Travel News

By Prejula Prem

(Bloomberg) -- Diesel cargoes into the European Union and the UK are poised to climb in September to the highest in about 1 1/2 years, with a rebound in shipments from the Middle East helping to offset a small dip in US flows.

Imports of diesel and gasoil into the European region are likely to be about 1.36 million barrels a day this month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from analytics firm Kpler. That’s the highest since April 2023, when Europe boosted its pull on diesel from other regions following the bloc’s embargo on Russian fuels in February that year.

Diesel demand in Europe has been down lately compared with previous years largely due to weak industrial activity and lower road fuel consumption. However, an expected steep reduction in refinery processing in Europe amid seasonal autumn maintenance, coupled with economic run cuts by some refiners, is likely to curb supplies of the fuel in the continent this month.

“September is typically a high-demand month for freight and diesel in Europe, coinciding with the start of fall refinery maintenance season, which exacerbates the diesel deficit on the continent,” said Esteban Moreno Cots, senior demand analyst at Kpler. “The US is well-positioned to help close this gap.”

The US overtook Saudi Arabia as the biggest supplier to Europe back in July and has continued to be so. European diesel imports from the US soared to just under half a million barrels a day in August, the highest in Kpler data since the start of 2017.

Shipments from the US are expected to slip in September to about 409,000 barrels a day. That’s still almost double the supply from Saudi Arabia at about 212,000 barrels a day.

Lackluster manufacturing activity in the US in the second and third quarters of 2024 has reduced diesel and distillate fuel consumption. That depressed prices in the US, making arbitrage opportunities to Europe more profitable, Cots said.

Imports from the Middle East are poised to climb to roughly 664,000 barrels a day this month. Flows from the UAE and Oman are set to be the highest in data from Kpler since the start of 2017.

Low-cost US Gulf Coast refineries are competing with Middle Eastern government-owned national oil refiners to set the lowest regional price, the International Energy Agency said in a report last week. “With Asian middle distillate markets well supplied, Middle Eastern products are now vying with US Gulf exports for European demand,” the IEA said. 

--With assistance from Alex Longley.

By Nguyen Kieu Giang and Linh Vu Nguyen

(Bloomberg) -- Vietnam evacuated hundreds of people, shut schools and suspended flights as a a new storm barrels into the nation’s central region.

Heavy rains are expected to blanket coastal provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Tri after the storm made landfall Thursday afternoon. Officials braced for possible flash floods in 10 provinces. Flights in Quang Binh, home to Son Doong, the world’s largest natural cave, will be canceled through late Thursday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said in a statement on its website. Authorities have evacuated more than 500 people in Minh Hoa District from landslide prone areas, Saigon News reported.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warns that rivers are at risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, and mountainous regions susceptible to landslides.

Southeast Asian countries are among the world’s most vulnerable to climate change. Global warming is making tropical cyclones more intense. Warmer water and moister air, two results of global warming, provide additional fuel to storms.

Vietnam is still recovering from Super Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath, which as of late Wednesday caused the death of 299 people and 34 more missing, authorities said. The destruction from floods and landslides is estimated to be as much as $2.5 billion, with 312,000 hectares of crops damaged, according to the ministry. 

Vietnam’s coffee-producing Central Highlands, which is not along the new storm’s path, has endured heavy rains since the weekend, with little damage being seen.

In Thailand, heavy rains across some of its flood-ravaged provinces will likely continue over the next two days under the influence of the tropical storm locally known as “Soulik,” authorities said.

At least 45 have died from flooding and related incidents since mid-August, while about 34,000 households remain affected by the floods across 6 provinces, according to Thailand’s disaster prevention department. 

In the Philippines, recent storms left 23 people dead, 13 injured and 15 missing, according to its disaster agency. About 20 cyclones pass through the Southeast Asian nation each year, making it one of the most natural disaster-prone countries in the world.

Listen to Zero: Climate Change Is ‘Loading the Weather Dice Against Us’

--With assistance from Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen, Ditas Lopez, Cecilia Yap and Thomas Kutty Abraham.

By Okiki Adeduyite

The Nigeria Police Force has highlighted the potential benefits of the Electronic Central Motor Registry innovation aimed at revolutionising how vehicle information is verified and handled on the road.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared the development through a series of social media posts on Thursday, highlighting the ease and efficiency of the “e-policing” innovation.

Adejobi said under the leadership of Inspector-General Olukayode Egbetokun, the Electronic Central Motor Registry system has been launched to make roads safer and the policing process smoother.

The FPRO said this new system allows vehicle owners to register their vehicles digitally and provides a quick response for emergencies.

By Abdullateef Aliyu

Ahead of the resumption of flight operations, Emirates Airlines has hosted key stakeholders from Nigeria’s travel trade industry seeking their partnership as the airline resumes flight services to Nigeria.

