Saudi Arabia’s bold recycling plan will see it become a world-leader, experts believe

Saudi Arabia’s bold recycling plan will see it become a world-leader, experts believe
Saudi Arabia is seeking to make the most of the industry. Shutterstock
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Updated 16 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s bold recycling plan will see it become a world-leader, experts believe

Saudi Arabia’s bold recycling plan will see it become a world-leader, experts believe
  • This initiative is anticipated to contribute approximately SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product

RIYADH: In an era marked by growing environmental concerns and the pursuit of sustainable development, recycling has emerged as a crucial driver of economic prosperity for countries worldwide.

Beyond its environmental benefits, recycling holds significant economic advantages, fostering job creation, stimulating local industries, and bolstering long-term economic stability.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to make the most of this industry, and in January the Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment announced a comprehensive plan to recycle a significant portion – up to 95 percent – of the country’s waste. 

This initiative is anticipated to contribute approximately SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product, and aims to generate over 100,000 employment opportunities for the Kingdom’s nationals. 

When fully implemented, the plan will see the recycling of around 100 million tonnes of waste annually, showcasing the nation’s commitment to sustainability.

The program aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader sustainable development goals, emphasizing the implementation of well-designed strategies and processes across various sectors, including the National Environment Strategy.

Thinking behind the plan

According to Julien Vermersch, partner at Bain and Co. Middle East, the Kingdom’s ambition to divert 90 percent of its waste away from landfills by 2040 is not only going to be achieved via recycling.

“Whilst increasing circularity and materials recovery will certainly be a very significant lever – in particular because today only about 5 percent of the waste is recycled – this cannot be the only lever,” Vermersch told Arab News.

“Some waste streams, e.g. specific hazardous waste, cannot easily be recycled and in some cases incineration with heat recovery, i.e. waste-to-energy, will remain a better option,” he added.

There are more than economic factors at play in this plan, Vermersch explained, pointing to the rapid urbanization and population growth in the Kingdom putting existing infrastructure under significant pressure.

“All key urban centers are struggling with landfill saturation and whilst it is possible to open new sites or expand existing ones, this trend will rapidly become unsustainable as urban developments continue. Then landfills pose a real environmental threat,” he said.

The Bain and Co. partner shed light on the fact that despite some advancements in this area, the effective management of leachate remains a persistent challenge in urban and industrial areas, as evidenced by numerous reported instances of soil and groundwater contamination over time.

“Additionally, in the absence of gas capture systems, the decomposition of organic wastes in landfills is a major source of methane emissions  – estimated to be around 30-50 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) of CO2 equivalent emissions, which is 5-7 percent of the total greenhouse emissions of the Kingdom,” Vermersch said.

He further noted that the Kingdom’s landfill diversion target is consistent with what is already achieved in a number of European countries or select advanced Asian countries.

“The ambition to get there by 2040 however is quite bold. For these countries that have made the transition, getting to 90 percent landfill diversion has been a 25-plus years journey requiring stringent regulations, public engagement to build awareness and support and massive capital investments in new waste management infrastructure,” the partner clarified.

Yves Takchi, principal and global co-lead for Arthur D. Little Waste, Water and Circularity Competence Center, told Arab News that according to the National Center for Waste Management the overall ambition is similar across all waste streams, with the combined landfill diversion targets close to 90 percent for all types.

“To achieve this diversion rate, Saudi Arabia has put a great emphasis on recycling, but is also aiming to deploy a variety of other techniques such as waste-to-energy to complement it. The landfill diversion targets that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embraced are rooted in an ambitious and yet scientific approach to transform the waste management sector in the country,” Takchi said.

He went on to explain that at a strategic level, countries have three high level options to manage the waste that is generated by its economy.

“Firstly, most economies with a nascent waste management sector treat waste management as a sanitation service and focus on reducing expenditures while safeguarding public health. This often means that they heavily rely on sanitary landfilling as a cheap and effective method to dispose of waste. The second approach is adopted by countries that want to minimize the waste that goes to landfills while still maintaining convenience and ease of implementation,” said Takchi.

He added that the usual objectives in this scenario are to avoid landfilling in recognition of its environmental damage and unnecessary space usage, as well as to leverage waste to fuel the increasingly energy demanding economies.

The Arthur D. Little official also said that countries in this situation usually end up relying heavily on recovery technologies such as waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel, which although have a higher cost and only marginal improvements in environmental performance, are much easier to put in place and rely much less on citizen participation and behavioral change.

