Three attacks in strait of Hormuz: UKMTO

Market: Crude oil, Natural gas, Oil products
30/09/26

Three attacks on shipping in the strait of Hormuz have been reported today by the UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO).

It said two tankers and an LNG carrier were struck by unknown projectiles, all on Tuesday. These bring the number of attacks in the strait of Hormuz reported by the UKMTO since early July to 42.

A projectile strike on an unidentified vessel on Monday was the first since 23 September.

Iran on Tuesday renewed threats against Mideast Gulf energy supplies and infrastructure, warning they could become targets if the US does not end its naval blockade. The blockade has largely cut off Iranian crude exports since mid-July.

Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz fell to 17 on Monday following a surge in traffic over the weekend, according to maritime security firm Windward.

By Ben Winkley

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30/09/26

Hormuz Tuesday traffic steady at 17: Windward

Houston, 30 September (Argus) — Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz on Tuesday was unchanged from the previous day, with 17 vessels transiting the strait despite heightened tensions, according to maritime security firm Windward. Of the 17 vessels six were inbound and eleven outbound. The inbound traffic was evenly split between Iran's preferred northern corridor and the southern, US-assisted route. Of the outbound vessels, five used the northern corridor, five used the southern route, and one transited the high-risk central route. Inbound vessel classes consisted of two tankers, two cargo ships, and two bulk carriers. The outbound vessel classes were six tankers and five cargo ships. Attacks on vessels transiting the strait continue, with three incidents reported on 30 September on tankers, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). A day earlier UKMTO reported that a Kuwaiti VLCC was struck by an unidentified projectile. The four attacks this week account for nearly 10pc of the 42 cumulative strikes recorded since early July. Vessel transits remain consistent at 13pc of the pre-war average of 135 daily transits. By Anjali Shenoy Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Spain extends fuel tax relief to year-end

30/09/26

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30/09/26

Spain extends fuel tax relief to year-end

Madrid, 30 September (Argus) — Spain will extend tax relief on motor fuels until the end of the year and reintroduce safeguards against sharp rises in electricity and gas bills. The €0.20/litre fuel tax cut for road diesel introduced in September will continue in October, while the cut for gasoline will rise to €0.20/l from €0.05/l. Unless a price-rise safeguard is triggered, the cut for both fuels will ease to €0.13/l in November and €0.06/l in December. The safeguard restores the tax cut for either fuel to €0.20/l if Spain's consumer price index shows that its retail price has risen by more than 15pc on the year. It was triggered for diesel in September on the basis of July inflation data. The measures are part of the Spanish government's third decree-law responding to fuel price increases caused by the conflict in the Middle East. They extend relief introduced for the second and third quarters that had been due to expire at the end of September. Professional drivers will receive the general fuel tax cut plus an additional sector-specific discount, keeping their combined relief at €0.25/l throughout the fourth quarter. The additional discount will be €0.05/l in October, €0.12/l in November and €0.19/l in December, rising as the general tax cut is scaled back. It will be adjusted if the safeguard restores the general cut to €0.20/l. Fuel price relief for the agricultural and fishing sectors will also be maintained, including the €0.20/l cut on the lower-taxed coloured diesel they use. The government has also reintroduced a safeguard under which a 15pc rise in electricity or gas prices would trigger a reduction in VAT on bills to 10pc from 21pc and a cut in Spain's special electricity tax to 0.5pc from 5.1pc. The reductions previously applied from March to June. Spain will limit the rise in its regulated natural gas tariff to about 15pc in October. The government said the tariff would have risen by more than 45pc without its intervention. It will also raise the maximum regulated price for a standard 12.5kg butane cylinder to €19.55 from €18.84 and freeze it at that level until 30 June 2027. The measures take effect on 1 October, putting Spain ahead of Portugal, where parliamentary debate on the government's proposed fuel price relief is scheduled to begin on 7 October. Portuguese energy and environment minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said on Monday that Portugal could not afford fuel tax cuts beyond those already proposed by its government. She called for greater EU co-ordination, arguing that differences between national support measures could distort competition within the single market. By Jonathan Gleave Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Iran threatens Gulf energy if US blockade remains

29/09/26

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29/09/26

Iran threatens Gulf energy if US blockade remains

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EU methane delay not climate backtracking: Commissioner

29/09/26

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29/09/26

EU methane delay not climate backtracking: Commissioner

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Another dark QatarEnergy LNG carrier exits Hormuz

29/09/26

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Another dark QatarEnergy LNG carrier exits Hormuz

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