Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Showcases Comprehensive Range of Home Appliances With Experience-Enhancing Screens at KBIS 2025

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced it is showcasing its comprehensive lineup of innovative home appliances — including the new Induction Range from Dacor — at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2025 in Las Vegas. Following on from its “AI for All” vision laid out at CES 2025 in January, Samsung is continuing to build out a suite of user-focused, AI-enhanced solutions providing truly personalized services for living spaces — all based on the foundation of constantly improving solutions like Samsung Knox, Bixby and SmartThings.
     
    The exhibition showcases Bespoke AI appliances — namely the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub +, the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo and the Bespoke Slide-in Induction Range — which are great additions to any smart home ecosystem. The LCD screens on these appliances act as a hub, allowing easy and intuitive access and control across various intelligent, connected devices. Visitors can experience how implementation of AI can deliver a personalized experience and make daily routines better and more enjoyable.
     
    Additionally, the exhibition provides information on AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy1 and Samsung Care, both of which support Samsung’s commitment to making users’ daily lives more convenient.
     
    Samsung’s KBIS booth also has a dedicated space with built-in appliances from Dacor, including the 2025 Dacor Induction Range. Designed for a premium kitchen, Dacor’s 30” Column Refrigerator – Panel Ready; 30” Column Freezer – Panel Ready; 30” Combination Wall Oven with Steam; and 24” Built-in Wine Dispenser form a seamless wall to bring a clean and luxurious look to the home interior. A separate wine zone also showcases the 24” Wine Column – Panel Ready that continues into an impressive Dacor Wine Wall where visitors can take photos.
     
    “We are looking forward to introducing our Samsung Bespoke and Dacor appliances, all of which harness powerful hyperconnectivity and AI technology to anticipate personal needs and simplify daily tasks,” said Taehwan Hwang, EVP and Head of the Sales and Marketing Team of Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “And as the premier stage for home innovation, KBIS is the perfect place for us to showcase how these smart, beautifully designed appliances work together to create seamless and personalized experiences for every household.”
     
     
    Introducing the 2025 Dacor Induction Range: A Powerful Enhancement to Any Kitchen

     
    The 2025 Dacor Induction Range empowers users to quickly and flexibly cook a variety of dishes. The powerful heat of a 4.3 kW Induction Cooktop enables fast and intensive cooking that seals in delicious flavors, making it ideal for sautéing, searing or quickly boiling. The cooktop’s Anti Scratch Glass makes surface cleaning and maintenance super easy, and the matte black finish adds a premium look to the kitchen.
     
    There’s also a 7” Sync Burner that allows users to adjust two separate burners with one control so they can be kept at the same temperature and act as one large cooking zone for large cookware. Since this model is ENERGY STAR® certified, all the power that comes with it doesn’t come at the cost of efficiency, either.
     
    Additionally, Dacor’s Dual Four-part Pure Convection system cooks multiple dishes quickly and thoroughly with no flavor transfer, reducing cooking time by distributing heat evenly across the entire oven. The four key components are as follows:
     
    a 1300 W heating element to provide heat
    a convection fan to circulate air
    an oven-specific baffle to evenly channel air
    a triple-mesh filter to prevent flavor crossover
     
    Users will also benefit from the luxurious Art Hairline Finish, which features long, horizontal brush strokes on the stainless-steel exterior to contribute to a sophisticated matte appearance that blends harmoniously with kitchen interiors.
     
     
    In-Booth Events
    Visitors to Samsung’s booth at KBIS will be able to use a buzzworthy photo booth that allows them to take a photo of a miniaturized version of themselves sitting on the shelf of the larger-than-life refrigerator — and then instantly share it on social media.
     
     
    1 AI Energy Mode must be turned on in the SmartThings App, available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: CrashPlan Crashes the Nets for Charity with ‘Hockey Helping Kids’

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Twin City hockey stars of every age and level to skate on NHL ice
    with NHL alumni, USA Olympians at Xcel Energy Center

    MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Minneapolis-based CrashPlan, a trusted provider of cyber-ready data resilience and governance, is getting ready to hit the ice for charity along with hockey players of every age and level on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Xcel Energy Center. CrashPlan’s support of the Hockey Helping Kids program unites its customers, partners, employees, and their families in support of children’s organizations and charities across the country. Through competitive hockey games, dinners, and fundraisers – often held alongside NHL events – the program raises vital funds and awareness for these important causes.

    Each event is made possible with the support of platinum sponsors like Microsoft Corp., Backblaze and ShopRite Supermarkets. The festivities kick off with a “JV” game, where customers and partners compete before the NHL matchup between the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers. After the game, the excitement continues as CrashPlan employees and partners share the ice in the “varsity” match, adding to the spirited competition. This year’s varsity team opponents include Denis Maruk, a 15-year NHL veteran who still owns several Washington Capital scoring records, and members of the USA Women’s National Hockey team, including Olympic team medalists.

    Hockey Helping Kids shines a spotlight on the important missions of the children’s charities it supports. Charities that will benefit from this season’s play include the Hendrickson Foundation, a group dedicated to providing hockey opportunities to special needs children; and the Autism Society of Minnesota. The family-friendly event enables children and families from the charities to be fully involved in all aspects of the event.

    Supporting Quotes:

    Randy De Meno, VP, Business Development and Alliances, CrashPlan:
    “Hockey Helping Kids makes a real impact on children and families, while creating unforgettable experiences both on and off the ice. We are excited to collaborate with our platinum sponsors and NHL partners to raise even more funds for meaningful children’s causes in Minnesota and nationwide.”

    Nico Sumas, VP, Shop-Rite Supermarkets:
    “Shop-Rite is proud to collaborate with CrashPlan in supporting nonprofit initiatives and charities that benefit today’s youth. We commend the Hockey Helping Kids program and acknowledge its significant impact on dozens of nonprofit youth organizations over the years.”

    Christine Krsnik, Executive Board Member (daughter of founder Larry Hendrickson) Hendrickson Foundation:
    “The Hendrickson Foundations honored to be a recipient of CrashPlan and Hockey Helping Kids’ fundraising efforts. As a young organization dedicated to making hockey accessible for disabled children, adults, and veterans, we deeply appreciate CrashPlan’s generosity. Their support enables us to reach hundreds of children in need, fostering friendships, confidence, and strong values in a team environment where every player is encouraged to shine.”

    Kelly Ulrick, President, Autism Society of Minnesota:
    “The Autism Society of Greater Minnesota is deeply grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary of CrashPlan’s Hockey Helping Kids Program this year. It is truly inspiring to see a company dedicate its time, resources, and efforts to support our mission of assisting families navigating life with autism. We sincerely appreciate being included in this meaningful and impactful program.”

    Colleen Coyne, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal-winning Hockey player:
    “CrashPlan’s leadership has brilliantly merged their passion for ice hockey with their commitment to supporting children’s nonprofits, making giving back both enjoyable and impactful. Each event brings joy to participants while providing essential financial support to those in need. Being part of this initiative is an honor and a blast!”

    Denis Maruk, 15 year NHL veteran and former member of the Minnesota North Stars:
    “Hockey Helping Kids events are among my favorites each year because they are all about giving more kids a chance – whether that’s in their day-to-day lives, or whether we’re talking about the opportunity to skate in a real hockey arena on the same ice as Olympians and NHL alumni.”

    Duane Barnes, President, RapidScale:
    “We are thrilled to sponsor CrashPlan’s Hockey Helping Kids Program, uniting the Twin Cities community for a cause that truly matters,” said RapidScale President Duane Barnes. “At RapidScale and Cox Business, we believe in the power of giving back and making a positive impact. This event not only showcases the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship but also highlights Microsoft’s commitment to supporting meaningful initiatives. We look forward to an exciting game and the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause.”

    Brian Bellows, 10-year Minnesota NorthStar and Minnesota hockey legend:
    “Being back on the ice, especially for a cause like Hockey Helping Kids, brings back so many great memories. It’s fantastic to see how this event unites the hockey community, from seasoned veterans to the next generation of players. To be able to contribute to these wonderful children’s charities, and to see the joy it brings, that’s what it’s all about. It’s more than just a game; it’s about giving back and making a real difference.”

    About CrashPlan
    CrashPlan provides cyber-ready data resilience and governance in a single platform for organizations whose ideas power their revenue. With its comprehensive backup and recovery capabilities for data stored on servers, on endpoint devices, and in SaaS applications, CrashPlan’s solutions are trusted by entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses of all sizes worldwide. From ransomware recovery and breaches to migrations and legal holds, CrashPlan’s suite of products ensures the safety and compliance of your data without disruption.

    CrashPlan Media Contact:
    Maura Lafferty
    Firebrand Communications
    crashplan@firebrand.marketing

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Jackery Showcases Essential Home Backup and Solar Innovations at International Builders’ Show 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jackery, a leader in reliable and innovative renewable energy solutions, is showing off the latest advancements in home, outdoor, and jobsite power at the 2025 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas. Jackery’s range of reliable, sustainable, and aesthetically integrated energy solutions are designed for both home and outdoor applications, appealing to builders, architects, and homeowners alike.

    The Jackery 5000 Plus: Essential Home Backup Kit

    With severe weather events causing more frequent and prolonged power outages, home backup power is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Jackery 5000 Plus Kit is the most cost-effective and flexible essential home backup solution, providing automatic power backup at up to 50% less than what traditional whole-home backup systems cost.

    Designed for seamless integration, the 5000 Plus Kit connects directly to a home’s critical circuits via the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch, delivering uninterrupted power to essential rooms like the kitchen, living room, and home office. The system automatically switches over when an outage occurs—ensuring that homeowners stay powered without disruption.

    Unlike traditional whole-home backup solutions, which can cost upwards of $18,000 and require professional installation, the Jackery 5000 Plus Kit offers an affordable, scalable, and portable alternative for just $7,999 (including estimated installation). In addition, a modular design allows homeowners to expand capacity up to 60kWh, providing a customized backup power based on individual household needs.

    Key Benefits:

    • Reliable, Automatic Backup Power – Powers critical appliances, including refrigerators, lights, Wi-Fi routers, and medical devices.
    • High Output & Expandability – 7200W output with expandable storage up to 60kWh.
    • Clean & Safe – Whisper-quiet, fume-free, and safe for indoor use.
    • More Affordable and Modular Than ESS Backup – Costs up to 50% less than traditional systems, but all the benefits of essential home coverage.
    • Solar-Ready for Energy Independence – Recharge with portable solar panels to extend battery life and reduce reliance on the grid.

    The Jackery Solar Roof: A Form and Function Dream for Builders and Homeowners

    For years, homeowners and builders have been promised a solar roofing solution that seamlessly integrates aesthetics with efficiency—but until now, the market has struggled to deliver. The Jackery Solar Roof changes that, offering the first-ever curved solar tiles available in the U.S., designed to blend effortlessly into modern and traditional architecture without compromising performance.

    Unlike conventional rooftop solar panels, Jackery’s Solar Roof maintains the architectural integrity of a home while delivering industry-leading solar efficiency of over 25%. With a 30-year warranty and extreme durability to withstand temperatures from -40°F to 185°F, hail, and high winds, Jackery provides a long-lasting and truly attainable solar solution.

    For builders and developers, Jackery’s Solar Roof presents a competitive edge, offering homebuyers a sleek, energy-efficient roofing system that lowers electricity bills and increases home value.

    With the Jackery Solar Roof, the future of integrated solar energy is here—not just as an idea, but a reality.

    Off-Grid Power for Construction: Replacing Gas Generators with Clean Energy

    Jackery’s portable solar generators provide a clean, silent, and fume-free alternative to gas generators, enabling construction crews to power high-demand tools and equipment using renewable solar energy—even in areas where the grid is compromised.

    As communities across Southern California and other disaster-affected regions begin the rebuilding process, access to reliable, off-grid power is critical for recovery efforts. With high-wattage output and scalable capacity, Jackery’s solutions can power essential construction equipment, ensuring that rebuilding projects stay on track without the pitfalls associated with traditional gas-powered alternatives. This option not only enhances worksite efficiency but also aligns with the industry’s growing commitment to sustainable, disaster-resilient building practices.

    By providing clean energy solutions for both home resilience and disaster recovery, Jackery is helping communities to rebuild stronger, safer, and more energy-independent in the face of future challenges.

    Experience Jackery at IBS 2025

    Jackery invites builders, architects, designers, and homeowners to explore its full suite of renewable energy solutions – including the soon to launch Jackery HomePower 3000 – in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth C5236 during the 2025 International Builders’ Show. Live demonstrations will showcase how Jackery seamlessly integrates into homes and job sites, delivering clean, reliable, and cost-effective power for every application.

    For more information about Jackery and its lineup of solar generators, visit www.jackery.com.

    About Jackery:

    Founded in California in 2012, Jackery is a leader in innovative solar generators and renewable energy solutions. Offering a diverse range of products from compact 100W units to robust 123kWh energy storage systems for whole-home backup, Jackery combines cutting-edge technology with a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Dedicated to providing reliable, renewable energy solutions, Jackery prioritizes convenience, trust, energy independence, and environmentally responsible practices. With over 150,000 five-star reviews, Jackery has earned the trust of customers worldwide. As of mid-year 2024, Jackery solar panels sold have saved 760 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduced carbon emissions by 758,000 tons—equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of a medium-sized city. To learn more, check out Jackery on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    MEDIA CONTACTS
    ICR
    jackery@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Tamar Gutner, Associate Professor, American University

    Donald Trump is no fan of international organizations. Just hours after taking office on Jan 20, 2025, the U.S. president announced his intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris agreement on climate change.

    Could the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank be next?

    Certainly, supporters of the twin institutions – that have formed the backbone of global economic order for 80 years – are concerned. A Trump-ordered review of Washington’s support of all international organizations has led to fears of the U.S. reducing funding or pulling it altogether.

    But any shrinking of U.S. leadership in international financial institutions would, I believe, run counter to the administration’s ostensible geopolitical goals, creating a vacuum for China to step into and take on a bigger global role. In particular, weakening the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, or MDBs, that have a large U.S. presence could present an opportunity for a little-known, relatively new Chinese-led international organization: the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – which, since its inception, has supported the very multilateralism the U.S. is attacking.

    AIIB’s paradoxical role

    The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was created by China nine years ago as a way to invest in infrastructure and other related sectors in Asia, while promoting “regional cooperation and partnership in addressing development challenges by working in close collaboration with other multilateral and bilateral development institutions.”

    Since then, it has served as an example of an international body willing to deeply cooperate with other major multilateral organizations and follow international rules and norms of development banking.

    This may run counter to the image of Beijing’s global efforts portrayed by China hawks, of which there are many in the Trump administration, who often present a vision of a China intent on undermining the Western-led liberal international order.

    But as a number of scholars and other China experts have suggested, Beijing’s strategies in global economic governance are often nuanced, with actions that both support and undermine the liberal global order.

    As I explore in my new book, it is clear that today the AIIB is a paradox: an institution connected to the rules and norms of the liberal international order, but one created by an illiberal government.

    Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei speaks during the signing ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Oct. 24, 2014, in Beijing.
    Takaki Yajima-Pool/Getty Images

    The AIIB is deeply tied to the rules-based order as displayed through its many cooperative connections with other major multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank and the Japan-led Asian Development Bank.

    As such, the AIIB may present a Chinese counterpoint in a landscape where U.S. leadership is receding.

    The cooperative design of the AIIB

    For decades, multilateral development banks have served the important task of lending billions of dollars a year to support economic and social development.

    They can be vital sources of funding for poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, with a newer emphasis on climate change. These international lenders have also been remarkably durable in today’s climate of fragmentation and crisis, with member nations actively considering ways of further strengthening them.

    At the same time, MDBs perennially face criticism from civil society organizations who highlight areas of weak performance and are concerned about potential downsides of the major MDBs’ greater emphasis on working more closely with the private sector. MDB expert Chris Humphrey has also noted that major “MDBs were built around a set of geopolitical and economic power relationships that are coming apart before our eyes.”

    When Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 proposed creating the AIIB to lend for infrastructure development in Asia, there was a lot of suspicion among major nations about China’s intentions.

    The Obama administration responded to the move by urging other countries not to join. Its concern was that China would use lending to gain further influence in the region, but without adhering to strong environmental and social standards.

    Nonetheless, all the other major nonborrowing nations, with the exception of Japan, joined the new bank. Today, the AIIB is the second-largest multilateral development bank in terms of member countries, behind only the World Bank. It currently has 110 member nations, which translates to over 80% of the global population. With US$100 billion in capital, it is one of the medium-sized multilateral lenders.

    From the get-go, the AIIB was designed to be cooperative. Jin Liqun, who became the bank’s first president, is a longtime multilateralist with a long career at China’s finance ministry and past positions on the boards of the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility, as well as a vice presidency of the Asian Development Bank.

    The international group of experts that helped design the AIIB also included former executive directors and staff from the IMF and other development banks, as well as two Americans with long careers at the World Bank who played leading roles in designing the bank’s articles of agreement and its environmental and social framework.

    How the AIIB took its cue from others

    The bank fits into the landscape of other multilateral development banks in a variety of ways. The AIIB’s charter is directly modeled on the Asian Development Bank’s foundation, and built into the AIIB’s charter is the bank’s mission of promoting “regional cooperation and partnership in addressing development challenges.”

    The AIIB shares similar norms and policies with other major multilateral development banks, including its environmental and social standards.

    Alongside borrowing foundational principles, the AIIB also works in close conjunction with its peers. The World Bank initially ran the AIIB’s treasury operations. The AIIB has also co-financed a high percentage of its projects with other multilateral development banks, particularly in its first years.

    In a recent sign of cooperation, in 2023, a deal between the AIIB and World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) saw the AIIB issue up to $1 billion in guarantees against IBRD sovereign-backed loans. This increased the IBRD’s ability to lend more money, while diversifying the AIIB’s loan portfolio.

    As of Feb. 6, 2025, the AIIB has 306 approved projects totaling $59 billion. Energy and transportation are its two largest sectors of lending. Recently approved projects include loans to support wind power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and a solar plant in India. India, which has a bumpy relationship with China, is one of the bank’s largest borrowers, along with Turkey and Indonesia.

    Cooperating and competing with China

    From its birth until recently, the multilateral AIIB has repeatedly distinguished itself from China’s bilateral initiatives. Chief among those is China’s Belt and Road Initiative, an umbrella term for infrastructure lending by Chinese institutions that has been criticized for lacking transparency and accountability.

    Indeed, some Belt and Road Initiative-linked projects have faced concerns about corruption, costs and the opacity of the loan agreements.

    In the past several years, the AIIB has made more mention of synergy with Belt and Road lenders, and the bank now hosts the secretariat of a facility, the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance, that offers grants and support to developing countries seeking to finance infrastructure in countries where Belt and Road lending takes place. This may blur the line between the AIIB and lending under the Belt and Road umbrella, but it does not appear to weaken the bank’s standards.

    Concerns about the level of Chinese government influence at the AIIB are not new. Canada froze its ties with the bank in June 2023, pending a review of allegations by a Canadian staff member, who dramatically quit after accusing the bank of being dominated by members of China’s Communist Party.

    No other member nations expressed such concern, and Canada has not yet published any review. A group of AIIB executive directors oversaw an internal review that found no evidence to support the allegations.

    As the new U.S. administration formulates its policies toward China, it would do well to take into account the variation in China’s strategies in global economic governance, as a recognition of areas of cooperation, competition and conflict requires more nuanced responses. In many areas, the U.S. will both cooperate and compete with China.

    Paradoxically, any moves by the Trump administration to pull back from multilateral organizations may leave the AIIB, whether or not it is an anomaly, in a position to offer a better model of cooperation than leading multilateral development banks with a powerful U.S. role.

    Tamar Gutner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation – https://theconversation.com/if-us-attempts-world-bank-retreat-the-china-led-aiib-could-be-poised-to-step-in-and-provide-a-model-of-global-cooperation-244595

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Equips Ice Palace in Bashkiria with New Equipment

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Bashneft (part of Rosneft), a modern ice-resurfacing machine has appeared in the Tuymazy Arena ice palace. The sports complex is equipped with new equipment within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between Rosneft and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

    The universal ice palace “Tuymazy Arena” named after Sergey Gimayev was built with the support of “Bashneft”. Its venues host republican and interregional competitions. The total area of the complex exceeds 10 thousand square meters. In addition to the ice arena and gyms, it includes a spacious room for athletics. Every year, the arena is visited by more than 100 thousand people from different regions of Bashkortostan.

    The new ice resurfacing machine has larger water and snow tanks, which significantly increases the speed of ice surface restoration. The equipment also includes an ice washing system. The machine ensures high quality resurfacing, which meets all the requirements for holding national and international tournaments.

    Support for mass, children’s and youth sports is one of the significant areas of social work of Rosneft and its subsidiaries. Sports complexes, arenas, and multifunctional sports grounds are built in the regions of presence with the Company’s funds. Dozens of modern large sports facilities have been opened in the regions of Russia with the support of Rosneft. The company supports projects for the development and popularization of physical culture and a healthy lifestyle.

    Earlier, Bashkir oil workers also helped build modern ice palaces in the cities of Kumertau and Oktyabrsky. Developed infrastructure and high-quality equipment allow competitions of various levels to be held in the palaces all year round. Due to their equipment and accessibility, the sports grounds are popular both among athletes for holding sports camps and among city residents.

    Since 2017, Bashneft has helped build and reconstruct more than 30 major sports facilities in 16 districts of the republic. Thus, a world-class skate park appeared in the city of Dyurtyuli, and the Spartak stadium, which is the largest sports facility in the west of Bashkiria, appeared in the city of Tuymazy. In the Blagoveshchensk district, six training grounds were built and opened with the support of Bashneft in the Ufimsky Sokol sports center. More than 3 thousand children study in this center, mastering 62 sports. In the Ufa district, in the village of Bulgakovo, a modern physical education and health complex Zhemchuzhina was put into operation. This is the only sports complex in the village, where more than 6 thousand people live. In addition, 10 multifunctional sports and health complexes were built in 10 districts and cities of the republic, promoting an active lifestyle and developing sports infrastructure in the region.