Takchi argued that world-leaders in waste management follow the third approach. 

“These countries have managed to put in place systems that strive toward a circular economy approach – as opposed to the linear use-throw-dump model. Their waste systems follow the waste hierarchy, which maximizes first the reduction and reuse of waste materials, then the usage of recycling as the next best alternative, with waste to energy and energy recovery transitional and residual treatments before landfilling,” he said.

With regards to the Kingdom, Takchi believes that Saudi Arabia has “rightly understood” that it is in a unique position to leapfrog from its current model to the more advanced, ambitious model. 

“The country as a whole is embarking on a massive transformation journey embodied by Vision 2030, which has paved the way for massive investments in infrastructure across sectors and has demonstrated that the Saudi people are remarkably adaptable and embracing of positive change,” he said. 

The benefits of this model include environmental protection of land, air and water, a growth in local socio-economic value by increasing investments in infrastructure and creating jobs, and enabling self-sufficiency in materials by keeping scarce resources – like rare metals and minerals – flowing within the economy, which improves the trade balance.

Initiatives implemented to support recycling goals

According to Takchi, the Kingdom has galvanized the sector through the creation of two separate entities – Saudi Investment Recycling Co., and the National Center for Waste Management, also known as MWAN.

The former was established by the Public Investment Fund to act as a sector champion, unlocking access to capital and investing in sector-building investments in partnership with local and world leading companies.

MWAN created a unified sector regulator that consolidated the previously fragmented regulatory ecosystem and took the lead on putting in place the ambitious public-sector led efforts to enable the sector’s transformation.

“We have already seen developments from both entities, with SIRC having put in place recycling initiatives and multiple massive investments announced  – including mega scale infrastructure for Riyadh City. On the other hand, MWAN has already put in place the unified Waste Management Law and its Implementing Regulations, the new regulatory framework for the sector that has finally resolved fragmentation of regulation challenges,” Takchi added.

The Global Co-Lead for Arthur D. Little Waste also said that MWAN has also begun to improve the compliance environment, having embarked on a large-scale master-planning exercise across the different regions in Saudi Arabia. 

It has also announced multiple sector-enabling initiatives aimed at preventing waste at the source, incentivizing resource recovery and maximizing diversion from landfills and including the launch of hundreds of investment opportunities.

“The key success factors to accelerate this paradigm shift will be to find the optimal balance of planning and action and to maintain collaboration and alignment behind the national agenda of an extremely complex ecosystem of many actors, including regulators, municipalities, royal commissions, investors, operators, commercial and industrial players and even citizens,” Takchi said.

Key government support

Strong government backing and regulatory support are essential for the successful transformation of the waste management sector.

Bain and Co. Middle East’s Vermersch highlighted the costly nature of the transition from landfilling to recycling, incineration or waste-to-energy.

“When you look at countries that have very low landfilling rates today, they have introduced over 30 years ago either landfill taxes that have risen to significant levels and/or very stringent landfill restrictions/bans,” he added.

That said, the partner underlined that in order to make this transition possible, an effective system to sort the waste is essential – which typically relies on segregation at the source and requires municipalities to step in.

“As we can see with the example of Riyadh that has been piloting a multi-bin system in recent years, it is not enough to just roll out the new collection infrastructure. It takes awareness campaigns and meaningful community engagements to educate residents and businesses on the importance of sorting waste and on how to use the new system effectively,” Vermersch said.

Takchi said that like most complex and ambitious transformation initiatives that fall within the framework of Vision 2030, the government has a crucial role to play to ensure success for the waste management sector, and that was the impetus behind the creation of MWAN.

“Such a massive leapfrog requires a clear national level direction of travel and strategy to be clear to all actors in the sector. That will allow us to fully synergize efforts and accelerate change. The government also has an important part to play in laying down the necessary enablers to unlock private sector investment and ensure the successful deployment of infrastructure and services,” he said.


Global Logistics Forum announces key partners on eve of inaugural event

Global Logistics Forum announces key partners on eve of inaugural event
Updated 34 sec ago
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Global Logistics Forum announces key partners on eve of inaugural event

Global Logistics Forum announces key partners on eve of inaugural event

RIYADH: Shipping firm MAERSK, aviation conglomerate Saudia Group and delivery company Aramex have been confirmed as key partners of the Global Logistics Forum, set to take place in Riyadh from Oct. 12-14.

The event, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, will serve as a platform for uniting partners to enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and profitability, according to a press release.

The inaugural forum will host 10,000 attendees and see more than 120 speakers, including world leaders, ministers, business chiefs, and experts in the logistics sector contributing to the event.

