Bunkerworld Insights

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Insights

Tracing the liquidity crisis that roiled oil traders from Shandong to Singapore

May 27, 2020

Bunkerworld

Many of the smokestack refiners in the northeastern province of Shandong used questionable credit practices.
Singapore viscosity spread above $10 mt for second day as fall in demand outpaces drop in supply

May 27, 2020

Platts

180 CST HSFO demand from the power sector is holding those prices relatively steady, a trader said.
OIL FUTURES: Crude hits 10-week high as economic restarts prompt demand optimism

May 26, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
INTERVIEW: Euronav upbeat on oil demand, prospects post-storage boom

May 22, 2020

Platts

"We continue to grow the company, consolidation has a long way to go in our sector," Stoop said.
Persian Gulf to Japan VLGC rates slide to 14-month low

May 21, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

"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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

The ships are scheduled to commence operations in 2023 on the Osaka-Beppu route.
INTERVIEW: Move to IMO's HSFO carriage ban 'very smooth': Precious Shipping MD

May 19, 2020

Surabhi Sahu

PSL has had all its ships successfully switch over to LSFO without any issues.
TANKERS: USGC VLCC freight at 9-month low as weak demand, natural positions take hold

May 15, 2020

Platts

Freight for VLCCs loading on the US Gulf Coast dropped 9% Thursday to bring rates to their lowest levels since August 2019.
Bunker fuel demand to fall 5% on year in 2020, but stay stronger than other transport fuels: IEA

May 15, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
Commodity traders feel the heat in Hin Leong aftermath

May 11, 2020

Bunkerworld

Companies are also scrutinizing the use of letters of indemnity in place of bills of lading.
Australia's AMSA detains bulk carrier on violation to IMO's HSFO carriage ban

May 8, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

"The non-compliant fuel oil on board had sulfur content of 1.38%," AMSA said.
Hong Kong marine fuel premiums rebound as demand moves away from Singapore

May 6, 2020

Platts

Shipowners opt to take bunker fuel from the port given its attractive valuations instead of the bunkering hub of Singapore.
Tanker owners see freight rates slump; charterers look to profit

May 5, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

Talks surrounding dirty tanker conversions to the clean tanker market have quelled in light of the sharp dropoffs experienced in the latter.
Fujairah light distillates imports fell to record low in March: Kpler

May 4, 2020

Bunkerworld

Traders were storing more gasoline and gasoil at sea in March as lockdowns curbed commuting and leisure driving, market analysts said.
Singapore's fuel oil imports from the Middle East unlikely to rise in May on high freight rates, inventories

May 4, 2020

Platts

Currently, the volume of fuel oil in floating storage around Singapore stands around 4 million-4.2 million mt, traders said.
OIL FUTURES: Crude falls as US-China trade tensions resurface

May 4, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

"The resumption of the trade war will be detrimental to oil prices over the long term," Axicorp chief global markets strategist said.
ARA fuel oil stocks jump 18% on week to 1.604 mil mt: Insights Global

May 1, 2020

Platts

Stocks of fuel oil in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub jumped 18 % to 1.604 million mt in the seven days to Wednesday.
OIL FUTURES: WTI gains on producer cuts, but rest of complex slides as economic storm clouds gather

May 1, 2020

Bunkerworld

NYMEX WTI futures settled higher Friday as more producers announced output cuts, but the rest of the oil complex declined as weak economic data weighed on demand outlooks.
MARINE FUEL 0.5%S: Markets in April cope with bearish sentiment amid COVID-19 pandemic

May 1, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
Singapore's MPA unveils S$27 mil aid package for maritime industry amid COVID-19

Apr 30, 2020

Surabhi Sahu

The package will take effect from May 1, 2020.
OIL FUTURES: Crude rally extends as market eyes producer cuts, economic restarts

Apr 30, 2020

Platts

Crude prices settled sharply higher for a second session Thursday as stepped-up producer cuts underscored improved demand outlooks.
VLSFO hits new lows in Europe on muted demand

Apr 28, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect global demand.
Asia tanker freight rates at record high amid supply squeeze, but payment delays likely: traders

Apr 24, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

"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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

Bunker traders noted a steep decline in VLSFO prices Tuesday trading in Fujairah, with trades heard below $180/mt.
Singapore marine fuel market garners support on Hin Leong debacle

Apr 22, 2020

Rajesh Nair

Cancellations by OBS had led to an increase in bunker inquiries in the spot market since last week, suppliers and traders said.
Singapore's oil trading, bunkering sectors resilient despite Hin Leong crisis: statement

Apr 22, 2020

Surabhi Sahu

The Singapore bunkering sector is well diversified with other licensed bunker suppliers, including Minerva and TFG Marine.
Minerva Bunkering, TFG Marine awarded new bunker licenses in Singapore

