MB Energy, Daimler Truck AG, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. have entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) aimed at creating a liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Europe through the Port of Hamburg. This agreement was formalised during the “Hamburg Port Anniversary,” one of the largest port festivals globally, highlighting Hamburg’s ambition to become a significant energy hub for Europe.

Through this collaboration, the three companies will leverage their expertise to conduct studies focused on developing a financially viable liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Hamburg. Their goal is to achieve a Commercial Operation Date (COD) for the supply of liquefied hydrogen and hydrogen by the early 2030s. Building upon the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Japan-Germany hydrogen supply chain, the partners aim to expand their hydrogen-related business internationally, contributing to global energy security and fostering a decarbonised society for a sustainable future.

Volker Ebeling, senior vice president of New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure at MB Energy, stated, “Hydrogen has the potential to be a key driver for Europe’s energy transition, with Hamburg ideally positioned as Germany’s main entry point. We are integrating MB Energy’s infrastructure, service station network, and trading expertise with Daimler Truck’s advancements in hydrogen trucks and Kawasaki’s innovative hydrogen storage and shipping technologies. Together, we are working to establish a scalable, international hydrogen import corridor for Europe.” He added that creating a reliable liquefied hydrogen supply chain enhances energy security and sustainability, and they aim to deliver this as a comprehensive end-to-end solution.

MB Energy is recognised for its extensive expertise in fuel sourcing, trading, and logistics, supported by its established supply chain and service station network, including the conversion of key logistics hubs for liquid hydrogen (LH2).

Daimler Truck is pursuing a dual strategy for decarbonizing transport through both battery-electric and hydrogen-powered solutions. The company plans to introduce 100 hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks into customer operations by the end of 2026, with series production expected to begin in the early 2030s, coinciding with the anticipated availability of necessary infrastructure and competitively priced liquid hydrogen.

Manfred Schuckert, head of regulatory strategy at Daimler Truck, emphasised, “The scaling of hydrogen-powered trucks across Europe in the coming decade relies on a dependable and competitive supply of liquid hydrogen. This agreement is crucial as it unites key partners to collaboratively explore and develop a liquefied hydrogen supply chain for Europe, focusing on feasibility, scalability, and long-term impact. Liquid hydrogen provides the energy density and operational flexibility essential for long-haul transport, but its potential can only be realized through coordinated efforts across the entire value chain.”

Kei Nomura, executive officer and general manager of the Hydrogen Strategy Division at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, expressed support for this Hamburg-centred initiative, viewing it as a critical step in developing a hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Germany. “By introducing our liquefied hydrogen technologies to Europe, we aim to meet the demands of industrial and heavy-duty vehicles, establishing a scalable international hydrogen corridor that enhances competitiveness, resilience, and climate neutrality.”

Kawasaki Heavy Industries will contribute its expertise in designing and manufacturing key infrastructure, including hydrogen liquefiers, LH2 storage tanks, and LH2 carrier ships, which are essential for building international liquefied hydrogen supply chains. As the demand for hydrogen energy grows in the quest for a decarbonised society, this partnership seeks to establish efficient transport routes from potential hydrogen-producing countries to Germany, promoting hydrogen utilisation across European industries, starting with Daimler Truck’s Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).

For more information, visit www.mbenergy.com

AG&P LNG has announced plans to increase its stake to 100 percent in the Cai Mep LNG Terminal, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy across Southeast Asia.

The acquisition reinforces AG&P LNG’s growing presence in Vietnam’s energy sector and strengthens its position as a leading player in the region’s LNG infrastructure and energy transition initiatives.

Operational since 2025, the Cai Mep LNG Terminal has become a vital component of South Vietnam’s energy supply chain, providing liquefied natural gas to power plants and industrial customers across the region. The terminal supports the country’s increasing demand for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions as Vietnam continues to diversify its energy mix.

Following the transaction, the terminal will become a wholly owned flagship asset within the Nebula Energy portfolio, further enhancing the group’s LNG capabilities and long-term growth ambitions in Asia.

The move highlights AG&P LNG’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s energy transition through strategic infrastructure investments that improve energy security, expand access to LNG, and contribute to lower-carbon economic development.

With full ownership of the Cai Mep LNG Terminal, AG&P LNG is expected to play an increasingly important role in enabling sustainable energy growth in Vietnam and across the broader Southeast Asian market.

For more information visit www.agplng.com

Representatives of INA and MOL Group have concluded a series of constructive meetings with senior officials from the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), focusing on the potential reactivation of INA’s oil and gas operations in Syria.

The three-day visit centered on evaluating pathways for restarting operations on INA’s former Syrian concessions. Earlier this year, INA and SPC established a joint technical team tasked with assessing the feasibility of resuming activities in the country. The team is currently reviewing operational, technical, commercial and regulatory conditions required for a potential return.

Both parties described the discussions as productive and forward-looking, highlighting a shared commitment to identifying a viable framework for renewed cooperation.

The SPC delegation was led by Yousef Qiblawy, CEO of Syrian Petroleum Company, alongside Zuhair Sawwan, director of Development and Exploration, and Hisam Suleymanelsalih, vice president of Gas Development. During the visit, the delegation held meetings at MOL Group’s headquarters in Budapest and INA’s offices in Zagreb. Representatives also met with Croatian Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar to discuss ongoing developments and regional energy cooperation.

As part of the official programme, the delegation visited the LNG terminal on Croatia’s Krk Island on May 5th. The visit underscored the growing importance of energy diversification, secure supply routes and modern infrastructure development within the Mediterranean energy sector.

A major milestone of the visit was the joint expert team meeting held on May 6th, where participants reviewed key findings from a comprehensive assessment of infrastructure and field conditions following the suspension of INA’s Syrian operations more than a decade ago. The team is expected to define the technical and safety requirements necessary for restarting operations and establish a strategic roadmap for future collaboration.

Zsuzsanna Ortutay said the discussions had progressed positively, although significant regulatory, legal, commercial and operational matters still need to be resolved before operations can resume.

Meanwhile, Zsombor Marton highlighted Syria’s historic importance within MOL Group and INA’s international portfolio. He noted that the companies had successfully discovered and developed hydrocarbon fields in the country, reaching production levels of 37,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2011. Before operations were suspended in 2012, INA had invested approximately $1.1 billion in Syria, including the construction of a gas processing plant at the Hayan gas field.

For more information visit www.molgroup.info

The recent inauguration of the refinery unit expansion under the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project is more than just a celebration of physical infrastructure progress. For the national energy sector, this momentum marks a paradigm shift from being a raw material exporter to a nation with greater processing sovereignty. With the increase in Balikpapan’s refinery capacity from 260,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 360,000 bpd, Indonesia’s collective processing capacity has now surpassed the 1.1 million bpd milestone.

“This country will never advance without industrialisation and downstreaming. Otherwise, we will only be a nation suffering from the natural resource curse.” (Source: Statement by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia at various official forums, late 2025).

However, behind the roar of the growing scale of refinery operations, structural challenges emerge that require serious attention from all stakeholders. The central government’s energy downstreaming programme has noble goals: increasing economic value added, strengthening industrial resilience, and reducing the trade balance deficit by cutting fuel product imports. To strengthen this downstream ecosystem, synchronised integration is required to ensure national industrial competitiveness.

Data indicates a widening gap between downstream ambitions and upstream production realities. According to SKK Migas annual achievement reports, national crude oil lifting currently fluctuates between 580,000 and 600,000 bpd. Based on 2025 data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and SKK Migas, domestic production only covers about 55 percent of the total national consumption, which has reached 1.5 million bpd.

If this disparity is not immediately mitigated through significant increases in upstream production, magnificent downstream facilities like the RDMP risk facing operational pressure. Instead of reducing foreign dependence, large refinery capacities without domestic supply support will force Indonesia to significantly increase crude oil imports just to maintain optimal refinery utilisation. Economically, this merely shifts the import burden from finished products (fuel) to raw materials, which remain vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations and the depreciation of the Rupiah.