The event comes as Saudi Arabia places an increased focus on its logistics industry, in line with the Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

The sector is surging, with a 76 percent increase in new businesses registered in the second quarter of 2024, making logistics the fastest-growing sphere in the Kingdom. 

Rumaih bin Muhammad Al-Rumaih, the Kingdom’s vice minister of Transport and Logistic Services, said the forum marks a key waypoint on the journey of the global industry. 

“From the food we eat, to the gifts we give, and to everything in between, our modern world depends on the global logistics network. 

“At the Global Logistics Forum, we will set the future direction for this most critical industry.

“We are proud to share the many global and regional logistics leaders who are partnering with us for the inaugural GLF, recognizing the importance of this moment to share the future map of global logistics.”

Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group, said that being a Presenting Partner for the event in Riyadh is testament to his company’s commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. 

“This forum is a pivotal moment for Saudia Group to engage with global leaders and contribute to the Kingdom's ambition of becoming a leading logistics hub. Our participation underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration in the logistics sector," he added.

Group CEO of Aramex, Othman Aljeda, said that the company “was thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with the Global Logistics Forum.”

He added: “Earlier this year, Aramex opened a new regional hub in Riyadh, and our partnership at GLF will ensure that we are contributing our expertise and supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by fostering greater collaboration, operational excellence, and sustainable growth in the region's logistics sector."

The Global Logistics Forum will also serve as a “launching pad” for MoUs between industry leaders in global logistics, formalizing a more connected sector, and in turn ensuring a more resilient and efficient network of global connectivity, according to a release.


Saudi banking sector sector dominates TASI trading in Q3

Saudi banking sector sector dominates TASI trading in Q3
Updated 11 October 2024
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Saudi banking sector sector dominates TASI trading in Q3

Saudi banking sector sector dominates TASI trading in Q3

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s banking sector led trading on the Kingdom’s stock exchange in 2014’s third quarter with a 15.14 percent market share, according to Tadawul’s latest report.

The industry was responsible for approximately SR67.5 billion ($18 billion) of transactions, ahead of the materials sector with SR60.2 billion, comprising 13.50 percent of the market. 

The energy sector had 9.12 percent share in this period, with value traded reaching SR41.07 billion.

Al Rajhi Bank, the largest player in the industry on the market, recorded the second-highest activity at nearly SR22.7 billion during this period, trailing only Aramco, which led with SR27.15 billion in trades.

 Customers of Al Rajhi bank withdraw money from an ATM. Shutterstock

In June, Al Rajhi Bank announced that it has become a leading target for foreign investors in the Saudi banking sector, with foreign ownership in its shares exceeding SR43 billion, representing 13.2 percent of the total.

This investment accounts for over 10 percent of total foreign investments in Saudi stocks, reflecting the bank’s prominence.

Al Rajhi Bank, valued at SR320.4 billion, is the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa, holding significant weight in global indices like MSCI Emerging Markets.

Its share price has surged over 300 percent since the launch of Vision 2030 eight years ago, and its assets have nearly doubled, showcasing its strong growth. 

The bank enjoys high ratings from global financial institutions, benefiting from past economic cycles, including interest rate reductions.

Interest rates driving banks’ appeal to investors

Factors like higher interest rates, driven by the Saudi Central Bank’s alignment with the US Federal Reserve, boosted profitability through improved net interest margins, making bank stocks more attractive to investors.

Strong credit growth, particularly in corporate and real estate finance, supported by Vision 2030 projects, further enhanced the sector’s appeal. 

Saudi banks also enjoyed improved asset quality, reflected by lower non-performing loans, which bolstered confidence in the sector’s stability.

The broader economic performance, with strong non-oil GDP growth, created a favorable environment, and higher bank earnings, driven by increased private sector credit demand, fueled market activity.

The materials sector’s position as the second highest in trading volume can also be largely attributed to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing Vision 2030 program, which has ignited significant demand for building materials and industrial supplies to support the Kingdom’s expansive infrastructure and construction projects.

This surge in demand could have driven higher trading activity and piqued investor interest in the sector. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in global indices like MSCI and FTSE Russell could have further bolstered foreign investment in this industry.

Foreign ownership growth

Strong government support added further momentum as the sector’s perceived resilience and growth potential attracted both domestic and international capital.

As of September, foreign investment in Saudi stocks has reached record levels, with over SR414.92 billion in ownership according to Tadawul data, increasing from SR365.91 billion in the same period last year.

