U.S. Military shoots down drone while defending merchant ships ⚔️

TRANSPORT NEWS

The “Fat Fuel” Plane

Virgin Atlantic achieved a significant milestone by completing the first commercial fossil fuel-free trans-Atlantic flight from London to New York using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The Boeing 787 flight marked a crucial step towards the aviation industry's "jet zero" ambition to reduce emissions.

The flight utilized SAF primarily derived from tallow and waste fats. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, expressed optimism, stating, "The world will always assume something can't be done, until you do it." He was accompanied by officials, engineers, and journalists.

While the UK Transport Department provided financial support for the flight, the road to widespread adoption of SAF faces substantial challenges. The cost and limited supply of materials required for SAF production pose significant barriers. Currently, SAF accounts for less than 0.1% of global jet fuel consumption, costing three to five times more than conventional jet fuel.

However, SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 70%, making it a critical tool in achieving the aviation industry's net-zero emissions target by 2050. The Federal Aviation Administration and the White House in the United States have set ambitious goals for SAF production, aiming for 1 billion and 3 billion gallons per year, respectively.

The UK has also set a target of sourcing 10% of its jet fuel from sustainable sources by 2030. Holly Boyd-Boland, vice president of corporate development at Virgin Atlantic, emphasized the need to scale up SAF production to make it a regular part of air travel.

Critics, such as the Aviation Environment Federation, argue that the industry's claims about sustainable fuel's impact on carbon emissions are misleading and that scaling up SAF production sustainably is a significant challenge.

While this achievement is a crucial step towards cleaner air travel, it's worth noting that this was not a commercial flight. Gulfstream Aerospace previously completed a trans-Atlantic journey with a business jet using eco-fuel, and Air France-KLM experimented with a mix of petroleum-based jet fuel and synthetic fuel derived from waste cooking oils on a Paris to Montreal flight two years ago. See more 

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

How Huawei Shocked America With a Smartphone

President Xi Jinping’s November meeting with President Joe Biden at the APEC summit in San Francisco came amid simmering tensions between China and the US. Technology has been at the heart of those strains, particularly Washington’s efforts to restrict Chinese access to key semiconductor innovations.

Huawei’s August unveiling of a new smartphone was a blow to America. The Mate 60 Pro appeared to be more advanced than should have been possible given import controls imposed by the US Department of Commerce.

GLOBAL TRADE SNIPPETS

China's exports grow for first time in 6 months, eases pressure on factories. China's exports grew for the first time in six months in November, beating economists' forecasts and suggesting factories in the world's second-largest economy may be finding their footing after a bruising slump in demand at home and abroad.

Circle partners with Nubank to bring their digital dollar USDC to 90 Million Latin Americans. Per the official notification, this new alliance aims to provide Brazilian Nubank customers with expanded access to Circle’s USDC. Also, the report noted that the initial phase of USDC support would be through Nubank Crypto. This will enable Brazilians to purchase and retain digital dollars.

Tesla officially launches Cybertruck along with an long list of accessories. More than 25 optional extras are offered in release of the new Tesla Cybertruck, TopGear dives into each one looking at pros, cons and pricing.

TRADE NEWS

US Warship Shoots Down Drones in Red Sea In Response to Distress Signals From Merchant Ships

Amid a recent spate of missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants operating out of Yemen, the United States is contemplating strengthening security measures for commercial ships navigating a critical Red Sea shipping route. Military officials are engaged in discussions with the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational naval task force responsible for safeguarding Red Sea shipping. The focus of these discussions is centered on the possibility of providing escorts for ships transiting the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait into the Gulf of Aden, a narrow passage separating Yemen from the Horn of Africa.

Concerns have escalated due to Houthi interference in this vital channel, through which millions of barrels of oil pass daily. While historical precedence exists for escort protection, such as Operation Earnest Will during the 1980s "Tanker War," senior defense officials are cautious about striking the Houthis in Yemen to avoid further escalation, citing a lack of evidence linking recent missile attacks to specific US assets.

Recent incidents involving the USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Carney (DDG-64) add to these concerns. USS Mason successfully shot down an uncrewed aerial vehicle originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the southern Red Sea on December 6. This follows USS Carney's downing of three drones launched from Yemen just days prior. Both of these vessels are part of the U.S. naval forces stationed in response to the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7.

It is worth noting that initial attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Straits of Hormuz targeted Israeli-linked ships, but recent incidents including the drone strike on the OOCL chartered containership Number 9, had no current Israeli links.

Additionally, as of December 4th, approximately 12 containerships had diverted from transiting the Suez Canal, opting for the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope. Another six ships were expected to follow suit. Among these vessels are various sizes, ranging from 4,250 TEU to 19,000 TEU.

Both Maersk and ZIM have publicly announced that they are diverting some of their vessels away from the region, reflecting the growing concern within the shipping industry regarding the security of the Red Sea route. While discussions on enhancing security measures continue, there are currently no plans to reflag vessels, as was done during the Tanker War in the 1980s when US navy ships escorted foreign-flagged civilian vessels. The situation remains dynamic, with the US retaining the right to respond as deemed necessary.

SHIPWRECK OF THE WEEK ⚓️☠️ 

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