Therefore, downstreaming must not be viewed as an isolated sector. The downstream sector requires “supply” in the form of a stable, sustainable crude oil supply that is geographically close to processing facilities to minimize logistics costs. This alignment is crucial so that downstream capacity expansion receives optimal support from the upstream side, creating a synergy that ensures every step of our energy development has a solid supply foundation.

Exploration: The Heart of Oil and Gas Industry Sustainability

Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas industry is currently in a race against time. Most of Indonesia’s major oil and gas fields have entered the mature phase, with a natural decline rate averaging 10 percent to 15 percent per year. Efforts to optimise existing wells through infill drilling and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) remain vital operational pillars, but they must now be coupled with massive acceleration in exploration to maintain long-term supply sustainability.

Discovering new reserves through exploration, especially in frontier areas and the deep waters of Eastern Indonesia is the only way to reach the production target of 1 million barrels per day by 2030. Exploration is not merely a technical activity of finding drilling points; it is a high-risk investment decision involving immense capital. For industry players, investment security guarantees and legal certainty are determining factors.

The government has signaled a positive shift through various regulatory improvements, but field challenges persist. The lead time from exploration to the commercial production stage takes years. If exploration activities are not aggressively accelerated today, the gap between downstream refinery capacity and upstream supply will widen even further in the coming decade. Exploration must be treated as a national priority equal to downstream infrastructure development, because without new reserve discoveries, the energy independence envisioned through downstreaming will lose its primary foundation.

The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) consistently emphasizes that the upstream and downstream sectors are one integrated value chain. The success of downstreaming must be measured by how well the sector strengthens overall national industrial resilience, rather than just shifting the point of import. In line with the 2026 National Energy Vision, the IPA focuses collaboration on four strategic priority pillars: massive exploration acceleration, improvement of the investment and regulatory climate, operational digitalisation, and a planned energy transition.

Among these four pillars, massive exploration acceleration is the most urgent foundation. Without significant new reserve discoveries, the supply sustainability for modernised national refineries will continue to face structural challenges. Therefore, strengthening the upstream side is not just about increasing production; it is a strategic step to ensure that our downstream expansion has an independent and sustainable supply base in the long term.

Consequently, a synchronised roadmap between relevant ministries and agencies is needed to bridge the aspirations of industry players with government policies. This synchronisation includes several strategic points: The government’s step in inaugurating the Balikpapan RDMP and pushing for downstreaming deserves appreciation as a bold move toward economic transformation. However, this momentum must serve as an alarm for all of us to look back toward the upstream. We cannot allow the downstream sector to race ahead alone without being accompanied by strengthening in the upstream sector.

Downstreaming is the great ship carrying us toward energy sovereignty. However, the sustainability of that ship’s voyage depends on how hard our upstream engines work. By synergising downstream ambitions and upstream realities within a single policy framework, Indonesia will not only possess modern refineries but also sovereignty over its own energy resources. Maintaining the sustainability of the upstream sector is not just a matter of business. It is about sustaining the long-term independence of the nation.

For more information visit www.convex.ipa.or.id

Meghna PVC Limited, a key company within Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), has taken a decisive step to reinforce long-term steel integrity by adopting a structured, data-driven approach to proactively maintain their assets through a partnership with Jotun.

Operating under extremely aggressive conditions typical of chemical-processing facilities — where corrosion can accelerate rapidly and compromise critical structures — Meghna PVC Limited has demonstrated strong leadership by prioritising preventive action over reactive repairs, using Jotun’s AssetKeeper.

“Meghna PVC Limited partnered with Jotun to implement AssetKeeper, a comprehensive three steps services that designed to optimise maintenance planning and enhance corrosion protection, thus supporting asset owners to establish a long term maintenance strategy” said Sunny Gwee, managing director of Jotun Bangladesh ltd., one of the leading paint and coatings manufacturers worldwide.

Jotun have developed the solution to provide a systematic assessment and maintenance plan. This enables sites to identify risk areas sooner, justify maintenance budgets with confidence, and plan interventions before corrosion escalates into costly damage, unplanned downtime, or safety incidents. Through the solution, Meghna PVC Limited is setting a benchmark for responsible industrial risk management in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector.

“AssetKeeper gave us a clear view of our asset condition and helped prioritise maintenance more effectively. Jotun’s insights will support better planning and long-term protection of our facilities,” said Mohammad Iqbal, deputy general manager, Meghna PVC Limited. “Our focus is on protecting people, operations, and the integrity of the facility — and this approach supports all three.”

The initiative includes a detailed condition assessment of existing coatings, a maintenance prioritisation report, and recommendations covering repair strategies and optimised coating systems. Critically, Meghna PVC Limited has also committed to ongoing, yearly assessments to monitor coating performance and support continuous improvement in asset management — an important signal of long-term intent and accountability.

“Meghna PVC Limited’s commitment to safety and steel integrity is exactly the kind of leadership that drives sustainable industrial performance,” said Ashibul Hussain, segment manager marine and protective in Jotun Bangladesh. “By investing in structured assessment and long-term planning, they’re actively reducing risk and raising the bar for responsible maintenance practices.”

The scope encompasses comprehensive maintenance of the entire factory infrastructure, including steel structures and pipe-holding systems.

MGI is among Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates, operating more than 57 industrial units and employing tens of thousands of people nationwide. Meghna PVC Limited is the sole manufacturer of PVC and PET in Bangladesh.

“Corrosion is costing the global economy over USD 2.5 trillion annually, and by 2030 it is estimated that up to 9.1 percent of global CO₂ emissions will originate from steel production only to replace corroded steel. Being proactive and maintaining steel integrity is therefore of high importance for the global environment as well, and we are reliant on responsible stakeholders like MGI,” concludes Ekaterina Mezhentseva, global solution manager in Jotun.

For more information visit www.jotun.com

INEOS Energy and Shell plc, through its subsidiary Shell Offshore Inc., have agreed to jointly invest in exploration and development opportunities near the Appomattox platform in the Gulf of Mexico, strengthening cooperation between the companies and supporting long-term energy security initiatives.

As part of the agreement, INEOS Energy will acquire a 21 percent working interest for an undisclosed sum, aligning with its existing ownership stakes in Appomattox, Rydberg, the Nashville discovery and the Mattox pipeline infrastructure.

The partnership will initially focus on three exploration and production opportunities, including Shell’s pre-final investment decision (FID) Fort Sumter discovery, the drilling of the Sisco exploration well and an additional exploration well planned before the end of 2030.

The agreement forms part of INEOS Energy’s broader expansion strategy, which includes operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Eagle Ford in South Texas, offshore Denmark and the UK Continental Shelf. The company said the partnership with Shell would further strengthen efforts to pursue future growth opportunities while leveraging existing infrastructure.

INEOS Energy said the collaboration aims to unlock additional value from the Appomattox platform by integrating production assets from Appomattox and Rydberg with existing pipeline infrastructure to support efficient production and improve project economics.

David Bucknall, CEO of INEOS Energy, said the partnership reflects the company’s focus on infrastructure-led growth, targeting areas close to existing facilities where development can progress efficiently while controlling costs and sharing exploration risk.

The latest agreement marks another step in INEOS Energy’s strategy to expand its upstream portfolio globally while maintaining capital discipline and working alongside established industry operators.

For more information visit www.ineos.com

Emerson has introduced the new Rosemount 396A Anti-Coating pH Sensor, designed to measure pH and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in abrasive, dirty and high-solids industrial applications.

The sensor features an anti-coating reference design and Modbus digital output aimed at reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining stable pH and ORP measurements in environments where coating and fouling are common.