    Reference:

    ANK Bashneft (part of Rosneft) is one of the oldest enterprises in the country’s oil and gas industry, operating in the extraction and processing of oil and gas. The company’s key assets, including oil refining and petrochemical complexes, are located in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Oil and gas exploration and production are also carried out in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Orenburg Region, Perm Krai and the Republic of Tatarstan.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 25, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: PureSky Energy Announces Full Term Conversion of Largest-to-Date Solar Portfolio

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PureSky Energy (PureSky), a leader in sustainable energy solutions and independent power producer, is proud to announce the term conversion of a 54.5 MWdc of solar paired with 7.4 MWh of DC-coupled energy storage portfolio with a market value in excess of $150 million, marking a significant milestone as the company’s largest portfolio of solar projects to date. This accomplishment not only reinforces PureSky’s commitment to high-quality renewable energy development but also sets the stage for further expansion of our solar portfolios, driving the transition to clean energy forward.

    The portfolio includes 12 solar projects across New York and Massachusetts. This achievement represents the culmination of PureSky Energy’s strategic evolution from acquiring solar projects primarily through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to increasing greenfield development—ensuring the consistent quality and reliability of its expanding portfolio and maintaining a balance between acquisitions and greenfield development.

    The Massachusetts projects—Cotuit and Three Rivers—are greenfield developments totaling 8.9 MWdc and feature the entirety of the portfolio’s energy storage capacity. Meanwhile, the New York projects span seven sites acquired from Omni Navitas and three sites from EDF Renewables, illustrating PureSky Energy’s strategic and diversified approach to solar project acquisition and development.

    “This milestone highlights the exceptional quality of our portfolio and reflects the confidence our long-term partners place in our projects,” said Jared Donald, CEO of PureSky Energy. “The successful conversion of this portfolio enables us to continue delivering renewable energy solutions that exceed industry standards and reinvest in initiatives that drive sustainable energy growth, benefiting both communities and the environment.”

    The portfolio’s success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of PureSky Energy’s partners:

    • U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank, acted as the tax equity investor.
    • KeyBanc Capital Markets served as the lead debt arranger.
    • CS Energy and EDF Renewables oversaw the construction of the majority of the New York projects with Dynamic Energy building the Massachusetts ones.
    • Empyrean, subsidiary of PureSky Energy, expertly managed procurement and equipment supply, and served as the contractor for BESS.

    “U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance is proud to support PureSky’s portfolio and play a role in accelerating the transition to clean energy,” said Environmental Finance Managing Director Darren Van’t Hof. “These projects highlight the power of collaboration in building a more sustainable future.”

    “We are honored to serve as the lead debt arranger for the Amp IV portfolio, supporting PureSky Energy in achieving this significant milestone,” said Tyler Nielsen, Director, KeyBanc Capital Markets Utilities Power and Renewable Energy Group. “Our involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to financing projects that advance renewable energy and deliver lasting benefits to communities and the environment.”

    This landmark achievement underscores PureSky Energy’s dedication to advancing renewable energy development through a robust strategy that is transitioning from solely M&A to a balanced mix of M&A and greenfield development, guaranteeing the long-term quality and impact of its portfolio. By successfully completing its largest solar portfolio to date, PureSky Energy is positioned to channel its resources and expertise into future projects that will continue to transform the energy landscape.

    About PureSky Energy:
    PureSky Energy is a leading developer, owner, and operator of US community solar, C&I and storage projects with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Since entering the US market in 2016, the company has rapidly expanded its scale and currently operates a portfolio with generation capacity of approximately 233MW across forty-four sites or under-construction projects expected to be completed in the short term. The company has a large pipeline of solar and battery storage projects across existing and new US markets, placing the platform in a primary position within the distributed generation market. The company’s mission is to make clean energy accessible and affordable to local communities across the United States, while shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.

    Website: www.pureskyenergy.com

    Host A Solar Farm: https://www.pureskyenergy.com/community-host

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/puresky-energy

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Janet Janzen: marketing@pureskyenergy.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd3265f2-1554-4f18-b826-50306d0c9bdb

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: New APR Energy Deploys 100MW+ of Mobile Gas Turbines for U.S. Based AI Hyperscaler

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New APR Energy LLC (“New APR Energy”), a global leader in fast-track energy solutions, is deploying four mobile gas turbines providing 100MW+ of dedicated behind-the-meter power to a major U.S.-based AI hyperscaler. New APR Energy is expected to complete the installation in the next 10 days with the support of Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (“Duostech”) (Nasdaq: DUOT).

    Securing power solutions from local utilities has become a challenge for data center expansion. New APR Energy’s mobile gas turbine fleet offers a fast and flexible alternative that can accelerate a data center developer’s project timeline and scalability.

    The gas turbines being deployed are part of a portfolio of power generation assets owned by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group (“Fortress”). Fortress recently announced the acquisition of the 850MW power generation portfolio from the original APR Energy, a subsidiary of Atlas Corporation, and a concurrent agreement with Duostech to assist in overseeing the management and deployment of the assets. New APR Energy, through an asset management agreement with Duostech, is led by members of the former APR Energy management team who successfully installed and operated over 1.5GW of fast power between 2016 and 2020.

    Chuck Ferry, the Chairman and CEO for New APR Energy and CEO at Duostech said, “We are excited to deploy New APR Energy’s first 100MW to a U.S.-based data center. This deployment is a good proof point for our investment thesis for Behind-the-Meter power demand. We are currently in discussions with many other data center operators and hyperscalers seeking similar support and expect to announce more deployments in the coming weeks. It is also a real pleasure to have reunited many of my former APR Energy teammates with our Duostech staff to see immediate success in the power and data center sector. This talented and experienced team has years of practical experience deploying and operating these assets.”

    To learn more about New APR Energy, please visit www.aprenergy.com.
    To learn more about Fortress investment Group, please visit www.fortress.com.
    To learn more about Duos Technologies Group, please visit www.duostech.com.

    About New APR Energy
    New APR Energy, based in Jacksonville, Florida, provides rapidly deployable mobile power to data center and utility operators for emergency, temporary, bridging, and permanent energy solutions. The New APR team has over 100 years of experience installing fast power plants using mobile gas turbines in the U.S. and internationally. New APR Energy creates unique value through delivering large-scale power projects anywhere in the world in weeks and months versus the typical 2-5 years required to construct a permanent power plant. For more information, please visit www.aprenergy.com.

    About Fortress Investment Group
    Fortress Investment Group LLC is a leading, highly diversified global investment manager. Founded in 1998, Fortress manages $49 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024, on behalf of approximately 2,000 institutional clients and private investors worldwide across a range of credit and real estate, private equity and permanent capital investment strategies. For more information, please visit www.fortress.com.

    About Duos Technologies Group, Inc.
    Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, operates in three major lines of business: Machine Vision/AI Intelligent Technology, Edge Data Center Infrastructure, and Power Solutions. For more information, visit www.duostech.com.

    Forward- Looking Statements
    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things Duos Technologies Group, Inc.’s plans, strategies and prospects — both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to Duos Technologies Group, Inc. or a person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccd5eee9-17b0-41a9-907f-48973f756bb8

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Planned retirements of U.S. coal-fired electric-generating capacity to increase in 2025

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    February 25, 2025


    Electricity generators plan to retire 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in 2025, a 65% increase in retirements compared with 2024. Last year, 7.5 GW was retired from the U.S. power grid, the least generation retired since 2011, according to data reported to us in our latest inventory of electric generators. Coal generating capacity accounts for the largest share of planned capacity retirements (66%), followed by natural gas (21%).

    Coal. Electric generators report that they plan to retire 8.1 GW of coal-fired capacity in 2025, or 4.7% of the total U.S. coal fleet that was in operation at the end of 2024. Coal retirements decreased to 4.0 GW last year, less than the 9.8 GW of coal capacity retired in each of the last 10 years.

    The largest U.S. coal plant that generators plan to retire this year is the 1,800-megawatt (MW) Intermountain Power Project in Utah, where an 840-MW natural gas combined-cycle power block is expected to come online in July. J H Campbell (1,331 MW) in Michigan and Brandon Shores (1,273 MW) in Maryland are two other large coal plants expected to retire this year.

    Natural gas. This year, generators plan to retire 2.6 GW of U.S. natural gas capacity, representing 0.5% of the natural gas fleet in operation at the end of 2024. Almost all of the expected retirements are simple-cycle natural gas turbine power plants, which burn natural gas in a single turbine to produce electricity and are less efficient compared with combined-cycle natural gas plants.

    More than 62% of the natural gas retirements will come from V H Braunig Units 1, 2, and 3 (859 MW) in Texas and Eddystone Units 3 and 4 (760 MW) in Pennsylvania. Both plants are retiring old steam units installed between 1966 and 1974. Another 29% of the natural gas retirements will come from 16 simple-cycle combustion turbines totaling 754 MW at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Johnsonville station in Tennessee. These units, installed in 1975, will be replaced with 10 new, modern aeroderivative gas turbines, which will add 500 MW of natural gas capacity back to the Johnsonville station.

    Petroleum. Petroleum-fired power plants make up around 2.3% of generating capacity in the United States. This year, 1.6 GW of U.S. petroleum-fired capacity is scheduled to retire. More than half of the retiring capacity comes from the Herbert A Wagner power plant in Maryland, where Talen Energy plans to retire three of its oil-fired units totaling 828 MW. The next-largest retirement comes from the TVA’s Allen power plant in Tennessee, where TVA plans to shut down its 20-unit combustion turbine site totaling 427 MW.


    Principal contributor: Office of Energy Statistics staff

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Reliability and safety: more than 170 gas control points have been modernized in Moscow over 15 years

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over 15 years, specialists from the municipal services complex have modernized over 170 municipal gas regulating stations. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Gas pressure control points are responsible for reducing gas pressure to certain parameters and maintaining its values within specified limits, ensure its purification from mechanical impurities and consumption accounting. Over 170 such facilities have been modernized in the capital over 15 years, which has made it possible to ensure high-quality gas supply to consumers and reduce network wear,” noted Petr Biryukov.

    The specialists updated the supply gas pipelines, gas distribution and gas consumption networks. The work was carried out in a short time without disconnecting consumers.

    The upgrade included replacing outdated equipment with new cabinet-type gas control units. They are manufactured from Russian components at the capital’s own gasworks. They are reliable and create less noise during operation, which meets all safety requirements.

    All capital gas control points are necessarily equipped with an automated system for measuring and monitoring process parameters. Thanks to this, their work can be monitored in real time from the central control room of JSC Mosgaz.

    The projects implemented in the capital to modernize and improve the reliability of public utilities infrastructure correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150561073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA: New Study on Why Mars is Red Supports Potentially Habitable Past

    Source: NASA

    A new international study partially funded by NASA on how Mars got its iconic red color adds to evidence that Mars had a cool but wet and potentially habitable climate in its ancient past.

    The current atmosphere of Mars is too cold and thin to support liquid water, an essential ingredient for life, on its surface for lengthy periods. However, various NASA and international missions have found evidence that water was abundant on the Martian surface billions of years ago during a more clement era, such as features that resemble dried-up rivers and lakes, and minerals that only form in the presence of liquid water.
    Adding to this evidence, results from a study published February 25 in the journal Nature Communications suggest that the water-rich iron mineral ferrihydrite may be the main culprit behind Mars’ reddish dust. Martian dust is known to be a hodgepodge of different minerals, including iron oxides, and this new study suggests one of those iron oxides, ferrihydrite, is the reason for the planet’s color.
    The finding offers a tantalizing clue to Mars’ wetter and potentially more habitable past because ferrihydrite forms in the presence of cool water, and at lower temperatures than other previously considered minerals, like hematite. This suggests that Mars may have had an environment capable of sustaining liquid water before it transitioned from a wet to a dry environment billions of years ago.
    “The fundamental question of why Mars is red has been considered for hundreds if not for thousands of years,” said lead author Adam Valantinas, a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, who started the work as a Ph.D. student at the University of Bern, Switzerland. “From our analysis, we believe ferrihydrite is everywhere in the dust and also probably in the rock formations, as well. We’re not the first to consider ferrihydrite as the reason for why Mars is red, but we can now better test this using observational data and novel laboratory methods to essentially make a Martian dust in the lab.”

    “These new findings point to a potentially habitable past for Mars and highlight the value of coordinated research between NASA and its international partners when exploring fundamental questions about our solar system and the future of space exploration,” said Geronimo Villanueva, the Associate Director for Strategic Science of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and co-author of this study.
    The researchers analyzed data from multiple Mars missions, combining orbital observations from instruments on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ESA’s (the European Space Agency) Mars Express and Trace Gas Orbiter with ground-level measurements from NASA rovers like Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Opportunity. Instruments on the orbiters and rovers provided detailed spectral data of the planet’s dusty surface. These findings were then compared to laboratory experiments, where the team tested how light interacts with ferrihydrite particles and other minerals under simulated Martian conditions.
    “What we want to understand is the ancient Martian climate, the chemical processes on Mars — not only ancient — but also present,” said Valantinas. “Then there’s the habitability question: Was there ever life? To understand that, you need to understand the conditions that were present during the time of this mineral’s formation. What we know from this study is the evidence points to ferrihydrite forming and for that to happen there must have been conditions where oxygen from air or other sources and water can react with iron. Those conditions were very different from today’s dry, cold environment. As Martian winds spread this dust everywhere, it created the planet’s iconic red appearance.”
    Whether the team’s proposed formation model is correct could be definitively tested after samples from Mars are delivered to Earth for analysis.
    “The study really is a door-opening opportunity,” said Jack Mustard of Brown University, a senior author on the study. “It gives us a better chance to apply principles of mineral formation and conditions to tap back in time. What’s even more important though is the return of the samples from Mars that are being collected right now by the Perseverance rover. When we get those back, we can actually check and see if this is right.”
    Part of the spectral measurements were performed at NASA’s Reflectance Experiment Laboratory (RELAB) at Brown University. RELAB is supported by NASA’s Planetary Science Enabling Facilities program, part of the Planetary Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
    By William Steigerwald
    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Leaders Announce Digitization of Plants and Animals Declaration Form

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — State Leaders Announce Digitization of Plants and Animals Declaration Form

    Posted on Feb 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

    SYLVIA LUKE
    LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
    KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

     

    STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCE DIGITIZATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS DECLARATION FORM

    ʻAkamai Arrival’ Pilot Program to Launch on March 1 on Select Domestic Flights

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 24, 2025

    HONOLULU – State leaders today announced the launch of ʻAkamai Arrival,’ a pilot program that will digitize Hawaiʻi’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands. The initiative, authorized under Act 196 (2024), marks a significant step toward modernizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts, by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species.

    Beginning March 1, 2025, the pilot program under the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will roll out on select domestic flights in partnership with major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Participating airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes, giving passengers a more efficient way to submit required agricultural declarations before landing in Hawaiʻi.

    “Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future. The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections. This initiative is another step toward preserving our islands for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.

    This concerted effort to modernize and adapt technology is an important step to further protect Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, together with legislators, HDOA, airline partners, and stakeholders, developed the digital agriculture form pilot program. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public. Every one of us, whether coming home or traveling to Hawaiʻi, is very familiar with filling out the paper agriculture form. By digitizing this form, we’re making compliance easier for travelers while using technology to protect what makes Hawaiʻi so special,” said Lieutenant Governor Luke.

    Airlines participating in the pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will serve as a hub for passengers, providing access to the digital form, flight information and an FAQ page to assist travelers.

    “U.S. airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi, and the transition from paper to digital agriculture declaration forms is a significant step toward modernizing the travel experience. We’re proud to support the ‘Akamai Arrival’ program, making the arrival process more seamless and efficient for travelers,” said Sean Williams, Airlines for America vice president of State and Local Government Affairs.

    “The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years. Five years ago, I advocated for the digitization of the declaration form, but was met with resistance. Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage the migration from paper to an app,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. “The ʻAkamai Arrival’ program will inform passengers about what’s not acceptable to bring to Hawaiʻi BEFORE they board the plane, rather than when they’re scrambling for a pen over the Pacific.”

    “Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts and protecting our islands from invasive species requires modern solutions, and the implementation of a digital form is long overdue,” said Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. “I appreciate the collaboration among stakeholders to streamline the screening process and strengthen our state’s ability to ensure safe arrivals.”

    The pilot program will run from March 1 through May 31, 2025. Monthly progress updates will be shared with participating airlines and data collected will help determine potential expansions of the program in the future.

    For more information about the digital declaration form and the ʻAkamai Arrival’ initiative, visit: https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/

    For questions from the public, please email: [email protected]

    A link to the fact sheet can be found here.
    The slides presented at the news conference can be seen here.
    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:   
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    Shari Nishijima
    Communications Director
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor
    Cell: 808-978-0867
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — State Leaders Announce Digitization of Plants and Animals Declaration Form

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — State Leaders Announce Digitization of Plants and Animals Declaration Form

    Posted on Feb 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

    SYLVIA LUKE
    LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
    KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

     

    STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCE DIGITIZATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS DECLARATION FORM

    ʻAkamai Arrival’ Pilot Program to Launch on March 1 on Select Domestic Flights

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 24, 2025

    HONOLULU – State leaders today announced the launch of ʻAkamai Arrival,’ a pilot program that will digitize Hawaiʻi’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands. The initiative, authorized under Act 196 (2024), marks a significant step toward modernizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts, by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species.

    Beginning March 1, 2025, the pilot program under the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will roll out on select domestic flights in partnership with major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Participating airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes, giving passengers a more efficient way to submit required agricultural declarations before landing in Hawaiʻi.

    “Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future. The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections. This initiative is another step toward preserving our islands for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.

    This concerted effort to modernize and adapt technology is an important step to further protect Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, together with legislators, HDOA, airline partners, and stakeholders, developed the digital agriculture form pilot program. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public. Every one of us, whether coming home or traveling to Hawaiʻi, is very familiar with filling out the paper agriculture form. By digitizing this form, we’re making compliance easier for travelers while using technology to protect what makes Hawaiʻi so special,” said Lieutenant Governor Luke.

    Airlines participating in the pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will serve as a hub for passengers, providing access to the digital form, flight information and an FAQ page to assist travelers.

    “U.S. airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi, and the transition from paper to digital agriculture declaration forms is a significant step toward modernizing the travel experience. We’re proud to support the ‘Akamai Arrival’ program, making the arrival process more seamless and efficient for travelers,” said Sean Williams, Airlines for America vice president of State and Local Government Affairs.

    “The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years. Five years ago, I advocated for the digitization of the declaration form, but was met with resistance. Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage the migration from paper to an app,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. “The ʻAkamai Arrival’ program will inform passengers about what’s not acceptable to bring to Hawaiʻi BEFORE they board the plane, rather than when they’re scrambling for a pen over the Pacific.”

    “Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts and protecting our islands from invasive species requires modern solutions, and the implementation of a digital form is long overdue,” said Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. “I appreciate the collaboration among stakeholders to streamline the screening process and strengthen our state’s ability to ensure safe arrivals.”

    The pilot program will run from March 1 through May 31, 2025. Monthly progress updates will be shared with participating airlines and data collected will help determine potential expansions of the program in the future.

    For more information about the digital declaration form and the ʻAkamai Arrival’ initiative, visit: https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/

    For questions from the public, please email: [email protected]

    A link to the fact sheet can be found here.
    The slides presented at the news conference can be seen here.
    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:   
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    Shari Nishijima
    Communications Director
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor
    Cell: 808-978-0867
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: CECO Environmental Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Record Bookings in the Quarter of $219M Elevated Year-End Backlog to a Record $541M
    Reaffirms 2025 Full Year Outlook

    ADDISON, Texas, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO) (“CECO”), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024.

    Highlights for the Quarter(1)

    • Orders of $218.9 million, up 71 percent
    • Backlog of $540.9 million, up 46 percent
    • Revenue of $158.6 million, up 3 percent
    • Gross profit of $56.7 million, up 7 percent; Gross margin of 35.8 percent, up 120 basis points
    • Net income of $4.9 million, up 26 percent; non-GAAP net income of $9.9 million, down 2 percent
    • GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.13, up 18 percent; non-GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.27, down 4 percent
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $19.0 million, down 2 percent
    • Free cash flow of ($4.4) million, down $16.6 million

    Highlights for the Year(1)

    • Orders of $667.3 million, up 14 percent
    • Revenue of $557.9 million, up 2 percent
    • Gross profit of $196.1 million, up 15 percent; Gross margin of 35.2 percent, up 380 basis points
    • Net income of $13.0 million, up 1 percent; non-GAAP net income of $26.7 million
    • GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.36, down 3 percent; non-GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.73, down 2 percent
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $62.8 million, up 9 percent
    • Free cash flow of $7.4 million, down 80 percent
    • Completed three acquisitions (EnviroCare International, WK Group and Verantis Environmental Solutions Group), advancing our Industrial Air market leadership

    (1)All comparisons are versus the comparable prior year period, unless otherwise stated.
    Reconciliations of GAAP (reported) to non-GAAP measures are in the attached financial tables.

    Todd Gleason, CECO’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “While we acknowledge mixed results in 2024 driven by customer project and market related order delays, we are energized by our fourth quarter record orders bookings of $219 million, which provides incredible momentum moving into 2025. The steady progress we continue to make on expanding margins and upgrading our portfolio through organic and inorganic investments will help us maximize the tremendous opportunities that exist in key growth markets we serve such as power generation, reshoring of industrial manufacturing, global infrastructure and data center expansion.”