The exchange has focused on improving market function and efficiency by implementing robust measures, such as corporate governance enhancements, increased transparency, and greater liquidity – all of which are critical for a healthy financial ecosystem.

These efforts have not only attracted international investors but have also strengthened local confidence, allowing for more robust trading volumes and values.

Foreign investors, facilitated by programs like the Qualified Foreign Investor program, introduced in 2015 and amended in 2019, now have streamlined access to the Saudi market.

This program, paired with broader reforms, has expanded the pool of eligible institutional investors, enhancing the capital inflow into sectors like banking, which tend to offer consistent returns and security.

The inclusion of Saudi Arabia in prominent global indices, such as MSCI and FTSE Russell, further amplified investor interest. 

These indices serve as benchmarks for fund managers worldwide, and Saudi Arabia’s quick ascension – spending less than a year on MSCI’s watchlist before inclusion in the Emerging Markets Index – signals the international market’s confidence in the country’s reforms, according to Tadawul.

Top gainers

In the third quarter of 2024, Red Sea International Co. emerged as the top gainer on the Tadawul All-Share Index, with a price appreciation of 133.16 percent.

This real estate company has secured a SR658 million contract with Italian construction firm Webuild for constructing a staff camp at the Trojena Dam project within NEOM, Saudi Arabia.

The 12-month contract, excluding VAT, involves designing, producing, supplying, and installing prefabricated buildings, including residential areas, a mosque, dining facilities, a medical center, and a fitness center.

The project will be executed in two stages, with the second phase contingent on client approval. 

An illustration of the Trojena Dam project. Webuild.

Financial impacts of the contract will be reflected from the third quarter of 2024 to the end of 2025.

Albaha Investment and Development Co. followed closely as the second top gainer, posting an 83.3 percent quarter-to-date increase, with 3.7 billion shares traded, reflecting strong investor interest in the development space.

Sasco, a prominent car service company, rounded out the top three with a 62.93 percent quarter-to-date gain, further highlighting the diversity of sectors showing significant growth.

In February, Sasco partnered with Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co. to advance EV infrastructure, encourage the adoption of such automobiles, and reduce carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia. 

The partnership will prioritize the development of fast-charging stations and public charging points across cities and provinces.

The overall performance of the Tadawul index also reflected this bullish trend, as the market concluded the third quarter with a 4.67 percent increase. TASI rose by 546 points, closing at 12,226.10, signaling growing investor confidence and strong market fundamentals across key sectors.


Startup Wrap – Saudi firms flourish with acquisitions and funding rounds 

Startup Wrap – Saudi firms flourish with acquisitions and funding rounds 
Updated 11 October 2024
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Startup Wrap – Saudi firms flourish with acquisitions and funding rounds 

Startup Wrap – Saudi firms flourish with acquisitions and funding rounds 

RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East continue to attract significant investment, with new funding rounds and strategic acquisitions highlighting the region's growing appeal to investors. 

From Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Oman and Kuwait, emerging companies are securing capital to expand their market reach, develop innovative solutions, and strengthen their positions in competitive industries.  

Saudi property tech startup Ejari has closed a $14.65 million seed round, comprising a mix of debt and equity, to expand its presence in the rent now, pay later market.  

The round was led by Partners for Growth, with participation from BECO Capital, anb seed, and Rua Ventures, as well as Alinma Bank, Vision Ventures, and Aqar platform, a leading property listing platform in Saudi Arabia. Existing investor Salica Oryx Fund also participated in the round.  

The team at Saudi property tech startup Ejari. Supplied

Founded in 2022 by Yazeed Al-Shamsi, Fahad Al-Bedah, Mohammed Al-Khelewy, and Khalid Al-Munif, Ejari provides an RNPL solution tailored to Saudi Arabia’s real estate rental market. 

The new funding aims to strengthen its market share, enhance product offerings, and solidify its position as a key player in the Saudi rental market. 

Al-Shamsi, the company’s CEO, described the cash injection as a “major milestone” in the firm’s journey to transform the Saudi rental market.

“With this new investment, we’re poised to enhance our technology, expand our product offerings, and deliver exceptional value to our clients. Our mission is to democratize access to the rental market and lower barriers for tenants, and this funding brings us closer to that goal. We are deeply grateful for the trust our investors have placed in us and are excited about the future,” he added. 

Yamm closes pre-seed funding to enhance logistics platform 

Saudi-based logistics startup Yamm has completed a pre-seed funding round, with an undisclosed amount raised. 

