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TUI Cruises receives methanol-ready ship

  • Spanish Market: Biofuels, Oil products, Petrochemicals
  • 18/04/24

Cruise ship company TUI Cruises took delivery of a methanol-ready cruise ship which will start operations at the end of June.

Methanol-ready vessels allow ship owners to easily retrofit their vessels to burning methanol in the future. The 7,900t deadweight Mein Schiff 7 will operate in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, along the European Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean and run on marine gasoil (MGO). It was built by Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard.

In January, TUI Cruises signed a memorandum of understanding with trading company Mabanaft for future supply of green methanol. Mabanaft would cover TUI's methanol needs in northern Germany, and gradually add other European locations.

Grey methanol was pegged at $717/t MGO equivalent and biomethanol at $2,279/t MGOe average from 1-18 April in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp. About 0.9 times and 2.9 times, respectively, the price of MGO, Argus assessments showed.

TUI Cruises is a joint venture between the German tourism company TUI AG and US-based cruise ship company Royal Caribbean.


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14/01/25

Australia's Jan-Nov tallow exports hit record high

Australia's Jan-Nov tallow exports hit record high

Sydney, 14 January (Argus) — Australian tallow exports during January-November 2024 reached the highest on record, surpassing the previous record for exports in the whole of 2023. Australia exported 517,364t of tallow in the first 11 months of 2024, surpassing the 504,409t of tallow in 2023, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) accessed through Global Trade Tracker (GTT) (see graph) . The record export number was the result of a larger cattle herd, high slaughter rates and favourable weather conditions, while growing demand from the biofuels sector has also helped boost exports. Domestic cattle slaughter rates stood at 2.24mn head in July-September, the highest since the same period in 2015, because of processors' concerted effort to increase capacity. Australia's beef production hit a record high in July-September at 690,694t, according to ABS data. Over 90pc of Australian tallow was exported to either Singapore or the US in the first 11 months of the year, with each country receiving 53.2pc and 37.6pc respectively, according to GTT data. Market participants have indicated Australian tallow trade flows may swing towards the US this year because of the newly released guidance on the 45Z tax credit in the country. Prices for lower carbon intensity feedstocks like tallow increased following the new guidance, while imported used cooking oil will not qualify for the tax credit. By Tom Woodlock Australian tallow exports (t) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November


13/01/25
13/01/25

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November

Mexico City, 13 January (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production edged up 0.1pc in November, as gains in autos and other manufacturing offset weaker construction, national statistics agency Inegi said. Mexican bank Banorte described the monthly increase as "rather small," noting it followed a 1.1pc decline in October and was largely driven by base comparison effects. The bank added that the overall industrial outlook remained "fragile." Manufacturing, which represents 63pc of Inegi's seasonally adjusted industrial activity indicator (IMAI), increased by 0.7pc in November, though it failed to fully recover from a 1.7pc drop in October. Transportation manufacturing, a key subsector accounting for 12pc of the sector, rose by 3.8pc after a steep 4.3pc decline the prior month. Despite recent volatility, Mexico's auto sector achieved record annual light vehicle production in 2024, reaching 3.99mn units. Yet, automaker association AMIA warned of potential challenges in 2025 because of economic uncertainty, which could affect investment and demand. Mining, which makes up 12pc of the IMAI, increased by 0.1pc in November following a 1.1pc decline in October. Growth was driven by a 41.4pc jump in mining-related services, while oil and gas output fell by 2.4pc, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline for hydrocarbons. Construction, representing 19pc of the IMAI, contracted by 1.8pc in November after modest gains of 0.2pc in October and 1.1pc in September. As industry eyes potential policy shifts under US president-elect Donald Trump, Banorte projected a weak start to 2025 for Mexico's industrial output. But it expects momentum to build as government spending on priority infrastructure projects "moves more decisively." By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Singapore bunker prices rise to multi-month highs


