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"Midget subs and kamikaze drone boats - how Iran can block the Strait of Hormuz
The fear of mines laid by submarines, kamikaze drone boats and GPS jamming have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has long threatened to shut the narrow waterway through which 20% of the world's oil supplies passes, knowing that doing so would cause market havoc and send prices soaring. This is effectively what has now happened.
At least 16 ships have been hit by Iran since the conflict began, with Tehran releasing a video (below) of what it claims is the moment an oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Iraq - with devastating consequences."
Funny thing is, 80% of that oil goes East. The biggest loser there is China, which is crippled without oil from the gulf. Menawhile USA has energy independence due to fracking. They could even cut their domestic market off from the world, and the president has the power to do so unilaterally, allowing the oil price in the USA to remain low whilst the rest of us fight it out over the scraps.
So it will be Irans "friend" China that will be the one leaning on them to re-open the straits before the Americans give a tulip.
I think the US can handle a higher price, and right now they even need it to fund a fresh round of drilling in the Permian.
Might play into Putins hands a bit, but lets hope that we don't give in and buy Russian oil.
Honestly, I would be happy to just use my car a lot less for the next couple of years anway.
People are calling it a major blunder by Trump, but I don't see it that way. I don't even think its his idea, its the pentagon they just saw their opportunity to use this president to get something done they have wanted to do for a long time. They can squeeze Chinas balls by squeezing the Straits of Hormuz, its all the same whether its Iran or the USA doing the squeezing.
There was a post I saw on Instagram last night that took an interesting angle to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, essentially saying that Lloyds of London has effectively closed the strait by refusing to provide war risk insurance (which is incorrect). Rates have gone up, as one would expect, but insurance is very much still available. Apparently some crew are reticent to use the strait, which is also very understandable, and some ship owners are actually humans and are deciding that risking their crews' lives is not worth it (although I'm sure the decision making is more about the cost of keeping the cargo safe).
I read that the Americans are underwiting the shipping insurance if there are takers. Speculation that they might permanently push Lloyds out of this market as a result.
Still waiting for our oil delivery. Chased the supplier yesterday and discovered that, when I reduced the quantity to the minimum 500L, they reset the clock back to the 15-day lead time. Shame they didn't mention that would happen at the time.
Time to crank up the woodburner and fan heaters before we run out.
Supermarket locally had no diesel yesterday and no idea when they'd get a delivery.
There was a post I saw on Instagram last night that took an interesting angle to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, essentially saying that Lloyds of London has effectively closed the strait by refusing to provide war risk insurance (which is incorrect). Rates have gone up, as one would expect, but insurance is very much still available. Apparently some crew are reticent to use the strait, which is also very understandable, and some ship owners are actually humans and are deciding that risking their crews' lives is not worth it (although I'm sure the decision making is more about the cost of keeping the cargo safe).
"Midget subs and kamikaze drone boats - how Iran can block the Strait of Hormuz
The fear of mines laid by submarines, kamikaze drone boats and GPS jamming have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has long threatened to shut the narrow waterway through which 20% of the world's oil supplies passes, knowing that doing so would cause market havoc and send prices soaring. This is effectively what has now happened.
At least 16 ships have been hit by Iran since the conflict began, with Tehran releasing a video (below) of what it claims is the moment an oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Iraq - with devastating consequences."
Or, government could look at the policy cost reasons for high energy prices in the UK, such as
- the 'market' mechanism that allows electricity prices to be set by gas prices around 98% of the time.
- Fuel Duty is set at a whopping 52.95p / litre (and set to rise) and then 20% VAT on top.
Maybe start by fixing that which is within government's control?
They could put an extra 25p on the fuel duty, then make a big song and dance about taking it off again - purely as a publicity stunt.
Still waiting for our oil delivery. Chased the supplier yesterday and discovered that, when I reduced the quantity to the minimum 500L, they reset the clock back to the 15-day lead time. Shame they didn't mention that would happen at the time.
Time to crank up the woodburner and fan heaters before we run out.
Or, government could look at the policy cost reasons for high energy prices in the UK, such as
- the 'market' mechanism that allows electricity prices to be set by gas prices around 98% of the time.
- Fuel Duty is set at a whopping 52.95p / litre (and set to rise) and then 20% VAT on top.
Maybe start by fixing that which is within government's control?
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