According to Emerson, the Rosemount 396A has been developed for use in challenging process conditions across industries including chemical manufacturing, oil and gas refining, water and wastewater treatment, and pulp and paper production, where sensor reliability can be affected by buildup and contamination.

Rachel Jang, global product manager for liquid analysis at Emerson, said the new sensor combines anti-coating technology with digital connectivity to simplify installation and accelerate sensor replacement in demanding operating environments.

The company said the digital Rosemount 396A is designed as a direct replacement for legacy Rosemount 396P and 396PVP anti-coating sensors, allowing users to upgrade to digital technology without modifying existing installations or accessories.

The sensor incorporates Modbus digital communication to support simplified setup with compatible Rosemount liquid analysis transmitters. Emerson added that calibration data can be stored directly within the sensor, enabling bench calibration and replacement without requiring recalibration in the field, which can help reduce commissioning time and maintenance effort.

The Rosemount 396A is rated IP67 and IP68 for resistance against water and dust ingress, including submerged and washdown conditions. It also features a through-wall reference junction with increased surface area intended to improve performance in fouling applications.

Emerson said the Rosemount 396A sensor is now commercially available.

For more information visit www.emerson.com

Royal Vopak has reached an agreement in principle to acquire a majority stake in Green Energy Storage, in a move aimed at accelerating the development of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Netherlands.

GES, a Dutch battery storage developer based in Breda, has established a strong presence in the Dutch energy market through the development of utility-scale storage projects. The company oversees the entire project lifecycle, including site identification, permitting, construction and operational management, while also supporting efforts to reduce grid congestion and improve flexibility within the energy system.

Under the proposed transaction, Vopak will acquire a majority equity interest in GES and support the continued expansion of the company’s project portfolio. This includes the large-scale battery storage project in Oosterhout, which is planned to deliver 200 MW / 800 MWh of storage capacity. The project is expected to play a significant role in balancing the Dutch electricity grid and alleviating congestion.

Maarten Smeets, executive vice president global business development at Vopak, said the acquisition represents a strategic step into energy transition infrastructure through battery storage and noted that the combined expertise and project pipelines of both companies position them to accelerate the deployment of large-scale storage solutions.

GES CEO Guus Bengsch said the partnership with Vopak would help speed up the realisation of the company’s pipeline, enabling it to scale operations more rapidly and contribute more effectively to easing grid congestion and supporting the energy transition in the Netherlands.

The transaction remains subject to a Final Investment Decision, as well as customary approvals and conditions. Vopak said details of the investment value will be disclosed following completion of the transaction and a positive FID.

For more information visit www.vopak.com

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) invites interested entities to submit proposals in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the selection of a terminal operator. This operator will be responsible for financing, operating, maintaining, refurbishing, and/or constructing a Liquid Bulk Terminal, which includes bunkering and related services, at the Port of Cape Town over a 25-year concession period.

The project will take place on an existing brownfield site, which features a tank farm with eight storage tanks that together have a capacity of approximately 44,430 m³, as well as an adjacent storage warehouse and administrative building. The site facilitates connections with common-user berths at Tanker Basin 1 and Tanker Basin 2, catering to both local supply from the refinery and the importation of bunkering products.

This RFP aims to maintain and enhance a vital liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Cape Town, ensuring the continuation of essential services. It also promotes long-term financial viability and optimal use of infrastructure through private sector involvement.

The Port of Cape Town is ideally located to support various liquid bulk operations. This RFP encourages private sector engagement to boost liquid bulk cargo volumes while enhancing bunkering capabilities and revenue generation.

By attracting a competent terminal operator, we intend to ensure the site operates efficiently, contributing to regional fuel supply and broader economic development. The RFP is grounded in clear market demand, which will guide the selection of a new terminal operator to achieve operational efficiency, ensure service continuity, and modernise existing infrastructure,” stated Ophelia Shabane, acting port manager at the Port of Cape Town.

RFP documents are available on the Transnet website at www.transnet.net.

Why mobile degassing is gaining importance in the industrial sector

Handling harmful emissions is a core operational task in many industries. In refineries, tank farms, chemical and petrochemical plants as well as in intermodal transport, gaseous pollutants are regularly generated that can enter the atmosphere directly if not treated properly. For operators of industrial plants, this is not only about environmental concerns, but also about safety, regulatory compliance, and the reliable execution of operational and maintenance processes.

Comment by David Wendel, Managing Director at ETS Degassing

Gaseous emissions arise as unavoidable by-products in many industrial processes – for example during the handling of raw materials and intermediates, when loading and unloading tanks, in storage operations, and in chemical processes. The resulting hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and hazardous air pollutants (HAP) are harmful to health and require controlled and safe handling.

It is therefore crucial to capture and effectively treat these emissions. Residual gases often remain in tanks, pipelines, ships, rail tank cars, or other components. Before maintenance, cleaning, product changeovers, shutdowns, and transport, these residual gases must be treated and removed. This is the only way to ensure that they do not enter the atmosphere untreated or trigger unwanted reactions when in contact with other substances. Equally important is the temporary replacement of stationary emission control systems: if a stationary vapor recovery or treatment system fails, processes often cannot continue without interruption. This can lead to delays, additional effort, or, in the worst case, shutdowns.

Mobile degassing: flexibility as a key advantage

Technologies for mobile emission control help to address these challenges. Mobile degassing offers a key structural advantage: emissions can be treated directly at their source. Mobile vapor combustion units can be deployed flexibly at various locations, from refineries and tank farms to ports and loading facilities for tank trucks or rail cars. This flexibility is a critical factor in complex process and logistics environments and also provides operational security. In the event of maintenance or unplanned outages, mobile units can temporarily take over the function of stationary systems. This allows processes to continue without violating emission regulations or having to shut down facilities prematurely.

Another advantage of mobile solutions is their rapid availability and ease of integration. They can be used both as standalone systems and as a supplement to existing infrastructure, with minimal impact on industrial workflows. This makes it possible to continue operations even in challenging situations with as few restrictions as possible.

Mobile vapor combustion units: technical functionality and applications

In the mobile degassing process, pollutants are extracted and guided via pipelines into a mobile combustion chamber. There, they are thermally treated and broken down – with an efficiency of over 99.99%, without an open flame and without odor or noise disturbance. These systems enable the treatment of gases, gas mixtures, and vapors in the hazard groups IIA, IIB, and IIC. This allows tanks, containers, pipelines, ships, and other components to be degassed, and stationary emission control systems to be temporarily replaced. Different combustion capacities ensure that the technologies are suitable for a wide range of applications – from short-term deployments to long-term projects lasting several months.

The thermal treatment of gases significantly reduces pollutant emissions. For an LNG fuel tank with a capacity of 1,280 m³, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factor for LNG is, for example, 60.87 tonnes. When mobile emission control technology is applied, the GWP of the LNG is reduced to just 6.64 tonnes. This reduces emissions by 89%.

In combination with mobile nitrogen vaporizers, liquefied gases under pressure – such as LNG or ammonia – can also be treated. Through inerting and purging, a safe environment is created, allowing containers to be emptied. Applications include the maintenance of pipelines, tanks, ships, and large vessels, as well as the degassing of spheric al gas tanks, gas tankers, and gas containers. In LNG handling, mobile vaporizers can also be used for LNG cool-down processes.

Conclusion

Mobile degassing is a flexible and efficient solution for safely handling gaseous emissions in industrial process environments. It helps companies to align safety requirements, emission reduction, and regulatory compliance with the practical needs of operations. Especially in dynamic or disruption-prone situations, it can help to secure workflows, avoid shutdowns, and ensure reliable process continuity. As such, mobile degassing is an important component of modern industrial operating strategies.

Perpetual Next has selected JPB Logistics as its preferred partner for biomethanol storage and handling services at the company’s Delfzijl biomethanol facility in Farmsum.

