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• Bunker sales in Panama recover in Dec, resilience seen in H2 2020
  Jan 25
  **Bunker sales in Panama rise 13.6% in December **Total sales of bunkers in 2020 fall 11.4% on year **Prices on the rise
• Bunkerworld Index: Prices waver as lockdowns intensify
  Jan 22
  The BW0.5%S Index ended Jan. 21 at $447/mt, down $4/mt on the day, up $1/mt on the week and $41/mt higher than 30 days previously.
• US sanctions European oil traders, tankers for violating Venezuelan crude oil sanctions
  Jan 20
  **Sanctions extend to those working with Mexican network **Ban on Citgo share seizures extended until July **Moves come on Trump's last full day in office
• Asia residual fuel market - Key market indicators this week
  Jan 18
  While bunker demand in the Singapore Marine fuel 0.5% market continued to be lacklustre, the market has been buoyed by demand from utility companies in North Asia amid low fuel inventory and high LNG prices, traders said.
• OPEC, shale output needs to rise to offset possible year-end supply squeeze: Vitol CEO
  Jan 13
  **OPEC+ slows down output rises more than expected **2021 demand increase to hover around 6 mil-6.5 mil b/d **Oil prices rising due to potential supply squeeze
• Asia residual fuel market - Key market indicators this week
  Jan 11
  The Singapore Marine fuel 0.5%S market witnessed tepid downstream bunker demand in the first trading week of 2021, although bunker traders have pegged their hopes on a demand recovery for the second half of the month.
• Bunkerworld Index: Prices rise as bullish crude factors offset limp demand
  Jan 8
  **Traders at Asian hubs hope for higher demand in H2 Jan **European market lacks direction amid mixed buying interest **USGC ports see weak demand, pockets of tightness elsewhere
• Saudi Aramco OSP hike at high end of market expectations: traders
  Jan 7
  **Aramco raises Feb Asia OSPs by 20-70 cents/b across all grades **Supply cuts, Dubai structure support price hike
• Asia residual fuel market - Key market indicators this week
  Jan 4
  Firmer fundamentals are expected to buoy sentiment in the Asian low sulfur fuel oil market in the first trading week of 2021 amid lower arbitrage supply from the West into Singapore and an uptick in demand from North Asian power utilities.
• Bunkerworld Index: Prices rise amid firming crude, pockets of tightness for bunkers
  Dec 31
  **VLSFO in South Korea set for Q1 limits on availability **Durban HSFO tightness likely to linger following explosion **USGC demand may pick up following seasonal slowdown
• AMERICAS BUNKERS: Key market indicators Dec. 28-Jan. 1
  Dec 28
  Retail marine fuel spot markets entered the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 1 following a week of bullish demand, but liquidity may slow down heading into the end of the year as demand remains weak.
• Bunkerworld Index: Prices waver amid economic headwinds
  Dec 24
  **North Asia bunker outlook bullish on lower stocks, continuing demand **Uncertain outlook at Rotterdam amid lagging demand and vaccine optimism **USGC, Panama demand likely to wane in line with seasonal expectations
• Asia residual fuel - Key market indicators this week
  Dec 21
  Shipowners are actively beginning to procure low sulfur fuel oil for January following a slowdown in December ahead of the festive season, setting the market in recovery mode.
• SINGAPORE DATA: Nov bunker fuel sales up nearly 3% on month to 4.26 mil mt
  Dec 14
  **MFO 380 CST sales maintain momentum to hit 995,000 mt **Nov LSFO sales rise 4.5% from Oct
• S Korea HSFO differential hits 4-month high on tight supply
  Dec 9
  **Tightness expected to when GS Caltex resumes supply Dec. 20 **GS Caltex typically produces 120,000 mt of HSFO/month
• FUJAIRAH DATA: Oil products stocks jump 12%, biggest gain since February
  Dec 9
  **Gains across the board for first time since August **Exports have slowed in recent months **Fuel oil demand slows as weather turns colder
• FEATURE: Fujairah eyes 4th refinery in 2021 as Oman plans to add storage
  Dec 8
  **Brooge Energy plans 25,000 b/d refinery **Fujairah marine fuel prices tumble this year **Murban futures trading may provide incremental boost
• European VLSFO backwardation hits nine-month high
  Dec 4
  The European very low sulfur fuel oil market has hit nine-month high as product comes to the market ahead of year-end.
