Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot reported a net loss of $435 million for the first half of 2025, compared to a profit of $324 million a year earlier, The Moscow Times reports.
Over six months, the company lost half of its vessel operating income (down to $306 million) and 39% of its revenue (down to $618 million). EBITDA dropped 55% to $263 million.
Sovcomflot’s performance has deteriorated significantly, with the primary reason being the tightening of sanctions from the U.S. and EU, according to an analyst at Freedom Finance Global. New sanctions packages and the inclusion of the company’s tankers on “blacklists” led to idled vessels, lower freight rates, and operational disruptions.
In January 2025, the U.S. revoked Sovcomflot’s fleet management license and imposed blocking sanctions on dozens of its tankers, resulting in a 29.8 billion ruble asset write-down. The EU further banned the company’s ships from entering European ports.
As of June 1, 426 tankers of Russia’s “shadow fleet” were under U.S., EU, and UK sanctions. Some of these vessels remain idle, while part of their transport activity has been taken over by Greek companies.
Analysts warn that lowering the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $47 per barrel could further hit Russian oil producers and the state budget, as many shippers may refuse to work with Russia, while replacing them with sufficient vessels will be difficult.
This year, Russia is selling gas to China at a nearly 40% discount, according to The Moscow Times, citing data from Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development. In the ministry’s baseline forecast, the average price of Russian gas for exports to distant foreign markets (excluding China)—namely Turkey and the remaining European countries—will amount to $356.7 per […]
BMW has announced a major recall due to a defect in the starter that could potentially cause a fire. According to Carscoops, the campaign affects hundreds of thousands of vehicles worldwide, including about 200,000 cars in the U.S. and 136,500 in Germany. The models at risk were produced between September 2015 and September 2021. In […]
State-owned microchip manufacturer Angstrem has topped the ranking of Russia’s most loss-making companies, according to Forbes Russia. Media data show that in 2024, the company recorded a net loss of 236.3 billion rubles. The main reason for such losses was the recognition of obligations to its owner, state corporation VEB, amounting to 238.2 billion rubles. […]
China has announced tighter controls on electric vehicle exports: starting January 1, 2026, automakers will be required to obtain special licenses to ship EVs abroad. According to government officials, the measure is aimed at improving quality, ensuring proper after-sales service, and building trust among international customers, Carscoops reports. Until now, some vehicles were supplied to […]
OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is preparing to launch advertising in its popular chatbot. According to E4m, the company is already forming an internal advertising team led by Fidji Simo, the new head of applications. She joined last month after serving as CEO of Instacart and head of the Facebook app. Simo is actively searching […]
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the introduction of significant new tariffs on lumber and various wood products, including imported timber, kitchen cabinets, and upholstered furniture. The American leader announced that the U.S. will begin imposing a 10% tariff on imported softwood lumber and timber used in a wide range of building materials. He also […]
The European Union has launched an inquiry into how Apple, Google, and Microsoft are tackling the spread of online fraud on their platforms. According to the Financial Times, the companies have received formal requests under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com and other travel services, has also received a […]
Volkswagen is shifting its strategy in China — for the first time, cars developed jointly with FAW for the Chinese market will be sold in other countries, Carscoops reports. The first regions will be the Middle East, where the Magotan and Sagitar sedans will arrive as early as November. The Magotan, based on the latest […]
The Deposit Guarantee Fund of individuals introduced a temporary administration in “Fidobank”. It is reported by the press service of the Fund. The decision was made on the base of the decision of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on May 20 to classify “Fidobank” to the category of the insolvent. Earlier, “Fidobank” reported about […]
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Shares of Johnson & Johnson, which rose till 1.44% over the past week, on Tuesday closed with a decrease of 2.3%, despite on the publication of a better-than-expected Wall Street experts, a report for 3 fin. quarter. Investors are concerned about the potential consequences of ending the large-scale study of the J&J vaccine against COVID-19, […]
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The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC) fined the producer of soft drinks “Etrus” Ltd. for 145 thousand UAH for the dissemination of misleading information about their products. “Etrus” Ltd. gave inaccurate information on consumptive qualities of these drinks because of their method of presentation on the labels of products: Fruttela Orange, Fruttela Citrus and Fruttela […]