Under the planned collaboration, JPB Logistics is expected to manage the storage, handling and logistics operations for biomethanol produced at the facility, including deliveries to third-party customers.

The Delfzijl project is being developed by DeltaNor B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Perpetual Next. The project involves the construction, financing, maintenance and operation of a biomethanol plant in Farmsum with an anticipated production capacity of 220,000 tonnes annually. The facility forms part of Perpetual Next’s broader strategy to advance circular and low-carbon industrial solutions by converting biogenic carbon streams into sustainable products such as biomethanol.

The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining plans to negotiate a definitive storage agreement for the project. Proposed storage capacity is expected to range between 21,000 and 35,000 gross cubic metres, depending on the final configuration. The planned logistics setup includes inbound pipeline transport and outbound barge movements through dedicated lines, with truck loading and unloading available as a contingency option.

Anthony Mayle, head of business development at Perpetual Next, said the selection of JPB Logistics marks an important milestone for the Delfzijl biomethanol facility, noting that dependable storage and outbound logistics are critical for establishing a robust and financeable value chain.

Patrick Trakzel, CEO of JPB Logistics B.V., said the company’s terminal and jetty infrastructure in Farmsum would help support the safe and efficient logistics required for a project of this scale.

The proposed partnership remains subject to several conditions, including Perpetual Next reaching a final investment decision for the Delfzijl project, successful project execution and agreement on final commercial terms.

Perpetual Next develops renewable commodity solutions by converting organic waste into products such as biomethanol, which can serve as a lower-carbon alternative to fossil-based methanol for use in chemicals, plastics, coatings and transport fuels. The company is developing a network of large-scale facilities in the Netherlands, Estonia and the United States as part of its efforts to support the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy.

For more information visit www.perpetualnext.com

The cost of shipping technical publications internationally has long limited access to critical knowledge in engineering and materials protection, sometimes exceeding $500 per book in certain regions and placing resources out of reach for professionals outside the United States.

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in materials protection and performance, is addressing that gap with a new global fulfillment model that reduces international shipping costs by up to 90 percent and enables regional production and distribution of printed technical materials.

By shifting fulfillment closer to end users, AMPP is removing a long-standing barrier for engineers, students, and institutions working in materials protection and corrosion control, fields directly tied to infrastructure reliability, safety, and sustainability.

In addition to lowering single-order costs, AMPP has introduced a quantity-based shipping structure that reduces the marginal cost of each additional book, improving affordability for training programmes, universities, and bulk purchasers.

Eliina Lizarraga, Senior Director of Media and Publishing at AMPP, noted that access to technical knowledge should not be limited by geography or cost. She explained that by reducing shipping costs and improving distribution, AMPP is making it easier for professionals around the world to access the resources they need to support safer, more reliable infrastructure — with shipping costs in many regions dropping to as little as $40 to $55 per book.

Key benefits of the new fulfillment model include substantially lower international shipping costs across major global regions, expanded access to technical publications for engineers, students, and professionals, more cost-effective bulk purchasing for organisations and training programmes; and a more flexible and scalable distribution model to support global growth.

The initiative supports AMPP’s broader commitment to improving access to standards, publications, and technical resources that advance safety, reliability, and sustainability across industries.

The enhanced shipping model is now being implemented across AMPP’s bookstore and will continue to evolve as part of the organisation’s efforts to strengthen global engagement and knowledge sharing.

For more information visit www.ampp.org

Delfin Midstream Inc. and Gunvor Group have announced that Gunvor International B.V. Amsterdam, Geneva Branch has signed a long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement with Delfin LNG LLC, a subsidiary of Delfin.

Under the agreement, Delfin LNG will supply 0.3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually to Gunvor over a 20-year period. The LNG will be delivered on a free-on-board (FOB) basis from the Delfin FLNG1 facility, situated approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Louisiana.

Kalpesh Patel, co-head of LNG trading and member of Gunvor’s management board, said the agreement strengthens Gunvor’s LNG portfolio and supports the company’s strategy of maintaining reliable global LNG supply capabilities through its fleet infrastructure.

Delfin CEO Dudley Poston said the deal builds on the companies’ longstanding partnership and supports the continued development of US energy infrastructure, while reinforcing Delfin’s position as a long-term supplier of scalable LNG solutions.

For more information visit www.gunvorgroup.com

Gpi Tanks XL has been selected by Technip Energies for the construction of 22 stainless steel storage tanks for the SkyNRG project in Delfzijl. A contract has been signed between both parties for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant, a facility that represents an important step in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.

The plant at Chemie Park Delfzijl is expected to begin production in 2028, producing approximately 100,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel per year. The fuel is made from waste and residual streams, such as used cooking oil, and can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil alternatives.

With this project, Gpi Tanks XL reinforces its position as a partner for large-scale and technically complex storage solutions within the energy transition.

Varying Tank Volumes and Flexible Construction Methods

Gpi Tanks XL is delivering a series of high-quality stainless steel storage tanks with various functions within the process. The tanks range in capacity from 50 m³ to 4,400 m³ and are constructed both on-site in Delfzijl and at Gpi’s production facilities, after which they are transported to the project location.

Close Collaboration from the Initial Phase

Alexander Kraaijkamp, CCO of Gpi Group, stated that the project clearly demonstrates Gpi’s strength in building tanks both in its factories and on-site, combining the expertise of its operating companies. He noted that it is precisely thanks to the company’s scale and execution power that projects like these can be delivered safely, in a controlled manner, and within the agreed timeframe.

About Gpi Tanks XL

Gpi Tanks XL is a stainless steel tank builder specialised in large stainless steel and duplex storage tanks of up to 12,500 m³. With more than 30 years of experience, the company designs, manufactures and installs tailor-made solutions for leading clients in industries such as chemicals, bulk storage, the water sector and bio-energy.

Gpi Tanks XL is part of the Gpi Group, within which the strengths of several specialised companies are combined. Each company contributes its own expertise, while being united by shared core values: expertise, innovation, drive and commitment.

About Technip Energies

Technip Energies is a global leader in technology and engineering. With leading positions in LNG, hydrogen, ethylene, sustainable chemistry and CO₂ management, the company contributes to the development of key markets such as energy, energy carriers, decarbonisation and circularity. Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris and also has American Depositary Receipts traded over-the-counter.

With this project, Gpi Tanks XL reinforces its position as a partner for large-scale and technically complex storage solutions within the energy transition.

For more information visit www.gpi-tanksxl.com

The acquisition adds over 200 new customer relationships to CSG and enhances its distribution and technical capabilities.

Chemical Solutions Group (CSG), an independent Irish chemicals company, has acquired UK-based Resource Chemicals, significantly expanding its presence and capabilities in the UK chemicals market.

This acquisition brings more than 200 established customer relationships into CSG and adds new UK expertise to its operations, particularly in water, hygiene and environmental solutions – key growth areas for the group. With Resource Chemicals, CSG’s continued growth will now see it generate annual revenue in excess of €100M across the group.

Resource Chemicals is a well-established UK distributor with decades of experience serving diverse customers across multiple industries. Its capabilities span a wide range of products and pack sizes, and with CSG can prove a more complete offering that spans bulk supply, smaller-pack distribution and technical support.

The deal comes at a time of increasing focus on resilience within supply chains across UK industries, particularly in essential sectors such as water and environmental services. The acquisition is the latest step in CSG’s broader strategy to build a scaled, full-service chemicals platform in the UK. In 2025, the company expanded its infrastructure through its UK subsidiary, GI Chemicals, launching a bulk caustic distribution facility at the Port of Immingham.

Kevin Quinn, CEO of CSG, said: “Having a reliable supply has become a critical issue for UK industry, and this acquisition is the latest milestone that we’re reaching to build the scale and infrastructure needed to support our customers for the long term.