    Fourth quarter operating income was $11.3 million, down $1.4 million or 11 percent when compared to $12.7 million in the fourth quarter 2023. On an adjusted basis, non-GAAP operating income was $15.6 million, down $0.7 million or 4 percent when compared to $16.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income was $4.9 million in the quarter, up $1.0 million or 26 percent when compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $9.9 million, down $0.2 million or 2 percent when compared to $10.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA of $19.0 million, reflecting a margin of 12.0 percent, was down 2 percent compared to $19.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Free cash flow in the quarter was $(4.4) million, down $16.6 million compared to $12.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Full year operating income was $35.4 million, up $0.8 million in the year, compared to $34.6 million in 2023. On an adjusted basis, non-GAAP operating income was $49.4 million, up $1.3 million in the year, compared to $48.1 million in 2023. Net income was $13.0 million in the year, compared to $12.9 million in 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $26.7 million, compared to $26.6 million in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA of $62.8 million, reflecting a margin of 11.3 percent, was up 9 percent compared to $57.7 million in 2023, reflecting a margin of 10.6 percent. Free cash flow was $7.4 million, down $28.8 million compared to $36.2 million in 2023.

    “Over the past six months we have completed four strategic and accretive M&A transactions – including the Profire Energy acquisition in early January 2025. Each of our acquisitions adds important new growth markets, technologies and solutions, and service capabilities to further advance our niche, industrial leadership positions and improve our overall business mix while improving our margin profile. In addition, we upgraded our credit facility, which now includes a $400M Revolver, along with capacity for $150M in additional unsecured debt, and we expect to finalize the sale of our Fluid Handling Business in late Q1 2025. Our core businesses remain robust – evident by our record backlog – and we continue to add tremendous talent to our team and our experienced leadership bench,” added Gleason.

    2025 Full Year Guidance

    The Company maintains its previously announced full year 2025 outlook which includes expected Revenue of $700 to $750 million, up approximately 30 percent at the midpoint year over year, and Adjusted EBITDA of $90 to $100 million, up approximately 50 percent at the midpoint versus 2024. The Company expects 2025 free cash flow to be between 60 and 75 percent of Adjusted EBITDA, approximately 10 percentage points higher than standard cash flow guidance, given expected working capital timing. The full year guidance incorporates the net impact of completed acquisitions and the expected late-Q1 divestiture of the Fluid Handling business.

    “Our full year 2025 outlook reflects the strong visibility we have with our record backlog, strong bookings, 2024 related project push outs, and the impact from our acquisitions. So far in early 2025, we are experiencing a continuation of the strong power generation, data center, general industrial and natural gas infrastructure markets that drove our strong Q4 orders. Our early 2025 working capital performance – specifically receivables – is very strong as we have collected significant cash payments that pushed out of 2024 by just a few weeks. The integrations associated with our recent acquisitions are on-or-ahead of schedule, and we continue to open international sales and service centers to support our global footprint. We expect to deliver an outstanding 2025, affirmed by our full year guidance, as we progress our operating model supported by strong organic growth, coupled with steady margin expansion,” concluded Gleason.

    EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
     

    A conference call is scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results. Please visit the Investor Relations portion of the website (https://investors.cecoenviro.com) to listen to the call via webcast. The conference call may also be accessed by visiting https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wr6yr8ri.

    A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website for a period of one year. The replay may also be accessed by visiting https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wr6yr8ri.

    ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL

    CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving the broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water and energy transition markets globally providing innovative solutions and application expertise. CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. CECO solutions improve air and water quality, optimize emissions management, and increase energy efficiency for highly-engineered applications in power generation, midstream and downstream hydrocarbon processing and transport, electric vehicle production, polysilicon fabrication, semiconductor and electronics, battery production and recycling, specialty metals and steel production, beverage can, and water/wastewater treatment and a wide range of other industrial end markets. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Addison, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com.

    Company Contact:
    Peter Johansson
    Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
    888-990-6670
    investor.relations@onececo.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young
    Three Part Advisors, LLC
    214-872-2710
    investor.relations@onececo.com

     
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
      December 31,  
    (dollars in thousands, except share data) 2024     2023  
    ASSETS          
    Current assets:              
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,832       $ 54,779    
    Restricted cash   369         669    
    Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $8,863 and $6,460   159,572         112,733    
    Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts   69,889         66,574    
    Inventories, net   42,624         34,089    
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   16,859         11,769    
    Prepaid income taxes   3,826         824    
    Total current assets   330,971         281,437    
    Property, plant and equipment, net   33,810         26,237    
    Right-of-use assets from operating leases   25,102         16,256    
    Goodwill   269,747         211,326    
    Intangible assets – finite life, net   74,050         50,461    
    Intangible assets – indefinite life   9,466         9,570    
    Deferred income tax assets   966         304    
    Deferred charges and other assets   15,587         4,700    
    Total assets $ 759,699       $ 600,291    
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Current liabilities:                  
    Current portion of debt $ 1,650       $ 10,488    
    Accounts payable   109,671         87,691    
    Accrued expenses   47,528         44,301    
    Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts   81,501         56,899    
    Notes payable   1,700         2,500    
    Income taxes payable   2,612         1,227    
    Total current liabilities   244,662         203,106    
    Other liabilities   14,362         12,644    
    Debt, less current portion   217,230         126,795    
    Deferred income tax liabilities   11,322         8,838    
    Operating lease liabilities   20,230         11,417    
    Total liabilities   507,806         362,800    
    Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12)                  
    Shareholders’ equity:                  
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, none issued              
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,978,009 and
    34,835,293 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023,
    respectively
      349         348    
    Capital in excess of par value   255,211         254,956    
    Retained earnings (accumulated loss)   6,570         (6,387 )  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (14,441 )       (16,274 )  
    Total CECO shareholders’ equity   247,689         232,643    
        Noncontrolling interest   4,204         4,848    
    Total shareholders’ equity   251,893         237,491    
        Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 759,699       $ 600,291    
     
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (unaudited)
     
      Three months ended December 31,      Year ended December 31,   
    (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2024      2023      2024      2023   
    Net sales $ 158,566       $ 153,711       $ 557,933       $ 544,845    
    Cost of sales   101,865         100,526         361,786         373,829    
    Gross profit   56,701         53,185         196,147         171,016    
    Selling and administrative expenses   41,062         36,862         146,698         122,944    
    Amortization and earnout expenses   2,028         2,192         9,064         8,180    
    Acquisition and integration expenses   2,337         298         4,213         2,508    
    Executive transition expenses           48                 1,465    
    Restructuring expenses           1,133         544         1,350    
    Asbestos litigation expenses                   225            
    Income from operations   11,274         12,652         35,403         34,569    
    Other (expense) income, net   (2,103 )       1,042         (4,692 )       372    
    Interest expense   (3,705 )       (3,918 )       (13,020 )       (13,416 )  
    Income before income taxes   5,466         9,776         17,691         21,525    
    Income tax expense   606         5,447         3,270         7,024    
    Net income   4,860         4,329         14,421         14,501    
    Noncontrolling interest   18         (450 )       (1,464 )       (1,590 )  
    Net income attributable to CECO Environmental Corp. $ 4,878       $ 3,879       $ 12,957       $ 12,911    
    Income per share:                                      
    Basic $ 0.14       $ 0.11       $ 0.37       $ 0.37    
    Diluted $ 0.13       $ 0.11       $ 0.36       $ 0.37    
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                                      
    Basic   34,978,382         34,823,663         34,927,313         34,665,473    
    Diluted   36,559,198         35,687,092         36,381,910         35,334,090    
     
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
     
        Year ended December 31,    
    (dollars in thousands)   2024     2023    
    Cash flows from operating activities:              
    Net income   $ 14,421     $ 14,501    
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization     14,523       12,507    
    Unrealized foreign currency loss (gain)     2,664       (1,041 )  
    Fair value adjustments to earnout liabilities     134       296    
    Earnout payments              
    Loss on sale of property and equipment     191       110    
    Amortization of debt discount     498       427    
    Share-based compensation expense     7,514       4,533    
    Bad debt expense     295       1,593    
    Inventory reserve expense     1,056       1,099    
    Deferred income tax benefit     (3,606 )     (118 )  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:              
    Accounts receivable     (52,355 )     (26,851 )  
    Cost and estimated earnings of billings on uncompleted contracts     (4,149 )     5,040    
    Inventories     (9,814 )     (6,896 )  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (8,347 )     1,196    
    Deferred charges and other assets     (12,736 )     (1,420 )  
    Accounts payable     36,181       13,852    
    Accrued expenses     7,119       8,340    
    Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts     24,923       21,575    
    Income taxes payable     1,425       (1,976 )  
    Other liabilities     4,891       (2,120 )  
    Net cash provided by operating activities     24,828       44,647    
    Cash flows from investing activities:              
    Acquisitions of property and equipment     (17,368 )     (8,384 )  
    Net proceeds from sale of assets     4          
    Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (87,948 )     (48,102 )  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (105,312 )     (56,486 )  
    Cash flows from financing activities:              
    Borrowings on revolving credit lines     309,300       106,600    
    Repayments on revolving credit lines     (112,400 )     (150,600 )  
    Borrowings of long-term debt           75,000    
    Repayments of long-term debt     (113,982 )     (4,985 )  
    Repayments of notes payable              
    Deferred financing fees paid     (1,924 )     (363 )  
    Deferred consideration paid for acquisitions     (2,050 )     (1,247 )  
    Payments on capital leases and sale-leaseback financing liability     (925 )     (907 )  
    Earnout payments     (2,831 )     (2,123 )  
    Equity awards surrendered by employees for tax liability, net of proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options     (2,169 )     1,435    
    Distributions to non-controlling interest     (2,109 )     (1,666 )  
    Common stock repurchases     (5,000 )        
    Net cash provided by financing activities     65,910       21,144    
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (2,673 )     (442 )  
    Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (17,247 )     8,863    
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year     55,448       46,585    
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year   $ 38,201     $ 55,448    
    Cash paid during the period for:              
    Interest   $ 13,335     $ 12,098    
    Income taxes   $ 9,550     $ 9,916    
       
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
     
      Year Ended December 31,
     
    (dollars in millions) 2024     2023     2022
     
    Gross profit as reported in accordance with GAAP $ 196.1       $ 171.0       $ 128.2    
    Gross profit margin in accordance with GAAP   35.1 %       31.4 %       30.3 %  
    Legacy design repairs                   2.0    
    Plant, property and equipment valuation adjustment                   0.6    
    Non-GAAP gross profit $ 196.1       $ 171.0       $ 130.8    
    Non-GAAP gross profit margin   35.1 %       31.4 %       31.0 %  
     
      Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,  
    (in millions, except share data) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net income as reported in accordance with GAAP $ 4.9       $ 3.9       $ 13.0       $ 12.9    
    Amortization and earnout expenses   2.0         2.2         9.1         8.2    
    Acquisition and integration expenses   2.3         0.3         4.2         2.5    
    Executive transition expenses   (0.5 )                       1.5    
    Restructuring expenses   1         1         0.5         1.3    
    Asbestos litigation expense                   0.2            
    Foreign currency remeasurement   2.5         (1.0 )       4.3         (1.0 )  
    Tax benefit (expense) of adjustments   (1.8 )       3.6         (4.6 )       1.2    
    Non-GAAP net income $ 9.9       $ 10.1       $ 26.7       $ 26.6    
    Depreciation   1.8         1.7         5.8         5.1    
    Non-cash stock compensation   1.7         1.5         7.5         4.5    
    Other (income) expense   (0.4 )       (0.1 )       0.4         0.8    
    Interest expense   3.7         3.9         13.0         13.4    
    Income tax expense   2.3         1.8         7.9         5.7    
    Noncontrolling interest           0.5         1.5         1.6    
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 19.0       $ 19.4       $ 62.8       $ 57.7    
                                           
    Earnings per share:                                      
    Basic $ 0.14       $ 0.11       $ 0.37       $ 0.37    
    Diluted $ 0.13       $ 0.11       $ 0.36       $ 0.37    
                                           
    Adjusted earnings per share:                                      
    Basic $ 0.28       $ 0.29       $ 0.77       $ 0.77    
    Diluted $ 0.27       $ 0.28       $ 0.73       $ 0.75    
      Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,  
    (in millions) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 1.8       $ 15.1       $ 24.8       $ 44.6    
    Acquisitions of property and equipment   (6.2 )       (2.9 )       (17.4 )       (8.4 )  
    Free cash flow $ (4.4 )     $ 12.2       $ 7.4       $ 36.2    
     
    NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
     

    CECO is providing certain non-GAAP historical financial measures as presented above as we believe that these figures are helpful in allowing individuals to better assess the ongoing nature of CECO’s core operations. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is a numerical measure of a company’s historical financial performance that excludes amounts that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, as we present them in the financial data included in this press release, have been adjusted to exclude the effects of amortization expenses for acquisition-related intangible assets, contingent retention and earnout expenses, restructuring expenses primarily relating to severance and legal expenses, acquisition and integration expenses which include retention, legal, accounting, banking, and other expenses, foreign currency remeasurement and other nonrecurring or infrequent items and the associated tax benefit of these items. Management believes that these items are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s ongoing operations and their exclusion provides individuals with additional information to better compare the Company’s results over multiple periods. Management utilizes this information to evaluate its ongoing financial performance. Our financial statements may continue to be affected by items similar to those excluded in the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from our non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that all such costs are unusual or infrequent.

    Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, and should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of our business as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of CECO’s results as reported under GAAP. Additionally, CECO cautions investors that non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

    In accordance with the requirements of Regulation G issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow stated in the tables above are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Non-GAAP measures presented on a forward-looking basis were not reconciled to the comparable GAAP financial measures because the reconciliation could not be performed without unreasonable efforts. The GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we are currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the type and extent of certain items that would be expected to impact GAAP measures for these periods but would not impact the non-GAAP measures. Such items may include amortization expenses for acquisition-related intangible assets, contingent retention and earnout expenses, restructuring expenses primarily relating to severance and legal expenses, acquisition and integration expenses which include retention, legal, accounting, banking, and other expenses, foreign currency remeasurement and other nonrecurring or infrequent items and the associated tax benefit of these items. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on our GAAP financial results.

    SAFE HARBOR
     

    Any statements contained in this Press Release, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and may be included in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to: our ability to consummate the planned divestiture of our Fluid Handling business, the effect of recently announced acquisitions and planned divestiture of our Fluid Handling Business (together, the “transactions”) on business relationships, operating results, and business generally, disruption of current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the transactions, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations in connection with the integration of recent acquisitions, the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may in the future be instituted related to the Profire Energy, Inc. (“Profire Energy”) transaction or other transactions, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the transactions, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of transactions, the ability of Profire Energy to achieve its earnings guidance, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from acquisitions, as well as a number of factors related to our business, including the sensitivity of our business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in CECO’s service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on our infrastructure, resources, and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges or other customer considerations; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty, or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with our strategic transactions and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases; our ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring program; economic and political conditions generally; our ability to optimize our business portfolio by identifying acquisition targets, executing upon any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, integrating acquired businesses and realizing the synergies from strategic transactions; and the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cyber security threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to our views as of the date the statement is made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Reports Unaudited Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing, today released its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    Q4 2024 Financial Highlights
    All amounts compared to Q4’23 unless otherwise noted

    • Total revenue was US$69.0 million vs. US$114.8 million.
    • Cost of revenue was US$63.9 million vs. US$87.8 million.
    • Gross profit was US$5.1 million vs. US$27.0 million.
    • Net loss was US$531.9 million vs. US$5.0 million.
    • Adjusted EBITDA1 was negative US$3.8 million, vs. positive US$33.32 million.
    • Cash and cash equivalents were US$476.3 million as of December 31, 2024.
    • Crypto balance: US$77.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Management Commentary

    “Last year, we strategically prioritized resources to the development of our proprietary ASIC technology, which temporarily limited our hashrate growth and impacted our financial performance. However, this investment resulted in substantial progress in our ASIC technology roadmap, strengthening our competitive moat and positioning Bitdeer for a transformative 2025 and beyond. Owning and deploying our own mining ASICs is an integral part of our full vertical integration strategy. It will provide us distinct advantages – such as rapid hashrate deployment, a lower cost structure, enhanced capital efficiency, and a dramatically improved supply chain compared to the broader industry. In addition, commercializing SEALMINER ASICs allows us to diversify our revenue streams into the multi-billion dollar ASICs market where we see strong demand for alternative suppliers of ASIC solutions,” stated Matt Kong, Chief Business Officer at Bitdeer.

    Mr. Kong added, “In 2025, for our self-mining operation, we plan to energize all of our mass production SEALMINER A1s and 28 EH/s of SEALMINER A2s on top of our existing 8.7 EH/s of self-mining hashrate for the time being. This will bring Bitdeer’s total self-mining hashrate to approximately 40 EH/s by Q4 2025. This target does not factor in additional wafer allocation anticipated from TSMC for SEAL02 or SEAL03, which could be additive to the Q4 2025 target of 40 EH/s, depending on manufacturing schedule. For sales to external customers, the approximately 7 EH/s of SEALMINER A2s that we allocated was quickly over-subscribed, 20% of the total price as the down payment has been fully collected and volume shipments to these customers will begin in March 2025.”

    Mr. Kong continued, “In Q4 2024, we also advanced the development of our 3rd and 4th generation chips. Upon successful tapeouts, we believe these chips will position Bitdeer as the leading supplier of the world’s most energy efficient mining ASICs. Having the most efficient ASIC is the key factor to winning share of the growing ASICs market, as energy efficiency remains most important single metric influencing buying decisions. We look forward to the substantial value these chips will unlock for our company and our shareholders.”

    Mr. Kong concluded, “In terms of our energy assets, our global power capacity now exceeds 2.6 GWs, following the Foxcreek, Alberta acquisition, and over 1 GW is scheduled to be energized over the course of 2025. This puts us in an advantageous position to deploy our SEALMINER machines for self-mining and also capitalize on the significant demand for HPC and AI datacenters. We are actively working with top datacenter developers and advisors to establish long-term partnerships, which will position Bitdeer to play a significant role in addressing the shortage of reliable power for AI datacenters.”

    Operational Summary

    Metrics Three Months Ended Dec 31
      2024 2023
    Total hash rate under management (EH/s) 21.6 21.0
    – Proprietary hash rate 8.9 8.4
    – Self-mining 8.5 6.7
    – Cloud Hash Rate 0.0 1.7
    – Delivered but not yet hashing 0.4
    – Hosting 12.7 12.6
    Mining rigs under management 175,000 215,000
    – Self-owned 85,000 86,000
    – Hosted 90,000 129,000
    Bitcoin mined (self-mining only) 469 1,299
    Bitcoins held 594 43
    Total power usage (MWh) 857,000 1,336,000
    Average cost of electricity ($/MWh) 41 44
    Average miner efficiency (J/TH) 30.4 31.7


    Power Infrastructure Summary

    Site / Location Capacity (MW) Status Timing3
    Electrical capacity      
    – Rockdale, Texas 563 Online Completed
    – Knoxville, Tennessee 86 Online Completed
    – Wenatchee, Washington 13 Online Completed
    – Molde, Norway 84 Online Completed
    – Tydal, Norway 50 Online Completed
    – Gedu, Bhutan 100 Online Completed
    Total electrical capacity 8954    
    Pipeline capacity      
    – Tydal, Norway Phase 1 40 In progress Pending Regulatory Approval
    – Tydal, Norway Phase 2 135 In progress Mid 2025
    – Massillon, Ohio 221 In progress Mid-to-late 2025
    – Clarington, Ohio Phase 1 266 In progress Q3 2025
    – Clarington, Ohio Phase 2 304 Pending approval Estimate 2026
    – Jigmeling, Bhutan 500 In progress Mid-to-late 2025
    – Rockdale, Texas 179 In planning Estimate 2026
    – Alberta, Canada 99 In planning Q4 2026
    Total pipeline capacity 1,744    
    Total global electrical capacity 2,639    


    Financial MD&A
    All variances are current quarter compared to the same quarter last year. All figures in this section are rounded.