The meeting was to showcase its latest products and services, as well as provide a destination update on Dubai, as the airline gears up to restart operations.

Through interactive workshop sessions, Emirates familiarised attendees with the products and services that will be available on the soon-to-resume flight to/from Lagos, empowering them to provide even better services to their customers.

The airline also highlighted its full-service offerings including gourmet and regionally-inspired dining, the award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ice, and the hospitality from its multinational cabin crew.

Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour operator arm, exhibited the curated holiday packages both to Dubai and other in-demand destinations such as the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and South Africa, in preparation to serve the pent-up travel demand from Nigeria.

Key stakeholders representing Destination Dubai were also there to provide a macro view at what travellers can expect when travelling to and through the UAE.

Country Manager for Nigeria, Emirates, Paulos Legesse, said, “As we prepare to restart operations to Lagos, this workshop was essential not just to showcase our world-class product and service to these important partners, but also to hear from the wider industry on the latest services that will suit customer demand, enabling us to better tailor our offering in Nigeria.

“We have exciting plans and can’t wait to add our industry-leading products and services to the Nigerian market from 1 October.”

Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA, Sept 19 (Reuters) – The Ugandan shilling was firmer on Thursday, underpinned by inflows of dollars from commodity exporters and remittances, traders said.

At 0853 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,709/3,719, compared with Wednesday’s closing rate of 3,715/3,725.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa)

By Emele Onu

(Bloomberg) -- West Africa faces more heavy rains this week after flooding in a region that’s seen at least 2.3 million people displaced by rising waters in 2024 alone. 

Severe floods in Nigeria have affected more than 610,000 people, leaving at least 201 dead, according to the World Health Organization. The northeastern state of Borno has been badly hit, with the deluge severing access to hospitals and markets and washing away two major bridges in the city of Maiduguri, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

Heavy precipitation is forecast from Senegal in the west to southern Chad and northern Democratic Republic of Congo to the east, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network said in a statement.

The floods are hitting a region that’s one of the least prepared globally for climate-related disasters, with little money available to buffer infrastructure against adverse weather and persistent insecurity regularly displacing inhabitants. The Sahel and Lake Chad regions have been beset by Islamist insurgencies along with increasing competition over land and water in recent years.

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“Heavy floods have exacerbated existing humanitarian crises in countries such as Cameroon, Mali, and Niger,” Hassane Hamadou, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s regional director said in a statement. “Heavy floods are now becoming more and more frequent, with serious humanitarian consequences almost every year.”

Last week Mali’s National Platform for Disaster Risk said that 180,000 people had been displaced in the country by the floods and 62 had died. 

The wet weather in western Africa coincides with torrential rains in European nations including Poland, Austria and Germany that have left several people dead.

--With assistance from Matthew Hill, Prinesha Naidoo, Diakaridia Dembele and Katarina Höije.

(Adds impact on Mali in penultimate paragraph)

Bolt’s fare increase has been met with opposition from Nigerian drivers, who argue that the decision is impacting their earnings as they grapple with low patronage. Passengers are also complaining that e-hailing has become unaffordable for many of them, writes PRINCESS ETUK

Bolt offers an e-hailing service that gives users a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. It uses mobile apps to connect passengers with drivers, featuring real-time tracking, fare estimation, and cashless payment options.

This e-hailing platform links individual drivers with potential users. Capitalising on the country’s underdeveloped public transport system, large population, and rapid urbanization. E-hailing mobility services have experienced exponential growth, expanding from just two operators in 2014 to about 26 operators by 2022 in major cities across Nigeria.

E-hailing mobility platforms have seen a steady rise in Nigeria since their introduction. Uber, the first to launch in 2014, operates in Lagos, Abuja, and Benin City as a service. In 2015, platforms such as Jekalo (Lagos), Afrocab (Lagos and Abuja), and Gomyway (Lagos) followed, all adopting the service entity model.

Holy Cab and Palmdrive entered the Lagos market in 2016, operating under the same business model. GIG Mobility, launched in 2016, expanded its operations beyond Lagos to include Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other cities, functioning as both a taxi and app operator.

Oga Taxi, also launched in 2016, operates in Lagos as a service entity. Bolt (formerly Taxify) started operations in 2017, covering multiple locations, including Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan, Benin City,  and Owerri, attesting to the acceptance of e-hailing services by Nigerians.

On August 3, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited announced pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, pump price review to N855 per litre, reaching about N1,000 per litre in some filling stations across the country.

The NNPC, spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, had earlier declared that the state-owned energy firm was facing financial strain.

NNPC is the sole importer of PMS into Nigeria, shouldering subsidies on the commodity running into several trillions of naira.