“We’re excited to continue growing our presence in the UK by combining Resource Chemicals’ local expertise with our scale and capabilities. Customers will benefit from a stronger, more resilient partner and a business committed to long-term market development and competitiveness.”

Nicola Bradley, managing director of Resource Chemicals, said: “This is an exciting next chapter for Resource Chemicals. CSG shares our values, our customer focus and our commitment to quality and service. Becoming part of the Group gives us the scale and support to grow the business further, while maintaining the relationships and standards that our customers rely on. We’re looking forward to working together to build on what we’ve achieved and to play a key role in CSG’s long-term UK strategy.”

Continuity of service will remain a priority, and all employees, including the senior management team, will remain with the business. During the acquisition, CSG was advised by Pegasus Capital as lead advisor, with financial and tax support from PwC and legal counsel from Pinsent Masons LLP. Resource Chemicals was advised by IBI Corporate Finance, with PWC providing financial support and legal counsel provided by A&L Goodbody.

For more information visit www.csg-corporate.com

Alfa Laval has announced the launch of the TS45, its largest semi-welded plate heat exchanger to date, designed to meet growing demands for high-capacity, high-pressure heat transfer across energy transition, industrial, and energy efficiency applications.

Unveiled in Lund, Sweden in May 2026, the TS45 expands Alfa Laval’s semi-welded portfolio into duties traditionally served by shell-and-tube technologies, offering customers a path to scale up heat transfer performance while maintaining a compact footprint, high energy efficiency, and full serviceability.

Madeleine Gilborne, president of Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers at Alfa Laval, described the launch as a step change for the technology. “With TS45, we are redefining what semi-welded plate heat exchangers can deliver at scale,” she said. “It allows our customers to improve efficiency and decarbonise large industrial processes, while maintaining the flexibility and serviceability they expect.”

The TS45 combines Alfa Laval’s proven semi-welded cassette technology with an extra-large plate format, delivering high design pressure, significantly increased capacity, and a reduced installation footprint. The result is a solution that helps customers lower operating costs while boosting overall efficiency.

The exchanger is engineered for demanding applications including industrial heat pumps, energy storage, carbon capture, and sulphuric acid production — sectors where robustness, reliability, and efficiency are critical. By pushing semi-welded performance into territory previously dominated by shell-and-tube equipment, Alfa Laval is positioning the TS45 as a competitive option for large-scale industrial decarbonisation projects.

The TS45 is available from Q2 2026.

For more information visit www.alfalaval.com

Viva Energy Australia and engineering contractor Saunders International have reached a major milestone in Australia’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector, with the near-completion of a new SAF bulk storage tank at Viva Energy’s Pinkenba Terminal in Brisbane.

The $4.93 million project, delivered ahead of schedule, will strengthen Viva Energy’s capacity to supply the aviation industry at Brisbane Airport with lower-carbon fuel alternatives as demand for cleaner fuels continues to grow across the sector.

Viva Energy described the project as a significant step forward for the industry. “We’re thrilled to announce that Viva Energy Australia, in collaboration with Saunders, is nearing completion of a sustainable aviation fuel storage tank at our Pinkenba Terminal in Brisbane,” the company said. “Congratulations to all the dedicated teams for delivering this project ahead of schedule, an outstanding achievement.”

Saunders International echoed the sentiment, highlighting the strength of the partnership. “Working with Viva Energy Australia to deliver SAF infrastructure at Pinkenba is a great step forward for Australia’s aviation sector and its decarbonisation journey,” the company said. “Delivered safely and collaboratively, a strong outcome and a great result for our client.”

A key feature of the project is its demonstration of a SAF book-and-claim accounting system, which is designed to make the purchasing of SAF more flexible for airline customers, an important commercial innovation alongside the physical infrastructure itself.

The project received $2.4 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which backed the initiative as part of broader efforts to develop new SAF infrastructure and expand decarbonisation options across Australia’s aviation sector.

For more information visit www.saundersint.com

Square Robot announced that Mark Stone, author of EEMUA 247, has joined the company as the vice president of data and analytics. Stone’s appointment reflects Square Robot’s continued investment in being industry leaders in onstream robotic tank inspections, and sets the standard for statistical analysis using high density data sets.

Stone brings Square Robot a background spanning statistical analysis of inspection data, fitness-for-service assessments, and the development of methodologies used across pressure vessels, pipelines, and storage tanks. As author of EEMUA 247, a key industry guidance document supporting the planning and evaluation of in-service robotic inspection of aboveground storage tank floors, he solidifies Square Robot’s capabilities to provide actionable insight for operators.

“Square Robot works with the largest storage tank owners in the world, and these clients are looking for guidance to correctly apply statistical analysis to the high-resolution quantity and quality data that robotic inspection provides. Having this level of insight into tank asset integrity is new to many operators, and as part of the Square Robot team, we can be the guiding resource for statistical analysis of deep data sets,” says Stone on joining Square Robot.

His contributions to standards and recommended practices have helped shape how operators apply statistical methods to non-intrusive inspection approaches in real-world environments. At Square Robot, Stone will focus on advancing how inspection data is analysed and interpreted for Extreme Value Analyses (EVAs) that are completed in accordance with EEMUA 247.

Stone’s addition strengthens Square Robot’s position at the intersection of robotics, inspection, and data. As operators face increasing pressure to maintain aging infrastructure while minimising downtime, the ability to interpret inspection data accurately and efficiently is just as important as the collection methods.

For more information visit www.squarerobot.com

Minebea Intec, a leading global manufacturer of weighing and inspection technologies, has outlined the growing cybersecurity risks facing industrial production environments and the steps the company is taking to address them through its latest product architecture.

The company notes that cyberattacks have moved well beyond traditional IT infrastructure, with networked production facilities increasingly becoming targets. Nils Hubrich, product manager at Minebea Intec, points to the erosion of the traditional “air gap” between office IT and manufacturing as a key driver of this shift, explaining that modern Industry 4.0 architectures now rely on continuous data flows from the sensor level through to corporate IT systems.

Hubrich emphasises that cybersecurity in operational technology (OT) environments must be approached differently from conventional IT security, with availability and integrity taking precedence over confidentiality. The company aligns its approach with the IEC 62443 standard series, the central international framework for industrial network and system security, as well as emerging regulatory requirements such as the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.

Minebea Intec positions its MiNexx® weight indicators as a practical example of security embedded at the architectural level from the outset. The devices incorporate role-based access control, the principle of least privilege, and OPC UA communication with certificate-based authentication and encrypted data exchange.

Hubrich concludes that cybersecurity in industrial settings is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing responsibility — one that begins at the product development stage and extends across the full lifecycle of every connected component.

For more information visit www.minebea-intec.com

Zeeco has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oil & Gas Technologies, an Australia-based provider of vapour control and related equipment serving the downstream liquid fuels storage and energy sector. The acquisition marks the latest step in Zeeco’s ongoing global expansion strategy, reinforcing its commitment to broadening capabilities and better serving its international customer base.

Oil & Gas Technologies has established a strong reputation in the Australian market, specialising in vapour recovery systems, terminal loading systems, and a range of supporting solutions and services. The agreement positions Zeeco to leverage that expertise and extend its reach within the Asia-Pacific region’s growing energy infrastructure landscape.

For more information visit www.zeeco.com

Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. (COI), a division of Savannah-headquartered Colonial Group, Inc., has announced the acquisition of Atkinson Oil Company LLC, a Sandersville-based commercial distributor of fuel and lubricants known for its experienced team and strong safety and service record.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Colonial Oil Industries’ presence across the Southeast and expand its ability to deliver essential fuel and lubricant products to customers in the region.

Christian Demere, president and CEO of Colonial Group, described Atkinson Oil as a highly respected, relationship-driven business with deep roots in the communities it serves, noting that the Sandersville and Macon markets represent a natural extension of the company’s growth strategy. He expressed pride in welcoming the Atkinson team to the Colonial family and looked forward to continuing their legacy of trusted service for customers.