    Q4 2024 High-Level P&L and Disaggregated Revenue Details:

    US $ in millions Three Months Ended
      Dec 31, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Dec 31, 2023
    Total revenue 69.0  62.0  114.8 
    Cost of revenue (63.9) (59.2) (87.8)
    Gross profit 5.1  2.8  27.0 
    Net loss (531.9) (50.1) (5.0)
    Adjusted EBITDA (3.8) (8.5) 33.32 
    Cash and cash equivalents 476.3  291.3  144.7 
    US $ in millions Three Months Ended Dec 31, 2024
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting
    Revenue 41.5 2.3 8.5 12.4
    Cost of revenue        
    – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (22.3) (0.1) (5.8) (7.0)
    – Depreciation and share-based payment expenses (12.2) (0.6) (1.2) (1.8)
    – Other cash costs (4.0) (0.3) (0.8) (1.2)
    Total cost of revenue (38.5) (1.0) (7.8) (10.0)
    Gross profit 3.0 1.3 0.7 2.4
    US $ in millions Three Months Ended Dec 31, 2023
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting
    Revenue 46.9 16.2 25.2 23.4
    Cost of revenue        
    – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (20.3) (4.3) (16.1) (17.2)
    – Depreciation and share-based payment expenses (9.7) (3.8) (2.6) (2.4)
    – Other cash costs (3.0) (1.0) (1.6) (1.6)
    Total cost of revenue (33.0) (9.1) (20.3) (21.2)
    Gross profit 13.9 7.1 4.9 2.2


    Full Year 2024 High-Level P&L and Disaggregated Revenue Details:

    US $ in millions Years Ended
      Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023
    Total revenue 349.8 368.5
    Cost of revenue (283.4) (290.7)
    Gross profit 66.4 77.8
    Net loss (599.2) (56.7)
    Adjusted EBITDA 39.4 97.02
    Cash and cash equivalents 476.3 144.7
    US $ in millions Year Ended Dec 31, 2024
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting
    Revenue 163.1 39.8 67.6 64.0
    Cost of revenue        
    – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (91.1) (7.5) (39.6) (41.0)
    – Depreciation and share-based payment expenses (39.1) (8.4) (8.4) (8.2)
    – Other cash costs (11.8) (2.5) (4.3) (4.5)
    Total cost of revenue (142.0) (18.4) (52.3) (53.7)
    Gross profit 21.1 21.4 15.3 10.3
    US $ in millions Year Ended Dec 31, 2023
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting
    Revenue 111.7 67.9 97.3 79.9
    Cost of revenue        
    – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (52.3) (17.1) (54.6) (55.5)
    – Depreciation and share-based payment expenses (29.2) (19.7) (13.2) (10.7)
    – Other cash costs (8.3) (5.3) (7.5) (6.6)
    Total cost of revenue (89.8) (42.1) (75.3) (72.8)
    Gross profit 21.9 25.8 22.0 7.1


    Q4 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (compared to Q4 2023)

    Revenue

    • Total revenue was US$69.0 million vs. US$114.8 million.
    • Self-mining revenue was US$41.5 million vs. US$46.9 million, primarily due to the effect of the April 2024 halving and higher global network hashrate, partially offset by the increase in the average self-mining hashrate for the quarter by 20.0% to 8.4 EH/s from 7.0 EH/s last year and higher year-over-year Bitcoin prices.
    • Cloud Hash Rate revenue was US$2.3 million vs. US$16.2 million. The decline was primarily due to expiration of long-term Cloud Hashrate contracts and subsequent reallocation of nearly all machines to self-mining operations over the course of 2024.
    • General Hosting revenue was US$8.5 million vs. US$25.2 million. The decline was primarily due to the expiration of certain hosting customer contracts as well as the removal of older and less efficient machines by other hosting customers following the April 2024 halving as a result of reduced mining economics.
    • Membership Hosting revenue was US$12.4 million vs. US$23.4 million. Similar to general hosting, the decline was primarily driven by customers scaling down operations for older and less efficient rigs following the April 2024 halving as a result of reduced mining economics.

    Cost of Revenue

    • Cost of revenue was US$63.9 million vs US$87.8 million. The decrease was primarily driven by lower depreciation expenses as certain mining rigs became fully depreciated and the decrease of power usage along with the reduced hosted mining rigs.

    Gross Profit and Margin

    • Gross profit was US$5.1 million vs. US$27.0 million.
    • Gross margin was 7.4% vs. 23.5%.

    Operating Expenses

    • The sum of the operating expenses below was US$42.5 million vs. US$27.4 million.
      • Selling expenses were US$2.0 million vs. US$2.0 million, flat year-over-year.
      • General and administrative expenses were US$17.7 million vs. US$17.1 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in staff costs for general and administrative personnel and consulting fee for capital market and compliance activities, partially offset by lower share-based payment expenses.
      • Research and development expenses were US$22.9 million vs. US$8.3 million, primarily due to higher R&D costs related to higher engineering costs related to the Company’s ASIC development roadmap and non-cash amortization expenses of intangible assets related to the acquisition of FreeChain.

    Other Net Loss

    • In Q4 2024, we recorded US$479.8 million other net loss primarily due to the non-cash expense of fair value changes of derivative liabilities, which are the US$413.7 million of loss on fair value changes for the convertible notes issued in August and November and the US$55.8 million of loss on fair value changes for the Tether warrants.

    Net Loss

    • Net loss was US$531.9 million vs. US$5.0 million.

    Adjusted Profit / (Loss) (Non-IFRS)5

    • Adjusted loss was US$36.9 million vs. adjusted profit of US$4.52 million. The change was primarily due to the year-over-year revenue decline, lower gross profit margins and higher operating expenses as described above.

    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-IFRS)

    • Adjusted EBITDA was negative US$3.8 million vs. positive US$33.32 million. The decrease was primarily due to the year-over-year revenue decline, lower gross profit margins as a result of the halving and higher R&D as described above.

    Cash Flows

    • Net cash used in operating activities was US$325.1 million, primarily driven by electricity costs and operating expenses for the quarter as well working capital payments to TSMC of US$190.6 million for SEAL02 and US$52.8 million for the tapeout of SEAL03, including risk wafers.
    • Net cash used in investing activities was US$10.0 million, which included US$48.4 million of capital expenditures for infrastructure construction and mining rigs, offset by US$38.8 million of proceeds from disposal of cryptocurrencies received from our principal business.
    • Net cash generated from financing activities was US$522.8 million, primarily driven by the proceeds from our convertible note issuance in November and ATM program.

    Balance Sheet
    As of December 31, 2024 unless stated otherwise (compared to December 31, 2023)

    • US$476.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, US$77.5 million in cryptocurrencies and US$208.1 million in borrowing.
    • US$310.2 million prepayments and other assets, up from US$97.1 million. Change primarily driven by advanced payments to TSMC for our SEAL02 mass volume production.
    • US$64.9 million inventories, up from nearly zero. Increase mainly including wafers, chips, WIP and finished SEALMINER inventory.
    • US$83.2 million intangible assets and US$35.8 million goodwill mainly raised from acquisition of Norway and Freechain during the year of 2024.
    • US$763.9 million derivative liabilities mainly due to the issuance of warrants to Tether, and convertible senior notes issued in August and November.

    Further information regarding the Company’s fourth quarter 2024 financial and operations results can be found on the SEC’s website https://sec.gov and the Company’s Investor Relations website https://ir.bitdeer.com.

    CEO 10b5-1 Trading Plan
    In December 2024, Jihan Wu, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, entered into a plan designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for sales of securities of the Company and is in accordance with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy. Subject to minimum price thresholds specified in the Plan, up to 4,000,000 of ordinary shares of the Company may be sold on multiple pre-determined dates starting in March 2025 and ending no later than the earlier of June 15, 2025 or the date that the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold under the Plan reaches 4,000,000.

    About Bitdeer Technologies Group
    Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive computing solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan. To learn more, please visit https://ir.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @ Bitdeer Group.

    Investors and others should note that Bitdeer may announce material information using its website and/or on its accounts on social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Therefore, Bitdeer encourages investors and others to review the information it posts on the social media and other communication channels listed on its website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward- looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.


    BITDEER GROUP 
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
             
        As of December 31,   As of December 31,
    (US $ in thousands)   2024   2023
    ASSETS        
    Cash and cash equivalents   476,270     144,729  
    Cryptocurrencies   77,537     15,371  
    Trade receivables   9,627     17,277  
    Amounts due from a related party   15,512     187  
    Prepayments and other assets   310,173     97,087  
    Inventories   64,888     346  
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss   42,521     37,775  
    Restricted cash   17,356     9,538  
    Mining rigs   67,324     63,477  
    Right-of-use assets   69,273     58,626  
    Property, plant and equipment   251,377     154,860  
    Investment properties   30,723     34,346  
    Intangible assets   83,235     4,777  
    Goodwill   35,818      
    Deferred tax assets   6,220     991  
    TOTAL ASSETS   1,557,854     639,387  
             
    LIABILITIES        
    Trade payables   31,471     32,484  
    Other payables and accruals   42,267     32,151  
    Amounts due to a related party   8,747     33  
    Income tax payables   2,729     3,367  
    Derivative liabilities   763,939      
    Deferred revenue   129,229     144,337  
    Borrowings   208,127     22,618  
    Lease liabilities   78,133     70,211  
    Deferred tax liabilities   16,614     1,620  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,281,256     306,821  
             
    NET ASSETS   276,598     332,566  
             
    EQUITY        
    Share capital   *     *  
    Treasury equity   (160,926)     (2,604)  
    Accumulated deficit   (649,004)     (49,853)  
    Reserves   1,086,528     385,023  
    TOTAL EQUITY   276,598     332,566  
             

    * Amount less than US$1,000


    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                     
        Three months ended Dec 31,   Years ended Dec 31,
    (US $ in thousands)   2024   2023   2024   2023
             
    Revenue6   69,018     114,848     349,782     368,554  
    Cost of revenue   (63,919)     (87,804)     (283,382)     (290,745)  
    Gross profit   5,099     27,044     66,400     77,809  
    Selling expenses   (1,952)     (2,005)     (8,044)     (8,246)  
    General and administrative expenses   (17,668)     (17,134)     (64,317)     (66,454)  
    Research and development expenses   (22,898)     (8,306)     (76,946     (29,534)  
    Listing fee               (33,151)  
    Other operating income / (expenses)   (3,670)     3,073     727     3,791  
    Other net gain / (loss)   (479,778)     1,068     (507,479)     3,538  
    Profit / (loss) from operations   (520,867)     3,740     (589,659)     (52,247)  
    Finance income / (expenses)   (11,811)     1,179     (11,935)     1,276  
    Profit / (loss) before taxation   (532,678)     4,919     (601,594)     (50,971)  
    Income tax benefit / (expenses)   761     (9,950)     2,443     (5,685)  
    Loss for the periods   (531,917)     (5,031)     (599,151)     (56,656)  
    Other comprehensive loss                
    Loss for the periods   (531,917)     (5,031)     (599,151)     (56,656)  
    Other comprehensive loss for the periods                
    Item that may be reclassified to profit or loss                
    – Exchange differences on translation of financial statements   (234)     (43)     (218)     (26)  
    Other comprehensive loss for the periods, net of tax   (234)     (43)     (218)     (26)  
    Total comprehensive loss for the periods   (532,151)     (5,074)     (599,369)     (56,682)  
                     
    Loss per share (Basic and diluted)   (3.22)     (0.05)     (4.36)     (0.51)  
                     
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands) (Basic and diluted)   165,427     111,055     137,426     110,494  
    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     
        Three months ended
    Dec 31,
      Years ended
    Dec 31,
    (US $ in thousands)   2024   2023   2024   2023
                     
    Cash flows from operating activities                
    Cash used in operating activities   (321,629)     (76,963)     (613,167)     (283,868)  
    Interest paid on leases   (902)     (659)     (3,473)     (2,605)  
    Interest paid on borrowings   (2,216)     (940)     (3,952)     (2,181)  
    Interest received   1,653     2,033     7,115     7,572  
    Income tax paid   (1,964)     (1,347)     (8,596)     (1,500)  
    Income tax refund       10,795         10,795  
    Net cash used in operating activities   (325,058 )   (67,081)     (622,073)     (271,787)  
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities                
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment properties and intangible assets   (42,617)     (25,324)     (119,487)     (63,305)  
    Purchase of mining rigs   (5,766)     (107)     (7,731)     (63,041)  
    Purchase of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, net of refund received   (425)         (2,776)     (4,400)  
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss               31,111  
    Repayments from a related party       322         322  
    Lending to a third party               (61)  
    Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment   54     44     298     73  
    Proceeds from disposal of mining rigs       27         27  
    Proceeds from disposal of cryptocurrencies   38,794     97,083     248,447     299,128  
    Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired           (6,051)      
    Net cash generated from / (used in) investing activities   (9,960)     72,045     112,700     199,854  
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities                
    Capital element of lease rentals paid   (6,540)     (1,183)     (9,676)     (5,191)  
    Net payment related to Business Combination               (7,662)  
    Repayments of borrowings   (10,000)         (15,000)     (7,000)  
    Proceeds from issuance of shares for exercise of share rewards   4,412     412     5,170     412  
    Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and warrants, net of transaction costs   321,918     9,494     485,108     9,494  
    Payment for the future issuance cost       (942)         (942)  
    Acquisition of treasury shares       (2,495)     (617)     (2,604)  
    Proceeds from convertible senior notes, net of transaction costs   387,917         554,214      
    Repayment to convertible senior notes in connection with note extinguishment   (14,932)         (14,932)      
    Purchase of zero-strike call option   (160,000)         (160,000)      
    Net cash generated from / (used in) financing activities   522,775     5,286     844,267     (13,493)  
                     
    Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   187,757     10,250     334,894     (85,426)  
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   291,314     134,512     144,729     231,362  
    Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents held   (2,801)     (33)     (3,353)     (1,207)  
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period   476,270     144,729     476,270     144,729  
                     

    Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
    In evaluating the Company’s business, the Company considers and uses non-IFRS measures, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted profit / (loss), as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude the listing fee and share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, loss on extinguishment of debt, changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables, and defines adjusted profit/(loss) as profit/(loss) adjusted to exclude the listing fee and share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, loss on extinguishment of debt, changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.

    The Company presents these non-IFRS financial measures because they are used by its management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company also believes that the use of these non-IFRS measures facilitate investors’ assessment of its operating performance. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, investors should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Company’s loss for the periods, as determined in accordance with IFRS. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling these non-IFRS financial measures to the nearest IFRS performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating its performance. The Company encourages investors to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of loss for the relevant period to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted profit / (loss), for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.


    BITDEER GROUP NON-IFRS ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED PROFIT / (LOSS) RECONCILIATION
                     
        Three months ended Dec 31,   Years ended Dec 31,
    (US $ in thousands)   2024   2023   2024   2023
                     
    Adjusted EBITDA                
    Loss for the periods   (531,917)     (5,031)     (599,151)     (56,656)  
    Add:                
    Depreciation and amortization   25,116     19,654     81,096     75,541  
    Income tax (benefit) / expenses   (761)     9,950     (2,443)     5,685  
    Interest (income) / expense, net   8,729     (753)     10,050     (2,872)  
    Listing fee               33,151  
    Share-based payment expenses   8,658     11,322     33,968     45,488  
    Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities   469,501         498,167      
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   8,172         8,172      
    Changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain   2,970         3,186      
    Changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables   5,733     (1,810)     6,362     (3,305)  
    Total of Adjusted EBITDA   (3,799)     33,3322     39,407     97,0322  
                     
    Adjusted Profit / (loss)                
    Loss for the periods   (531,917)     (5,031)     (599,151)     (56,656)  
    Add:                
    Listing fee               33,151  
    Share-based payment expenses   8,658     11,322     33,968     45,488  
    Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities   469,501         498,167      
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   8,172         8,172      
    Changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain   2,970         3,186      
    Changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables   5,733     (1,810)     6,362     (3,305)  
    Total of Adjusted Profit / (loss)   (36,883)     4,4812     (49,296)     18,6782  
                     

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Yujia Zhai
    Orange Group
    bitdeerIR@orangegroupadvisors.com

    Public Relations
    Nishant Sharma
    BlocksBridge Consulting
    bitdeer@blocksbridge.com


    1 “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude the listing fee and share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, loss on extinguishment of debt, changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.
    2 During the current period, we revised definition of our previously reported non-IFRS Adjusted Profit and Adjusted EBITDA and recast the prior period for comparability. This revision, which resulted in a US$1.8 million and US$3.3 million revision to Q4 2023 and Year-ended 2023 metrics, respectively, reflects non-cash fair value changes in crypto settled receivables and payables as they do not represent normal operating expenses (or income) necessary to operate our business.
    3 Indicative timing. All timing references are to calendar quarters and years.
    4 Figures may not add due to rounding.
    5 “Adjusted profit/(loss)” is defined as profit/(loss) adjusted to exclude the listing fee and share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, loss on extinguishment of debt, changes in fair value of holdback shares for acquisition of FreeChain, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.
    6 Included nil and approximately US$17.2 million generated from hosting service provided to a related party for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: PEL 83 Second Campaign – Update 5 Additional Discoveries at Mopane 3-X

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (“Sintana” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide the following further update regarding the second campaign on blocks 2813A and 2814B located in the heart of Namibia’s Orange Basin. The blocks are governed by Petroleum Exploration License 83 (“PEL 83”) which is operated by a subsidiary of Galp Energia, SGPS, S.A. (“Galp”). Sintana maintains an indirect 49% interest in Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. (“Custos”), which owns a 10% working interest in PEL 83. NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Company of Namibia, also maintains a 10% working interest.

    With reference to Galp’s corporate website (at galp.com) and updates provided therein in addition to a release from Custos (available at newswire.com), we are pleased to announce that the PEL 83 Joint Venture partners have successfully drilled, cored and logged the Mopane-3X well (Well #5) on PEL 83, which spud on January 2nd, 2025.

    Mopane-3X, located 18km from the Mopane-1X well, targeted two stacked prospects, AVO-10 and AVO- 13, as well as a deeper sand, in the southeast region of the Mopane complex at an approximate water depth of 1,200 meters.

    Preliminary data has confirmed significant columns of light oil and gas-condensate in high-quality sandstones across AVO-10. Further, the presence of light oil columns was confirmed in AVO-13 and the deeper sand, again in high-quality sandstones.

    Reservoir log measures confirm good porosities, high pressures and high permeabilities. Initial fluid samples show low oil viscosity and minimum CO2 and H2S concentrations. Samples have been sent for lab testing.

    Higher-than-estimated pressures and preliminary results at Mopane 3X unlock further exploration and appraisal opportunities in the southeast region of the Mopane complex. All acquired data will be integrated into the reservoir model and support the planning of potential further activities.

    The proprietary 3D development seismic acquisition campaign is on track to be completed in Q125, with processing of the data acquired to follow.

    “These additional discoveries in an entirely new section further demonstrate the scale and quality of the Mopane complex.” said Robert Bose, Chief Executive Officer of Sintana. “Our exposure to this world class asset together with the balance of our portfolio give us an unmatched position in the heart of Namibia’s Orange Basin.” he added.

    “The stacked discoveries in this most recent exploration program at Mopane are emblematic of the size and potential of the complex.” said Knowledge Katti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Custos and a director of Sintana. “We congratulate our Joint Venture partners on another safe and successful outing.” he added.

    ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY:

    The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on six large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombia’s Magdalena Basin.

    On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc.,

    “A. Robert Bose”
    Chief Executive Officer

    For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintana’s projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Company’s website at www.sintanaenergy.com

    Corporate Contacts:   Investor Relations Advisor:
         
    Robert Bose Sean Austin Jonathan Paterson  
    Chief Executive Officer Vice-President Founder & Managing Partner
    212-201-4125 713-825-9591 Harbor Access
        475-477-9401

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, as well as the prospective nature of the Company’s property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Company’s public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law.

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b09d852-01f1-4a7b-83ac-0ca264f297c4

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RN-Yuganskneftegaz produced 570 million tons of oil at the fields of the Maysky region

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz, the largest oil producing asset of Rosneft, has produced the 570 millionth ton of oil at the Maysky region fields in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra.

    The Maysky region is a group of 20 fields, including Malobalykskoye, Yuzhno-Balykskoye, Petelinskoye, Ugutskoye and others. A powerful production complex has been created in the region. The area of the oil field reaches 3.5 thousand square kilometers. Production is provided by about 3.4 thousand wells. In 2024, more than 360 new wells were commissioned in the region and more than 2.2 thousand hydraulic fracturing operations were carried out.

    To increase the oil recovery factor, including at fields with complex geological structure, RN-Yuganskneftegaz specialists use advanced technologies and engineering solutions, such as infill drilling, construction of directional and horizontal wells with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing operations, and increasing the length of horizontal sections of wellbores. Drilling multi-hole wells using fishbone* technology has become new for the region. In 2024, four wells of this type were commissioned with an average starting oil flow rate of 327 tons/day.

    Increasing the efficiency of production and introducing innovative technologies ensures high oil production rates at mature fields in the May region.

    *”Fishbone” (English fishbone – “fish bone”) is a multi-hole well with a special trajectory, in which numerous branches depart from one horizontal shaft. The well’s shape resembles a fish skeleton – hence the name.

    Reference:

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz is the largest asset of Rosneft Oil Company, accounting for approximately 34% of the Company’s total production. The company conducts geological exploration and development of fields in 40 license areas with a total area of over 21 thousand km2 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    The company’s cumulative production since the beginning of its operations exceeds 2.7 billion tons of oil.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 25, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025

    Assam’s dynamic workforce and rapid growth are driving its transformation into a leading investment destination: PM

    Even in global uncertainty, one thing is certain – India’s rapid growth: PM

    We have built a complete ecosystem to promote industry, an innovation-driven culture and Ease of Doing Business: PM

    India is driving its manufacturing sector in Mission Mode, We are promoting Low Cost Manufacturing under Make in India: PM

    The global progress depends on the digital revolution, innovation and tech-driven progress: PM

    Assam is becoming a crucial hub for semiconductor manufacturing in India: PM

    The world sees our Renewable Energy Mission as a model practice and is following it; In the last 10 years, India has taken policy decisions understanding its environmental responsibilities: PM

    Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 1:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, Assam today. Welcoming all the dignitaries to the event, Shri Modi said “East India and North East India are embarking on a new journey of future today and Advantage Assam is a mega initiative to intertwine the incredible potential and progress of Assam with the world”. He added that history is a witness to the major role played by Eastern India in India’s prosperity. Expressing hope, the Prime Minister said, “Today, when we are progressing towards Viksit Bharat, Eastern India and North East will display their true potential”.  He said that Advantage Assam was a representation of the same spirit and congratulated the Government and Chief Minister of Assam for organising such a grand event. He recalled his words from 2013, when he had said that it was not very far when ‘A for Assam’ would be the norm. 

    “Despite global uncertainties, experts unanimously agree on one certainty: India’s rapid growth”, said the Prime Minister. He emphasized that today’s India is working with a long-term vision for the next 25 years of this century. He highlighted that the world has immense trust in India’s young population, which is rapidly becoming skilled and innovative. He also noted the growing confidence in India’s neo-middle class, emerging from poverty with new aspirations. Underscoring the trust the world places in India’s 140 crore people who support political stability and policy continuity, Shri Modi highlighted India’s governance that continues to implement reforms. Furthermore, he pointed out that India is strengthening its local supply chains and entering free trade agreements with various global regions. He also mentioned the robust connectivity with East Asia and the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, bringing new opportunities.

