Road fuels
Overview
Fuels for road transportation continue to drive the refining industry. But gasoline and diesel use is coming under increasing pressure from the introduction of low-carbon targets around the world.
Global oversupply, new regulatory measures and rapidly increasing competition for export markets are affecting refining margins. The need for accurate insight and data is more critical than ever.
Argus road fuels coverage includes price assessments and key insights into conventional fuels — gasoline, middle distillates and blending components — as well as biofuels, in each key region. Our trusted prices are delivered alongside the latest market-moving news, in-depth analysis, supply and demand dynamics, price forecasts and forward curves data.
Latest road fuels news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global road fuels industry.
Mexico grants new fuel import permits
Mexico grants new fuel import permits
Mexico City, 9 February (Argus) — Mexico's energy ministry Sener has granted three new fuel import permits, among the first issued in years, marking a regulatory shift that could begin to reshape the fuel market. The new permits allow additional private-sector companies to import gasoline and diesel directly. Until now, fuel import permits were largely concentrated among state-owned Pemex and a limited group of large international firms, including Valero, Shell, Marathon, Koch, ExxonMobil, in addition to Mexico's Grupo Simsa. The companies granted the latest permits are Alveg, Petrotal and L.E. International, according to Sener documents seen by Argus . At least two of these companies operate as fuel marketers or wholesalers, supplying retail stations. The issuance of new permits does not immediately signal a wave of market participants importing product on their own, but it broadens the pool of potential importers and could gradually diversify supply channels. Some fuel retailers may also seek to obtain import permits going forward, according to market sources. Private-sector companies started importing fuel into Mexico in 2016 after the market opened to more competition, but under former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration, Sener cancelled dozens of fuel import permits in 2022. Last year, Mexican company Grupo Simsa gained a new fuel import permit. Fuel specs under review Mexican authorities are evaluating changes to product classifications governing imported fuels, a move that could further alter market dynamics. Mexico's 2016 framework regulating fuel specifications does not clearly distinguish between finished fuels and blendstocks, such as gasoline awaiting additives. A proposal by the national energy commission (CNE) seen by Argus would introduce more detailed definitions, including specifications for blendstocks such as naphthas and oxygenates. Clearer product classifications could expand the range of fuel products imported into Mexico and increase domestic blending activity, potentially offering greater flexibility to market participants with import permits. By Cas Biekmann Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US imports of European gasoline at 9-year low in Jan
US imports of European gasoline at 9-year low in Jan
London, 9 February (Argus) — European gasoline deliveries to the US in January were the lowest since at least 2017, and were outpaced by deliveries from a Bahamas blending hub for a second consecutive month. The US imported 53,000 b/d of gasoline from the EU, UK and Norway in January, according to Kpler, down from 58,000 b/d in December and lower by almost two thirds on the year from 173,000 b/d. Total US imports ticked up on the year in January, to 347,000 b/d from 335,000 b/d. US gasoline imports tend to hit annual lows in January, as consumption declines following the Christmas period and inventories rise as US refineries boost rates to stockbuild ahead of spring maintenance. But conditions for Europe-US gasoline trade flows appear to be deteriorating structurally. Alternative sources are supplanting European cargoes, particularly in the net-importing US Atlantic coast (USAC) region. Canadian deliveries inched up fractionally on the year, and an increasingly important Bahamas-USAC flow has strengthened over the past few years and is becoming entrenched. The US imported 85,000 b/d of gasoline from the Bahamas in January, all at USAC ports and all from Buckeye Partners' 26.2mn bl Borco crude and products terminal in Freeport, Grand Bahama. There, gasoline from different regions, including the US, is blended to different markets' specifications. The Buckeye terminal was supplied 72,000 b/d of gasoline exclusively from the US Gulf coast (USGC) in January, according to Kpler, and 34,000 b/d in 2025, which was 80pc of the total. Blending finished-grade gasoline in the Bahamas for onward delivery to the USAC allows traders in the USGC to bypass US Jones Act requirements for intra-US marine cargo deliveries to be made on tankers constructed in the US, owned by US citizens, and crewed by US