Operations will continue in Sandersville and Macon, Georgia, with all existing facilities remaining active.

Clint Hancock, chief executive officer of Atkinson Oil, stated that the transition to Colonial Oil Industries reflects a shared commitment to safety, service excellence, and customer relationships. He noted that the move ensures continuity for existing customers while providing expanded resources and long-term growth opportunities under Colonial Oil’s leadership.

The acquisition adds 14 Atkinson Oil team members to Colonial Oil Industries as part of an integration process designed to maintain continuity and support long-term growth.

Demere added that customers and partners of both companies can expect uninterrupted service, with the combined organisation focused on maintaining existing relationships. He noted that over time, customers will benefit from expanded resources, enhanced distribution capabilities, and additional service offerings.

For more information visit www.colonialgroupinc.com

Technip Energies has reported a resilient first-quarter performance for 2026, delivering solid revenues, EBITDA and strong free cash flow generation in spite of significant operational disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Chief Executive Arnaud Pieton attributed the result to the adaptability and determination of the company’s teams in the face of what he described as considerable challenges.

The engineering group delivered solid first-quarter revenues and strong free cash flow, while warning that up to €600 million in revenue could slip beyond 2026 due to site stoppages caused by the regional conflict.

Q1 2026 results

Order intake, Q1 2026

>€6bn which exceeds full-year 2025 total

Backlog

>€20bn

new all-time high

Revenue deferred beyond 2026

€500–600m if the conflict normalises by end of Q2

The standout feature of the quarter was the company’s commercial momentum. Order intake exceeded €6 billion in the three months to March, surpassing Technip Energies’ total award intake for the entirety of 2025. The wins span the company’s core areas of LNG and sustainable aviation fuels and have pushed the group’s backlog to a new record high of more than €20 billion, a level that management said provides excellent visibility for the coming years and reinforces the company’s medium-term growth outlook.

“We achieved considerable commercial success in the first quarter with more than €6 billion of awards that surpassed our total order intake for the whole of 2025.”Arnaud Pieton, Chief Executive Officer, Technip Energies

Against that commercial backdrop, the Middle East conflict has created two distinct headwinds for the business. The first is project execution: site disruptions and logistical difficulties have deferred revenue into later periods. The second is incremental cost, with additional expenditure being incurred for safety measures and business continuity. The company said it expects to recover these costs through strong contractual protections, though the exact timing and extent will depend on how the conflict develops and the outcome of commercial discussions with clients.

Assuming the situation in the Middle East normalises by the end of the second quarter, Technip Energies estimates that around €500 to €600 million in revenue will be pushed beyond 2026, while it expects the impact on project margins to be substantially mitigated. The company said all its worksites are now nearing full mobilisation following phased resumptions under enhanced safety protocols, carried out in coordination with local authorities and customers.

Looking beyond the immediate disruption, Pieton framed the broader environment as one that strengthens the long-term case for Technip Energies. A supply shock of this scale, he argued, underscores the need for higher investment in energy capacity, greater geographic diversification and greater circularity in addressing local supply security. The company said it is well positioned to play a central role in advancing both energy security and decarbonisation in the years ahead.

Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Paris. The Q1 2026 results are unaudited.

For more information visit www.ten.com

Metso has signed a new distribution agreement with Las Machines (LAS MACHINES LLC), which has served as a Metso agent for the past three years. Las Machines is a Puerto Rican company specialised in the sale of new and used machinery, spare parts, and technical service. The company is located in Carolina, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The scope of the agreement covers capital equipment, aftermarket, and field services related to Metso’s Aggregates business.

“We appreciate Las Machines’ strong commercial performance during its years as Metso’s agent. With this new agreement, we are confident in Las Machines’ ability to further develop the business and support our customers across equipment, aftermarket, and field services through its strengthened local capabilities,” says Federico Villalba, director, distribution management, South America region, at Metso.

Las Machines’ local presence enables faster response times and improved availability of Metso’s OEM spare and wear parts in Puerto Rico. The goal of strengthened cooperation is to build strong capabilities in field services and local inventory to serve customers quickly and help reduce downtime and long lead times.

“We would like to sincerely thank Metso for appointing us as an authorised distributor in Puerto Rico. It is an honour to represent Metso’s world-class solutions in our local market. We are fully committed to meeting Metso’s high standards of excellence. To ensure the success of this partnership and achieve our goals, we look forward to Metso’s continuous support and technical backing. We are certain that working closely together will be the key to delivering exceptional value to our customers,” says Luis C. Velasquez B., president of Las Machines.

For more information visit www.metso.com

Beach Energy has announced that the Waitsia Gas Plant, a key pillar of Australia’s domestic energy infrastructure, has reached its nameplate capacity of 250 terajoules per day.

The milestone makes Waitsia the largest gas plant commissioned in Western Australia since 2016 and the closest major facility to Perth capable of delivering the equivalent of nearly one quarter of the state’s domestic natural gas demand. The plant is a joint venture project with operator MEPAU.

Beach Energy managing director and CEO Brett Woods said Waitsia would serve as a significant supplier of energy to critical Asian customers who support Australia with liquid fuels, as well as to the domestic market for many decades after the approved LNG export window expires.

Woods said the plant would play a crucial role in unlocking additional resources from the Perth Basin and supplying reliable and affordable energy to the state’s existing residential and industrial customers, while also enabling new opportunities for electrical power generation. He added that the facility represented a critical piece of infrastructure providing economic stimulus for the Mid-West region, along with energy security and royalties for the state.

Beach Energy also operates the Beharra Springs Gas Plant in the Perth Basin, which delivers natural gas to domestic customers in Western Australia. The company additionally holds a non-operated interest in both the Waitsia and Xyris Gas Plants.

For more information visit www.beachenergy.com.au

Seaside LNG, North America’s premier integrated LNG bunkering platform, has announced the appointment of a newly formed C-suite leadership team to guide the company’s next chapter of growth.

The new executive team brings a combined century of specialised experience spanning LNG liquefaction, regasification, maritime infrastructure, commercial strategy, and energy finance. The appointments come as the North American LNG bunkering market accelerates toward a projected value of more than $15 billion by 2030.

Seaside LNG describes itself as the only platform in North America offering integrated shoreside liquefaction, LNG storage, and Jones Act-compliant bunkering capabilities under one roof, a position the company says makes it uniquely equipped to meet the maritime industry’s rapidly expanding demand for cleaner fuel.

Douglas Shanda has been appointed chief executive officer, bringing more than 30 years of energy sector leadership to the role, including executive positions at Cheniere Energy and as president and CEO of Mexico Pacific Limited. He will drive Seaside LNG’s strategic growth and business development as the company looks to consolidate its position as North America’s leading integrated LNG bunkering platform.

Jason Owens joins as chief operating officer, drawing on over two decades of international and domestic experience in large-scale oil and gas infrastructure. He will oversee project execution, construction planning, safety, and system completions across the company’s US operations.

Andrew Bonnarens has been named Chief Financial Officer, bringing deep expertise in energy infrastructure finance. He will provide the financial leadership and capital strategy required to support the company’s continued fleet expansion and market growth across North America.

Bryan Frey takes on the role of chief commercial officer, bringing more than 30 years of experience in domestic and international energy sectors, including 20 years in the global LNG industry. His background spans Freeport LNG, Macquarie Energy, Marathon Oil, and El Paso Global LNG. He will lead Seaside LNG’s commercial development strategy, LNG supply and marketing, and long-term revenue growth.

Shanda said the company had built the infrastructure, assembled the fleet, and now had the leadership team to match its ambition. He added that with LNG demand across the shipping industry reaching historic levels, Seaside LNG remained the only fully integrated platform on the continent capable of delivering LNG from liquefaction to vessel safely, reliably, and at scale.