The round was led by Flat6Labs, with additional participation from Judah Ventures and several angel investors.  

Founded in 2023 by Sultan Al-Subhi, Mohammed Al-Shalati, and Hamadah Al-Khaldi, Yamm aims to simplify the post-purchase experience for both consumers and merchants by providing an end-to-end solution for managing returns, refunds, and logistics.  

The funding will be used to expand its merchant base across Saudi Arabia, introduce new product features, and enhance the platform’s value for retailers. 

Nana acquires Rasseed to boost digital grocery shopping experience 

Saudi Arabia-based digital grocery delivery startup Nana has acquired Rasseed, a software solutions provider specializing in branded and local gift cards, for an undisclosed amount.  

Nana, founded in 2016 by Abdulmajeed Al-Sukhan and Sami Al-Helwah, offers a digital platform for fulfilling daily, weekly, and monthly household grocery needs.  

Rasseed, also founded in 2016 in Saudi Arabia, focuses on simplifying the purchase of gift cards. 

The acquisition aligns with Nana’s strategy to digitize the grocery shopping experience in stores and hypermarkets, as well as its broader expansion plans.  

Nana previously raised $133 million in a series C funding round in February 2023, led by Kingdom Holding and Uni Ventures, along with other investors. 

OCTA secures $2.25m pre-seed round to streamline SME payments 

Nupur Mitta, Jon Santillan, and Andrey Korchak founded OCTA

UAE-based fintech OCTA has closed a $2.25 million pre-seed funding round.  

The round was co-led by Quona Capital and Sadu Capital, with additional backing from Sukna Ventures, Plus VC, 500 Global, and notable angel investors, including Pawel Iwanow, chief payment officer at Fresha, and Dom Monhardt, director of product design at Tap Payments.  

Founded in early 2024 by Jon Santillan, Nupur Mitta, and Andrey Korchak, OCTA automates the process of collecting payments for small and medium-sized enterprises, helping to improve cash flow management and simplify accounts receivable.  

The company has recently expanded its operations into the Saudi market. 

Synnax raises $550k in strategic funding for credit intelligence platform 

Synnax, a digital asset credit intelligence startup, has raised $550,000 in a strategic funding round, bringing its total fundraising to $1.55 million.  

The investment was led by Wintermute Ventures and TON Ventures. The funds will support the continued development of Synnax’s Credit Intelligence platform and its Telegram-based mini-app, SynQuest, which attracted over 250,000 users within two weeks of launch.  

The partnerships with Wintermute Ventures and TON Ventures go beyond funding, aligning with Synnax’s vision of building a decentralized, transparent digital asset credit market. 

Wintermute Ventures, a leader in algorithmic trading and digital asset lending, provides expertise, while TON Ventures leverages its influence in The Open Network ecosystem, which integrates with Telegram’s user base of over 950 million people. 

QPay secures seed funding to drive fintech growth in Oman 

QPay, Oman’s first licensed buy now, pay later financial services provider, has completed a seed funding round led by Cyfr Capital.  

This funding is part of Future Fund Oman’s broader strategy to boost innovation within the country’s fintech sector.  

The investment will help advance QPay’s mission to enhance financial inclusion and promote the growth of BNPL services across the Sultanate, aligning with FFO’s focus on supporting innovative fintech solutions. 

Kuwait’s Krti raises $1.5m to expand payment solutions 

Kuwaiti fintech startup Krti has secured $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by Core Vision Investment as part of the Financial Academy Financial Technology Investment Programme.  

Founded in 2022 by Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi, Naser Boresli, and Abdullah Al-Baker, Krti offers payment solutions designed to support online merchants and shoppers, aiming to empower the region’s e-commerce sector.  

The newly raised capital will facilitate Krti’s expansion in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. 

4Partners secures $3.6m to fuel regional expansion from Dubai HQ

UAE-headquartered dropshipping service 4Partners has raised $3.6 million in a recent funding round from undisclosed investors.

Founded in 2017 in Russia, the company assists businesses in launching and scaling online stores by managing inventory, shipping, and order fulfillment through its network of warehouses across MENA, Europe, Asia, and the US.

After relocating its headquarters to Dubai in 2023, 4Partners plans to use the new capital to support its growth in the region.

The company aims to tap into the MENA e-commerce market, offering a content management system alongside international dropshipping solutions for online retailers.

