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Refrigerated containers of Maersk shipping lines are stacked at the container terminal of Bremerhaven port on April 22, 2025 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Focke Strangmann | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The world’s largest direct-membership organization for shipowners, charterers, shipbrokers, and agents is warning that while it is still unclear how Iran will respond to Saturday’s U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the threat to commercial shipping in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula has risen.

“The Houthi threat against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has also gone up,” said Jakob Larsen, head of security at Bimco, which represents global shipowners. “The Houthis now threaten merchant ships with affiliation to Israel or the U.S., but attacks against merchant ships with other affiliations cannot be ruled out.”

Larsen said it is expected that U.S. warships and merchant ships affiliated with Israel or the U.S. would be the preferred targets for the Iranians.

In an email to CNBC, a Hapag Lloyd spokesperson tells CNBC, “We currently are still crossing the Street of Hormuz. Alert level is high, though, and things might change by the hour.”

Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel’s largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder “Robbie” Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media.

Bimco’s Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said.

“The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran’s intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged,” said Larsen.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is recognized as one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. The inability of oil to traverse through the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, can ratchet up global energy prices, raise shipping costs and create significant supply delays. In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.

“Given the Iranian threat to U.S. military bases in the region, availability of warships for protection of commercial shipping is probably limited, especially for commercial ships with no affiliation to the U.S. or Israel,” Larsen said.

The Strait of Hormuz handles less than 4% of global container trade but the ports of Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan are critical intermediary points for global shipping networks in the region.

The majority of cargo volumes from those ports are destined for Dubai, which has become a hub for the movement of freight with feeder services in the Persian Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa.

The conflict in the region has also sparked ocean freight rates to surge from Shanghai to Jebel Ali, the Arabian Gulf’s largest port.

Freight intelligence firm Xeneta said average spot rates have increased 55% month-over-month, prior to the conflict escalation between Israel and Iran. Rates are now $2,761 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), a standard unit for measuring the capacity of container ships and volume of cargo.

On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers’ (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%.

Closure of Strait of Hormuz would be "carnage", says Shipping Analyst

The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas.

Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%.

In light of the latest wave of defense measures, Bimco is encouraging shipowners to review their security risk assessments and carefully consider mitigation measures.

“Merchant ships in the area should consider reducing their exposure to threats from Iran, for example, by routing away from the Iranian coast,” said Larsen. “We also recommend that ships maintain close contact to naval forces in the area through UK Maritime Trade Operations, maintain strong vigilance and increased lookout, report suspicious sightings and events to UKMTO, and increase the resilience of ships to absorb damage by ensuring watertight integrity and readiness of damage control organization including firefighting capability.”

“Bimco never directly recommends shipowners to completely stay away from a conflict area. Such a decision should be taken by the shipowner, taking into consideration all relevant factors of the security risk assessment, including, for example, the threat, the ship’s vulnerabilities, and the risk acceptance level of seafarers, the shipowner, and the cargo owner.”

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US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground

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11 hours ago

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September 10, 2025

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US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground

US EV sales set yet another record in August, with 146,332 EVs sold, according to the latest numbers from Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.

That gave EV sales in August a 9.9% share of total new car sales, up from 9.1% in July and the highest yet. With the federal EV tax credit set to expire on September 30, analysts say Q3 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest quarter for EV sales in US history. The current record holder is Q4 2024, when 365,824 EVs were sold.

Prices ticked higher, too. The average transaction price (ATP) for an EV in August was $57,245, 3.1% more than July’s revised lower ATP of $55,562. Year-over-year, though, EV prices were basically flat, down just 0.1%. The wave of EV sales also helped push up the overall market’s ATP.

Incentives, while not as high as July’s record, remained hefty. EV buyers received discounts averaging over $9,000 in August, equal to 16% of ATP. That’s more than double the incentive rate in the overall auto market and up from 13.6% a year ago.

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Tesla, still the US EV sales leader by far, is under pressure. Its ATP rose 2.9% in August to $54,468, which was still down 5.5% year-over-year. Tesla sales dropped 6.7% year-over-year, and the company’s share of the US EV market slid to 38% – its lowest point ever.