For more information visit www.seasidelng.com

Industry across southwest England, the Midlands, and South Wales has moved a significant step closer to accessing the UK’s carbon capture and storage ecosystem, following a new agreement to advance a carbon capture and shipping hub at Avonmouth Docks, Port of Bristol.

Severnside Carbon and Exolum, Europe’s leading energy logistics company, have signed an agreement under which Exolum will establish a new subsidiary, Exolum 7CO₂, to invest in and lead the next phase of development of a major CO₂ storage terminal at Avonmouth. Spanish engineering firm Técnicas Reunidas will also participate as a development partner.

Image Source: Exolum

The terminal is set to become the UK’s first large-scale CO₂ hub designed for flexible, modular transport by rail and ship. Exolum 7CO₂ expects operations to commence from 2031, with the facility capable of handling up to six million tonnes of CO₂ per year from existing emitters, equivalent to the entire annual emissions of southwest England.

The project addresses a significant gap in the UK’s decarbonisation infrastructure. To date, only industry in four clusters in northern England and Scotland has had access to government-backed carbon capture, transport, and storage infrastructure. Approximately half of UK industrial emissions fall outside these areas, with South Wales alone accounting for 5 percent of the country’s total carbon output.

Beyond existing emitters, the terminal is also expected to support emerging industries, including regional data centres with round-the-clock carbon-free power requirements and sustainable aviation fuel projects already under development. By providing open-access CO₂ logistics, the hub aims to create a clearer pathway for energy-intensive businesses to capture, transport, and store their emissions.

Exolum has committed significant resources to the project, with a dedicated team focused on integrating the terminal with its existing UK energy infrastructure. The company said it will apply a safety-first operating approach to strengthen reliability and reduce delivery risk for customers and partners.

Severnside Carbon will continue in an advisory capacity to Exolum 7CO₂, ensuring continuity in the terminal’s development and maintaining relationships with public and private stakeholders. The company will also independently pursue its work on capture-as-a-service opportunities and a major regional sustainable aviation fuel investment.

Técnicas Reunidas will serve as engineering partner for the carbon hub through its low carbon business unit, track, contributing its experience in large-scale energy infrastructure delivery to ensure a robust and efficient project design.

Paul Davies, co-founder of Severnside Carbon, said Exolum’s investment represented a significant step forward, giving regional emitters and wider stakeholders the confidence to invest in carbon capture and related industries. Nacho Casajús, senior vice president at Exolum Global Energy Logistics, said the partnership would use the company’s logistics expertise to create an independent, open-access CO₂ terminal capable of scaling over time. Joaquín Pérez de Ayala, head of track at Técnicas Reunidas, said the project reinforced the firm’s collaboration with Exolum and added to the carbon hubs it is developing in Spain.

For more information visit www.exolum.com

DuPont has introduced Tychem® 6000 Tape, a new chemical barrier tape designed to reinforce seams and vulnerable garment interfaces in personal protective equipment (PPE) systems, reducing the risk of chemical ingress in hazardous environments.

Developed for use with Category III chemical protective garments, the tape provides barrier performance against a broad range of organic and inorganic chemicals. The launch addresses a recognised gap in PPE protection, as seams, zipper flaps, and junctions between items of protective clothing, such as glove-to-sleeve, hood-to-mask, and footwear-to-ankle connections, are common weak points. Standard general-purpose tapes offer no chemical barrier and may react with certain substances, potentially causing burns or system failure.

Tychem® 6000 Tape has been engineered to deliver a permeation barrier of at least 30 minutes against a range of chemical hazards, making it suitable for applications spanning petrochemical operations, industrial maintenance, emergency response, and clinical laboratories.

Ease of application was a key design consideration. The tape can be torn by hand, eliminating the need for scissors, a notable advantage when wearing gloves or working under time pressure. It does not curl after tearing, enabling users to achieve a smooth seal that minimises creasing, which is a common cause of channel formation and potential ingress.

The tape’s distinctive yellow colour makes it readily visible during safety checks, even when a protective mask is being worn. Its lightweight construction and reliable adhesion are designed to keep it securely in place across harsh, dusty, or corrosive environments throughout an entire shift, while still peeling away cleanly to allow efficient doffing.

Classified as Category I PPE under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, Tychem® 6000 Tape is intended for use with Category III chemical protective garments, including DuPont’s Tychem®, Tyvek®, and ProShield® disposable coveralls. The tape measures 50mm in width and is supplied in boxes of twelve 50-metre rolls.

Full permeation data and chemical compatibility information are available via DuPont’s SafeSPEC™ platform, accessible online and through the app.

For more information visit www.dupont.com

Machine protection specialist Sensonics has made available a comprehensive range of free downloadable guides designed to answer key questions for engineers involved in designing, specifying, or supervising turbines and other rotating machinery.

Drawing on more than 50 years of industry-leading experience, the guides are positioned as an essential resource for machine monitoring professionals and are widely regarded as must-read references in the field.

Among the offerings is a three-part guide providing practical and comprehensive assistance on vibration monitoring system design. The guide covers the types of sensors and monitoring systems available, how they are used, and addresses the critical questions engineers face when designing integrated vibration systems. Topics include sensor selection for absolute or relative vibration measurements, optimal sensor placement, electrical interface requirements, and permissible distances between sensors and monitoring equipment, among others.

A separate six-stage guide focuses on the supervision of turbines and rotating machinery in power plant environments, where smooth and trouble-free operation is essential. The guide outlines the importance of effective vibration, position, and shaft speed monitoring, highlighting how early detection of mechanical problems — such as a cracked rotor — can enable a planned, safe shutdown before severe or catastrophic damage occurs.

Sensonics has also published a dedicated guide on overspeed protection, addressing a critical requirement in the power generation industry and other sectors where failure of machine speed loop control can carry significant consequences. The guide covers advanced speed sensors, robust speed monitoring, optimal system configurations, and the advantages of working with a provider with proven expertise in developing reliable condition monitoring systems.

All guides are available to download free of charge from Sensonics.

For more information or to download the guide visit www.sensonics.co.uk

Wison Engineering and KBR, Inc. have signed a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a significant milestone in the two companies’ partnership and signaling the start of a new chapter of collaboration in the global green energy technology sector.

The agreement will see both parties combine their respective strengths to conduct in-depth cooperation across cutting-edge areas, including clean fuels, low-carbon chemicals, and floating solutions. Together, the companies aim to deliver solutions with greater economic value and sustainable competitiveness, supporting the green and low-carbon transformation of the global energy and chemical industries.

A delegation from KBR attended the signing ceremony, led by Jay Ibrahim, president of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, alongside Aman Ahmad, senior vice president, and Cao Ran, general manager of KBR China. Representing Wison Engineering were Zhou Hongliang, CEO; Yuan Jun, senior vice president; Dr. Liu Hengwei, CTO; Zheng Weike, vice president and general manager of the Engineering Design Center; Li Fang, vice president and general manager of the commercial department; and Zhang Xiaotao, general manager of the marketing department.

During the ceremony, both delegations reviewed their shared experiences in global engineering cooperation across cutting-edge technologies and discussed future project coordination mechanisms. The two sides reached consensus on deepening long-term strategic synergy in the global green energy sector.

Looking ahead, the collaboration is set to go beyond conventional sectors such as refining and petrochemicals, expanding into comprehensive cooperation built on green energy technology solutions. Through more diversified cooperation scenarios, Wison Engineering and KBR aim to create greater value for clients worldwide and contribute their professional expertise to the sustainable development of the industry.

For more information visit www.wison-engineering.com

Phillips 66 Limited has completed the acquisition of the assets and associated infrastructure of Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery Limited (in Liquidation). The transaction followed the company’s agreement to the deal in January, when it stated its intention to integrate key assets into its Humber Refinery operations.