• JAPAN DATA: Nov. 22-28 oil product exports rebound 23% to 2.4 mil barrels
  Dec 2
  **Gasoil exports jump 36.9% **HSFO exports rise 6.6%, LSFO exports up 34.3%
• European fuel oil paper volumes in November MOC up 522% on month
  Dec 1
  Hi-lo most commonly traded derivative.
• OPEC+ heads into crunch-time negotiations still in search of unity over 2021 oil quotas
  Nov 30
  **Preliminary talks over extending oil cuts to boost market **Russia, Kazakhstan said to seek output rise, UAE undecided **Formal OPEC meeting Nov. 30, non-OPEC joins Dec. 1
• Bunkerworld Index: Prices firm on enduring pockets of demand, optimism for crude
  Nov 27
  **USGC prices on the rise despite easing availability **ARA MGO supply concerns appear **Quarantine rule hits Hong Kong buying appetite
• FUJAIRAH DATA: Oil product stocks fall on 11% slide in heavy distillates
  Nov 25
  Over the week to Nov. 23, middle distillates such as jet fuel and diesel climbed 3% to 6.161 million barrels, a record high.
• Asia residual fuel market - Key market indicators this week
  Nov 23
  **LSFO output shows slight increase **Container liners provide baseline demand
• TENDER DATA: Japan's Ministry of Defense seeks 57,400 barrels 0.1% sulfur A-fuel oil for March
  Nov 17
  **A-fuel is a blend of gasoil and fuel oil in a 90:10 ratio **Ministry regularly buys by fuel by tender
• Asia residual fuel market - Key market indicators this week
  Nov 16
  **Singapore 0.5%S FO values expected to remain supported **November 3.5%S FO demand so far firmer than October's level
• Fourth propulsion revolution, more R&D to aid greener shipping: ICS
  Nov 11
  **Ammonia, hydrogen and electric batteries hold promise **R&D fund imperative to develop zero carbon fuels **Charterers, financiers coming forward to promote greener shipping
• OIL FUTURES: Crude extends losses on pandemic concerns, pares back overnight gains
  Nov 10
  Analysts warn, for all the excitement a vaccine would bring, there are still the practicalities to get out of the way first.
• Singapore bunker sales remain resilient despite strong headwinds
  Nov 5
  "Singapore will continue to grow its marine fuel volumes in the next few months," an industry consultant said.
• Neste to buy Bunge's oil, fat processing plant in Rotterdam for Eur258 million
  Nov 4
  "The acquisition of the refinery plant supports our global growth strategy in renewables," Neste CEO Peter Vanacker said.
• Singapore 380 CST HSFO prompt backwardation widens to 9-month high
  Nov 2
  "The HSFO market is strong. Refiners are cutting their run rates... we still see demand from Pakistan. Demand from the power sector is still strong," a fuel oil trader said.
• IMO, S. Korea partner to help less-developed nations meet shipping climate goals
  Oct 29
  **Partners recognize barriers to poorer nations meeting targets **Geopolitics may cause regional approaches
• Bunker fuel supply tightens in North Asia on weak gasoil margins
  Oct 27
  "Our refinery will maintain its overall operating ratio below 70% in November too, so I think supply will still be tight," a source with a South Korean refiner said.
• Dorian LPG sees dual fuel VLGC upgrade costing 3 three times scrubber retrofitting
  Oct 23
  "Ten of our ships are equipped with scrubbers and we have commitments for another two," Young said.
• Americas bunker market adapting well to IMO 2020; COVID-19 still a factor: conference
  Oct 22
  Sellers and suppliers have been "focused on quality" and use certificates of quality during their transactions, Coyne said.
• Japan's delivered marine fuel 0.5%S bunker price is lowest in Asia
  Oct 20
  "We had expected more orders after China returned from their golden week holidays, but it didn't happen," a trader said.
• China's Zhoushan port supplies 3.26 mil mt bonded bunker fuels over Jan-Sep, up 18% on year
  Oct 14
  Association attributed increase in volume to price competitiveness compared to the Asia's key bunkering port of Singapore since late-August.
• India's Sep fuel oil consumption falls 4% on month on weaker demand
  Oct 12
  Several refiners estimate India bunkering demand has shrunk 15%-20% since onset of coronavirus pandemic in April.
• INTERVIEW: VPS exec sees bunker fuel quality alerts surging in 2020 as VLSFO use gathers pace
  Oct 6
  "A lot of stability and cold-flow issues with VLSFOs, plus flash point issues with MGO and VLSFO, have been noted," Bee said.
• FueLNG advances LNG bunkering prospects, infrastructure in Singapore
  Oct 5
  FueLNG Bellina is scheduled to be operational by end-2020.
• Singapore's LSMGO bunker inquiries spike on narrower gasoil-LSFO spread
  Sep 30
  The spread has since contracted to a five-month low of 84 cents/mt on Sept. 28, but on Sept. 29, it widened to $2.94/mt, Platts data showed.
• Monjasa sees near 50% bunker sales growth in Southeast Asia despite COVID-19
  Sep 29
  The Port of Singapore is where we see the most significant rise on the demand-side, Jacobsen said.
• Trafigura proposes carbon levy for shipping to hasten decarbonization
  Sep 25
  Trafigura, the independent oil trader and one of the world's largest ship charterers, has proposed that the International Maritime Organization introduce a carbon levy of $250-$300/mt of CO2 equivalent on shipping fuels, to make zero- and low-carbon fuels more economically viable and more competitive.
• EMEA Middle Distillates: Key market indicators this week
  Sep 21
  European diesel markets looked weaker as traders saw demand falling back as coronavirus cases in Europe rose, while gasoil and jet fuel markets strengthened.
• Singapore 0.5% sulfur marine fuel premium to Fujairah hits 3-month low as demand grows
  Sep 18
  The premium of Singapore-delivered to Fujairah-delivered, 0.5% sulfur marine fuel narrowed to $2/mt on Sept. 18, the lowest in three months, S&P Global Platts data showed, on tight barge availability and an uptick in demand in the Middle East.
• Bunker sales in Panama rise in Aug with strong increase in high sulfur segment
  Sep 16
  Bunker sales in Panama climbed for the second consecutive month in August, after a steep fall in June, with high sulfur IFO 380 fuel showing the strongest increase.
• ARA gasoil barges at three-month high versus cargoes
  Sep 15
  Gasoil barges in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub have risen to a three-month high versus cargoes amid a mix of factors on both the supply and demand sides of the market.
• LSGO futures net speculative length slips to four-month low amid largest increase in short positions on record
  Sep 14
  Speculative net long positions in ICE low sulfur gasoil futures fell 42,389 contracts to 21,114 in the week to Sept. 8, a four-month low, according to Intercontinental Exchange data.
• Gibraltar Hi-5 bunkers spread at fresh low amid tightness in HSFO
  Sep 9
  VLSFO supply remains ample amid demand destruction caused by COVID-19.
• European HSFO values near 2019 prices, bucking expectations
  Sep 8
  The spread between physical prices for 3.5%S FOB Rotterdam barges in 2019 and 2020 reached as close as $4/mt year on year on Sept. 1, assessed at $257/mt, before the spread widened again.
• Hong Kong's OOCL withdraws 9 October trans-Pacific sailings
  Sep 4
  These blanked sailings fall on October 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 17, which coincide with China's upcoming Golden Week holiday.
• MARINE FUEL 0.5%S: Ample supply weighs on global marine fuel markets in September
  Sep 2
  Traders estimate the volume of LSFO arriving in Singapore in September at 2.5 million-3 million mt.
• Listen: Asian HSFO markets endure IMO 2020, coronavirus challenges
  Aug 31
  Light sulfur fuel oil has been the main marine fuel of choice worldwide, but high sulfur fuel oil has held its stead in Asia.
• Taiwan ports see 15% increase in marine fuel volumes in August on demand diversion: sources
  Aug 27
  "We have seen an increase in a number of bunker-only call ships that don't typically come to Taiwan," said a source CPC Corp.
• MGO-ULSFO bunker spread hits 8-month low in Europe
  Aug 25
  Ultra low sulfur fuel oil remains cheaper than marine gasoil but only marginally as price differentials narrowed to an eight-month low in Europe, S&P Global Platts data showed.
• Bunker prices in the Pacific Northwest hike to July levels on strengthened demand, tight avails
  Aug 20
  Prices for bunker fuels in Vancouver and Seattle rose this week to levels last seen in end-July due to an increased demand coupled with tight supply, according to market sources.
• VLSFO concerns remain in maritime industry's sights
  Aug 19
  As fuel oil properties are fluctuating, quality and safety problems will continue to be a challenge, BIMCO said.
• IMO 2020 transition smoother than expected: Bunker One
  Aug 14
  "The industry experienced basically no claims in late 2019 and early 2020," Steffen Kortegard said.
• Hong Kong's marine fuel 0.5%S differential hits 2-month low as 14-day quarantine diverts demand
  Aug 12
  "Demand has dropped by at least 40% in August," one supplier said.
• ARA fuel oil stocks up 8% on week to 1.356 mil mt: Insights Global
  Aug 7
  Stocks of fuel oil in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub rose 8% to 1.356 million mt in the week to Aug. 6, according to data from Insights Global, as the market grappled with weak demand amid the summer lull.
• Weaker dollar, US crude draw push oil higher despite economic headwinds
  Aug 6
  Oil futures settled higher Aug. 5 as a weakened US dollar and large US crude draw offset weak US employment data.
• MARINE FUEL 0.5%S: Global marine fuel supplies still holding back price recovery
  Aug 4
  Global marine fuel 0.5%S prices improved in July, though demand still was below normal levels. Market sentiment was overall more positive than in June, though fundamentals of oversupply and slow demand resulted in a short-term bearish outlook for much of the globe.
• ARA fuel oil stocks fall 14% on week to 1.255 mil mt: Insights Global
  Jul 31
  Stocks of fuel oil in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub fell 13.8% to 1.255 million mt in the week to July 30, according to data from Insights Global, despite market sources citing poor demand during the week.
• Singapore marine fuel 0.5%S timespread, cash differentials at 5-month highs as cargo inflow falls
  Jul 30
  Singapore Marine Fuel 0.5%S timespreads and cash differentials hit five-month highs July 29 amid widespread expectations the inflow of Western arbitrage cargoes into Asia will fall in August.
• FUJAIRAH DATA: Oil product stocks grow for first time in five weeks
  Jul 29
  Refined oil product stockpiles at Fujairah snapped the longest decline in a year, with rises in heavy and middle distillates in the latest week more than making up for a drop in gasoline and other light distillates.
• Fuel oil sulfur spreads remain narrow following loss of bunker demand
  Jul 28
  "It's a lack of demand everywhere, volumes are down," a trader said.
• Rotterdam port fully operational in H1, throughput lower on coronavirus
  Jul 24
  The port expects "a cautious recovery of the economy" for the rest of the year.
• Singapore August LSFO arbitrage inflow set to fall on weak Asian prices: traders
  Jul 20
  Lower freight rates did little to help inflow to East increase.
• HONG KONG DATA: May fuel oil imports rise 59.4% on month at 5.32 mil barrels
  Jul 16
  Hong Kong imported 846,491 kiloliters, or 5.32 million barrels, of fuel oil in May, up 59.4% from April and up 2.5 times year on year, data released July 15 by Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department showed.