Stephanie Valdez Streaty, senior analyst at Cox Automotive, said, “The one constant in the automotive business is that fresh product sells well. While Tesla’s Model Y update has slowed the company’s sales decline, it’s not getting easier for the EV pioneer because the market is now flooded with all-new, fresh EVs from mainstream competitors – consumers have more choice than ever. The current surge in EV sales is being driven by product innovation, motivated dealers, and an urgency ahead of the IRA tax credit phase-out.”

Read more: Tesla leads price cuts as US EV sales post 2nd-best month ever

The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.


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Anker SOLIX Fan Fest Sale takes up to 63% off power stations, Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with free $217 bundle $1,599, Bluetti, more

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14 hours ago

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September 10, 2025

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Anker SOLIX Fan Fest Sale takes up to 63% off power stations, Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with free 7 bundle ,599, Bluetti, more

Leading today’s march of Green Deals is Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale that has increased savings on power stations from Labor Day up to 63%, with offers like the new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station starting at $1,649, among others. We also have Tenways’ End of Season Sale that is offering an increased $217 in FREE gear on its CGO600 Pro Lightweight Commuter e-bikes at $1,599, as well as the first discount hitting Bluetti’s new Elite 30 V2 Power Station bundled with a carrying case for $259. From there, EGO has given folks a return low price on an advanced pole saw alongside its Nexus power station, with three one-day only deals from Greenworks and Worx, and more waiting for you below. Plus, there are all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s EcoFlow Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale, the $799 promotion on Vanpower’s City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale increases savings on power stations as high as 63% with deals starting from $120

Anker has launched its SOLIX Fan Fest Sale running through September 21, with up to 63% discounts on its massive power station and accessory lineup – which is an increase from the brand’s Labor Day event. Alongside the low prices we spotted on the EverFrost 2 electric coolers, as well as the launch deals on the new C1000 Gen 2 station, we also noticed the brand’s other recent release, the SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station dropping to $1,649 shipped during this sale, which sits $1 under Amazon’s pricing. It fetches $2,599 at full price, with discounts having mostly gone as low as $1,699, unless the sales offered bonus savings that saw the cost drop to $1,614 or the one-time $1,599 rate we saw during Prime Day. The deal here is the third-best we have tracked, saving you $950 off the going rate and bringing you one of the latest, upgraded backup power solutions from the Anker flag.

Unlike the new C1000 Gen 2 station, which is a more compact backup option, Anker’s SOLIX F3000 power station brings a whole lot more punch to its game, as it starts with a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that can expand up to 24kWh with investments into the compatible expansion batteries (bundles available below). There are 11 output ports to connect devices/appliances (including a TT-30R AC port for RV backup), which will receive up to 3,600W of power that can be doubled to 7,200W when two stations are connected together.

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One of the SOLIX F3000 power station’s notable upgraded features is the addition of passthrough charging, which it can receive from a generator for up to 3,600W of input, bringing extra versatility to emergency power failures. You’ll also have to options to plug into a standard AC outlet or even charge from an EV. There’s also the max 2,400W solar input that can have it fully recharged in under two hours with optimal sunlight.

***Note: Some of these power stations – particularly the F3800 models, which also get free protective covers – have automatic 5% extra savings that will be added in your cart. Those differences have not been factored in to bracket prices.

Anker’s Fan Fest F3000 deals:

If you want to browse the entirety of Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale, which includes the above SOLIX F3000 power station discounts, be sure to check out our original and curated coverage of those deals here.

man and woman sit on beach with Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes

Tenways End of Season Sale drops 37-pound CGO600 Pro e-bikes to $1,599 with $217 in FREE gear ($2,116 value)

Tenways is continuing most of its Labor Day savings within its newly launched End of Season Sale, which is taking up to $500 off select e-bikes, while also offering an additional $200 discount when buying two. Among the lineup, Tenways’ popular CGO600 Pro Lightweight Commuter e-bikes (both the chain-drive and belt-drive variants) are dropping back down to $1,599 shipped, while also coming with $118 in free gear and a complimentary gift box (a $99 value). Coming down off its $1,899 full tag price, things have been taken lower in the past, though since March we’ve been seeing tariff hikes keep the price up at $1,599, with occasional falls lower to $1,499. You’re still getting a solid $517 savings package with this deal, not to mention the additional savings you can get buying two together and/or verifying your status as a medical provider, first responder, teacher, or military member (giving you an extra $150 off).