Immediately after the announcement of the recent hike in petrol prices, Bolt declared that starting from August 30, 2024, there would be an increase in fares for its car category in Abuja.

Due to the almost 50 per cent rise in petrol prices, Bolt is also considering a fare increase in Lagos.

The updated pricing in Abuja includes adjustments across several components. According to management, the minimum fare for Bolt rides has been raised from N1,300 to N1,495, and the start fee has been increased from N737 to N884.

The company also revised its cost per kilometre from N124 to N152, and the charge per minute has been increased from N21 to N25.

Bolt’s management highlighted that those price adjustments were part of a broader strategy aimed at improving drivers’ overall earning potential.

“This is aimed at ensuring that drivers can cater to their operational expenses while remaining affordable for riders,” the company stated.

The firm reiterated its dedication to remaining the most competitive ride-hailing platform for drivers in Nigeria and ensuring that drivers receive adequate compensation for their time and effort.

This development followed repeated requests by Bolt drivers for the company to revisit the prices on the ride-hailing app due to the increased cost of living.

In an interview with The PUNCH, a Bolt driver, Daniel Simon, expressed concerns about the company’s recent fare increase, arguing that while passengers would pay more, drivers were facing higher charges that could negate any potential earnings.

Simon criticised Bolt’s management for focusing primarily on passenger interests while overlooking driver needs.

“One thing I have noticed about its management is that it is more focused on the passenger and less on the driver, except for now that they want to increase the prices of their rides.

“Even as they are increasing it, they are also increasing their charges. More or less, you will make the money from the passenger, but you will still give it back to Bolt indirectly,” he stated.

Simon elaborated on the financial strain that drivers face, saying, “After buying fuel or settling one or two things, you will have to pay Bolt. You then have nothing to go home with. It is still not ideal even if they are increasing the prices that passengers pay because it will still affect the driver. After all, you are going to still charge 25 per cent.

“That is why sometimes you see that drivers are busy on the app. But in the real sense, drivers are not busy, there are no drivers. Everybody is trying to find other means to earn.”

A Bolt driver, Maurice Michael, also told The PUNCH, “As a driver, I get where Bolt is coming from with the fare increases. It wants to ensure we earn a fair wage.

“But honestly, it is tough because while the increase is meant to help us, it is also making things harder for passengers.”

Michael acknowledged the need for fair compensation but highlighted the repercussions of the fare hikes.

“I see both sides of the issue. On one hand, we need to make enough to cover our expenses and support our families. On the other hand, when fares go up too much, passengers start to cut back or find other options, which can hurt our earnings in the long run.”

For some drivers, the increased fares were seen as a positive step.

According to Alex Ojukwu, a Bolt driver, the recently revised fares may seem high, but the rising cost of fuel has made things challenging for drivers.

“To be honest, it is fair. I say this because the cost of fuel keeps rising. It seems drivers are working for fuel,” he lamented.

He emphasised that the fare adjustment was a crucial measure to ensure that drivers could sustain their operations amidst soaring fuel prices.

“It is a good thing that Bolt reviewed the prices. It is better than the option of drivers parking their vehicles at home and quitting Bolt,” he mentioned.

A Bolt user, Miriam Musa, shared her discontent, saying, “I can’t believe Bolt fares have gone up again in FCT. It is like they don’t even think about how hard it is for passengers.” For many, like Musa, the higher prices are more than just an inconvenience; they represent a growing financial burden that complicates everyday life.

Fare increases are attributed to Bolt’s efforts to help drivers earn more in the face of rising living expenses. While the e-hailing firm tries to provide fair compensation for drivers, passengers argued that they were bearing the brunt of those adjustments.

“I know drivers need to earn more—everyone’s struggling with the cost of living—but it is putting a strain on us too,” Musa added.

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The fare increases have made it challenging for many commuters to manage their budgets. “Every time I open the app, I see these higher prices and just feel defeated,” Musa said. “It is already tough trying to budget everything, and now even getting around is becoming a burden.”

While passengers acknowledged the need for drivers to earn a fair wage, they called for a balanced approach that should not impact users.

“I just wish there was a way to make it fair for both drivers and passengers without making us pay so much more,” Musa noted.

Another Bolt user in Abuja, Chucks Mark, voiced his concerns, saying, “As a passenger living in Abuja, I am frustrated with Bolt’s decision to increase fares supposedly to help drivers earn more. While I understand that drivers need to make a fair income, these fare hikes are making it increasingly difficult for us passengers to afford everyday trips.

“With the rising cost of living, including high fuel prices and inflation, it feels like everything is becoming unaffordable, including transportation.