    Highlighting the growing global trust in India, as witnessed by the gathering in Assam, Shri Modi remarked, “Assam’s contribution to India’s growth is steadily increasing”. He noted that the first edition of the Advantage Assam Summit was held in 2018, at which time Assam’s economy was valued at ₹2.75 lakh crore. Today, Assam has become a state with an economy of approximately ₹6 lakh crore, he added, emphasizing that under their government, Assam’s economy has doubled in just six years. Furthermore, he said that this is the double effect of their Governments at the Center and the state. The numerous investments in Assam have turned it into a state of unlimited possibilities, he stated. The Prime Minister highlighted that the Assam government is focusing on education, skill development, and creating a better investment environment. He noted that their Government had worked extensively on connectivity-related infrastructure in recent years. He provided an example, stating that before 2014, there were only three bridges over the Brahmaputra river, built over 70 years. However, in the past 10 years, four new bridges have been constructed. One of these bridges is named after Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika. Shri Modi remarked that between 2009 and 2014, Assam received an average rail budget of ₹2,100 crore but their Government increased Assam’s railway budget more than four times to ₹10,000 crore. He added that over 60 railway stations in Assam are being modernized and also mentioned that the first semi high-speed train in the North East is now operational between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri.

    Touching upon the rapid expansion of air connectivity in Assam, the Prime Minister said that until 2014, flights operated on only seven routes, but now there are flights on nearly 30 routes. This expansion has provided a significant boost to the local economy and created employment opportunities for the youth, he added. Shri Modi emphasized that these changes are not limited to infrastructure alone, but there were unprecedented improvements in law and order, with numerous peace accords signed in the past decade and long-pending border issues resolved. He underscored that every region, every citizen, and every youth in Assam is working tirelessly for the state’s development.

    “India is undergoing significant reforms across all sectors and levels of the economy and continuous efforts have been made to enhance the Ease of Doing Business, and a comprehensive ecosystem has been established to promote industry and an innovation culture”, emphasised Shri Modi. He highlighted that excellent policies have been formulated for startups, manufacturing through PLI schemes, and tax exemptions for new manufacturing companies and MSMEs. He also noted the substantial investment the Government is making in the country’s infrastructure. Prime Minister underscored that the combination of institutional reform, industry, infrastructure, and innovation forms the foundation of India’s progress. He stated that this progress is also being seen in Assam, which is advancing at double engine speed. He pointed out that Assam has set a target to achieve a $150 billion economy by 2030. He expressed confidence that Assam can achieve this goal, attributing it to the capable and talented people of Assam and the commitment of their Government. Remarking that Assam is emerging as a gateway between South East Asia and India, Shri Modi said, to further this potential, the Government has launched the North East Transformative Industrialization Scheme, ‘Unnati.’ He highlighted that the ‘Unnati’ scheme will accelerate industry, investment, and tourism across the entire North East region, including Assam. He urged industry partners to take full advantage of this scheme and Assam’s unlimited potential. The Prime Minister noted that Assam’s natural resources and strategic location make it a preferred destination for investment. He cited Assam tea as an example of Assam’s potential, stating that it has become a global brand over the past 200 years, inspiring progress in other sectors as well.

    Highlighting the significant changes occurring in the global economy, with a growing demand for resilient supply chains worldwide, the Prime Minister said, “India has initiated mission-mode efforts to advance its manufacturing sector”. He emphasized that under the Make in India initiative, the focus is on promoting low-cost manufacturing in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automobiles. He noted that India’s industry is not only meeting domestic demands but also setting new benchmarks for manufacturing excellence in international markets. He pointed out that Assam is playing a significant role in this manufacturing revolution.

    Stressing that Assam has always had a share in global trade, Shri Modi remarked that today, over 50 percent of India’s on-shore natural gas production comes from Assam and there has been a significant increase in the capacity of Assam’s refineries in recent years. He also pointed out that Assam is rapidly emerging in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and green energy. He emphasized that due to Government policies, Assam is becoming a hub for high-tech industries as well as startups.

    Highlighting that in the recent budget, the Central government has approved the Namrup-4 plant, the Prime Minister remarked that this urea production plant will meet the demand of the entire North East and the country in the future. He said, “the day is not far when Assam will become a major manufacturing hub in Eastern India”. He emphasized that the Central Government is fully supporting the state Government of Assam in achieving this goal.

    Emphasising that the progress of the 21st century world depends on digital revolution, innovation, and technological advancements, Shri Modi stated, “The better prepared we are, the stronger we will be globally”. He added that the Government was advancing with 21st century policies and strategies. He highlighted India’s significant leap in electronics and mobile manufacturing over the past decade and expressed the desire to replicate this success story in semiconductor production. Prime Minister proudly noted that Assam is developing as an important center for semiconductor manufacturing in India and mentioned the recent inauguration of the Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test facility in Jagiroad, Assam, which will promote technological growth in the Northeast. He emphasized the collaboration with IIT for innovation in the semiconductor sector and the ongoing work on a semiconductor research center in the country. The Prime Minister projected that by the end of this decade, the value of the electronic sector will reach $500 billion. He confidently stated, “With India’s speed and scale, the country will emerge as a major force in semiconductor production, creating employment for millions and benefiting Assam’s economy”.

    “India has made policy decisions over the past decade while understanding its environmental responsibilities and the world considers India’s Renewable Energy Mission as a model practice”, said the Prime Minister. He highlighted that India has made significant investments in solar, wind, and sustainable energy resources over the past ten years. This has not only fulfilled ecological commitments but also expanded the country’s renewable energy production capacity multiple times, he added. Shri Modi noted that the country has set a target to add 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. “Government is working on a mission to achieve an annual green hydrogen production of 5 million metric tons by 2030”, he said. Pointing out that the growing gas infrastructure in the country has led to increased demand, and the entire gas-based economy sector is rapidly expanding, Shri Modi remarked that Assam has a significant advantage in this journey. He emphasized that the Government has created many pathways for industries, including PLI schemes and policies for green initiatives. He expressed his desire for Assam to emerge as a leader state in the renewable energy sector and urged industry leaders to maximize the potential of Assam.

    Impressing that Eastern India will play a significant role in making India a developed nation by 2047, Shri Modi remarked, “today, the Northeast and Eastern India are rapidly advancing in infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, tourism, and industry”. He expressed confidence that the day is not far when the world will see this region leading India’s development journey. He invited everyone to be partners and companions in this journey with Assam and concluded by calling for collective efforts to make Assam a state that elevates India’s capabilities to new heights across the global south. The Prime Minister boosted the confidence of the investors and industry leaders by saying that he stood by them in the journey of Viksit Bharat by fully supporting their contributions.

    The Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Dr. S Jaishankar, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, Union Minister of State, Shri Pabitra Margherita were present among other dignitaries at the event.

    Background

    The Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, is being held from 25th to 26th February. It includes an inaugural Session, seven ministerial sessions and 14 thematic sessions. It also includes a comprehensive exhibition illustrating the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on its industrial evolution, global trade partnerships, booming industries, and the vibrant MSME sector, featuring over 240 exhibitors.

    Various international organisations, global leaders and investors, policymakers, industry experts, startups, and students among others will participate in the Summit.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2106052) Visitor Counter : 122

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Secretary Steve Reed – NFU Conference speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed – NFU Conference speech

    Speech by Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the NFU Conference

    Thank you very much Tom for inviting me to speak today.  

    I’ve been to the NFU Conference before of course – but this is my first time attending as the Secretary of State for Defra. I want to personally thank Tom for our work together since I took up this role last July.  

    You were the first visitor to my office after the election and you’ve been back more since then than anyone else since. That conversation between us is invaluable as we navigate the farming transition together. 

    And I’m grateful for your views Tom – even where we’ve disagreed.  

    You set that out in your speech and I was listening to it, plain speaking as you always do. And I know it’s reflected here today, and the protests in Westminster and around the country. But even if the conversation gets difficult – I will always show up to have it. Because I respect this union and I respect British farming.

    Now, I can’t give the answer I know many of you want on inheritance tax. But I want you to know that I understand the strength of feeling in the room and in the sector, we can see and example of that right in front of me right now. And I am sorry it’s a decision that we’ve had to take.   

    Like I said I am always going to turn up to have the conversation with you, there’s an opportunity to ask questions afterwards and it might be better to ask them in that way because I have an awful lot that I think will be of interest to other people who are here in the room today that might want to hear what I have to say about that.

    Now I’ve heard many farmers describing that decision as ‘the final straw’ – and the truth is those straws have been piling up for many years. Tom you were outlining many of them in your speech.

    This sector is facing high input costs, tight margins, and unfairness in the supply chain. You’ve struggled to get enough workers to pick your fruit and veg. Frankly, you’ve been sold out in past trade deals. Farmland is increasingly at risk from severe flooding and drought.  

    And this all comes as we face the biggest transition for farming in generations, moving away from the Basic Payment Scheme to more sustainable methods of farming. 

    The underlying problem in this sector is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment that they put in.   

    I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers up and down this country. 

    Today I can announce I will set up a new farming profitability unit within the department to drive that goal. I want to outline what the Government is doing to tackle the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back. Because time and again, I hear farmers say that they do not make a fair profit for the food they produce. And it is only by overcoming these long-standing challenges that we can create the conditions for your farming businesses to succeed. Achieving this starts by treating farms as the businesses they are. That’s something, in my view, the previous government forgot.  

    Farmers have repeatedly told me they want to stand on their own two feet. They are proud people and rightly so. But it is paternalistic and patronising for government to treat farmers as if they are not operating in a marketplace in which they need to turn a decent profit. 

    I worked in business for 16 years, with responsibility every year for driving up profit and driving down cost. British farming has some of the hardest working, most creative people anywhere in the British workforce. But a sector that isn’t profitable doesn’t have a future. I know that from my own long experience in business.   

    My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable – because that is the best way to make your businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs.   

    This approach will underpin our 25 Year Farming Roadmap and our Food Strategy, where we will work in partnership with farmers to make farming and food production sustainable and profitable. We will work with farmers and stakeholders to build the roadmap together, covering every part of the sector, and the first workshops will start next week. 

    The roadmap stands on three principles. 

    First, a sector that has food production at its core. The role of farming will always be to produce the food that feeds our nation. The instability we see across the world shows us why it’s so important we help farmers to get this right.  

    Second, a sector where farm businesses are more resilient in withstanding the shocks that periodically disrupt farming – severe flooding, drought, animal disease. We will help farmers who want to diversify their income to put more money into their business so they can survive these more difficult times when they come.   

    Third, a sector that recognises restoring nature is not in competition with sustainable food production, but is essential to it. 

    It is only by pursuing all three of these principles – and recognising that farms are businesses that need to be profitable, that we can guarantee national food security and a thriving food production and farming sector.  

    Our New Deal for Farmers is supporting farmers to produce food sustainably and profitably.  

    It won’t all happen overnight, but we are already making changes. 

    Tom has repeatedly told me farmers need certainty about seasonal workers. I’ve listened Tom, and I’m pleased to announce that we’re extending the Seasonal Worker visas for five years. That on it’s own is not the long-term solution. We will reduce the number of seasonal workers coming to the UK in the future.  

    But I recognise your business needs stability over the coming years as we work at pace to embrace innovation, develop the agri-tech and invest in farming practices so you can reduce your reliance on seasonal workers as quickly as possible. 

    We are making the Supply Chain fairer, with new regulations for the pig sector coming in by the end of next month in March to make sure contracts clearly set out expectations and only allow changes if they’ve agreed by all parties. We are engaging with industry on similar proposals for eggs and fresh produce. 

    For the first time ever, we are measuring where the public sector buys food from so we can use the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce wherever we can. I have worked with my colleague Pat McFadden in the Cabinet Office to create new requirements for government catering contracts to favour high-quality, high-welfare products that British producers are well placed to meet.  

    This means British farmers and producers can compete for a fairer share of the £5 billion pounds a year the public sector spends on food. That’s money straight into farmers’ bank accounts to boost turnover and boost profits.  

    Ours is an outward-facing trading nation. But I want to be clear, we will never lower our food standards in trade agreements. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. British farming deserves a level playing field where you can compete and win and that is what you’ll get. We will use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors. 

    Innovation and technology will help farmers produce more food more sustainably and more profitably. I’m delighted to announce the legislation to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England has been laid in Parliament today. This offers huge potential to transform the plant breeding sector in England by enabling innovative products to be commercialised in years instead of in decades, and we are reinstating the Precision Breeding Industry Working Group so the whole food supply chain can work together to bring new food and feed products to market faster. 

    We are investing in the UK Agri-Technology sector with a further £110 million pounds in farming grants being announced today. In Spring we will launch new competitions under our Farming Innovation Programme for groundbreaking research that will help the sector transition towards net zero, and unlock opportunities from the Precision Breeding Act.  

    This is not just for the biggest farms. We will help farms of any size access technology that makes a real difference to the bottom-line over the years ahead. Like the chemical-free cleaning for integrated milking equipment by Oxi-Tech – funded through FIP, which boosts profits by lowering energy costs and chemical use. Our new ADOPT programme will fund farmer-led trials that bridge the gap between these new technologies and their use in the real world,  showing farmers that their investments in technology will deliver financial returns and boost profits. And once technologies and equipment hit the market, we are making them available through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Products like the electric weeder developed by Rootwave to reduce chemical use. We will launch another opportunity this Spring to bring more products to the farmgate. 

    Farms must be resilient to future challenges if they are to remain financially viable and strengthen food security. That includes severe flooding and droughts through to animal disease, and geopolitical tensions that increase demands on our land for energy generation. 

    I know new tech doesn’t bring the same benefits for every type of farm. We are investing to help farm businesses build resilience against animal diseases that can devastate livelihoods and threaten our entire economy. Like the Bluetongue Virus, Avian Flu, or the recent case of Foot and Mouth that we saw in Germany. 

    That’s why we’re investing £208 million pounds to set up a new National Biosecurity Centre, modernising the Animal and Plant Health Agency facilities at Weybridge, to protect farmers, food producers and exporters from disease outbreaks that can wipe out businesses in a moment. 

    We are helping keepers of cattle, sheep and pigs in England improve the health, welfare and productivity of their animals by expanding the fully funded farm visits offer. 

    Tom had raised with me, and he just did in his speech, the risk from illegal meat imports. More than 92,000 thousand kilograms of illegal meat products were seized at ports across the UK over the last year. They carry huge risk of diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth getting into the country. We can’t tolerate this.   

    I am working with the Home Office and Border Force on plans to seize the cars, vans, trucks and coaches used by criminal gangs to smuggle illegal meat into our country and crush them so they can’t be used again.   

    I’ve listened to your concerns about other forms of crime as well. Crime damages farm profitability as you are forced to wait for farm or construction machinery to be replaced, or clear rubbish that has been dumped in your gateways or on your land. The National Rural Crime Unit is already supporting forces to tackle rural crime around the country.   

    To strengthen our approach and protect your profits, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will lay the legislation this year to better protect agricultural equipment like all-terrain vehicles, by requiring immobilisers and forensic marking as standard.  

    At the Oxford Farming Conference earlier this year, I announced new ways to help farmers remain profitable and viable, even in a challenging harvest. We will consult on national planning reforms this Spring to make it quicker for farmers to build new buildings, barns and other infrastructure to boost food production.  And ensure permitted development rights work for farms to convert larger barns into a farm shop, holiday let, or a sports facility if that suits their business planning. We will get red tape out of the way so you can invest to become more profitable.   

    I’m working with Ed Miliband and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero so more farm businesses can connect their own electricity generation to the grid much faster, so you can sell surplus energy and diversify your income.   

    The third element of our vision is nature. Restoring nature is vital to food production, not in competition with it. It is healthy soils, abundant pollinators and clean water that are the foundations farm businesses that they rely on to produce high crop yields and turn over a profit. Without nature thriving, there can be no long-term food security. 

    I want to thank everyone – upland, tenant, grassland farmers and others – everyone who is involved in our farming schemes. Almost 50 thousand farm businesses are now in schemes and around half of farmed land in England is being managed to enhance nature while producing food. 

    I recognise the frustration when we had to pause the Capital Grants offer last year without proper warning because of unprecedented demand. I promised to update you as soon as I could. And I can confirm today that every application submitted for capital grants before the pause in November will be taken forward, and following this, we will reopen the ELM capital grants offer this summer. 

    I’m also pleased to announce that we’re investing £30 million pounds to increase payment rates in Higher Level Stewardship with immediate effect to bring them more closely in line with our other farming schemes. Something the NFU and others have long called for. You just called for it again, Tom. These farmers are the pioneers of nature-friendly farming, often based in upland areas. They deliver high-quality environmental outcomes; now, finally, they will get a fair price for their work.  

    There’s a lot to be done to make British farming profitable and viable for the long term. I know we can only get there if we build the future together.   

    We will work with Tom, the NFU and farmers around the country to support farmers to keep producing the food we love to eat. This requires a new approach that recognises farms are businesses, and businesses need to turn a fair profit.  

    I’ll play my part in creating the conditions for that to happen. I know you’ll play your part in building resilient businesses that will innovate and succeed. Together, we will overcome the challenges this sector faces and give British farming the bright future this country knows you deserve.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘lab-leak origin’ of Covid-19. Fact or fiction?

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Florence Débarre, Directrice de recherche CNRS, chercheuse en biologie évolutive, Sorbonne Université

    In a January 24 interview with the far-right-wing outlet Breitbart News, newly appointed CIA director John Ratcliffe stated that assessing intelligence on a potential Wuhan lab leak was a top priority. The following day, The New York Times reported that the agency had shifted from an undecided stance to favoring a possible Chinese lab leak, albeit with a “low confidence” rating–the lowest on a three-tier scale (low, medium, high)–indicating the evidence remains inconclusive.

    The CIA has thus joined the ranks of the FBI and the Department of Energy (DOE), which has scientific jurisdiction, in supporting the possibility of a laboratory-related incident.

    Findings from a 2023 reportshow that, among the U.S. agencies that have investigated the pandemic’s origins, one remains undecided, while four others, along with the National Intelligence Council, support the natural origin hypothesis.

    What does ‘laboratory origin’ really mean?

    According to The New York Times, the CIA’s revised assessment is based not on new evidence, but on a reinterpretation of existing data. However, the reasoning behind its reassessment, along with the supporting data, has not been made public, making it impossible to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the agency’s conclusions.

    Adding to the complexity, “laboratory origin” is an umbrella term encompassing multiple, sometimes contradictory, scenarios. Confirming CNN’s 2023 report on the Department of Energy’s revised stance, The New York Times notes that while the DOE identifies the Wuhan Center for Disease Control (WCDC) as the outbreak’s likely source, the FBI attributes it to a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). As of now, the CIA has not disclosed which scenario it deems most plausible.

    Though WCDC is not an actual research laboratory, some of its employees were participating in wildlife sampling campaigns at the time of the outbreak. In late 2019, WCDC moved to a location close to the Huanan Market. A theory implicating the WCDC confirms evidence that the earliest detected cases are epidemiologically and geographically linked to the market, suggesting the virus emerged naturally.

    In contrast, the WIV is a research institute operating across two campuses–one located 12 kilometers from the market and the other, which houses the P4 laboratory, 27 kilometers away. Scenarios implicating the WIV generally posit that “gain-of-function” coronavirus experiments–intended to enhance a virus’s transmissibility or virulence–were conducted under unsafe biosecurity conditions. The WIV is a biosafety level 2 facility, two levels below the high-security P4 standard.

    The interactive map above highlights Wuhan laboratories–the two WIV campuses in purple and the WCDC in yellow–and the Wuhan Huanan market in red. Click the symbol in the top left corner to view the legend. Since the WCDC is located near the market, please zoom in to see it.

    The Covid-19 virus originated from a single source. If it did escape from a Chinese laboratory, it could not have simultaneously leaked from two separate labs conducting different types of research.

    The lab leak scenario, supported by mutually incompatible hypotheses, doesn’t hold up–even before considering theories that the virus was engineered in a U.S. lab and then sent to Wuhan.

    Beyond determining the virus’s origin, it is equally important to identify the exact nature of the virus–further complicating the lab-accident hypothesis. Was it a natural occurring virus contracted during a sampling campaign? A laboratory-cultivated virus transferred to cells or animals? Or even a directly genetically modified virus?

    Again, SARS-CoV-2 cannot be both a natural virus and the result of lab experiments. Arguments built on conflicting premises do little to strengthen the case for a research-related incident.

    No evidence of a laboratory-related incident

    The lab-incident hypothesis would carry much more weight if definitive proof emerged that, by late December 2019, a Wuhan laboratory possessed a progenitor of SARS-CoV-2–meaning a virus identical or nearly identical to SARS-CoV-2.

    In the case of the 2007 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in southern England, for example, virus sequencing quickly led investigators to nearby high-security laboratories conducting research on a similar virus. The inquiry ultimately traced the outbreak to faulty effluent pipes at the facilities.

    To date, no virus has been identified that could be used in a laboratory as a direct progenitor of SARS-CoV-2. If the virus did emerge from a research-related incident, two possibilities remain: it was either an uncharacterized natural virus, unknown even to researchers, or it was a previously characterized virus that had not been disclosed–either because it was recently identified or part of a classified program–and is still being kept under wraps by scientists in Wuhan.

    Especially if SARS-CoV-2 were the result of genetic engineering. A lab-modified virus would mean its genetic sequence was known before the pandemic and accessible to researchers. However, by 2021, the U.S. intelligence community had determined that researchers at the WIV had no prior knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 before the outbreak. While absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, concrete data has yet to emerge supporting the hypothesis of laboratory modification.

    Theories about a potential lab outbreak have also fueled speculation about external involvement, both within China and abroad. A U.S. Senate committee report put forward an all-Chinese scenario, citing the suspicious 2020 death of a Beijing-based researcher working on a new vaccine.