Rology partners with Thakaa Med to advance AI-driven stroke detection 

Rology, an FDA-cleared artificial intelligence-powered teleradiology platform, has entered a strategic partnership with Riyadh-based Thakaa Med, an AI-driven health care technology firm, to develop “StrokeIQ,” a new solution designed to improve the speed and accuracy of stroke detection in neuroimaging.  

StrokeIQ will utilize AI to analyze CT brain scans and identify signs of stroke, enabling health care providers to make more rapid, informed decisions during critical situations.  

The collaboration aims to leverage advanced AI technology to address the challenges in stroke diagnostics, where timely intervention is crucial. 


Saudi Arabia part of China trial of yuan digital currency payments

Saudi Arabia part of China trial of yuan digital currency payments
Updated 11 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia part of China trial of yuan digital currency payments

Saudi Arabia part of China trial of yuan digital currency payments
  • Cut costs by 50%, takes seconds, says People’s Bank of China
  • New trial comes as the digital yuan is facing problems at home 

TOKYO: China has started a trial for cross-border payments using central bank digital currencies with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other partners as it looks at alternative uses for the digital yuan amid its struggles in the home market, Nikkei Asia has reported.

The CBDCs use blockchain technology to record transactions. They can allow cross-border payments to be completed within seconds and cut costs by up to 50 percent, according to the People’s Bank of China.

The central bank wants to promote interconnectivity in global financial infrastructure and the new trial aims to find solutions to issues that arise in cross-border settlements.

Currently, international payments pass through so-called correspondent banks based on orders placed via the SWIFT messaging platform. The process can take a few days to about a week.

Cross-border payments are also typically made in dollars. Low-cost transfers using CBDCs could help promote non-dollar transactions and reduce China’s dependence on the dollar.

Seven central banks — including in Japan, the US and Europe — also announced a joint trial for CBDC payments in April with private-sector partners.

The new trial comes as the digital yuan is facing problems at home. China has also experimented with using the digital yuan for salary and tax payments, and digital yuan transactions totaled 7 trillion yuan ($992 billion) at the end of June, according to the PBOC.

However, Chinese users see little advantage to the digital yuan over popular private-sector payment apps, such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. More than 80 percent of payment transactions in China are believed to be cashless.

This article orginally appeared on Arab News Japan


Oil Updates – crude retreats but heads for weekly climb on potential Mideast supply disruption

Oil Updates – crude retreats but heads for weekly climb on potential Mideast supply disruption
Updated 11 October 2024
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Oil Updates – crude retreats but heads for weekly climb on potential Mideast supply disruption

Oil Updates – crude retreats but heads for weekly climb on potential Mideast supply disruption

SINGAPORE: Oil eased on Friday after a rally the previous day, but prices remained set for a second straight weekly gain as investors weighed the impact of hurricane damage on US demand against any broad supply disruption if Israel attacks Iranian oil sites.

Brent crude oil futures fell 29 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $79.11 a barrel by 7:30 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 21 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $75.64 per barrel.

For the week, both benchmarks were headed for a 1 percent-2 percent gain.

“Oil prices continue to extend (their) run week-on-week, with geopolitical risks fueling the rebound,” said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG. But he added that reservations over high crude inventories and a possibly more gradual easing of the US Fed rate have put the recent rally on hold.

In the US, Hurricane Milton plowed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after cutting a destructive path across Florida, killing at least 10 people and leaving millions without power. The destruction could dampen fuel consumption in some areas of the world’s largest oil producer and consumer.

“Investors are evaluating how hurricane damage might impact the US economy and fuel demand,” said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities.

“Oil prices are likely to hover around the current 200-day average levels, with the primary concern being whether Israel will retaliate against Iranian oil facilities,” he said.

The 200-day average for Brent is at $81.68 a barrel and for WTI it’s at $77.36.

Crude benchmarks spiked this month after Iran launched more than 180 missiles against Israel on Oct. 1, raising the prospect of retaliation against Iranian oil facilities. Israel has yet to respond, and crude benchmarks have eased and remained relatively flat through the week.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, has said that any strike against Iran would be “lethal, precise and surprising.”

Iran is backing several groups fighting Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Thursday night killed 22 people and wounded at least 117, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Lebanese security sources said at least one senior Hezbollah figure was also targeted in the attacks.

Gulf states, meanwhile, are lobbying Washington to stop Israel from attacking Iran’s oil sites, out of concern their own oil facilities could come under fire from Tehran’s proxies if the conflict escalates, three Gulf sources told Reuters.

On the supply side, Libya’s National Oil Corporation  said on Thursday it has restored production close to levels before the country’s central bank crisis, reaching 1.22 million barrels per day.