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Jack Wittels
A passenger aircraft operated by Deutsche Lufthansa in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 13. The airline group — Europe’s largest — said it’s scrapping 20,000 uneconomic short-haul flights in the region this summer.
BUSINESS / Markets
May 13, 2026
How a jet fuel supply crunch threatens summer flights
Faced with higher fuel costs and lower supply, airlines have axed thousands of flights, grounded less-efficient aircraft and raised airfares.
An oil tanker off the shore of Singapore, on March 17
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2026
A 12,000-mile journey shows the world’s scramble for diesel
Soaring fuel prices from the Iran war are forcing oil traders into longer, stranger journeys, sending cargoes on routes that would normally make little economic sense.
Passengers walk past a display board showing canceled flights to Dubai and Doha amid regional airspace closures at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 2.
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2026
Asia’s air travel crisis risks spreading on Iran war’s jet fuel squeeze
Asia has been particularly affected because of its exposure to oil that normally comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.
Travelers in a departure hall at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on April 26. For environmentalists, the resurgence of tourism will be met with dismay as it drives an accompanying surge in carbon emissions, but for the oil industry, the revival is a welcome boost.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Jun 10, 2024
The world’s flying again and jumbo jets are burning fuel like it’s 2019
But despite this year’s record number of flyers, increased efficiency will likely hold back fuel consumption to prepandemic levels.
The ocean has absorbed a whopping 90% of the warming that’s occurred in recent decades as a result of increasing greenhouse gases. Shipping is responsible for a large portion of those emissions, pumping out more than a billion tons in 2018.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 16, 2023
Shipping’s quest for greener fuel runs into climate complications
Three-and-a-half years ago, a new rule was established to cut ships’ sulfur emissions. Yet some scientists have linked that to warmer ocean temperatures.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 22, 2022
World’s most-crucial fuel heads for shortage touching everything
The shortage comes at a time when supply crunches in nearly all the world’s energy markets have worsened inflation and stifled growth.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 21, 2022
Soaring diesel and gasoline prices are bleeding into global shipping
Much of the price increase in ship fuel has been due to a rally in crude oil, which is used to make most marine fuel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2021
China’s seven-week port quarantine snarls supply chains further
To comply with the measure, owners and managers have had to reroute ships, delaying shipments and crew changes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 10, 2021
Reality check awaits John Kerry and his bid to cut ships’ emissions
The U.S. climate envoy said in April that he wants international shipping’s emissions to drop to zero by 2050.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 25, 2021
Massive ship blocking Suez Canal paralyzes trade for another day
The situation has gotten so desperate that an elite salvage squad is due to arrive Thursday to work on prising the Ever Given from the bank of the canal.

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival