Fuel Crisis Idles Hong Kong Fleet Before Fishing Ban

A fuel price surge has forced up to 80 percent of Hong Kong's fishing vessels to stop work early. They halted operations nearly a month before a planned seasonal moratorium was set to begin. The crisis stems from the doubled cost of "red oil," a cheap diesel used by fishing boats. Industry representatives blame the war in the Middle East for the price spike, saying current costs make fishing impossible. Local maritime groups welcomed a recent two-week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil passage. However, they are urging authorities to provide targeted, temporary support to help the struggling industry survive.