Middle East conflict slows tanker bookings, lifts rates
The global benchmark rate for a very large crude carrier (VLCC) moving oil from the Middle East Gulf (MEG) to Japan, known as TD3, rose over 20% on Friday after the tensions broke out, according to LSEG data.
On Monday, the MEG-Japan rate for crude held steady at about W55 on the Worldscale industry measure, according to a shipbroker.
However, further gains in freight rates were limited as traders, shipbrokers and charterers take a wait-and-watch stance even as market participants said they did not expect the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping passage, to be shut.
"Fixing on Friday from the region all but came to a standstill. Physical marks may therefore not be indicative. Ships inside the gulf are still looking for outbound charters," said Anoop Singh, global head of shipping research at Oil Brokerage.
"But the situation remains dynamic, and we expect to hear more on market open today," said Singh.
"We have noted a minor increase in freight rates so far, but expect them to rise further as the week progresses," according to Sentosa Shipbrokers.
Emril Jamil, senior analyst for crude and fuel oil at LSEG Oil Research, said freight rates will depend on any continued escalation and potential action by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz. About 18 million to 19 million barrels per day of oil and oil products flow through the waterway, which connects the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
"The war risk premium is expected to remain high in the near-term given the continued exchange of tensions between the two countries. This will exponentially rise if other Middle East oil and gas infrastructure are attacked," said Jamil.
He added that cargo insurance premiums could range from an additional $3 to $8 a barrel if there are further attacks.
For clean products, freight rates to ship around 90,000 tons of either gasoline, diesel or jet fuel from the Middle East to markets west of the Suez Canal were at $3.3 million to $3.5 million late last week, before the conflict, according to estimates from three shipping sources, but new offer levels have yet to emerge.
Some brokers are already giving market indications at $4.5 million levels, according to one Singapore-based trade source.
Several shipowners are holding back offering vessels for routes in the Gulf until the situation becomes more clear, which may increase opportunities for voyages from the Far East to the west of Suez and from northwest India, Sentosa shipbrokers said in a note to clients.
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OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS The retail sell-through for the overall platform increased by low-single-digit from last year, including online and offline channels. Channel inventory increased by low-single-digit comparing to the same period last year. The inventory turnover and ageing structure remained at a healthy level. Offline channel new products sell-through accounted for 84% of overall offline channel sell-through, maintaining a healthy and reasonable level. HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 August 2025 - Li Ning Company Limited (the "Company" or "Li Ning Company"; together with the subsidiaries, collectively, the "Group"; stock codes: 2331 (HKD counter) and 82331 (RMB counter)) announces today its 2025 interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (the "Reporting Period"). 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Leveraging years of efforts and accumulated experience in professional sports, and relying on superior product excellence and brand strength, the Group successfully signed an agreement in 2025 to become the official sportswear partner for the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese Sports Delegation from 2025 to 2028. During the Reporting Period, anchored by its core strategy of the marketing theme of "China's Glory, LI-NING Support"（中國榮耀，李寧同行）under its new Olympic identity, the Group reinforced its professional image as an unwavering supporter of Chinese sports, and further cemented its core positioning as a professional sports brand. In respect of professional product and marketing, the Group focused on the six core categories of running, basketball, training, badminton, table tennis and sports casual, while actively grasping market trends and exploring new sports subcategories, such as outdoor sports, tennis and pickleball. 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In the first half of the year, the Group vigorously promoted the strategic construction of the logistics system, focusing on three core directions: omnichannel logistics integration, digital upgrade, and automation optimisation, to achieve comprehensive enhancement of logistics efficiency and precise optimisation of cost control. During the Reporting Period, the launch of the Nanning central warehouse marked the Group's completion of nationwide logistics and warehousing network deployment, further enhancing market responsiveness and core competitiveness. In terms of kidswear business, LI-NING YOUNG has achieved steady progress in product optimisation, channel expansion, retail efficiency enhancement and brand marketing, with an emphasis on improving its professional brand image and market share. In terms of product optimisation, LI-NING YOUNG continued to drive progress through product research and development, and IP establishment, fostering breakthrough growth in its core categories. In terms of channel development, LI-NING YOUNG focused on expanding market coverage and enhancing channel quality, with a strong commitment to implementing a multi-channel growth strategy. In addition to deepening its presence in core markets, it strategically expanded emerging markets and strengthened its outlet channel layout. In terms of marketing and promotion, LI-NING YOUNG has fully leveraged the Group's resources, working in close collaboration with categories such as basketball and running to provide a wide range of brand experiences to consumers through diversified marketing campaigns. As at 30 June 2025, the total number of LI-NING YOUNG POS amounted to 1,435, representing a net decrease of 33 POS since 31 December 2024. 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an hour ago
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Carlos Ghosn: Lebanon needs IMF to teach it 'discipline'
The fund's $3 billion programme alone will not save Lebanon, ex-Nissan chief tells Abdallah Aljouid in an exclusive interview with CNN Business Arabic