• Low scrappage rates weighing on tanker markets: sources
  Jul 13
  Sustained newbuild deliveries is expected to put further pressure on the spot tanker market.
• ARA diesel, gasoil stocks rise 2.5% on week to 2.679 mil mt: Insights Global
  Jul 9
  Diesel and gasoil inventories in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp trading hub increased 2.5% week on week to 2.679 million mt as of July 8, Insights Global data released July 9 showed.
• FUJAIRAH DATA: Stockpiles slump to two-month low, light distillates down 9%
  Jul 9
  Stockpiles are now the lowest since May 4 and down 11% since the record 30.71 million barrels on June 1.
• Platts MOC Singapore HSFO swap trades jump 21% in June
  Jul 7
  HSFO demand surged in June as Middle Eastern countries increased purchases for power plants.
• HSFO East/West spread widens on stronger Asian demand: sources
  Jun 30
  "In general most of the HSFO isn't staying locally, there is less overall coming out and most of it gets sent to USGC," a source said.
• Japan's ENEOS settles Apr-Jun fuel oil prices 46-48% lower on oil price drop
  Jun 26
  Japan's largest refiner ENEOS, previously known as JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy, has settled with domestic industrial customers its April-June quarter fuel oil prices around 46-48% lower than the previous quarter due mainly to lower oil prices, coupled with a stronger yen against the US dollar.
• Shanghai low sulfur bunker prices stir interest as premium to Singapore shrinks to near $3/mt
  Jun 25
  The slim premium means Chinese ports could potentially attract more business from ships that usually refuel in Singapore.
• Crude climbs amid tightened supply and demand outlooks
  Jun 23
  Crude futures edged higher June 22 as the market weighed a tightening global supply picture against uncertain demand outlooks amid a spike in COVID-19 cases around the world.
• Europe and Africa residual fuel: Key market indicators
  Jun 22
  While Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp fuel oil stocks fell last week, sources said the drop was the result of a weaker contango rather than returning demand.
• Backwardation eases on release of stored barrels
  Jun 22
  Backwardation in the Dubai crude futures intermonth spreads narrowed in mid-morning trade in Asia June 22 after Middle East sour barrels were heard being sold out of floating storage for prompt loading.
• TANKERS: Premiums rise for Pajaritos, Mexico, loadings on new terminal rules
  Jun 19
  "The cost of man hours is quite significant," a shipowner said.
• Japan marine fuel 0.5% differentials slumps to 10-month low as demand destruction persists
  Jun 16
  The delivered Tokyo Bay marine fuel 0.5% differential to Singapore 10 ppm gasoil cargo assessments plunged to a 10-month low of minus $60.14/mt on June 15, S&P Global Platts data showed as demand destruction from the COVID-19 outbreak continued to take its toll on the market.
• Singapore July ex-wharf MF 0.5%S bunker term talks inconclusive on wide bid-offer spread
  Jun 10
  Negotiations for the term supply of Singapore ex-wharf marine fuel 0.5%S bunker for July were largely inconclusive so far, as the market was still awaiting cues on near-term price direction amid a wide bid-offer spread, market sources said June 9.
• Repsol expands VLSFO offer to 15 Spanish ports
  Jun 9
  Spanish integrated producer Repsol said June 8 it has begun to offer very low sulfur fuel oil for loading into trucks at 15 of its Spanish ports.
• Northwest European HSFO crack up on storage, US feedstock demand
  Jun 5
  Post-IMO-2020 sees HSFO continue to show resiliency in finding new outlets for consumption.
• Bunkering body eyes spread of bunker licensing systems at hubs
  Jun 2
  Advocates of the system say it provides a more consistent standard of service.
• China to launch 0.5% LSFO bunker fuel futures contract on June 22
  May 29
  The Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) will launch its its low sulfur fuel oil bonded bunker futures contract on June 22.
• OIL FUTURES: Crude hits 10-week high as economic restarts prompt demand optimism
  May 26
  Crude futures settled higher amid signs that the continued reopening of economies in the US and Europe could bring balance to oversupplied oil markets in coming weeks.