    Other theories center on the NGO EcoHealth Alliance, which collaborated with WIV to collect and study natural coronavirus strains before its funding was abruptly cut off at Donald Trump’s request in Spring 2020. The organization’s president has since been banned from federal funding for five years, facing criticism over oversight issues, including delayed reporting of an experiment on a chimeric coronavirus and failure to provide WIV’s laboratory notebooks.

    Among the most high-profile figures implicated in U.S.-based complicity theories is Anthony Fauci, the former White House Covid advisor and head of the agency that funded the EcoHealth Alliance/WIV collaboration. But allegations against Fauci go far beyond simply approving research grants. One narrative claims he deliberately suppressed discussions about the pandemic’s point of origin, pressuring researchers to alter their conclusions in exchange for funding. No evidence has surfaced to support this claim.

    Anticipating potential retribution from his successor and the Republican Party, Former President Joe Biden preemptively granted Fauci a presidential pardon. However, newly elected President Donald Trump has since revoked Fauci’s personal security detail, and Republican Senator Rand Paul has vowed to continue efforts to prosecute him.

    The natural-origin theory faces hurdles as well

    Since these competing lab leak theories have emerged from a lack of conclusive evidence anything is possible. However, available data suggest the virus may have originated naturally from animals sold at the Huanan Market.

    Multiple sources, including research from Chinese institutions, support this hypothesis: two early SARS-CoV-2 strains were detected at the market, with the earliest cases reported in homes within the vicinity, even for patients without direct epidemiological links to it, and findings from the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CCDC) indicate that raccoon dogs and masked palm civets–species implicated in earlier SARS outbreaks–were present in the market’s southwest corner, where traces of SARS-CoV-2 were frequently detected.

    However, by the time the China CDC team arrived at the Huanan Market–just hours after its closure for sample collection–raccoon dogs and civets were no longer present. As a result, no direct traces of infection were detected, and the definitive evidence some are hoping for may never be uncovered.

    But even if such proof were to emerge, it’s unlikely to settle the debate. Additional confirmation would be needed to show that the contamination originated in the animals rather than being a secondary infection transmitted by humans. Moreover, skeptics could argue that the animals themselves came from a laboratory. In other words, the controversy is far from over.

    For now, with the new Trump administration focused on finding a culprit, the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic will remain in the spotlight. Senator Rand Paul, now chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), has made the issue his favorite hobbyhorse.

    While declassifying additional information from the U.S. intelligence community could help clarify competing conclusions, there are concerns that the administration’s efforts may unfairly target researchers, potentially resulting in more innocent victims.

    Florence Débarre received funding in 2022 from the MODCOV19 platform of the National Institute for Mathematical Sciences and their Interactions (Insmi, CNRS) to model the initial dynamics of an epidemic.

    ref. The ‘lab-leak origin’ of Covid-19. Fact or fiction? – https://theconversation.com/the-lab-leak-origin-of-covid-19-fact-or-fiction-250462

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour must act to stop energy price hikes

    Source: Scottish Greens

    It it time to break the link between global gas prices and electricity bills.

    The Labour government is badly failing in its promise to lower energy bills, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater.

    Ms Slater’s comments come as Ofgem has announced the energy price cap will rise by 6.4% this April, or £111 a year for an average household.

    Ms Slater said:

    “The fossil fuel giant executives are laughing their way to the bank and toasting eye watering profits, but households and families across our country are being plunged into poverty by a broken energy market.

    “Scotland has renewable resources that any country would envy, but bill payers are not seeing the benefit of them.

    “Labour promised to cut costs, but this is the third increase in a row since Keir Starmer took office. It simply isn’t good enough. People want to know when they will stop being hit with one increase after another.

    “We need radical and urgent reform of our energy markets and to break the link between global gas prices and electricity bills. Renewables have helped cut the cost of generating electricity, this should be reflected in household bills.

    “The shift to clean, green renewable energy is crucial for our environment, and it is key to lowering bills and building a system that works for people and planet.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Barnwell Industries, Inc. Informs Ned Sherwood of Defective and Insufficient Director Nomination Notice and Investigation of Circumstances that May Have Triggered Shareholder Rights Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Actions Continue Ned Sherwood’s Long History of Disruption, Breaches of Settlement Agreements and Blatant Disregard for Established Bylaws and Shareholder Protections

    Board Forms Executive Committee to Protect Shareholder Interests

    Executive Committee Believes Sherwood’s Nomination of Himself, His Friends and His Affiliates Underscores Desire to Take Control of Barnwell at Shareholders’ Expense and Without Paying a Premium for Control

    HONOLULU, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE American: BRN) (“Barnwell” or the “Company”) today announced that it has informed Ned Sherwood, a shareholder who recently submitted a control slate of five nominees comprising friends and affiliates, that his nomination notice is defective and insufficient. Sherwood’s nomination notice fails to include material information required by the Company’s bylaws, and in light of these material deficiencies and omissions required both by the bylaws and federal securities regulations, the Executive Committee of the Barnwell Board of Directors is strongly inclined to reject the nomination notice as defective and insufficient and to disqualify Sherwood’s nominees.

    In light of the inherent conflicts of interest of Sherwood’s candidates, one of who is a current Board member, the Board has formed an Executive Committee comprising independent Vice Chairman, Kenneth Grossman, independent director Joshua Horowitz and Executive Chairman, Alexander Kinzler, to protect the interests of all other shareholders.

    The Executive Committee has requested that a Special Committee consisting of independent directors Grossman and Horowitz investigate, among other things, the facts and circumstances of the relationship between Sherwood and his board nominee, Ben Pierson, who has privately purchased shares of Barnwell while also currently serving as the Chief Investment Officer of Sherwood’s family office, to determine whether a distribution under the Company’s Shareholder Rights Plan has been triggered.

    Sherwood is Nominating Himself, His Friends and His Business Associates to
    Steal Control of the Company

    Notwithstanding the obvious conflicts, the Board remains open to considering new candidates and intends to vet the individuals proposed by Sherwood through its usual governance process. However, the Executive Committee cautions shareholders that a preliminary review shows clearly that two of the four nominees other than Sherwood cannot be expected to exercise judgement independent of Sherwood, and three of Sherwood’s five nominees have no public company Board experience.

    • Ben Pierson has been employed by the Sherwood Family Office as its Chief Investment Officer since 2021.
    • Doug Woodrum has been a Director at Barnwell since 2020 as Sherwood’s designee having joined the Board following an earlier proxy contest and then through a prior settlement with the Company. Woodrum has been the mouthpiece for all of Sherwood’s misguided policy proposals, including the sale of assets at fire sale prices and various attempts at co-opting day-to-day control, which have only resulted in damaging management morale and creating distrust of Sherwood’s motives, as well as incurring significant costs for the Company to address these matters.
    • Woodrum has been reprimanded on multiple occasions for leaking confidential board matters to Sherwood. Woodrum has also attempted to end-run the Board of Directors by directly interfering with management. Sherwood has stated many times he would elevate Woodrum to CEO or CFO, but no member of management or director not affiliated with Sherwood has endorsed or supports Woodrum as qualified for either position.

    The Company further notes that Sherwood’s nomination of a control slate continues his long history of disrupting the Company’s governance processes and interfering with the Company’s operations, while creating significant expense to the Company. Sherwood’s nomination of himself, his friends and business associates, without any credible plan for the Company and without paying a premium to shareholders for control, flies directly in the face of shareholder interests.

    Sherwood and His Director Appointees Have Hid Investments and
    Acted to Intentionally Undermine Management and the Board

    • Sherwood made a significant investment in a Canadian Oil and Gas venture founded and operated by one of his former director designees, which investment was only belatedly and incompletely disclosed. The Executive Committee believes this arrangement was undertaken as a quid pro quo so that Sherwood’s nominee would execute on Sherwood’s self-serving agenda.
    • From 2021-2022, Sherwood and Woodrum offered a then-new member of the Board, Colin O’Farrell, the Company’s CEO position. Sherwood and Woodrum did so without consulting the Board and seemingly to co-opt O’Farrell’s independence. This conduct was in breach of a then-valid standstill agreement, resulted in a costly investigation, severely damaged the morale of the Canadian-based management team, and resulted in O’Farrell’s resignation from the Board only seven months after his appointment.
    • In April 2024, without prior Board discussion or direction, Sherwood and his director appointee Woodrum demanded that management immediately begin a search for a Calgary-based CFO and that Woodrum would help lead the search.
    • Sherwood continues to interfere with the Company’s executive leadership transition. Ten months ago, Craig Hopkins succeeded Kinzler as CEO of the Company with the support of Sherwood’s nominees and as part of an overall succession plan for the retirement of the Company’s prior senior management and expense reduction efforts. Both Kinzler and Russell Gifford, the Company’s longtime CFO, have expressed their desire to retire from day-to-day operations of the Company by the end of the fiscal year and have indicated their willingness to support CEO Craig Hopkins during the transition to the extent desired by him and the Board. Multiple directors supported by Sherwood, including former director Laurance Narbut, have expressed the belief that the decades of experience and knowledge held by Kinzler and Gifford will enable the Company to undertake a smooth transition and maintain its excellent track record of accounting and legal compliance.

    Despite Repeated Requests, Sherwood Has Failed to Propose a Different Plan or
    Business Strategy

    Sherwood has NO PLAN for Barnwell Other than to Take Over the Company
    Without Paying a Control Premium

    The Company has repeatedly asked Sherwood to specify what Company plans and policies he opposes or would change. The only response has been incessant demands “to shut down Hawaii,” which lacks any semblance of thoughtful consideration. It has no backing from a single budget, spreadsheet or alternative strategy that would adequately support the back-office functions of a publicly listed company. Barnwell can only conclude that Sherwood’s current nomination notice is merely an attempt to take full control of a company where he holds a 30% stake and no articulated plan to change any personnel, policies or business practices. Sherwood and his designees on the Board have been engaged in a steady stream of actions interfering with management and compromising Board confidentiality and function, all in pursuit of full control of the Company and often in violation of the standstill agreement that the Company and Sherwood entered into in 2023.

    Sherwood has accused the Company of excessive expenditures for lawyers and other professionals when the vast majority of these expenditures were necessitated by the abusive, improper and often illegal actions of Sherwood and his designees on the Board. Sherwood’s group recently served the Company with a books and records request, which will require significant legal expense to address, ironically asking for shareholder records when Sherwood’s own group has played fast and loose with their own Section 16 and Section 13 SEC reporting obligations.

    The Barnwell Executive Committee Comprises Majority Independent and
    Highly Experienced Directors Acting on Behalf of All Shareholders

    The current Board was expressly approved by Sherwood under a 2023 settlement whereby the Company and Sherwood each designated two directors and a fifth director, Joshua Horowitz, was selected as a compromise board member who was vetted by Sherwood and expressly endorsed by both parties to the settlement agreement.

    The current Board is overseeing the transition out of the Company’s water well drilling activities and is currently completing its final well project. The water well subsidiary recently sold one of its rigs for approximately $585,000 and will shut down its operations and sell its remaining assets in the near term. This is part of a larger plan to transition out of the Company’s Hawaii main office and move those executives to transitional roles, to streamline the Company’s accounting operations and further reduce general and administrative expenses in order to increase funds available for investment.

    The Company’s Twining oil & gas property in Alberta continues to be the engine for the Company’s future growth. We are pleased that our newest development well is online and producing as expected. There are approximately 50 additional wells that can be drilled, which would enable the Company to grow its revenues and results organically, as a major portion of the costs of the operations are fixed.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A forward-looking statement is one which is based on current expectations of future events or conditions and does not relate to historical or current facts. These statements include various estimates, forecasts, projections of Barnwell’s future performance, statements of Barnwell’s plans and objectives, and other similar statements. Forward-looking statements include phrases such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “will be,” “should,” or similar expressions. Although Barnwell believes that its current expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure that the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause actual results to differ materially from Barnwell’s expectations are set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Barnwell’s annual report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year and Barnwell’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, as they speak only as of the date of this press release, and Barnwell expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.

    Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

    Barnwell Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) plans to file proxy materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”). Prior to the 2025 Annual Meeting, the Company will file a definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) together with a WHITE proxy card. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY WILL FILE WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and any other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) when filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the 2025 Annual Meeting at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or at the Company’s website at https://ir.brninc.com/ or by contacting Alexander Kinzler, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, by phone at (808) 531-8400, by email at akinzler@brninc.com or by mail at Barnwell Industries, Inc., 1100 Alakea Street, Suite 500, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

    Certain Information Regarding Participants

    The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be “participants” (as defined in Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the 2025 Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information relating to the foregoing can also be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2024. To the extent holdings of such participants in the Company’s securities have changed since the amounts described in the Proxy Statement, such changes have been reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 3 and Form 4 filed with the SEC: Form 3, filed by Craig Hopkins, with the filings of the Company on May 16, 2024; Form 4, filed by Craig Hopkins, with the filings of the Company on May 20, 2024, August 29, 2024, January 13, 2025 and January 17, 2025; Form 4, filed by Joshua Horowitz, with the filings of the Company on August 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024; Form 4, filed by Kenneth Grossman, with the filings of the Company on October 28, 2024; and Form 4, filed by Douglas Woodrum, with the filings of the Company on October 28, 2024. These filings can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. More detailed and updated information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests (by security holdings or otherwise), will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

    CONTACT: Kenneth S. Grossman
      Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
      Email: kensgrossman@gmail.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extra energy bill support for the country

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Extra energy bill support for the country

    The government is bringing forward strengthened support for millions of households to help pay their energy bills next winter.

    • Nearly 3 million more families would be eligible to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under new proposals to help people with their energy bills
    • 1 in 5 families in Britain would get help with their bills through these proposals, giving households a helping hand to deal with an unpredictable international energy market
    • comes alongside plans to accelerate a debt relief scheme which will help tackle debt and reduce households’ energy costs

    Almost 3 million more households, including almost 1 million households with children, would get support to pay their energy bills next winter, as the government consults on proposals to offer more support to consumers across the country.  

    Due to global gas price spikes this winter and the continued impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the energy regulator Ofgem has announced today (Tuesday 25 February) an increase in the energy price cap for April to June 2025. This price is set independently of the government, reflecting changes in wholesale prices and global markets. 

    In response, the government is acting to protect billpayers by consulting on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving eligible households £150 off their energy bills. This would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to an estimated 6.1 million.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    This is worrying news for many families.

    This government is determined to do everything we can to protect people from the grip of fossil fuel markets. Expanding the Warm Home Discount can help protect millions of families from rising energy bills, offering support to consumers across the country.

    Alongside this, the way to deliver energy security and bring down bills for good is to deliver our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower- with homegrown clean power that we in Britain control.

    The government will also work closely with Ofgem to accelerate proposals on a potential debt relief scheme, first consulted on last year, to target unsustainable debt built up during the energy crisis.  

    The proposed debt support scheme, alongside the Warm Home Discount, is an important first step to cut the costs of servicing bad debt, which is currently contributing to higher bills for all billpayers. Under these plans, the target would be to reduce the debt allowance to pre-crisis levels, with Ofgem estimating that these plans could lower these costs by £25 to £30 per year. 

    This additional support for households complements the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, delivering energy security and bringing down bills for good. The expected rise in the price cap shows once again the cost of remaining reliant on the unstable global fossil fuel markets that are driving price increases. Three years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, wholesale gas prices have now risen by 15% compared to the previous price cap period, which is directly affecting the cost of generating power and heating of homes. Moving to a power system based on homegrown, clean energy will reduce the UK’s reliance on volatile markets and protect billpayers. 

    To achieve this, government has set out the most ambitious reforms of the UK’s energy system in a generation. Within its first 8 months in office, the government has lifted the onshore wind ban, established Great British Energy, approved nearly 3 GW of solar, delivered a record-breaking renewables auction and kickstarted the carbon capture and hydrogen industries in the UK. Reforms to nuclear planning rules have also been introduced to clear a path for smaller, and easier to build nuclear reactors – helping to deliver energy security, grow the economy and deliver clean, cheap energy.

    Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said:

    Energy debts that began during the energy crisis have reached record levels and without intervention will continue to grow. This puts families under huge stress and increases costs for all customers.

    We’re developing plans that could give households with unmanageable debt the clean slate they need to move forward. We welcome the government’s support for these plans, and their plans to expand the Warm Home Discount, which will also offer financial help to nearly 3 million more households that need it most.

    While the government presses on with the clean power mission, swift action has already been taken to shield energy consumers from high prices. These measures include:

    • extended the Household Support Fund to provide help through local councils to struggling households with essential costs, including energy bills
    • worked with energy suppliers to negotiate a £500 million winter support package for consumers
    • rolled out the next steps of the Warm Homes Plan, which will upgrade 300,000 homes this financial year
    • consulting on boosting living standards in the private rented sector by requiring all private landlords in England and Wales to meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties by 2030, which will help a million renters out of fuel poverty
    • announced a comprehensive review of the energy regulator Ofgem, empowering it to facilitate growth and innovation and become a stronger champion for consumers
    • driving forward with pro-consumer reforms: 

      • challenging unlawful back billing; taking action on inaccurate bills
      • driving the smart meter rollout
      • giving every family the option of a zero standing charge tariff, so they have more choice in how they pay for their energy
      • ensuring compensation for wrongful installation of prepayment meters

    In addition, government has also moved quickly to protect working people from wider cost of living pressures, including:

    • helping to keep prices down at the pumps by freezing fuel duty for an additional 12 months, saving motorists £3 billion in 2025 to 2026
    • targeting support with the largest increase to the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit since it was introduced in 1976 – worth £41 a week
    • capping the amount that can be deducted cut from Universal Credit payments when repaying short-term loans and debts, saving 1.2 million of the poorest families in the UK £420 a year on average
    • through the government’s commitment to the Triple Lock, millions will see their State Pension rise by up to £1,900 over this parliament

    Taken together, these reforms will help to improve the lives of working people and put more money in their pockets, secure home-grown energy and kickstart economic growth, as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. Through this ambitious programme, the government will deliver a decade of national renewal and fix the foundations of the country.

    Notes to editors

    The consultation sets out proposals to expand the reach of the Warm Home Discount Scheme by removing the high-cost-to-heat threshold in the current Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 (for winter 2025 to 2026) and increasing the level of spend available in Scotland for suppliers to allocate through the Broader Group. All households in receipt of means-tested benefits would then be eligible to receive the £150 electricity bill rebate. 

    If you live in England and Wales, you currently qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, are on a means tested benefit and have high energy costs.

    If you live in Scotland, you currently qualify if you either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, are on a means tested benefit in Scotland and / or meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

    Further information on the Warm Home Discount scheme can be found here: Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview 

    Ofgem’s confirmation that they would progress work on the proposed debt relief scheme can be found here: Debt Strategy.

    Ofgem’s consultation on establishing a debt relief scheme closed on Thursday 6 February. The consultation document can be found here: Resetting the energy debt landscape: the case for a debt relief scheme.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Africa: One Month to Go Until the Congo Energy & Investment (CEIF) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo, February 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    With just one month remaining until the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment (CEIF) 2025, set to take place from March 24-26 in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo will host a dynamic program of discussions, keynote speeches, technical presentations and industry updates. Under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société nationales des pétroles du Congo (SNPC), CEIF 2025 highlights Congo’s expanding influence in Africa’s energy landscape.

    The forum will bring together a diverse range of participants, including SNPC subsidiaries, International Oil Companies, Congolese and foreign banks, energy organizations and technology providers. CEIF 2025 reaffirms the country’s commitment to maximizing its energy potential and streamlining licensing and regulatory processes. As sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer – with a daily output of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) – Congo has recently attracted a new wave of independent explorers and investments, positioning itself as a competitive player alongside oil giants like Angola and Nigeria.

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société nationales des pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

    The three-day conference kicks off with a series of high-level technical sessions, focusing on the latest investment opportunities, regulatory reforms and key developments in oil, gas and power generation. These sessions will explore opportunities for monetizing stranded gas resources and developing infrastructure to meet growing demand, positioning Congo as a potential regional hub for gas production with lucrative opportunities for both local and international stakeholders.

    In addition to oil, Congo has made significant strides in the floating LNG (FLNG) sector, delivering its first LNG exports in February 2024 through the Tango FLNG facility, operated by Eni. The forum will feature a “Hallmark Celebration of FLNG” session, showcasing its transformative impact on Congo’s energy landscape by supporting energy security and contributing to industrial development. By enabling offshore gas liquefaction, FLNG units provide a flexible and efficient way to monetize natural gas resources, facilitate exports and generate revenues.

    Congo is also taking proactive steps to enhance the appeal of its energy sector to investors. Notably, the government plans to launch a 2025 licensing round at CEIF, targeting accelerated oil and gas exploration and production. Key gas monetization initiatives, such as the Congo LNG and Banga Kayo initiatives, will be highlighted during the “Energy & Investment Outlook” session, showcasing the country’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams and advance energy infrastructure.

    A “Gas as Fuel for Progress” session will focus on Congo’s plans to monetize associated gas, with significant progress made in the natural gas sector through collaborations with international companies like Eni and Wing Wah. Eni’s Congo LNG project marks the country’s first liquefaction initiative, paving the way for natural gas exports. Meanwhile, Wing Wah is leading the Banga Kayo project, which focuses on monetizing flared gas by converting it into LNG, butane and propane, contributing to both energy security and economic diversification. A new Gas Code will be unveiled at CEIF 2025 to establish a supportive legal and regulatory framework for gas exploration and production investments.