Apr 21, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
FUJAIRAH DATA: Oil product stocks climb to highest since record in February

Apr 16, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
Asia LSFO bunker fuel market buckles under pressure despite steady demand

Apr 16, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

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.
Singapore oil trader Hin Leong faces liquidity issues as banks tighten credit lines: sources

Apr 14, 2020

Pradeep Rajan

Hin Leong has been having difficulty issuing additional letters of credit for the last few days, industry sources said.
Coronavirus' spread hurts scrubbers outlook in short run: EGCSA

Apr 13, 2020

Surabhi Sahu

"Short term it will be very problematic to sell new scrubber systems simply because we cannot travel for sales meetings," Gregory said.
Floating storage orders surge, some crude tankers booked for up to 3 years

Apr 3, 2020

Platts Bunkerworld .

Some super tankers are being booked to store crude for up to three years.
IMO 2020 COUNTDOWN: WILL REFINERIES MEET LOW SULFUR BUNKER FUEL DEMAND?

Feb 8, 2018

Jason Silber

With 23 months to go, it is still uncertain whether refineries will be able to meet demand for low sulfur bunker fuel. Jason Silber, global head of Ocean Intelligence -- part of S&P Global Platts -- sought out Janet McGurty, S&P Global Platts senior oil writer and resident refinery guru, for her insight on what shippers can expect come January 1, 2020, when the International Maritime Organization’s global sulfur cap comes into effect
Singapore's changing bunker fuel industry dynamics

Nov 7, 2017

Surabhi Sahu

Singapore’s bunker industry dynamics are changing due to increased competition and the enforcement of mass flow meters, a move which has no doubt increased transparency but has also escalated costs. Surabhi Sahu, bunker fuels editor, examines how these factors are affecting market players and the industry as a whole.
Weakness in Clean LR Tanker Market Set to Continue

Oct 24, 2016

Alex Younevitch and Shubhlakshmi Shukla

Long Range tanker freight rates in the Atlantic are at historical lows, putting heavy pressure on shipowners' earnings. Is this just a temporary issue or is there even more trouble ahead? In this video, managing editor for EMEA shipping Alex Younevitch and associate editor Shubhlakshmi Shukla discuss the main forces behind the sorry state of the LR tanker market, including the closed naphtha arbitrage to the Far East, declining gasoline imports to West Africa and the swelling fleet orderbook.
Regulation Dictating Rebalancing in Dry Bulk Market

Oct 20, 2016

Pradeep Rajan and Shriram Sivaramakrishnan

Healthy demand has been giving the dry bulk sector a boost, but stringent regulations are the ones supporting market sentiment. One such regulation is the Ballast Water Management convention, which takes effect from September 8, 2017.
Upcoming IMO Decision on Global Sulfur Cap Could Boost Scrubbers Demand

Oct 5, 2016

Ned Molloy and Tom Washington

There are no longer doubts about the technical feasibility of scrubbers, but the low oil price environment has made the financial case for investing in scrubbers less obvious. However with the upcoming IMO decision later in October in London, on whether to implement a global sulfur cap of 0.50% on marine fuels in 2020, demand for scrubbers could receive an huge boost.
How Is Russia's Refinery Modernization Plan Impacting Heavy Products Markets?

Sep 21, 2016

Ned Molloy

This year Russian refinery upgrades have well and truly kicked in, after some delays, leading to a significant fall in fuel oil exports to Europe, and a shift towards higher-sulfur Vacuum Gasoil.
Dry Spell Coming Off for Dry Bulk Markets

Sep 9, 2016

Pradeep Rajan, Avantika Ramesh, and Andrew Khaw

There are visible signs of stability returning to the dry bulk market segment. Market observers say the dry bulk sector has inched up above the bottom levels seen in the recent times. S&P Global Platts editors Pradeep Rajan, Avantika Ramesh, and Andrew Khaw look at the various classes of dry bulk ships, how they have performed so far this year, and the market expectations for the rest of 2016.
How Are Tighter Emissions Regulations Impacting the Global Cruise Liner Industry?