• Persian Gulf to Japan VLGC rates slide to 14-month low
  May 21
  "Rates ex AG (have been) falling because of lesser tons in May as Saudi cuts, Indians seems to have taken too much cargoes and have been looking to re-sell," a source said.
• Japan's MOL subsidary plans LNG-fueled ferries to curb carbon footprint: Wartsila
  May 20
  The ships are scheduled to commence operations in 2023 on the Osaka-Beppu route.
• Bunker fuel demand to fall 5% on year in 2020, but stay stronger than other transport fuels: IEA
  May 15
  Bunker fuel demand is forecast to fall 5% this year, far less than other fuels, with some sectors.
• EU opens Eur112 million call for low-carbon energy research
  May 12
  The European Commission is making Eur112 million ($122 million) available for low-carbon energy research, including CO2 storage pilots, carbon capture and use/storage for heavy industry and converting industrial waste heat into electricity.
• Australia's AMSA detains bulk carrier on violation to IMO's HSFO carriage ban
  May 8
  "The non-compliant fuel oil on board had sulfur content of 1.38%," AMSA said.
• Tanker owners see freight rates slump; charterers look to profit
  May 5
  Talks surrounding dirty tanker conversions to the clean tanker market have quelled in light of the sharp dropoffs experienced in the latter.
• OIL FUTURES: Crude falls as US-China trade tensions resurface
  May 4
  "The resumption of the trade war will be detrimental to oil prices over the long term," Axicorp chief global markets strategist said.
• MARINE FUEL 0.5%S: Markets in April cope with bearish sentiment amid COVID-19 pandemic
  May 1
  After a torrid March, April brought a little respite for Asian refiners which produce 0.5% sulfur marine fuel with a slight uptick in demand, although bearish factors on the supply side due to the coronavirus pandemic still weighed heavily on the market.
• VLSFO hits new lows in Europe on muted demand
  Apr 28
  Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect global demand.
• Asia tanker freight rates at record high amid supply squeeze, but payment delays likely: traders
  Apr 24
  "All sectors of tankers are very firm all over the world," a chartering executive with a commodities trading company said.
• OIL FUTURES: Prices climb as Trump threatens Iranian warships
  Apr 23
  Oil futures settled higher Wednesday on news that US President Donald Trump threatened to take military action against Iranian warships, and on an uptick in refined product demand.
• Fujairah bunker traders feel ripple effect of crude price collapse
  Apr 22
  Bunker traders noted a steep decline in VLSFO prices Tuesday trading in Fujairah, with trades heard below $180/mt.
• Minerva Bunkering, TFG Marine awarded new bunker licenses in Singapore
  Apr 21
  These two new license holders will increase the supply of IMO 2020 compliant marine fuel.
• Singapore oil trader Hin Leong's founder OK Lim blamed for derivatives, inventory losses - filing
  Apr 20
  Singapore oil trader Hin Leong Trading Pte. Ltd.'s founder Lim Oon Kuin has been blamed for financial mismanagement and reselling of inventory.
• Singapore light distillate stocks surge to 13-month high on sinking gasoline demand
  Apr 17
  Commercial onshore light distillate stocks in Singapore, the region's largest oil trading hub, ballooned to a 13-month high in the week ended Wednesday, as regional demand for gasoline ground to a halt amid the global effort to combat COVID-19.
• Asia LSFO bunker fuel market buckles under pressure despite steady demand
  Apr 16
  Spot market differentials for IMO-compliant marine fuels have cracked to the lowest in seven months despite recent data showing firm demand for shipping fuel at the world's biggest bunkering port of Singapore.
• FUJAIRAH DATA: Oil product stocks climb to highest since record in February
  Apr 16
  Volumes of oil products held in storage at Fujairah climbed to their highest since the all-time high seen in February as tumbling demand from the coronavirus pandemic left more supplies in the eastern UAE port.
• Floating storage orders surge, some crude tankers booked for up to 3 years
  Apr 3
  Some super tankers are being booked to store crude for up to three years.