    As part of its strategy to boost energy investments and socioeconomic development, Congo aims to double its oil production to 500,000 bpd by 2027. At CEIF 2025, the government will also unveil its new Gas Master Plan, designed to consolidate the position of existing companies and attract new investments to the sector. CEIF 2025 is poised to play a crucial role in advancing Congo’s energy success and strategic investment opportunities.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI China: Private sector encouraged to invest in major energy projects

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    As the country’s energy sector is shifting toward greater market-driven dynamics, private companies will be further encouraged to invest in energy development, utilization and infrastructure construction, according to China’s top energy authority.

    The government will continue promoting private sector involvement in major energy projects this year, including nuclear power, energy storage and smart grids, to deliver a more efficient and smooth operation of the market, according to the National Energy Administration.

    The administration will continue encouraging private enterprises to participate in the nuclear power industry’s supply chain and to invest in nuclear power projects. Furthermore, the government will continue to support private companies in various forms of oil and gas exploration, power infrastructure construction and other projects, it said.

    There will be an emphasis on supporting private businesses to invest in and build new technologies such as new energy storage, smart microgrids and innovative business models.

    Private companies are expected to spur more technological innovation and increased efficiency within the energy sector, enhancing its overall competitiveness and sustainability, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

    The energy sector requires substantial long-term investment for expansion, especially in emerging fields such as new energy storage and smart grids, he said.

    China vows to further deepen its energy market reform this year, working to improve mechanisms where energy prices are mainly determined by the market, legally regulate the energy market order and strengthen the construction of a unified national market.

    Zhu Gongshan, chairman of GCL (Group) Holdings Co Ltd, China’s largest private power conglomerate, said a more market-driven energy sector could lead to increased efficiency in the allocation of resources.

    China’s solar power sector, from upstream silicon production to downstream photovoltaic power station construction, exemplifies the growing role of China’s private economy in energy transformation, he said.

    To deepen market-oriented price reforms of new energies, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued a notice recently to promote the integration of new energy sources like wind and solar power into the electricity market.

    This means that around 80 percent of China’s power consumption and generation will be transacted through competitive markets, significantly up from the 61 percent traded in 2024, according to Deng Simeng, a senior analyst for renewables and power research at global consultancy Rystad Energy.

    GCL Group said the company is very optimistic about the virtual power plant market in China, which, according to estimates by Huatai Securities, is projected to reach 10.2 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) this year and further grow to over 100 billion yuan by 2030.

    A virtual power plant is a network of decentralized energy resources that are controlled via software to function as a single, flexible power source. It allows these dispersed resources to operate in a way that mimics the behavior of a traditional power plant, providing electricity to the grid or responding to changes in demand.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Aktsiaselts Infortar Unaudited Consolidated Interim Report for fourth quarter and 12 months of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktsiaselts Infortar (Infortar) will organize a webinar for introducing fourth quarter 2024 results today. Please join the webinar via the following links:

    25 February 2025 at 12:00 (EET) Estonian webinar

    25 February 2025 at 14:00 (EET) English webinar

    Estonia’s largest investment holding company, Infortar assets increased from €1.4 billion to €2.7 billion following the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Tallink Group (Tallink) and the purchase of a gas sale- and distribution company in Poland. Infortar’s stock price raised by 70% in its first year on the Tallinn stock exchange, raising the company’s total valuation from €548 million to €916 million.

    “Over the past few years, our investments have amounted to nearly half a billion euros. We have grown into one of Estonia’s largest companies in terms of assets within a year. We will continue seeking growth opportunities across the region,” said Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Management Board of Infortar.

    “Today, changes in corporate competitiveness and energy policy across Estonia, Europe, and the United States recognize an increasing role for natural gas as a supporter of renewable energy and a provider of controllable capacity. The outlook for the maritime transport sector is set to improve,” Hanschmidt added.

    Major events

    Maritime transportation

    In the summer, Infortar invested €110 million in acquiring Tallink shares, increasing its shareholding in Tallink to 68.5%.

    The total number of passengers in 2024 reached 5.6 million. As of the end of the financial year, Tallink operated 14 vessels. Three vessels were chartered out during the year. The number of transported cargo units exceeded 303,000, and passenger vehicles transported totaled 777,000.

    Energy

    Infortar’s subsidiary, Elenger Group (Elenger), signed a €120 million agreement with the German energy conglomerate EWE AG to acquire EWE Group’s business operations in Poland. The transaction included natural gas assets, a distribution network in Western Poland, and all energy sales segments.

    In 2024, Elenger sold a total of 18.4 TWh of energy (15.9 TWh in 2023). Sales in Estonia accounted for 16% of the total energy sales in 2024. The company’s market share in gas sales across the Finland-Baltic gas market for the year was 24.3%.

    Real estate

    Infortar’s real estate portfolio has expanded from 100,000 to 141,000 square meters over the past year. At the end of last year, the Rimi logistics center in Saue received its occupancy permit. This summer, a new bridge in Pärnu will be completed, followed by the opening of Lasnamäe’s second DEPO store in Estonia next year. In early 2028, the Kangru-Saku section of the Rail Baltica main route will also be completed.

    Key figures of financial year

    Key figures Q4 2024 Q4 2023 12 months 2024 12 months 2023
    Sales revenue, m€ 446.168 337.734 1 371.775 1 084.626
    Gross profit, m€ 34.871 42.235 128.629 149.473
    EBITDA, m€ 27.892 37.418 145.415 143.283
    EBITDA margin (%) 6.3% 11.1% 10.6% 13.2%
    Net profit, EBIT, m€ -6.792 28.967 77.025 123.628
    Total profit(-loss), m€ -11.988 24.206 175.351 293.830
    Net profit (-loss) holders of the Parent m€ -11.188 24.232 172.934 293.778
    EPS (euros)* -0.54 1.18 8.46 14.62
    Total equity m€ 1 166.222 820.210 1 166.222 820.210
    Total liabilities m€ 1 223.287 441.160 1 223.287 441.160
    Net debt m€ 1 055.708 354.045 1 055.708 354.045
    Investment loans to EBITDA (ratio) 3.0x 1.7x 3.0x 1.7x

    Earnings per share (EPS) in euros is calculated using the following formula: the profit attributable to the parent company’s owners is divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares (20,443,629 as of 31.12.2024 and 20,100,000 as of 31.12.2023). The number of shares, 20,443,629, is determined as follows: Infortar has a total of 21,166,239 issued ordinary shares, from which 722 610 own shares are deducted. These own shares were issued under the employee stock option program and have not been exercised.

    Revenue

    2024. financial year, the group´s consolidated sales revenue increased by 287.149 million euros reaching 1 371.775 million euros (compared to 1 084.626 million euros in 2023). A significant impact was made by the consolidation of Tallink Grupp’s results into Infortar’s consolidated financial statements starting from August 1, 2024.

    EBITDA and Segment Reporting

    Maritime transport Segment: The EBITDA for the maritime transport segment in 2024 financial year was 175.181 million euros (compared to 214.528 million euros in the 2023 financial year). In segment reporting 100% Tallink results are presented.

    Tallink´s financial results were affected by difficult economic environment across all our home markets, and the lowest consumer confidence levels in a decade.

    Energy Segment: The EBITDA for the energy segment of the 2024 financial year was 77.235 million euros (compared to 135.999 million euros in 2023). Warmer winter led to a decrease in sales volumes, which in turn impacted profitability in the fourth quarter.

    Real Estate Segment: The profitability assessment considers the EBITDA of individual real estate companies. The EBITDA for the real estate segment of the 2024 financial year was 13.567 million euros (compared to 12.39 million euros in 2023). Three new buildings at Liivalaia 9, Tähesaju 9, and Tähesaju 11 were included in the accounting for the 2023 financial year.

    Net Profit

    The consolidated net profit for the 2024 financial year was 175.351 million euros (compared to 293.83 million euros in 2023 financial year). One-time significant transactions impacting the net profit calculation for the 2023 financial year included the effects related to the acquisition of the Latvian gas distribution network company, Gaso.

    The consolidated operating profit for the 2024 financial year was 77.025 million euros (compared to 123.628 million euros in the 2023 financial year).

    Investments

    Infortar entered the agricultural sector by acquiring one of Estonia’s largest dairy farms in Halinga and began constructing a biogas plant next to the farm for local gas production. Infortar invested 110 million euros in purchasing Tallink shares, increasing its shareholding in Tallink to 68,5%.

    Infortar subsidiary Elenger signed a 120 million euros agreement with the German energy group EWE AG to acquire EWE Group’s entire Polish business. The transaction includes the natural gas distribution network in Western Poland as well as all energy sales operations.

    In the fourth quarter Infortar Group’s total investments amounted to approximately 140 million euros, reaching 279 million euros over twelve months.

    Financing

    Loan and lease liabilities amounted to 1 223.287 million euros in 2024 financial year (compared to 441.16 million euros in 2023 financial year). Significant increase in the 2024 financial year is primarily due to the line-by-line consolidation of Tallink Grupp, which resulted in the full inclusion of Tallink’s liabilities among the group’s obligations. Proportionally to the growth in assets, Infortar’s net debt increased by 701.663 million euros, reaching 1 055.708 million euros (compared to 354,045 million euros in 2023 financial year). The net debt to EBITDA ratio was 3.4.

    Dividends

    According to the dividend policy, the objective is to pay dividends of at least 1 euro per share per finiancial year. Dividend payments are made semi-annually. Infortar Group’s management proposes to pay a dividend of 3 euros per share for the 2024 financial year results. According to the proposal, the first payout is planned to be made no later than July, and the second payout in December 2025. The dividend consists of three parts:

    1 euro per share, as per the dividend policy.

    Carried-over dividend from AS Tallink Grupp, which is rounded upwards.

    Additional dividend based on the high deliveries of the financial results in 2024.

    AS Infortar has a total of 21,166,239 shares, of which 722 610 are company´s own shares. Dividends are therefore paid for 20,443,629 shares, which amounts to approximately 61 million euros.

    Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

    (in thousands of EUR) Q4 2024 Q4 2023 12 months 2024 12 months 2023
    Revenue 446 168 337 734 1 371 775 1 084 626
    Cost of goods (goods and services) sold -411 237 -295 439 -1 243 033 -934 811
    Write-down of receivables -60 -60 -113 -342
    Gross profit 34 871 42 235 128 629 149 473
    Marketing expenses -12 459 -511 -21 086 -1 620
    General administrative expenses -22 759 -9 522 -50 438 -22 085
    Profit (loss) from biological assets -156 0 -139 0
    Profit (loss) from the change in the fair value of the investment property -6 749 -4 074 -9 640 -4 074
    Unsettled gain/loss on derivative financial instruments 2 098 902 26 672 1 969
    Other operating revenue -767 1 458 4 682 2 523
    Other operating expenses -871 -1 521 -1 655 -2 558
    Operating profit -6 792 28 967 77 025 123 628
             
    (in thousands of EUR) Q4 2024 Q4 2023 12 months 2024 12 months 2023
    Profit (loss) from investments accounted for by equity method 846 1 938 22 974 39 639
    Financial income and expenses        
    Other financial investments 269 54 72 789 -4
    Interest expense -13 808 -8 569 -38 274 -22 573
    Interest income 760 465 4 979 2 765
    Profit (loss) from changes in exchange rates -56 -13 100 -173
    Other financial income and expenses 16 287 -58 15 892 159 158
    Total financial income and expenses 3 452 -8 121 55 486 139 173
    Profit before tax -2 494 22 784 155 485 302 440
    Corporate income tax -9 494 1 422 19 866 -8 610
    Profit for the financial year -11 988 24 206 175 351 293 830
    including:        
    Profit attributable to the owners of the parent company -11 188 24 232 172 934 293 778
    Profit attributable to non-controlling interest -800 -26 2 417 52
             
    Other comprehensive income     12 months 2024 12 months 2023
    Revaluation of risk hedging instruments -46 786 -58 233
    Exchange rate differences attributable to foreign subsidiaries 53 -42
    Total of other comprehensive income -46 733 -58 275
    Total income, including:     128 618 235 555
    including:        
    Comprehensive profit attributable to the owners of the parent company 126 201 235 503
    Comprehensive profit attributable to non-controlling interest 2 417 52
    Ordinary earnings per share (in euros per share) 8,46 14,26
    Diluted earnings per share (in euros per share) 8,16 14,10

    Consolidated statement of financial position

    (in thousands of EUR) 31.12.24 31.12.23
    Current assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents 167 579 87 115
    Short term financial investments 1 0
    Derivative financial assets 8 333 28 728
    Settled derivative receivables 676 5 958
    Other prepayments and receivables 155 351 162 575
    Prepayments for taxes 3 831 925
    Trade and other receivables 38 517 20 185
    Prepayments for inventories 2 498 3 493
    Inventories 215 914 146 884
    Biological assets 941 0
    Total current assets 593 641 455 863
         
    Non-current assets 31.12.24 31.12.23
    Investments to associates 16 603 346 014
    Long-term derivative instruments 3 214 1 125
    Long-term loans and other receivables 35 163 9 072
    Investment property 67 931 176 024
    Property, plant and equipment 1 909 458 446 748
    Intangible assets 38 874 14 366
    Right-of-use assets 47 598 11 300
    Biological assets 2 753 0
    Total non-current assets 2 121 594 1 004 649
    TOTAL ASSETS 2 715 235 1 460 512
         
    (in thousands of EUR) 31.12.24 31.12.23
    Current liabilities    
    Loan liabilities 477 162 184 259
    Rental liabilities 9 020 1 766
    Payables to suppliers 87 941 74 751
    Tax obligations 49 354 32 822
    Buyers’ advances 31 126 3 099
    Settled derivatives 8 728 1 463
    Other current liabilities 63 431 10 851
    Short term derivatives 27 704 3 659
    Total current liabilities 754 446 312 670
         
    Non-current liabilities 31.12.24 31.12.23
    Long-term provisions 9 946 8 399
    Deferred taxes 2 816 33 233
    Other long-term liabilities 43 209 30 679
    Long-term derivatives 1 471 186
    Loan-liabilities 696 670 246 410
    Rental liabilities 40 435 8 725
    Total non-current liabilities 794 547 327 632
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 1 549 013 640 302
         
    (in thousands of EUR) 31.12.24 31.12.23
    Equity    
    Share capital 2 117 2 105
    Own shares -72 -95
    Share premium 32 484 29 344
    Reserve capital 212 205
    Option reserve 6 223 3 864
    Hedging reserve* 7 455 24 118
    Unrealised currency translation differences 1 113 -39
    Employment benefit reserve -44 -44
    Retained earnings 698 914 466 140
    Net profit of the financial year 172 934 293 778
    Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent 921 336 819 376
    Minority interests 244 886 834
    Total equity 1 166 222 820 210
         
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 2 715 235 1 460 512

    Consolidated statement of cash flows

    Cash flows from operating activities    
    (in thousands of EUR) 12 months
    2024
    12 months
    2023
    Profit for the financial year 175 351 293 830
    Adjustments:    
    Depreciation, amortization, and impairment of non-current assets 58 611 15 581
    Change in the fair value of the investment property 9 640 4 074
    Equity profits/losses -156 863 -39 639
    Change in the value of derivatives 20 888 54 309
    Other financial income/expenses -827 -161 965
    Calculated interest expenses 38 274 22 573
    Profit/loss from non-current assets sold -953 -91
    Income from grants recognized as revenue 2 984 784
    Corporate income tax expense -19 866 8 610
    Income tax paid -10 551 -267
    Change in receivables and prepayments related to operating activities 52 022 54 539
    Change in inventories -12 830 -61 915
    Change in payables and prepayments relating to operating activities -22 278 -591
    Change in biological assets -322 0
    Total cash flows from operating activities 133 280 189 832
         
    Cash flows from investing activities 12 months
    2024
    12 months
    2023
    Purchases of associates 0 -10 314
    Purchases of subsidiaries -155 313 -103 414
    Received dividends 20 862 0
    Given loans 1 918 6 652
    Interest gain 4 953 2 691
    Purchases Investment property -5 071 -18 304
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment -38 332 -18 143
    Proceeds from sale of property 1 559 -252
    Total cash flows used in investing activities -169 424 -141 084
         
    Cash flows used in financing activities 12 months
    2024
    12 months
    2023
    Changes in overdraft 12 863 14 349
    Proceeds from borrowings 358 733 130 567
    Repayments of borrowings -151 790 -155 808
    Repayment of finance lease liabilities -6 222 -2 233
    Interest paid -39 153 -22 224
    Dividends paid -60 997 -15 750
    Gain from share emission 3 174 29 464
    Total cash flows used in financing activities 116 608 -21 635
      0 0
    TOTAL NET CASH FLOW 80 464 27 113
    Cash at the beginning of the year 87 115 60 002
    Cash at the end of the period 167 579 87 115
    Net (decrease)/increase in cash 80 464 27 113

    Infortar operates in seven countries, the company’s main fields of activity are maritime transport, energy and real estate. Infortar owns a 68.47% stake in Tallink Grupp, a 100% stake in Elenger Grupp and a versatile and modern real estate portfolio of approx. 141,000 m2. In addition to the three main areas of activity, Infortar also operates in construction and mineral resources, agriculture, printing, and other areas. A total of 110 companies belong to the Infortar group: 101 subsidiaries, 4 affiliated companies and 5 subsidiaries of affiliated companies. Excluding affiliates, Infortar employs 6,228 people.

    Additional information:

    Kadri Laanvee
    Investor Relations Manager
    Phone: +372 5156662
    e-mail: kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee
    www.infortar.ee/en/investor

    Attachments

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace organisations begin trial defense against Energy Transfer’s SLAPP

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Mandan, North Dakota — Ten years after the world watched the Indigenous-led protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline unfold, representatives from Greenpeace International (GPI) and two Greenpeace entities in the United States arrive at a Morton County courthouse to fight a meritless lawsuit brought by Energy Transfer (ET), today. 

    The trial is currently open to the public in the North Dakota courthouse. Multiple attempts by media and watchdog groups to petition the court for greater transparency and accessibility to the trial proceedings have been denied. The Greenpeace parties’ request for public livestreaming was denied, and a request for expanded media cover by a number of outlets and journalists was also recently denied.

    The US-based fossil fuel pipeline company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline is seeking US$300 million in damages in one of the world’s most brazen examples of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). ET’s lawsuit attempts to rewrite the history of the Indigenous-led protest at Standing Rock and could have a chilling impact on free speech in the US and beyond. Since 2017, GPI and Greenpeace organisations in the US have been defending against ET’s lawsuits[1], which ridiculously claim the protests were orchestrated by Greenpeace.

    Deepa Padmanabha, Senior Legal Advisor, Greenpeace USA said: “Beyond the impact that this lawsuit could have on the Greenpeace entities, one of the most worrisome things about the case is that it could establish dangerous new legal precedents that could hold any participant at protests responsible for the actions of others at those protests. And you can imagine that this would have a serious chilling effect on anybody who wants to engage in protest.”

    Kristin Casper, General Counsel, Greenpeace International said: “We are confident Greenpeace International, along with our co-defendants in the US, will ultimately prevail. We will defend Greenpeace International at trial, while also pursuing efforts to recover the costs incurred as a result of ET’s SLAPP suits in the US through legal proceedings in the Netherlands. We are grateful for the support we are receiving from around the world, because when the movement acts together, we win.”

    GPI initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against ET earlier this month. GPI seeks to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace organisations in the US.[2] 

    Energy Transfer’s lawsuits are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs.[3] ET’s lawsuits have been an attempt to bury nonprofits and activists in legal fees, push them towards bankruptcy and ultimately silence dissent. 

    ENDS 

    Notes:

    1. ET’s first lawsuit was filed in federal court under the RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a US federal statute designed to prosecute mob activity. The case was dismissed, with the judge stating the evidence fell “far short” of what was needed to establish a RICO enterprise. The federal court did not decide the defamation or conspiracy claims so ET promptly filed a new case in a North Dakota state court with these and other state law claims 

    2. Greenpeace International files lawsuit against Energy Transfer in first use of EU anti-SLAPP Directive

    3. A report by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) documented 1049 SLAPP suits in Europe in the period 2010-2023, with 166 lawsuits initiated in 2023. Big Oil companies Shell, Total, and ENI have also filed SLAPPs against Greenpeace entities in recent years, with attempts at silencing ending in embarrassment for Shell and Total.

    Contacts:

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: World-class research centers ensure rapid entry of technologies to the market

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Previous news Next news

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers was held under the chairmanship of Dmitry Chernyshenko

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers (WCSC) was held at the Government Coordination Center under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. The meeting presented the results of the WCSC’s work over the five years of the program’s implementation – from 2020 to 2024.

    “World-class research centers were created in 2020 as part of the national project “Science and Universities”, the implementation of which was completed last year. On the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, a new stage of the centers’ development will be implemented as part of the state program “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”. Over time, they were reoriented from fundamental centers to applied tasks, while showing high results. NCMUs ensure the rapid entry of in-demand technologies into the market. Today, we see good indicators of their extra-budgetary financing – 34% of the budget part, which indicates their demand in the market,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    Last year, President Vladimir Putin clarified the strategic goal-setting in the field of science. Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that it is especially important to concentrate efforts on the tasks set by the head of state. In accordance with current challenges, the country’s strategic priorities in the field of science and technology have been updated. State support measures will be focused on them.

    The competition for support of world-class scientific centers will be announced this week.

    “This year’s competition will be aimed at creating centers of the same format as the existing ones, but with an eye on the development and implementation of the most important science-intensive technologies up to and including the sixth level of technological readiness. The Ministry of Education and Science has carried out work to take into account the areas of the humanitarian and social profile,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The head of the Ministry of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, paid special attention to attracting young specialists to world-class scientific centers. According to him, the NCMU creates opportunities for young researchers to manage scientific projects, thereby motivating talented young people to engage in science and increasing the prestige of the scientific profession. Thus, 38% of the research conducted by the centers was carried out under the supervision of young (under 39 years of age) promising researchers.