If you want to learn more about this lightweight commuter, or browse the other e-bike deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

man and woman sit at table in nature with Bluetti's Elite 30 V2 power station

Bluetti’s new Elite 30 V2 power station bundled with a carrying case gets first discount to $259, more from $219

Through its official Amazon storefront, Bluetti is offering the first chance at savings on its new Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station bundled with a carrying bag at $259 shipped, after clipping the on-page $140 off coupon, which is unavailable directly from the brand’s website and has no option to buy the bag separately. This bundle package just hit Amazon five days ago, carrying a $399 price tag, with today’s deal being a first-ever chance to save on it. All-in-all, you’re getting $140 in total savings that sets the bar for future discounts down the road.

If you want to learn more about this station’s capabilities, as well as browse the other bundles, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

EGO's 56V 10-inch carbon fiber pole saw being used to cut off tree branch

Grab EGO’s carbon fiber telescopic pole saw with an LED guide light and 2.5Ah battery at its $299 low

Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 10-inch Cordless Carbon Fiber Telescopic LED Cut Line Indicator Pole Saw with 2.5Ah battery at $299 shipped. It’s been recently fetching around $389 at full price, with the discounts we’ve seen this year having dropped the costs to this same low rate twice before. It’s coming back around for a $90 markdown, letting you expand your outdoor arsenal at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this pole saw, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man prepping food in pot on burner being powered by EGO Power+ Nexus portable power station

EGO’s modular Nexus power station with two 7.5Ah batteries can also refuel your arsenal at $899

At Amazon, you can currently find the EGO Power+ Nexus Portable Power Station with two 7.5Ah batteries at $899 shipped. This bundled package usually runs for $1,099 without discounts, which we’ve mostly seen keeping down near $999 with discounts. While these drops to $899 are usually rare sightings, the price has been holding out strong since mid-August, with no telling how much longer it may last. Aside from the $838 low we saw once back during Black Friday, you’re otherwise looking at the best tracked price, which saves you $200 off the going rate. If you already have a collection of EGO ARC batteries, you can pick the station up on its own for $593.

If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man cleaning driveway with Greenworks 1,900 PSI electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ framed 1,900 PSI electric pressure washer back at $120 while the 12-inch cleaner attachment is at $23 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 1,900 PSI Electric Framed Pressure Washer at $119.99 shipped (currently unavailable on Amazon and beating the brand’s direct website by $30), which is running parallel to the one-day-only discount we’re also seeing on the brand’s 12-inch Surface Cleaner Attachment at $22.99 shipped. That pressure washer would normally run you $200 at full price, with discounts mostly taking it to this rate or higher, more often as a one-day-only deal, which has only been beaten out by a one-time discount to $118. For the rest of the day, you can pick one up at $80 off to tackle your outdoor cleaning needs at the next-best price we have tracked – landing just $2 above the all-time low.

If you want to learn more about the pressure washer or cleaner attachment, be sure to check out our original coverage of these one-day-only deals here.

split photo showing the Worx Pegasus 2-in-1 work table and sawhorse holding bags of cement

Gain more portable workspace with Worx’s Pegasus 2-in-1 folding table & sawhorse at $95 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Worx Pegasus 2-in-1 Folding Work Table & Sawhorse at $94.99 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $42. It usually fetches $140 to $150 at full price across various marketplaces, with discounts over the last year having mostly kept costs above $110, though we have spied some short-term falls as low as $90. For the rest of the day, you can pick it up here with a $55 markdown that lands it at the second-best price of the last 12 months – just $5 above the low we last saw in January.