Sep 5, 2016

Ned Molloy

Sweeping changes to marine fuel regulation are affecting cruise liners more than most segments of the global shipping industry. Ned Molloy, managing editor, fuel oil at S&P Global Platts, speaks to Bud Darr, senior vice president of technical and regulatory affairs at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), on ECA zones, cost saving, oil price risk, and the evidence going into the IMO's upcoming decision in October on when to implement a global sulfur cap of 0.5%.
Venezuela’s light crude habit soaks up US exports

Aug 18, 2016

Meghan Gordon

Venezuela’s thirst for light crude imports could play an interesting role in crimping as much as 300,000 b/d of its own crude exports. That would amount to a whopping 14% of Venezuela’s 2.12 million b/d production as of July.
Jones Act Shippers Search for Demand in US Refined Oil Product Industry

Aug 16, 2016

Joshua Mann

Sliding demand for Jones Act crude shipping has operators targeting the refined products market, but a glut of products is suppressing appetite for the tankers.
Surging OPEC Crude Production, Talk of a Freeze, and the Meeting in Algiers

Aug 11, 2016

Herman Wang

Venezuela’s thirst for light crude imports could play an interesting role in crimping as much as 300,000 b/d of its own crude exports. That would amount to a whopping 14% of Venezuela’s 2.12 million b/d production as of July.
SNAPSHOT VIDEO: India a bright spot in dark and gloomy dry bulk market

Jun 21, 2016

Shriram Shivaramakrishnan

If China got the dry bulk market out of the doldrums in 2005, is it India’s turn this time around?
COMMODITY PULSE VIDEO: Dry bulk tonnage at a crossroads: is it heading down the oversupply path again?

Jun 20, 2016

Alex Younevitch

Our shipping editorial team explores the latest trends in the dry bulk S&P and ship recycling markets, giving a forward outlook for the global dry bulk fleet.
SNAPSHOT VIDEO: Glass Half Full: The Bearish Dry Bulk Market May Yet Offer Opportunities

May 26, 2016

Alex Younevitch

The dry bulk freight market is suffering its worst period in decades. However, even this bearish environment can bring some interesting opportunities for the right shipping players.
SNAPSHOT VIDEO: Americas Aframax rates near year-low after brief upheaval in shipping market

May 19, 2016

John Delapp

The Aframax market in the Americas was on a veritable roller coaster ride at the end of April, and various factors may prompt another price reversal in the near future.
Predicting global ballast water treatment markets

Mar 18, 2016

Dennis King

The basic problem in BMWS markets stems from the fact that both IMO and USA regulations are ambitious attempts at what economists call 'technology forcing regulations.'
Reducing uncertainty in ballast water management markets

Mar 14, 2016

Dennis King

Which poses worse threats to the future of BWMS markets: the restrictive US approach or the IMO's BWMS testing protocols?
The year that defied predictions

Feb 26, 2016

Unni Einemo

Expect the unexpected should be the mantra for 2016 if last year's market behavior is anything to go by.
IMO fuel use data and EU MRV: why bunker suppliers won't escape the impact

Feb 19, 2016

Anne-Marie Warris

Suppliers may not be directly regulated but they face demands to help ships demonstrate compliance.
The Evolution of ISO 8217 standard from 2005 to 2016 Draft

Feb 8, 2016

Dr. Ram Vis

Substantial changes have been made in the text of the standard.
Is it really safer to bypass a trader and deal direct with a physical supplier?

Jan 27, 2016

Carsten Ladekjaer

Buyers may be seeking a safe haven which is in fact no safer than the one they are trying to steer away from.
Res Cogitans: Cartesian dualism and what it means for the bunker industry?

Nov 9, 2015

Adrian Tolson

A decision from the London High Courts has seen the trader's role rocked to its core.
Low prices, high risk

Nov 4, 2015

Nick Jameson

Ship operators with poor payment records may be accessing unduly generous volumes of product.
Simply improving compliance

Oct 29, 2015

Robin Meech

An elegant approach to enforcing the global sulphur cap.
Decoding the Black Box: Will technology deliver?

Oct 12, 2015

Steve Leonard

OW's demise should have led to a paradigm shift in the industry as every link in the chain assessed its weak points, but it was not to be.
The CO2 budget is shrinking fast

Sep 28, 2015

Tristan Smith

Shipping needs to act now to avoiding climate-induced turbulence later.
Shipping and climate change

Sep 28, 2015

Koji Sekimizu

The need for further progress is clearly recognized at IMO.
Game Changer

Sep 24, 2015

Nick Jameson

Lifting sanctions on Iran would have major implications for the bunker industry.
Bring on the new ECA fuels

Sep 1, 2015

Gordon van der Brugge

Every shipowner should seriously consider consuming these alternatives to MGO.
The Global Cap

Jul 20, 2015

Robin Meech

The question is not when it will be introduced, but if it can be enforced.
Walking a tightrope blindfolded

Jul 20, 2015

Nick Jameson

Even for bunker players with years of experience the market is an unpredictable and unforgiving place.
Scrubbers: Scheme B - real time monitoring data

Jul 7, 2015

Chris Daw

Simplicity really is key when it comes to confirming compliance.
Dodging the Bullet

May 20, 2015

Nick Jameson

The bunker market has absorbed what could have been two stinging blows.
The ultimate MBM?