Paul Fursey, Phillips 66 Limited UK lead executive, said that completing the transaction would allow Phillips 66 to play a stronger role in supporting the UK’s fuel supply and the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. He described the move as strategic, noting it would unlock new growth opportunities for traditional and renewable fuels while helping to protect UK energy security at a time when domestic production is under pressure.

Once integrated with the Humber site, Phillips 66 Limited plans to leverage storage and other infrastructure assets to enhance Humber Refinery operations and improve fuel supply to UK customers.

For more information visit www.p66.com

Shell plc has signed a $22-billion deal to acquire ARC Resources Ltd., bringing together the lead partner in Canada’s first operating liquefied natural gas project with a major producer in one of the continent’s most profitable shale regions.

The purchase price of $32.80 per share, payable 75 per cent in ordinary Shell shares and 25 per cent in cash, represents a 27 per cent premium to ARC’s closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 24, 2026. Under the terms of the deal, ARC shareholders will receive 0.40247 of a Shell share and CAD $8.20 in cash for each ARC share held.

Why Shell Is Buying ARC

The acquisition is a strategic move by Shell to deepen its presence in Canada’s Montney shale basin, one of North America’s largest and most productive natural gas plays, and to bolster its integrated LNG value chain. ARC, which has operated for 30 years, is considered a low-cost, top-quartile producer with a strong track record in responsible development.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan said the deal aligned with the company’s broader strategy. “ARC is a high-quality, low-cost and top-quartile low-carbon-intensity producer that complements our existing footprint in Canada and strengthens our resource base for decades to come,” he said. “We look forward to furthering our strategy of delivering more value with less emissions.”

ARC President and CEO Terry Anderson described the transaction as a milestone for the company’s three-decade history. “Through this transaction, we will realise this tremendous value and become part of a dynamic global energy leader capable of realising the full potential of our business and delivering on Canada’s exciting energy future,” he said.

What Shareholders Will Receive

The deal structure offers ARC shareholders near-term cash liquidity alongside ongoing equity exposure through Shell shares, which are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Shell currently pays a quarterly dividend of US$0.372 per share, providing ARC shareholders who receive Shell stock with access to one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies and its existing shareholder returns programme.

ARC’s board of directors unanimously approved the transaction and is recommending that shareholders vote in favour of the deal. Board chair Hal Kvisle said the agreement delivers compelling value and brings together two companies with shared commitments to safety, operational excellence, and community. A special shareholder meeting to vote on the transaction is expected to be held in July 2026, where approval by at least 66⅔ per cent of votes cast will be required.

Regulatory and Closing Timeline

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, including under the Investment Canada Act, and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. It also requires clearance under Canada’s Competition Act, the Canada Transportation Act, and the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Court approval from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta is also required.

Should the arrangement agreement be terminated under certain circumstances, ARC would be required to pay Shell a termination fee of $600 million. ARC is expected to continue paying its regular quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share until closing, with the next payment anticipated on July 15, 2026.

RBC Capital Markets is serving as exclusive financial advisor to ARC and has provided a fairness opinion to the ARC board. Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP is acting as lead legal counsel to ARC, with Freshfields LLP advising on UK and US matters and Baker Botts LLP handling US regulatory counsel.

For more information visit www.arcresources.com

Italian robotics company Gerotto is set to accelerate its push into AI-driven innovation at IFAT 2026, the international environmental technologies trade fair taking place in Munich from 4 to 7 May. The event draws more than 3,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries and serves as a global benchmark for cutting-edge solutions in water management, waste recycling, and the circular economy.

Gerotto will occupy two booths at the fair, indoor stand C4.321 and outdoor area C34.25, presenting its full range of robotic solutions for tank cleaning, industrial cleaning, and environmental remediation.

Introducing the Gerotto AI-Ecosystem

The centrepiece of Gerotto’s presence at IFAT 2026 will be the debut of the first phase of its AI-Ecosystem, on display at booth C4.321. A dedicated demo area will feature the company’s new G-OPTICAM cameras, devices connected to an artificial intelligence system designed to monitor events and scan working environments in real time.

The cameras carry ATEX Zone 0 certification for the European market and IECEx Zone 0 certification for international markets. Gerotto is among a small number of companies worldwide to hold the voluntary IECEx certification, which functions as a technological passport for explosion-proof technologies.

Through the integration of camera hardware and artificial intelligence, operators will be able to write multilingual prompts, retrieve data on near-miss events, and generate reports on task and equipment performance. The company has also established a dedicated data room for algorithm training, with the longer-term goal of developing an agent-based language capable of enabling the next generation of robotic automation.

Alessandro Gerotto, CEO of the company, described the initiative as central to the company’s strategic direction. “The AI-Ecosystem project is a fundamental step in the innovation strategy we are pursuing,” he said. “As an AI adopter, we aim to contribute to our industry with the goal of shaping the no-man entry robotics of the future: robotics based on intelligent machines connected to the working environment and to operators. The AI-Ecosystem represents our new way to ensure ever higher levels of safety, operational continuity and industrial asset integrity.”

A Full Robotics Range on Display

Beyond the AI-Ecosystem, both booths will showcase the breadth of Gerotto’s robotic portfolio.

In the outdoor area situated between halls C3 and C4, a 20-foot container will house the company’s flagship tank cleaning solution: a system built around the Lombrico S, an ATEX and IECEx Zone 0 certified robot paired with a Zone 1 certified Control Room. The solution is designed to serve a global oil and gas market comprising more than 500,000 tanks across refineries and tank terminals worldwide.

Also on show outdoors will be E-Dozer, a wireless battery-powered robot built for handling contaminated soil, and Gatto, a digger robot used in demolition and solid material removal operations.

Inside at booth C4.321, visitors will be able to view Lombrico FTC, Gerotto’s solution for cleaning the more than six million underground tanks at service stations around the world; Lombrico XXS ATEX Zone 0, designed for tank cleaning applications; and The Bull, an underwater robot equipped with an onboard centrifugal pump for use in water treatment plants and fire water storage tanks.

For more information visit www.gerotto.it

Transnet SOC Ltd has named Mohammed Abdool as the new chief executive of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), effective 1 May 2025, bringing nearly three decades of financial and strategic leadership experience to the role.

Abdool steps into the position, having served as acting chief executive of TNPA and, before that, as the authority’s chief financial officer for more than 16 years, making him one of the most seasoned figures in South Africa’s ports sector.

A Career Built Inside the System

His appointment is notable for its continuity. Rather than an outside hire, Transnet has elevated an insider with deep institutional knowledge of the authority he now leads. Over the course of his career, Abdool has overseen some of the most complex structural reforms in South Africa’s transport infrastructure, including co-leading the accounting separation of rail operations from the rail network business ahead of open-access reforms, and directing the corporatisation of TNPA itself, a process involving intricate work on funding models, asset valuations, and tax implications.

His areas of expertise include economic regulation and pricing strategy, infrastructure ownership structuring, procurement governance, risk management, fraud prevention, and business transformation.

Who Is Mohammed Abdool?

Abdool is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and a Certified Director of the Institute of Directors SA. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, alongside a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) and an Advanced Certificate in Financial Management. He has also completed executive leadership programmes at IMD Business School in Switzerland and the Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria.

What It Means for South Africa’s Ports

TNPA manages South Africa’s eight commercial seaports, which serve as critical gateways for the country’s trade and economic activity. The authority has faced ongoing pressure to improve port efficiency and competitiveness, issues that have drawn significant attention from the business community and government alike.

Abdool’s appointment signals Transnet’s intent to pursue stability and continuity in port leadership at a time when the sector is under scrutiny. His track record suggests a focus on financial discipline, structural reform, and long-term resilience.

Transnet said it looks forward to his leadership in advancing South Africa’s maritime transport sector.

For more information visit www.transnet.net