citizens or permanent residents. Jones Act compliance is costly, because it limits the choice of tanker available for charterers. The US is sourcing a greater amount of its gasoline imports from beyond Europe at a time when US gasoline consumption is coming under pressure. Greater efficiencies in US engine design and manufacturing, along with growth in electric vehicle (EV) market share in the US road passenger fleet will contribute to a 0.5pc fall in forecast US gasoline consumption this year, according to Argus consulting.US gasoline demand fell by 3pc on the year in January, according to EIA data, probably because of the extreme cold weather. Further developments in the Atlantic basin could further weaken the US pull on European gasoline cargoes. Mexican imports of US gasoline are trending downward as state-run Pemex boosts its refining output, easing import demand. Pemex's December gasoline output soared by 45pc on the year to 444,000 b/d, prompting imports to fall by 31pc to 303,000 b/d. A ramp-up at Pemex's 340,000 b/d Olmeca refinery is helping raise Mexican gasoline supply, and may eventually allow for exports to the US. Mexican gasoline imports from the US were 308,000 b/d in 2025, according to Kpler, down from 350,000 b/d in 2022. By George Maher-Bonnett Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Paraguay, Argentina extend Km 171 permit to 2027
Paraguay, Argentina extend Km 171 permit to 2027
Sao Paulo, 4 February (Argus) — Paraguay and Argentina have agreed to extend ship-to-barge fuel transshipment operations at the Km 171 hub on the Parana Guazu River to April 2027, easing near-term supply and logistics concerns for landlocked Paraguay and regional river traders. The renewed authorization marks the latest step in a dispute that began in mid-2025, when Argentina's customs authorities moved to halt operations at Km 171 , saying the area lacked port authorization. The threatened shutdown quickly became a focal point for Paraguayan importers and shipowners because Km 171 has served for decades as a practical transfer point for fuel cargoes from larger vessels to barges capable of navigating upriver to Paraguayan ports. Paraguay and Argentina reached a temporary agreement in July 2025 after weeks of uncertainty, extending operations at the site for 10 months. The deadline would expire on May 2026. That was a temporary measure to prevent disruption while the two sides explored a more durable legal and operational solution, including the establishment of a joint working group to address a long-term agreement. The extension to April 2027 provides a longer planning window for importers and reduces immediate pressure to reroute volumes to other terminals. By Flavia Alemi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Nigeria to issue gasoline, diesel import permits in Feb
Nigeria to issue gasoline, diesel import permits in Feb
London, 4 February (Argus) — Nigeria's downstream authority NMDPRA is likely to issue new gasoline and diesel import permits this month, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. The issuance is expected as soon as mid-February or by the start of March, sources told Argus . The NMDPRA was approached for comment. The departure of Farouk Ahmed as head of the NMDPRA on 17 December was likely to have had a trickle-down effect by delaying the decision-making process on import permit issuance, one source said. Argus previously reported the regulator had not issued any gasoline import permits for 2026, as it wants to limit them to covering expected shortfalls in domestic refinery output. The NMDPRA typically issues refined product import permits that are valid for a three-month period to cover each quarter, according to one source. It is not clear how this system would be maintained if a decision on permit issuance is made almost midway into the first quarter of 2026. Crude receipts at the Dangote refinery declined to a 16-month low in January, implying that crude distillation unit (CDU) run rates may have fallen. Suppressed crude processing activity may support greater imports to supplement a decline in domestic output, in line with the regulator's preferences. Seaborne crude deliveries to the refinery fell to 250,000 b/d last month, compared with 350,000 b/d in December. Argus last month reported maintenance to the refinery's gasoline-yielding RFCC unit and crude distillation unit (CDU). But gasoline demand is likely to have dropped off last month, with many offices shutting around the Christmas period and into early January, one source said. Nevertheless, new gasoline import permits would probably facilitate the import of what market participants have said in recent sessions are more competitive foreign gasoline barrels relative to product on offer at the Dangote refinery. Asking prices for the product jumped by 14pc to 799 naira/litre on 27 January, after being slashed to N699/l on 12 December. By George Maher-Bonnett Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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