    The NCMU employees have been awarded the highest level of prizes and awards for the results they have created. In particular, Irek Mukhamatdinov, a senior researcher at the NCMU “Rational Development of Liquid Hydrocarbon Reserves of the Planet”, became a laureate of the Russian Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2022.

    Representatives of world-class scientific centers also spoke about developments that have practical significance.

    Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Andrey Rudskoy reported that the National Center for Advanced Digital Technologies has created a platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench®. Compared to traditional approaches, the development of products and goods based on digital twin technology can reduce time, financial and other resource costs by 10 times or more. The prototype of the digital platform has been demonstrated and tested in operational conditions.

    In addition, technologies have been developed for producing metal-matrix composite materials using additive manufacturing. This is a reserve for the production of lithium-ion batteries with controlled three-dimensional micro- and macrostructure, improved energy capacity characteristics.

    Rector of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy Vladimir Trukhachev reported that the NCMU “Agrotechnologies of the Future” created 11 new varieties of peas using genetic technologies that accelerated the ripening process twice as much as traditional selection. Several large Russian producers have already begun to purchase peas of the new varieties.

    Vice-Rector of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University Danis Nurgaliev noted that the National Center for Mining and Metallurgical Research “Rational Development of Liquid Hydrocarbon Reserves of the Planet” has implemented industrial scaling of in-situ oil refining technology using catalysts that can increase well flow rates by 20–100% and reduce the content of toxic metals in oil within the formation.

    A number of effective technologies of the NCMU are currently being replicated not only in Russian but also in foreign companies and act as import substitutes for products of such companies as Shell and Schlumberger.

    More than 20 low-tonnage chemical products developed by the center to improve the efficiency of oil field development are already being successfully used in practice.

    Efim Khazanov, chief researcher at the Gaponov-Grekhov Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported that the Center for Photonics has developed a fractional rejuvenation device based on a powerful ytterbium fiber laser used in medical cosmetology for skin rejuvenation by laser exposure. In 2024, serial production of a cosmetology device based on a laser developed at the center was launched.

    Kirill Sypalo, Director General of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Professor N.E. Zhukovsky, said that the NCMU “Supersonic” has created a unique infrastructure to support work on the layout of a supersonic passenger aircraft. The use of such optimal layouts will reduce operating costs per flight by three to four times (in relation to first-generation supersonic passenger aircraft).

    Intelligent systems for monitoring and ensuring cybersecurity of onboard equipment and systems of supersonic passenger aircraft have also been developed.

    Leonid Gokhberg, First Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, noted that the Center for Interdisciplinary Research of Human Potential has created 40 unique databases on human potential development, half of which are international. The total number of users is more than 20 thousand people worldwide. The databases are used to evaluate family, demographic and economic policies and international research.

    In conclusion, Dmitry Chernyshenko instructed world-class scientific centers, together with the Ministry of Education and Science, federal authorities – curators and industrial partners, to present plans for the further use of the results obtained within the framework of the centers’ programs.

    The meeting was also attended by Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov, representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use and others.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Where in Siberia did dinosaurs live?

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    At the popular science marathon “Darwin Week” junior researcher of the A. A. Trofimuk Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, engineer of the scientific and educational center “Evolution of the Earth” Faculty of Geology and Geography of Novosibirsk State University, paleontologist Vsevolod Efremenko told which dinosaurs lived in Chukotka and Sakhalin, where to look for their remains and how representatives of the paleofauna adapted to life beyond the Arctic Circle. At present, it is reliably known that 12 species of dinosaurs lived in Siberia. Scientists have discovered about 30 places in Russia where their remains have been preserved to this day, but this does not mean that dinosaurs lived only in those places. It is possible that they lived everywhere, but, unfortunately, bones and teeth, and even more rarely – imprints of feathers and fur, are preserved only in certain conditions.

    — Scientists very rarely find complete dinosaur skeletons. Even finding bone joints is a great success for paleontologists. In 95% of cases, they find teeth, vertebrae, bones or their fragments, parts of skulls and jaw fragments. A significant part of the finds are shells, remains of insects and other invertebrates, imprints of fish and fossil plants — in terms of biomass, they all significantly exceeded dinosaurs. In addition, for their remains to be preserved for tens of millions of years, special conditions are required, which are possible when many factors come together, which is a rather rare phenomenon. Nevertheless, all this makes our work more interesting, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The remains of dinosaurs should be looked for in sedimentary rocks, which are the compressed remains of ancient lakes, rivers and swamps. They are usually formed in an aquatic environment, contain fossils and are destroyed fairly quickly on the earth’s surface. The remains of prehistoric animals are not preserved in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Success in the search for dinosaurs can be expected if it is possible to determine the places where the shores of seas, rivers or lakes, as well as swamps, used to be, and to determine the excavation sites by their contours.

    At the beginning of the Cretaceous period, 145 million years ago, the position of the continents on our planet was already close to the modern one, only the oceans occupied a significantly larger area, and there were no polar ice caps in the polar region. In Siberia and Asia there was a mountainous terrain, and dinosaurs could have lived in the intermountain plains along the banks of rivers and lakes. Closer to the extinction – 66 million years ago – the continents occupied an even closer position to the modern one, and sedimentary basins are almost no longer observed in Siberia. Accordingly, there are almost no sedimentary rocks in which paleontologists can count on finds from that period. Therefore, the remains of dinosaurs of that period could not have been preserved. But in the Far East, the situation was different, so paleontologists discover very interesting finds there.

    — The climate in the Cretaceous period was quite comfortable for dinosaurs — moderate in the Arctic, warm northern in Siberia, and close to subtropical in the Transbaikal Territory. This is evidenced by the climatic reconstruction made on the basis of paleoflora. Dinosaurs could easily settle throughout the territory of Eurasia, Siberia, including Chukotka and Sakhalin. Even in Antarctica, fossil birds are found that once felt quite comfortable in those places, — explained Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The most ancient dinosaurs discovered in Russia lived in the Jurassic period (201-145 million years ago). In Siberia, two of their locations are known – in the Krasnoyarsk and Transbaikal regions.

    The most famous dinosaur of Transbaikalia was found in the vicinity of the village of Kulinda. Scientists have named it Kulindadromeus transbaikaliensis. It lived in these places about 168 million years ago. It was a small non-avian dinosaur of modest size (about the size of an average dog) covered in feathers and scales. It combined bird and reptilian features and was most likely warm-blooded.

    In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the vicinity of the village of Sharypovo, the remains of two dinosaurs of the Jurassic period were discovered: several bones of the predatory tyrannosaurid kilesk (a distant relative of the tyrannosaurus) and many bones of several stegosaurs, from which a whole skeleton was later assembled. Surprisingly, the bones of this herbivorous dinosaur were found among numerous shells of prehistoric turtles in a coal quarry.

    — Paleontology is a very creative science. We can guess from individual bones what genus and species of dinosaur they belong to, and then reconstruct the entire skeleton. This was the case with the kileskos, which hunted stegosaurs. The remains of these ancient animals are found next to each other. But in order not to damage the priceless finds, the paleontologist must work very carefully in the excavation. Since all the bones are scattered, it is necessary to clearly record the position of each of them, so that when assembling the dinosaur skeleton, you do not end up with a chimera, — the paleontologist explained.

    In the Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago), the diversity of dinosaurs was enormous. At least a dozen sites of their remains have been discovered in Siberia. One of the largest is in the vicinity of the village of Shestakovo in the Kemerovo region. It was here that paleontologists found a large number of bones and even entire skeletons of Psittacosaurus sibirica, a small dinosaur that lived here 125-100 million years ago. The remains of the sauropod Sibirotitan were also found at this location — large cervical vertebrae. These 20-ton giants shared this territory with Psittacosaurus, as well as the recently discovered Ceratosaurus kiyakursor. It was a very mobile, long-legged, small dinosaur. Scientists have found parts of its skeleton — the humerus, cervical vertebrae, a fragment of the girdle of the forelimb, as well as the bones of the hind limb in anatomical articulation. Unfortunately, neither the skull nor its parts were found, and scientists cannot yet say with complete certainty whether this dinosaur was a predator or a herbivore.

    The northernmost dinosaur site is Teete in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). During the Cretaceous period, the climate here was warm and mild. Here, paleontologists have discovered stegosaurid teeth and vertebrae, as well as sauropod teeth.

    — Over three field seasons, expedition members collected a rich collection of teeth and vertebrae of small therapsids and salamanders. Remains of turtles, fish, lizards and extinct reptiles were also found. Surprisingly, this territory is a refugium — a region where species of ancient animals that have already become extinct in other places have survived for a long time, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The scientist also spoke about other paleontological finds indicating that dinosaurs lived in Chukotka, Sakhalin and the Far East. Herbivorous duck-billed hadrosaurs lived in Chukotka, as well as ceratopsians – it was previously believed that they inhabited only North America. Eggshells were also found, which means that dinosaurs did not end up in the polar latitudes as a result of migration. They constantly lived and reproduced in these places.

    Many significant finds were made in Blagoveshchensk in the Far East. One of the most striking is the duck-billed dinosaur Olorotitan. The uniqueness of the find was that at the time of its discovery it was the most complete articulated dinosaur skeleton discovered in Russia. Its body length was approximately 8 meters, height – 3.5 meters, and weight could reach 3 tons.

    The richest finds were made in the Transbaikal Territory. They belong to the Jehol biota – these are fossil remains of feathered dinosaurs, birds, mammals and plants, which are found in large quantities in the Lower Cretaceous deposits of North-Eastern China. So far, these unique locations of ancient fauna have not been fully studied and, according to Vsevolod Efremenko, there is enough work for many generations of paleontologists.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Development Bank and Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. sign USD 150 mln Equivalent in RMB Loan Agreement for the LNG Transportation Project

    Source: New Development Bank

    The New Development Bank (NDB) and the Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (BCFL) are pleased to announce the signing of a USD 150 mln equivalent in RMB 1,069.23 mln loan agreement aimed to acquire at least three liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers, addressing the significant increase in demand for LNG in China and closing the gap between demand and supply of LNG carrier capacity. The signing took place in the headquarters of NDB on February 21, 2025. Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Jiuyong Yin, Vice President of Bank of Communications and Mr. Bin Xu, Chairman of BCFL participated in the signing.

    This is the first non-sovereign loan granted by NDB to a non-banking financial institution in China. The relationship between the Bank of Communications (BoCom) and NDB, both headquartered in Shanghai, reflects a longstanding and strategic partnership formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016. The partnership reached another significant milestone with NDB granting its first non-sovereign loan to a non-banking financial institution in China – BCFL, BoCom’s wholly owned subsidiary. This achievement highlights NDB’s dedication to supporting a diverse range of financial institutions and strengthening local markets.

    Under the terms of the loan agreement, NDB will provide USD 150 mln equivalent in RMB 1,069.23 mln loan to BCFL to acquire at least three LNG carriers, resulting in the expansion of its green leasing portfolio. The imports of LNG will help reduce China’s coal consumption and related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, which is in alignment with the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” issued by the Chinese Government. Meanwhile, this batch of LNG carriers will be equipped with advanced propulsion systems, representing a significant improvement in the shipping industry in terms of efficiency, economies of scale and environmental performance.

    Aligned with the NDB’s General Strategy for 2022–2026, this loan promotes private sector participation in addressing infrastructure gaps and scaling up infrastructure investments, with a focus on enhancing development impact in the local market. Additionally, the loan reflects NDB’s commitment to supporting cleaner energy solutions, as it is tied to LNG-related projects that contribute to a lower-carbon energy mix. By utilizing local currency for financing, NDB reaffirms its strategic focus on expanding local currency operations over the 2022–2026 strategy cycle.

    “The non-sovereign loan provided by the New Development Bank to BCFL will significantly enhance its liquefied natural gas transportation capacity. It demonstrates NDB’s dedication to supporting China in reaching a peak in its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This transaction will further strengthen the strategic partnership between NDB and BoCom. The LNG Transportation Project is aligned with NDB’s focus on supporting clean energy and energy efficiency projects as well as the Bank’s commitment to scale up non-sovereign operations,” said Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB VP & COO.

    “Thanks to NDB for choosing BoCom Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of BoCom, to cooperate. This loan is closely related to the national strategy of green and sustainable development and further consolidates the long-term strategic relationship between NDB and BoCom. As financial institutions both in Shanghai, we hope that the two parties will continue to cooperate in more areas such as bond underwriting, financial markets, and international business in the future,” said Mr. Ying, Vice President of BoCom.

    “We would like to thank NDB for its recognition and trust in BoCom Financial Leasing. BCFL continues to work on green and sustainable financial development, and the proportion of green leasing keeps growing. The loan funds from this cooperation will be used for the company’s three LNG ships built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., LTD. We take this as an important cooperation for the strategic partnership between BoCom and NDB,” stated Mr. Xu, Chairman of BCFL.

    Background Information

    New Development Bank

    NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

    For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int

    Bank of Communications Financial Leasing

    BCFL was founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of BoCom in 2007 with the headquarter in Shanghai, China. It is one of the leading financial leasing companies in China and was one of five pilot financial leasing entities approved by the State Council of China. With the support from BoCom, it has grown rapidly since its incorporation and has become one of largest financial leasing companies in China. It operates in various sectors including aviation, shipping, and traditional leasing business.

    For more information on BCFL, please visit www.bocommleasing.com

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Research: BNB Chain’s Rise and the Activation of the MEME Track Competition Landscape

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart Research, the research arm of BitMart Exchange, has released a detailed report on BNB Chain’s recent rise and the competitive MEME token landscape. This report explores BNB Chain’s strategic initiatives, its growing influence in the MEME sector, and the implications for investorsdevelopers, and the broader crypto ecosystem.

    I. BNB Chain’s Three Major Strategies: CZ Traffic Diversion, Infrastructure Optimization, and Wealth Effect Creation

    In the context of a sluggish overall market, CZ successfully brought a new wave of traffic and market discussion to BNB Chain. The recent surge in popularity of BNB Chain is largely attributed to CZ’s continuous topic creation through high-frequency Twitter interactions and controversial token listing decisions, such as TST and Broccoli events, which generated FOMO emotions and attracted investors’ attention, thereby driving traffic to BNB Chain.
    Simultaneously, BNB Chain announced its development plans for 2025, further creating an environment for users to trade MEME tokens. Notably, BNB Chain has made significant upgrades in Gas fees, including reducing Gas fees, supporting multiple tokens for Gas payments, and introducing a feature that allows project teams to sponsor users’ Gas fees. These measures aim to lower the barriers for users to enter the Web3 ecosystem and enhance user experience.

    II. Recent Major Events in BNB Chain

    1. TST: From a Teaching Token to a Market FOMO Wave
      On February 6, the BNB Chain team accidentally exposed the contract address of the example token TST in a teaching video on the Four.meme platform. Chinese community KOLs quickly hyped it, causing its market capitalization to soar from less than 500K to52 million. Despite CZ clarifying multiple times that TST was not an official token and that the team did not hold any shares, market enthusiasm continued to rise. On February 9, Binance announced the listing of TST spot and futures trading, and its market capitalization surged 100 times in just three days, breaking through $500 million, becoming a “star asset” in the BNB Chain ecosystem. After this event, BNB Chain’s popularity briefly surpassed Solana, and Four.meme’s traffic surged, becoming one of the core platforms for MEME token issuance.

    2. BNB Chain Announces 2025 Strategic Roadmap
    On February 11, CZ stated that it was time for the BNB Chain to break free from constraints. Subsequently, on February 12, BNB Chain announced its 2025 ecosystem construction goals, revealing several network upgrades. Following this announcement, BNB broke through 640,reaching peak 725, significantly increasing market enthusiasm.

    • Low Latency and High Throughput: Plans to reduce block generation time from 3 seconds to less than 1 second while maintaining the ability to process 100 million transactions per day, enhancing Web3 speed, smoothness, and scalability.
    • Gas Fee-Free Transaction Mechanism: Introducing BNB Chain Paymaster, allowing users to pay Gas fees with any BEP-20 token (not BNB or stablecoins) and introducing a corporate sponsorship Gas model, similar to SUI and Aptos.
    • Anti-MEV Protection Mechanism: To address the over $1.3 billion in MEV losses in 2024, BNB Chain will hide transaction details until block confirmation to combat sandwich attacks and front-running robots. Establishing private transaction pool relay systems, implementing punishment and blacklist mechanisms for violating validators, and expelling MEV abusers through community governance.
    • Smart Wallet Upgrade: Compatible with EIP-7702 standard, supporting batch transactions and one-click operations (such as cross-chain swaps). Future integration of AI assistants to provide portfolio management, MEV risk warnings, and trading strategy optimization.
    • AI-Priority Infrastructure: Auditing smart contract vulnerabilities through code assistants (Code Copilot), reducing development barriers; DataDAOs supporting users in monetizing private data; Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) providing a secure sandbox for AI agents in DeFi.
    • MEME Token Ecosystem Support: Launching no-code token issuance tools and liquidity solutions to replicate Solana’s MEME fever, while reducing fraud risks through review mechanisms.

    3. Broccoli: CZ Pushes BNB Chain’s Popularity to a Peak
    After the TST price surge following CZ’s mention, CZ’s actions became the focus of MEME players. On February 13, CZ tweeted about the operation mechanism of MEME tokens, asking if creating a token only required sharing a pet’s name and photo. After understanding the mechanism, CZ expressed interest in how it worked. On February 14, CZ announced a pet dog named Broccoli without providing an official contract address, leading to thousands of tokens with the same name appearing on the BSC chain overnight. Countless players rushed to trade on BNB Chain, causing congestion and website crashes on Four.meme. CZ later stated that this “pressure test” exposed technical issues that still needed optimization on the BSC chain. Although CZ repeatedly emphasized that he did not issue any tokens, Binance Alpha listed three Broccoli-related projects on February 19, indirectly indicating his tacit approval of the MEME fever-driven traffic dividend.

    4. SHELL: Chain Staking Activity Triggers a Capital Siphon
    On February 13, BNB Chain, in collaboration with Binance Wallet and PancakeSwap, launched a public offering event for MyShell token SHELL. Backed by Binance Labs’ investment background, the event oversubscribed by 105 times, attracting over 130,000 BNB for subscription. This event not only boosted BNB Chain’s popularity but also drainage Binance Wallet.

    III. Analysis of BNB Chain’s Current Situation and Future Challenges

    1. Competitive Analysis
      BNB Chain vs. Solana According to Nansen’s on-chain data, since early February when CZ drove traffic to BNB Chain through high-frequency tweets, the chain’s active address count has shown explosive growth. On February 18, the single-day active address count exceeded 2.8 million, setting a historical peak in the past 12 months, while Solana’s active address count declined by 36% during the same period. However, Solana’s daily active address count still remains above 4 million.

    (Data Source: Nansen)

    Four.meme vs. Pump.fun According to Dune’s data, Pump.fun platform maintained a monopoly position with over 100,000 new accounts per day before February due to its first-mover advantage. However, with Four.meme leveraging the traffic dividend from the BNB Chain ecosystem, the industry landscape has undergone a significant reshuffle. By February 17, Pump.fun’s new account count had halved to 50,000/day, while Four.meme’s count soared from less than 500 to over 20,000/day. Although Four.meme’s current scale is only 40% of Pump.fun’s, its weekly growth rate of 325% has made it one of the important MEME launch platforms.

     
    (Data Source: Dune)

    (Data Source: Dune)

    2. BNB Chain Drives a New Round of MEME Fever in the Short Term
    More significantly, on February 14, when CZ disclosed the pet dog “Broccoli,” causing a frenzy of imitation tokens, BNB Chain’s network Gas fees surged to $0.43 in an instant, setting a new high since January 2022. This data confirms the success of CZ’s traffic diversion strategy, bringing new active users to the previously sluggish BNB Chain. Combining CZ’s recent actions and BNB’s innovative plans, it can be inferred that MEME will be one of the main development goals for BNB Chain in 2023. Currently, under the influence of Binance’s traffic, BNB Chain has initiated the first phase of MEME fever. In the current market lacking new narrative drivers, BNB Chain may continue to rely on MEME token popularity to maintain market attention, and high-return MEME projects may still emerge in the BNB Chain ecosystem in the short term.

    (Data Source: BNB Chain)

    3. Future Challenges
    However, BNB Chain faces multiple challenges in replicating Solana’s MEME fever. The main challenge is the recent trust crisis in the MEME track. Due to MEME tokens launched by Trump and Argentine President couples causing significant user losses, frequent token launches by presidents and celebrities have harvested a large amount of liquidity from the crypto market and severely damaged market confidence. It may be difficult to restore investor trust in the future. Additionally, the current crypto market is affected by Trump’s transaction cooling down, macroeconomic conditions, and policies, showing a general trend of continuous volatility and downward movement. Following the Adjustment of BTC, altcoins have experienced significant declines. Previously popular Ai Age tokens have also seen significant price drops.

     4. Potential Impact
    With BNB Chain regaining market attention through strategic upgrades and the MEME craze, Solana, which previously dominated the MEME sector almost single-handedly, now faces a new competitor. The rapid rise of the BNB Chain has put unprecedented competitive pressure on Solana, potentially driving it to accelerate technological upgrades and ecosystem reforms. Furthermore, BNB Chain’s success has demonstrated new opportunities for other blockchain ecosystems. More chains may adopt BNB Chain’s “event-driven marketing + technical upgrades + wealth effect” strategy to promote their own ecosystems, potentially sparking a new wave of market enthusiasm.

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere. 

    Risk Warning
    Note: All cryptocurrency investments, including yield products, are highly speculative and involve significant risks. Past performance of products cannot guarantee future results. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and before making any investment decisions, you should carefully assess whether it is suitable for trading or holding digital currencies based on your investment objectives, financial situation, and risk tolerance, and consult a professional financial advisor. The information in this article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment, legal, or tax advice. The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for any losses incurred due to the use of this information.

    The MIL Network