May 8, 2015

Unni Einemo

IMO regulation already contains a stronger incentive than any imaginable bunker or CO2 levy.
Taming Emissions

Apr 27, 2015

Nick Jameson

'Slow steaming is here to stay' was sounding a little less convincing at the beginning of 2015.
Bad Boys

Apr 9, 2015

Mustafa Muhtaroglu

Bunker suppliers are taking risks and do a lot of hard work for very little gain.
Dawn of the 'Open Platform'

Mar 9, 2015

Melvin Mathews

Standardisation in Gathering Big Data.
Should bunker prices dictate the industry's priorities?

Mar 5, 2015

Esa Henttinen

Now is not a time for short-term thinking.
Driving operational change with data-driven analytics

Mar 4, 2015

Henrik Lano

A systematic approach can reduce costs and improve performance.
Paris: Don't leave out planes and ships

Feb 18, 2015

Bill Hemmings

The relevant UN bodies should identify an emission reduction pathway, and ensure that any measures adopted are fair and equitable.
Rise of the 'Third Umpire' in the shipping industry

Feb 18, 2015

Melvin Mathews

Classification societies are no longer automatically chosen to monitor performance.
Not all black & white

Feb 11, 2015

Unni Einemo

The cost of ECA compliance has not been as high as feared, but it's not all plain sailing.
The end of the world as we know it

Dec 15, 2014

Roger Strevens

I regret to inform you that the world as we know it is about to end.
Benefits of energy efficiency investment

Dec 12, 2014

Arthur Bowring

The Owner will have the 'more preferred' ship, but will not otherwise be able to recoup his investment.
The future, Bunkers or Beggars?

Dec 10, 2014

Can Ertem

The collapse of OW Bunkers came as a surprise to many observers. Why was there so little warning things were going wrong?
Why we don't like ECAs

Nov 28, 2014

Arthur Bowring

There were several reasons why we thought ECAs may not be a good idea.
OW! That hurt...

Nov 24, 2014

Can Ertem

Maybe we will refer to November 7 - the day it became clear OW Bunker had collapsed - as a day that changed everything in our niche industry.
Discharges and the Polar Code

Oct 29, 2014

Craig Carter

Why would any shipowner take the risk of using oil lubrication in the fragile Arctic ecosystem?
Awash with oil

Oct 20, 2014

Jeff Kirk

As prices fall, some oil companies now seem to be at a loss as to what to do next.
Some thoughts on mass flow meters and short supply

Aug 20, 2014

Unni Einemo

If players think there will be a two-tier market as more MFMs are introduced, we have to ask why.
Future Fuels: Pret-a-Porter?

Aug 14, 2014

Douglas Raitt

There simply does not exist a one size fits all solution that would work for all ship operators and owners across the globe.
Buy on the dips!

Aug 11, 2014

Jeff Kirk

Brokers/traders telling clients to buy on an increasing market is ludicrous.
Playing Politics

Jul 16, 2014

Nick Jameson

With less than six months to go before stricter sulphur limits come into force the worlds of politics and shipping have collided in confused debate.
Standardised Credit Risk Management System?

Jul 16, 2014

Lawrence Lau

Use of guidelines can help prevent bunker companies from becoming overly reliant on their credit managers.
Testing times

Jun 18, 2014

Julian Macqueen

'If you don't analyse the material, you won't know how to treat it.'
An awful thought

May 12, 2014

Nick Jameson

Weak enforcement of ECA regulations could encourage some shipping companies to flout the rules.
Fuel consumption data collection can save fuel

Apr 28, 2014

Esa Henttinen

Response to Sustainable Shipping article: 'IMO focuses on fuel consumption data collection'.
Dealing with the unintended consequences of progress

Apr 11, 2014

Dr. Steve Dye

New efficient engine designs at higher risk of corrosion from sulphuric acid.
The Uncertainty Principle

Mar 31, 2014

Raymond Tan

The risk of default cannot be completely nullified if businesses want to maintain profitability.
No barrier to NOx Tier III

Mar 14, 2014

Yves Bonte

As IMO meets, the tide has already changed on emissions standards.
The black sheep of the particulate family

Jan 29, 2014

Unni Einemo

Particulates come in many different guises. One variety has been singled out for particular attention at the IMO.
Time is nigh

Jan 8, 2014

Maria Kyratsoudi

2015 is coming around sooner than we think, and it is time to take all relevant factors into consideration as regulatory pressure tightens.
2013: The Year Before the Year of LNG?

Dec 30, 2013

John Graykowski

The US is closer to reaching the LNG tipping point today than a year ago.
Time to get past the LNG 'Chicken & Egg' conundrum

Dec 13, 2013

Unni Einemo

If demand is there, even just the promise of demand, someone will find a way to supply it.