Today
‘It will affect everything’: This was the week the war hit home
The war is no longer distant. From farms to supermarkets, the shock is spreading through the economy, and Australia could be pushed towards recession if it drags on.
Yesterday
Cyclone forces WA LNG shutdowns, worsening global gas crunch
More than a quarter of global LNG supply has been knocked out by the suspension of exports from Qatar and disruption to WA operations from Cyclone Narelle.
This Month
Australia may exploit LNG ‘leverage’ to secure oil from Asia
The energy minister says fuel disruptions can be expected, but the government is currently not planning to invoke emergency rationing powers.
In the war-hit Strait of Hormuz, it pays to be Chinese
Ships are signalling they have ties to China so they can safely travel through the waterway, as Iran filters traffic and hobbles global energy flows.
LNG markets could face year-long turmoil after strike on Qatar facility
The missile attack on the plant could disrupt global supply for more than a year, as analysts tear up forecasts from earlier this year of a slump in prices.
This war could mean more lentils and less cotton
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted fertiliser supplies at a critical time for farmers.
Strategic fleet delays leave nation more vulnerable to fuel shocks
Less than 1 per cent of the nation’s seaborne trade is carried by Australian ships, forcing it to rely on foreign governments and companies for vital imports.
Chinese fuel bound for Australia fails to load amid supply scramble
By the end of next week, diesel supplies could be feeling a pinch from reduced imports, according to some estimates, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Israel denies reports of interceptor shortages, talks with Lebanon
Trump calls for sign of life and surrender from Iran’s supreme leader; Iranian drone hits Iraqi oil refinery. Follow live updates.
Australia would feel war hit to China, minister warns
Resources Minister Madeleine King says any slowdown in China triggered by the Middle East conflict would quickly ripple through Australia’s economy and federal budget.
The billionaire shipping magnate braving the Strait of Hormuz
Greek “buccaneer” George Prokopiou’s Dynacom was one of the few legal operators in the early days of the war willing to sail to and from the Gulf.
Sea mines and small boats: Iran’s new plan for the Strait of Hormuz
Experts say the Islamic Republic still has a range of weapons to thwart multinational efforts to get oil tankers through the crucial waterway.
Farmers on three-week waiting list for diesel as panic buying surges
Grain farmers face weeks-long delays for diesel on the eve of the critical seeding period as the Middle East crisis hits fuel availability.
The man responsible for getting F1’s tyres and parts here by Friday
George Lawson is responsible for moving up to 1400 tonnes of F1 freight amid flight chaos in the Middle East. He hasn’t called Mike Cannon Brookes about borrowing his plane – yet.
Global gas supply crunch looms as Qatar halts production
Australian exporters such as Woodside and Santos have limited scope to ship more gas but should gain from fresh momentum at new projects and spiking prices.
January
Moscow slams US ‘piracy’ after Russian oil tanker seized
The United States military has seized two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela, including one Russian-flagged vessel, in an act that may damage relations.
December 2025
Santos misses end-of-year deadline for first Barossa LNG cargo
The $6.1 billion gas project is one of two large growth projects that the oil and gas producer is relying on for a kick-up in production in 2026.
Australians hunt for Christmas bargains as inflation creeps up
This Christmas, Australians are hunting for bargains and buying more goods online than last year, even though delivery times vary around the country.
Allegro picks preferred bidder for $500m Strait Link
The deal would give Igneo the ownership of Strait Link’s two vessels – Tasmanian Achiever II and Victorian Reliance II.
How Ukraine is going after Russia’s shadow fleet
The new move involving unmanned drones targeting tankers marks a fresh front in Kyiv’s war of resistance against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
