility, shifting rapidly from fears of an impending glut to renewed geopolitical risks centered on the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, highlighted by Washington’s revocation of a key license allowing Iranian oil sales and Tehran’s persistent efforts to impose fees or tolls on shipping […]
Continue Reading
Middle East oil producers are grappling with significant challenges in selling their crude, even as global benchmark prices (Brent and WTI) have surprisingly softened below or near pre-conflict levels. This comes despite a major supply shock from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following the early 2026 Iran conflict (U.S./Israeli strikes on Iran). The market […]
Continue Reading
You won’t want to miss this episode with Jack Prandelli from Switzerland. As an international trader and Substack Author, Jack has been on target with his articles on global oil and Gas Markets. Check out The Merchant’s News : https://themerchantsnews.substack.com/ Follow Jack on X @jackprandelli Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prandelligiacomo/ Add Free for our SubStack Subscribers. 1. LNG […]
Continue Reading
China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) is doubling down on Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), signaling strong long-term confidence in global crude oil trade despite short-term market volatility. In a recent Lloyd’s List report, the Chinese shipping giant dismissed a nearly 40% drop in VLCC spot rates since late June 2026 as a temporary distortion, raising […]
Continue Reading
Recent analyst predictions of an impending oil glut and sharply lower prices have gained traction amid falling benchmark crude prices and reports of recovering tanker flows through the Strait of Hormuz. However, a closer look at actual oil movements, inventory dynamics, refinery constraints, and exploration activity suggests these calls may be getting ahead of reality. […]
Continue Reading
The Trump administration is drafting restrictions that would effectively ban imports of new foreign-made energy inverters used in solar projects and battery storage systems, citing risks that China could use the devices to disrupt U.S. power supplies. According to an exclusive Reuters report published June 30, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is leading the […]
Continue Reading