“It is not just about luxury rides anymore. For many of us, Bolt is one of the few convenient options for getting to work, running errands, or handling emergencies. Now, with these fare increases, what used to be a reasonable option is quickly becoming out of reach.”

Passengers are calling on Bolt to consider alternative methods to improve driver earnings without transferring the burden directly to customers.

“Instead of simply raising fares, Bolt should find a more balanced approach that supports drivers without overburdening passengers.

“Maybe it could explore other ways to improve driver earnings, such as reducing their commission rates or offering bonuses during peak hours. But pushing the cost directly onto passengers is not fair, especially when many of us are already struggling to keep up with everyday expenses,” Mark suggested.

The fare adjustments, according to the company, aim to address the financial pressures affecting the ride-hailing industry.

Bolt’s Communication Manager, Femi Adeyemo, told The PUNCH about the rationale behind the fare hike.

“The reason is just to help drivers make the business profitable,” Adeyemo said. “Looking at the current economic realities, fuel has increased and pump prices are about N1,000 in some filling stations.”

He stated that maintaining the previous fare structure would make it difficult for drivers to sustain their operations.

“So, if we keep the same prices, they will struggle to make profits. So, we need to increase the price a bit. If we were taking point A to point B before for N2,000, it can now be N2,500 so that the drivers can now get extra money to cover current expenses,” he explained.

Despite the fare increases, Adeyemo emphasised that Bolt had not altered its commission rates. “We did not change the amount of commission to be taken by Bolt,” he clarified.

The fare review has sparked mixed reactions. Drivers welcome the adjustment to cover rising costs, while passengers are concerned about increased expenses.

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

Passengers were thrown into a panic mode on Monday as the windshield of an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft operated by Air Peace was shattered in Abuja.

As the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the windshield reportedly shattered, sparking concerns for passengers and aviation workers who witnessed the development.

Among the passengers onboard was human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore, who was traveling to Abuja.

One of the passengers at the airport who saw the incident, who identified herself simply as Funmi, told our correspondent that it was a scary incident while expressing dissatisfaction with the airline for refusing to explain what exactly happened to the windshield at the spot of the incident.

By Temitope Aina

The average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes on a single journey rose sharply in August 2024, hitting N123,700.14.

This represents a 25.51 per cent increase compared to N98,560.28 in July 2024.

In a report by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday, on a year-on-year basis, the fare jumped by 56.56 per cent from N79,011.38 in August last year, making air travel more expensive for commuters.

In other categories, the average fare for bus journeys within cities dropped to N869.35 in August 2024, showing a decrease of 7.77 per cent from N942.61 in July 2024.

For intercity bus journeys, the average fare rose slightly by 0.59 per cent, reaching N7,159.00 in August 2024, compared to N7,117.17 in July this year. On an annual basis, the fare increased by 20.97 per cent, up from N5,918.18 in August 2023, reflecting rising operational costs for transport companies.

Meanwhile, commuters using motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) experienced a fare increase as well. The average fare for a single drop in August 2024 was N524.22, up 8.46 per cent from N483.33 in July 2024. However, on a year-on-year basis, the fare dropped by 18.87 per cent from N646.12 in August 2023.

Waterway transportation, often used in riverine areas, also saw a fare hike. The average fare paid for waterway passenger transport rose to N1,449.34 in August 2024, an increase of 3.30 per cent from N1,402.95 in July 2024. On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 3.03 per cent from N1,406.74 recorded in August 2023.

Overall, while some categories of transport fares have declined, the significant increases in air and intercity transport costs signal continued inflationary pressures on longer-distance travel.

In July, PUNCH reported that amid complaints by the Airline Operators of Nigeria over multiple taxation, the Federal Government has expressed its intention to further raise its charges.

By Seun Adeuyi

Fresh queues have surfaced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving motorists spending hours to buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), aka petrol.

This followed the closure of many filling stations operated by independent marketers.

Findings by Daily Trust on Tuesday evening, showed that many filling stations in Abuja did not open, while there were long queues at the few stations that dispensed the product, particularly those operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and some major oil marketers.

Outlets such as the NNPC mega station on the Katampe axis of the Zuba-Kubwa Expressway, AP station along Aguiyi Ironsi Street in the city centre, and NIPCO filling station also along the Zuba-Kubwa expressway, among others, had massive queues.

Quoting sources, PUNCH reported that members of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) had lifted over 50 million litres of PMS from the Dangote Refinery in the past week.

Speaking during a webinar on Tuesday, Huub Stokman, Chairman of MEMAN, confirmed that major marketers have started loading the product from the refinery.

However, Stokman did not reveal whether or not the marketers were buying directly from Dangote or from the product bought by the NNPCL.

“I can tell you that we have started loading PMS from Dangote refinery. Our members have lifted millions of litres from Dangote,” he said.