Norway airport operator mulls closures
Norwegian airport operator Avinor is considering closing several airports in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, it told Argus.
"We are seeing a clear decline in air traffic at the beginning of March, and we expect this to continue as long as we have the situation with the coronavirus", said Avinor chief executive Dag Falk-Petersen. Avinor has not yet made a decision on which airports will be affected, nor on when the closures would come into effect, and is assessing the situation on an ongoing basis.
Norway's air traffic dropped by 5pc in the last days of February, after the first case of virus was confirmed in the country on 26 February.
A total of 3.8mn passengers travelled through Avinor's airports in February, down by 0.1pc on the year.
Stricter travel restrictions as a result of the spread of the coronavirus have hit European jet fuel demand, with the latest travel ban to the US from the Schengen common visa area likely to weigh on transatlantic travel demand.
Russian airline Aeroflot will suspended flights between Moscow and several cities in Spain, France, Germany and Italy from tomorrow until 30 April.
Northwest European jet fuel prices have fallen by 17pc in February compared with a year earlier because of the travel restrictions. Further flight suspensions and airport closures are likely to pressure jet fuel prices throughout March, with most travel restrictions lasting until at least beginning of April.
By Florence Schmit
Related news posts
German heating oil demand surges as diesel declines
German heating oil demand surges as diesel declines
Hamburg, 13 May (Argus) — German heating oil sales have hit their second highest weekly average this year on the back of falling prices and low household stocks. Daily average traded volumes rose by 45pc last week compared with the previous week, with increases in all regions. Lower prices are the main reason for the growth in demand. The volume weighted average cost of heating oil in Germany was around €79.40/100 litres last week, the lowest since the start of the year. A significant factor behind the low heating oil price is a drop in the value of Ice gasoil futures, which has been driven by a diesel surplus in Europe. Low household stocks are also supporting German heating oil demand. Stocks reached a year-to-date low at the start of May, as in previous years, Argus MDX data shows. In contrast, German diesel sales dropped slightly last week, as an uptick in demand from the agriculture sector was offset by lower-than-expected demand from industry and logistics. There have been some tentative signs of economic recovery that may support diesel demand. Mileage of trucks on German motorways was up on the year in April and 1pc higher than in March, data from the federal statistical office Destatis show. This was the first year-on-year increase since August 2022. Construction activity in Germany rose by 3.9pc in January-March compared with the final quarter of 2023. By Johannes Guhlke Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Thailand’s base oil exports hit seven-year low in March
Thailand’s base oil exports hit seven-year low in March
Singapore, 13 May (Argus) — Thailand recorded its lowest base oil exports since March 2017 in March, reversing a brief recovery in February, according to GTT data. Exports fell to a new low because inventories remained tight owing to production issues at both Thai refineries from December 2023 to February 2024. Thai producers prioritised the domestic market and term obligations, leaving little surplus for the spot market. Thai suppliers typically export Group I heavy grades, which are valued for their higher solvency and viscosity properties for products such as marine lubricants and metalworking fluids. The monthly average Argus -assessed Asia fob export price for Group I SN 500 rose to $905/t, the highest since January; while bright stock increased to $1,104/t, its highest level since August 2022. Bright stock gained more upward support because it is typically the hardest to replace with other base oil grades. By Tara Tang Thailand's base oil exports kl Countries Mar'24 Feb'24 Feb'23 m-o-m ± % y-o-y ± % Vietnam 712.0 228.5 2,087.6 211.5 -65.9 China 565.9 3,877.5 7,380.3 -85.4 -92.3 Malaysia 248.4 0.0 0.0 NA NA Singapore 21.5 8,943.2 13,714.1 -99.8 -99.8 Total 1,568.6 15,857.9 24,519.6 -90.1 -93.6 Source: GTT Total includes all countries, not just those listed Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
California refineries required to report turnarounds
California refineries required to report turnarounds
Houston, 10 May (Argus) — Refiners in California starting in June must file maintenance schedules with the state's energy commission at least 120 days in advance of planned work, and diagnostic reports within two days of unplanned shutdowns. The new reporting requirements, part of the SB X1-2 bill passed in March 2023, take effect following an 8 May meeting of the California Energy Commission (CEC) where the measures were finalized. The CEC will now be able to gather a broad range of data from refiners and set a maximum gross gasoline refining margin in an effort to avoid price spikes at the pump. If companies identify a need for maintenance less than 120 days before the planned work, a report to the CEC is required within two business days of the discovery, according to the reporting form posted in the SB X1-2 docket. The reporting form includes space for a description of the work, unit level details and information on the expected effect of a turnaround on transportation fuel inventories at the refinery. The same information will be required for unplanned maintenance, with a report to be sent to the CEC within two business days of the initial outage or lowered rates, and within two business days of the completion of work or return to normal throughputs. The additional information will aide the CEC in analyzing refiner margins and determine whether a margin cap and subsequent penalties are warranted, according to the commission. Industry groups think many of the reporting requirements are burdensome and politically motivated , often requesting information unnecessary to determine margins. Marine import reporting on horizon At the same 8 May business meeting, the CEC moved closer to finalizing a requirement for importers of foreign and domestic refined products and renewable fuels to report shipments at least four days before delivery. The reporting form includes information on vessel routes, costs and products shipped. The CEC approved for the marine reporting requirements to be submitted to the state's Office of Administrative Law for a 10-day review before a targeted 20 May start date. By tracking import data, the CEC aims to build a more accurate picture of what drives retail fuel prices and refiner margins in the state. "In many cases these forms request information that has questionable or no relevance at all to the CEC's efforts to minimize or prevent price spikes," said Sophie Ellinghouse, general counsel for trade group the Western States Petroleum Association, during public comments on the marine reporting requirements at the 8 May meeting. By Nathan Risser Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil narrows lower biofuel mix mandate in south
Brazil narrows lower biofuel mix mandate in south
Sao Paulo, 10 May (Argus) — Brazil's oil regulator ANP dialed back the reduced biofuels mandatory blend in Rio Grande do Sul state to four cities amid the recent flooding in the region. Low blending areas now apply only to the cities of Canoas, Esteio, Rio Grande and Santa Maria. The measure will still last for 30 days, starting on 4 May. ANP lowered the anhydrous ethanol blend on gasoline to 21pc from the current 27pc in the entire state earlier this week , while pushing the mandatory biodiesel mix for 10ppm (S10) diesel down to 2pc, from the usual 14pc. The agency also temporarily suspended the blending mandate for diesel with 500ppm of sulfur (S500). ANP said it decreased the exemption's coverage as it identified "that the supply situation in the rest of the state had stabilized." Rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul blocked railways and highways where biofuels are transported to retail hubs. Floods in the state have left at least 116 dead and 143 missing, according to the local government. By Laura Guedes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more