Falling Rhine water levels are choking fuel shipments to parts of western Europe as a heat wave grips the region, forcing barges to sail with less than half their normal loads.
Falling Rhine water levels are choking fuel shipments to parts of western Europe as a heat wave grips the region, forcing barges to sail with less than half their normal loads.
The River Rhine in Kaub, Germany, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. With water regularly receding to levels that impede shipping from late summer through the fall, companies up and down Europe's most important trade route are rushing to adapt, underscoring how the climate crisis is hitting even advanced industrial economies.
US Vice President JD Vance skirted questions about whether Iran will one day be able to charge fees for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical concern for the oil and shipping industries as well as Gulf producers as the chokepoint opens up to traffic again.
US Vice President JD Vance skirted questions about whether Iran will one day be able to charge fees for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical concern for the oil and shipping industries as well as Gulf producers as the chokepoint opens up to traffic again.
US Vice President JD Vance during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Vance told reporters that today marks the start of the 60-day period for US-Iran talks that should lead to a final agreement.
US gasoline prices dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time since March, providing welcome relief to consumers after a historic global supply disruption sent fuel costs soaring for months.
US gasoline prices dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time since March, providing welcome relief to consumers after a historic global supply disruption sent fuel costs soaring for months.
A tanker delivers fuel to a gas station in Miami. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg
Aliko Dangote has started work to double capacity at his huge oil refinery in Nigeria, which when finished will rival the world’s largest site and give Africa’s richest person a stronger grip of global fuel supply chains.
Aliko Dangote has started work to double capacity at his huge oil refinery in Nigeria, which when finished will rival the world’s largest site and give Africa’s richest person a stronger grip of global fuel supply chains.
A surge tank at the Dangote Industries Ltd. oil refinery and fertilizer plant site in the Ibeju Lekki district of Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, May 22, 2023. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, announced the opening of a mega refinery in Nigeria — seven years late — to a backdrop of skepticism about how fast it will really be able to ramp up.
Gasoline could be the next petroleum product to come under intense supply pressure as the Iran war rumbles on, according to oil trading giant Vitol Group.
Gasoline could be the next petroleum product to come under intense supply pressure as the Iran war rumbles on, according to oil trading giant Vitol Group.
A driver finishes refueling a vehicle at a gas station in Columbus, Ohio.
Kuwait will consider increasing oil storage abroad to boost its ability to supply global markets after the war in the Persian Gulf blocked flows through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the head of the state energy company’s marketing arm.
Kuwait will consider increasing oil storage abroad to boost its ability to supply global markets after the war in the Persian Gulf blocked flows through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the head of the state energy company’s marketing arm.
Storage tanks for oil products. Photographer: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg
The United Arab Emirates is considering building an additional pipeline for refined products that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz and carry fuels to the country’s east coast.
The United Arab Emirates is considering building an additional pipeline for refined products that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz and carry fuels to the country’s east coast.
Oil rose by the most since early May as traders priced in signals that energy flows out of the Middle East could be curtailed further.
The Motiva Port Arthur Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, US, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. US natural gas futures ended lower for a fifth consecutive session, erasing earlier gains as traders weighed plunging oil prices against mixed weather outlooks.
The US affirmed that deals with Iran to safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz — even those which don’t involve paying a toll — aren’t allowed, as the conflict between the two nations grinds on.
The US affirmed that deals with Iran to safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz — even those which don’t involve paying a toll — aren’t allowed, as the conflict between the two nations grinds on.
Ships in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran, on May 16. Photographer: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Shipowners are increasingly optimistic about a pickup in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after more vessels left the waterway this week with the US providing information to aid those making the journey.
Shipowners are increasingly optimistic about a pickup in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after more vessels left the waterway this week with the US providing information to aid those making the journey.
Falling water levels on one of Europe’s most important rivers are restricting the amount of oil barges can carry, adding more pressure to the region’s fuel supply chains as the Iran war grinds on.
Falling water levels on one of Europe’s most important rivers are restricting the amount of oil barges can carry, adding more pressure to the region’s fuel supply chains as the Iran war grinds on.
A barge sails along the River Rhine past exposed sections of riverbed, in Germany.
Falling water levels on one of Europe’s most important rivers are restricting the amount of oil barges can carry, adding more pressure to the region’s fuel supply chains as the Iran war grinds on.
Falling water levels on one of Europe’s most important rivers are restricting the amount of oil barges can carry, adding more pressure to the region’s fuel supply chains as the Iran war grinds on.
A barge sails along the River Rhine past exposed sections of riverbed, in Germany.
The UK moved to loosen its Russian sanctions in a controversial move aimed at preventing shortages of diesel and jet fuel, as the war in Iran eats into global oil buffers.
The UK moved to loosen its Russian sanctions in a controversial move aimed at preventing shortages of diesel and jet fuel, as the war in Iran eats into global oil buffers.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 7: Fuel pumps are seen at a gas station as concerns over global oil supply and fluctuations in energy markets bring fuel prices back into focus in London, United Kingdom, on May 7, 2026. (Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The UK moved to loosen its Russian sanctions in a controversial move aimed at preventing shortages of diesel and jet fuel, as the war in Iran eats into global oil buffers.
The UK moved to loosen its Russian sanctions in a controversial move aimed at preventing shortages of diesel and jet fuel, as the war in Iran eats into global oil buffers.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 7: Fuel pumps are seen at a gas station as concerns over global oil supply and fluctuations in energy markets bring fuel prices back into focus in London, United Kingdom, on May 7, 2026. (Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Oil slipped in volatile trading as traders awaited a pivotal meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, while fresh US data suggested stockpile have yet to drop to critical levels.
Oil slipped in volatile trading as traders awaited a pivotal meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, while fresh US data suggested stockpile have yet to drop to critical levels.
The Valero Port Arthur Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, US, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. US natural gas futures ended lower for a fifth consecutive session, erasing earlier gains as traders weighed plunging oil prices against mixed weather outlooks. Photographer: Mark Felix/Bloomberg
The Iran war has squeezed global supplies of jet fuel, threatening to upend vacation plans as the peak summer travel season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Iran war has squeezed global supplies of jet fuel, threatening to upend vacation plans as the peak summer travel season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere.
A passenger aircraft, operated by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, during a strike by Deutsche Lufthansa pilots from the Vereinigung Cockpit labor union, at Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, April 13, 2026. The walkout adds to a turbulent start to the year for Europe’s biggest airline, which is also dealing with the fallout from the broader geopolitical challenges affecting air travel — notably, the war in Iran. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
In a matter of weeks, Europeans will begin heading off on their summer vacations — whether or not there will be enough jet fuel to transport them all remains an open question.
In a matter of weeks, Europeans will begin heading off on their summer vacations — whether or not there will be enough jet fuel to transport them all remains an open question.
A passenger wheels luggage through the departures terminal at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France, on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. Air France-KLM expects a return to profitability for the full year and is adding transatlantic seats as an easing of travel rules revives prospects for the struggling carrier.
Military operations have impacted sections of a sprawling European fuel pipeline network at a time of supply pressures caused by the Iran war, according to a German service provider for the system.
Military operations have impacted sections of a sprawling European fuel pipeline network at a time of supply pressures caused by the Iran war, according to a German service provider for the system.
A Central Europe Pipeline System site Bitburg, Germany. Source: US Air Force/Digital
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