Latest news with #BenEllis
Business Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Steel giants look into carbon capture hubs across Asia
[SINGAPORE] A consortium of global steelmakers and energy majors has launched a pre-feasibility study on building carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) hubs across Asia, marking a rare cross-industry collaboration in one of the region's most carbon-intensive sectors. The study will explore potential CCUS applications in hard-to-abate sectors, namely the steel, cement, and chemical sectors. It will also assess the development of shared infrastructure to capture, store or repurpose carbon dioxide emissions at scale. The group comprises steelmakers ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel), JSW Steel, Hyundai Steel, and value chain players BHP, Chevron, and Mitsui & Co. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Aug 7 to formalise the partnership and commence the study. 'This is the first industry-led CCUS hub study of its kind in Asia,' said the consortium in a joint statement on Monday (Aug 11), adding that the study will deliver conceptual development strategies, cost and schedule estimates, and commercialisation pathways for multiple hubs. Australia's engineering services firm Hatch has been appointed project management officer, working with technical advisers including the Global CCS Institute, McDaniel, and Pace CCS. The study is expected to conclude by the end of 2026, with findings to be made public. The consortium will also examine regulatory and policy conditions needed to enable cross-border carbon dioxide transport and storage – an issue that remains a sticking point for the regional deployment of CCUS. Asia is home to over a billion tonnes of annual blast furnace steel production, much of it relatively new and emissions-heavy. Retrofitting existing capacity with CCUS could help buy time while newer low-carbon production routes scale up, noted Dr Ben Ellis, vice-president of marketing sustainability at BHP. Open to additional industry players to join, the consortium is prioritising the study of scalable utilisation and storage solutions that can enable broader adoption of CCUS, especially in regions with regulatory hurdles and limited market maturity, based on the joint statement.
BBC News
01-08-2025
- BBC News
Cross-river ferry service in Norfolk to restart soon
Communities living on the opposite sides of a Norfolk river will soon be reconnected by a local across the River Great Ouse between King's Lynn and West Lynn stopped in issues were found on the steps on both landing sites. Repairs have now been completed and the ferry will start operating again from 07:00 BST on 11 August. Ben Ellis, the skipper and co-owner of the ferry, said he was looking forward to getting back up and running."The ferry's coming back stronger than ever. I can't wait to get going. To all those who said they'd use it, I hope to see you soon," he County Council and the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk jointly funded the living in West Lynn have criticised how long it has taken to fix the council cabinet member Michael de Whalley said work had been done as quickly as possible to restore the "vital" service, but added that safety was the priority. "The landings look fantastic, and the operator is eager to set sail again," he said."I'd like to thank the passengers for their patience." About 400 people a week use the ferry, which takes only foot passengers, between King's Lynn and West Lynn, where the jetty is 190 years Lynn Civic Society said there had been a ferry operating on the Great Ouse since at least 1285. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
West Lynn and King's Lynn Ferry to reopen 'during school holidays'
A small passenger ferry which runs across the River Great Ouse is set to reopen during the school holidays, a councillor service was previously closed in January after the stairs to the boat, at West Lynn and King's Lynn in Norfolk, were damaged, and fears about passenger safety were raised. Norfolk County Council and West Norfolk Council funded repairs at a cost of £100,000. West Norfolk Borough Councillor Michael De Whalley confirmed the ferry would be back up and running "during the school holidays", with most schools in the county breaking up on 22 July. There has been a ferry service across the river for 600 years, the council said. Ben Ellis, who runs the West Lynn Ferry, said he had struggled to support himself financially since the closure in January. After taking the ferry out on a practice run across the Great Ouse, he said: "You've got the tide and the wind that wants to push me in the mud on the West Lynn side."I thought I'd have to have several attempts to get back on the west Lynn steps and the King's Lynn steps, but it's just like riding a bike".Mr Ellis was keen to get back to transporting passengers as soon as possible but admitted the early alarms were going to be a challenge. "I'm down here for about half five, quarter to six," he added."Just to get all the boats ready, fuelled up and get them all set". De Whalley thanked ferry users for their patience while the work took place and said he was excited to see it return. "The main issue has been safety," he said."We've had to review root and branch safety measures for the ferry operation at both landing stages. It's been complicated by working on a 190-year-old jetty". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Visa Releases Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report for North America
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today unveiled its Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report, highlighting the growing influence of digital remittance applications in North America, driven by convenience, security, and user-friendly experiences. "Digital remittances are being embraced across North America due to their ease of use, reliability, and improved security," said Ben Ellis, SVP and Head of Visa B2B Connect. "As digital remittances become more prevalent, transparency and customer satisfaction will be essential to meet evolving consumer expectations." Key Findings for North America Digital App Dominance: App Preference: In the U.S., 69% of surveyed respondents prefer using digital apps for sending remittances, while 61% prefer using them for receiving. In Canada, the preference is similarly strong, with 65% preferring digital apps for both sending and receiving. Traditional Methods Lag: The use of traditional methods like cash or checks is declining, with only 5% to 8% of respondents in the U.S. and 3% to 6% of respondents in Canada favoring these options. Ease of Use: Ease and Peace of Mind: A significant portion of surveyed respondents in the U.S. (38%/34%) and Canada (45%/40%) appreciate the ease of using digital apps for remittances, while security and privacy are crucial for 36% of U.S. survey respondents and 40% of Canadian survey respondents. Primary Reasons: Unexpected needs (36% in the U.S., 32% in Canada) remain the top reason for sending remittances for survey respondents, followed by holidays and special occasions. Pain Points: Fees: High fees remain a concern, with 27% of U.S. and 30% of Canadian respondents citing this as a major issue when sending digitally. Traditional methods and hidden fees: 35% of U.S. and 28% of respondents said they had experienced some kind of hidden fee when using cash, checks or money orders. With one billion people globally involved in remittances and stable engagement in North America, Visa continues to innovate with solutions like stablecoins to help enhance cost-efficiency and broaden financial access. "Digital remittances have revolutionized the industry and offer consumers more options than ever before to send funds, but there's still room for further innovation," added Luba Goldberg, SVP, Visa Direct Product. "Continued expansion of digital options to send money around the world, and emerging technologies such as stablecoins, are poised to improve the speed, cost, and security of international remittances." About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 markets. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere uplift everyone everywhere, and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at