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Chinese e-commerce company JD.com Inc announced on Saturday that it will be the first platform in the country to accept China’s digital currency. The Central Bank of China will hold its second digital yuan lottery among citizens of Suzhou, near Shanghai on Friday. The total amount of playable digital yuan is 20 million ($ 3.06 […]
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The American pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that it will buy biotech MyoKardia for $ 13.1 billion. Quotes of the MyoKardia at the previous trading increased by 59%. Bristol will pay $ 225 for each share of the MyoKardia, corresponding to 61% premium to the value of the company’s securities at the close of trading […]
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The State Tax Service of Ukraine reduced the number of on-site inspections in August by almost one-third compared to July, following the introduction of a moratorium, Acting Head of the STS Lesia Karnaukh wrote on Facebook. According to her, in July just over 3,600 on-site inspections were conducted, while in August the figure dropped to […]
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The introduction of state regulation of oil prices for gas stations will lead to an increase in illegal production and fuel shortages. Some experts and representatives of the relevant association stated this. “The initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Agriculture of Ukraine to introduce state regulation of oil prices at gas stations will deal […]
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Since April of this year, Japanese companies and organizations involved in the development of the vaccines that protect against coronavirus infection, periodically experience cyber-attacks. This was announced on Monday, October 19, by Kyodo news agency, with the reference to the experts of the American company CrowdStrike, engaged in the cybersecurity. According to experts of the […]
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In the first six months of 2025, Ukraine exported goods worth $20.0 billion, down 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Imports amounted to $38.6 billion, according to the State Statistics Service. “In the first half of 2025, goods exports totaled $20,044.9 million, or 95.8% compared to the first half of 2024, while imports […]
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From December 21, 2018, to February 15, 2019, application acceptance for participation in the Ukrainian School of Political Studies in 2019 continues. From December 21, 2018, to February 15, 2019, application acceptance for participation in the Ukrainian School of Political Studies in 2019 continues – one of the most successful educational network projects in Ukraine, […]
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Kodak’s shares fell by 42.87% to $ 8.50 per share at the opening of trading of US, after which paper trading was temporarily suspended. According to the New York Stock Exchange, the decline in shares slowed to 33%. Quotes fell after the announcement of the termination of the loan agreement for Kodak for $ 765 […]
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Wizz Air will start operating regular flights between Kiev and Abu Dhabi from July 1, 2021. This was announced on Monday, May 10, CTS with reference to the information published by the carrier. It is specified that flights from Ukraine will be carried out from the airport in Borispol. “Flights will be operated three times […]
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The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine has introduced a moratorium on inspections of businesses by state authorities. This was announced by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. According to him, the moratorium provides the necessary foundation for “the full implementation of essential decisions aimed at economic security and the analysis of relevant […]
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The subject of raiding remains urgent and at the same time very painful for Ukraine, especially for foreign investors. It isn’t accepted to speak about it openly. The victims of similar captures in rare instances make public the fact of their entities occupation. Syutkin & Partners Law Firm together with USUBC, the Ministry of Justice […]
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The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has disclosed the company in Rivne region, which was trying to assign means of “Agrarian Fund”, PJSC, said the SSU press-center. According to the report, “Agrarian Fund”, PJSC has concluded the exchange transaction with a private company for the supply of 16 thousand tonnes of wheat worth over 67 […]
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Reuters reported, In Switzerland, the procedure of accelerated testing of Moderna vaccine has started. This will allow to approve the drug if it passes all clinical trials. “Swissmedic can get an initial idea of the benefits and risks of vaccine candidates before the study is completed. This speeds up the review process and at the […]
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