If you want to learn more about this work table/sawhorse, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Hyundai’s EV plant raided by ICE, ‘hundreds’ taken into custody [Live Updates]

Published

15 hours ago

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September 10, 2025

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Hyundai's EV plant raided by ICE, 'hundreds' taken into custody [Live Updates]

Hyundai-EV-plant-raided-ICE

The massive new Hyundai EV plant outside of Savannah, Georgia, was raided by ICE last week. Federal agents took hundreds of people into custody at the site, including executives from LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s battery partner and co-owner of the plant.

Update 09/10/2025: A charter plane was shown taking off from the Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, headed for the US.

According to reports (via The Associated Press), the plane landed in Atlanta, but cannot depart the US just yet due to unknown reasons on the US side.

The detainees are currently being held at an immigration detention center in Georgia. They are expected to be released and transferred to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where the charter plane is waiting to bring them home.

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The battery plant site that was raided is one of over 20 that South Korean companies are currently building in the US.

As the largest workplace raid by the US Homeland Security, the event is quickly spreading backlash among South Koreans.

Charles Kuck, an immigration attorney from Atlanta who represents several of the detained citizens, told The Associated Press that no other company in the US makes the machines used at Hyundai’s plant. So, they had to come from overseas to install or repair equipment at the plant. He added that many were doing so under various visa programs legally.

Why was the Hyundai EV plant raided by ICE?

After celebrating the grand opening of its new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia earlier this year, the Korean automaker said it’s “building the future of mobility with America, in America.”

On September 4, a construction site for a new battery plant was raided by US immigration authorities. Up to 475 people were arrested as part of an investigation into undocumented individuals. It was the US Department of Homeland Security’s largest single-site enforcement operation to date.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday, September 5 (via Yonhap News), claiming that the individuals were mistreated.

“The economic activities of our companies investing in the US and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated,” South Korean ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said.

Hyundai-EV-plant-raid
Hyundai IONIQ 9 models, which are built at HMGMA EV plant in Georgia (Source: Hyundai)

The ministry’s spokesperson added that “We conveyed our concern and regret through the US Embassy in Seoul today.” Korea sent officials to Washington and to the Hyundai plant to establish an on-site task force to deal with the matter.

Update 09/08/25: South Korea reached a “broad agreement” on September 7 to release the roughly 300 Korean citizens detained in the US.

A foreign ministry official confirmed on Monday (via Yonhap News) that “We have agreed on a plan to bring all our citizens back home safely via a chartered flight.” The official added that the citizens will head home voluntarily rather than facing deportation.

Hyundai-EV-plant-raided-ICE
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (Source: Hyundai)

Backlash is erupting in Korea after video footage circulated on social media showing the detained workers shackled before being loaded onto buses and DEA agents armed with guns outside the facility.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is in talks with Washington to discuss ways to prevent similar incidents from happening again, including increasing the visa quota for South Korean workers.

Hyundai-EV-plant-raided
Hyundai Motor America CEO Jose Muñoz with Georgia Governor Brian P Kemp at Hyundai Day (Source: Hyundai)

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump still believes the US and South Korea have “a great relationship.” Trump told reporters after a visit to the US Open tennis final on September 8 that “we have a great relationship with South Korea, really good relationship.”

Trump later posted on Truth Social that the US will “make it quickly and legally possible” to bring foreign battery experts to the US, adding, “What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers.”

Hyundai-new-evs-tech
Hyundai IONIQ 9 built at HMGMA (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai’s site in Georgia spans nearly 3,000 acres total and includes an assembly facility, two battery plants, a weld shop, and several others for training, logistics, and more.

As the largest economic project in Georgia, the plant, including Hyundai’s suppliers, is expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs while drawing $12.6 billion into the state.

Hyundai currently builds the new 2025 IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9, its first three-row electric SUV, at the Georgia facility.

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-breakout-EV
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)

The ICE raid came just days after US President Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. It’s part of the administration’s aggressive crackdown on immigration. Lee has committed to investing another $150 billion in the US, including a new EV battery plant, as it seeks to ease trade tensions.

Check back soon for the latest information, as this is still an ongoing story. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

Source: The New York Times, Yonhap News


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