13/01/25
13/01/25

Singapore bunker prices rise to multi-month highs

Singapore, 13 January (Argus) — Bunker fuel prices in the port of Singapore touched multi-month highs today, supported by a rally crude futures Ice Brent Singapore crude reached $81.23/bl by close of trading in the port city, following the announcement of sweeping sanctions by the US administration on Russian energy exports. Shipowners and bunker buyers in Singapore were cautious about procurement given the elevated prices. Many pushed back their bunker buying, preferring to monitor near-term market developments. Very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) prices on a delivered basis in Singapore jumped by $16.7/t to $590.72/t, the highest since 24 October 2024. Deals concluded by 19:00 Singapore time had touched $599/dob and could breach $600/t in the coming days if strength in the energy complex continues. "Market is firm… I would not dare to fix anything today," a ship owner said, adding that "buyers should be very careful" when making procurement decisions. Another vessel owner said its earliest VLSFO bunker requirement would be for delivery from 26 January, and it was not looking to trade at the moment. "It is very difficult to know how things will proceed, but think it might move higher," said a UK-based bunker trader. VLSFO supply availability is limited, which could further support upward movement in prices in the coming days. High sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) prices jumped by $34.67/t today to $507.67/t dob, the highest since 26 July 2024. Marine gasoil (MGO) prices were at a six-month high $731/t dob in Singapore, up by $30/t from the previous session. The upside in crude futures was reflected in marine biodiesel prices, with B24 rising in Singapore. B24, which is a blend of 24pc used cooking oil methy ester (Ucome) and 76pc VLSFO, were assessed by Argus $14-15/t higher at $721-726/t dob. Traders said B24 prices will follow the trend in VLSFO cargo prices, but spot liquidity may remain thin. "Today people are still trying to figure out what right value is," said a key shipowner and trader, adding that prices could rise further this week. By Mahua Chakravarty and Cassia Teo Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

California governor eyes carbon market extension


10/01/25
10/01/25

California governor eyes carbon market extension

Houston, 10 January (Argus) — California governor Gavin Newsom (D) is planning to start discussions with lawmakers to enact a formal extension of the state's cap-and-trade program. Newsom included the idea in the 2025-26 budget proposal he released on Friday. "The administration, in partnership with the legislature, will need to consider extending the cap-and-trade program beyond 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality," the governor's budget overview says. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) believes it has the authority to operate the program beyond 2030, but a legislative extension would put it on much firmer footing. The cap-and-trade program, which covers major sources of the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including power plants and transportation fuels, requires a 40pc cut from 1990 levels by 2030. CARB is eyeing tightening that target to 48pc as part of a rulemaking that could take effect next year to help keep the state on a path to carbon neutrality by 2045. Newsom's budget proposal highlighted the need to weigh the revenue received from the program carbon allowance auctions. That money goes to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which supports the state's clean economy transition through programs targeting GHG emissions reductions, such as subsidizing purchases for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The budget plan added few new climate commitments, instead prioritizing funding agreed to last year. The governor's $322.3bn 2025-26 budget proposal would continue cost-saving measures the state enacted in its 2024-25 budget to deal with a multi-billion-dollar deficit. These included shifting portions of expenditures from the state general fund to the GGRF over multiple budget years, such as $900mn for the state's Clean Energy Reliability Investment Plan. The state's $10bn Climate Bond, passed by voters in November 2024, would cover the majority of new climate-related spending, including taking on $32mn of the reliability plan spending. The change in funding source would allow the state Department of Motor Vehicles to utilize $81mn in GGRF funds to cover expenditures from CARB's Mobile Source Emissions Research Program. The governor's budget would also advance his proposal from October for CARB to evaluate allowing fuel blends with 15pc ethanol (E15) in the state, as a measure to lower gas prices. CARB would receive $2.3mn from Newsom's proposal to finish the multi-tier study it began in 2018 and implement the necessary regulatory changes to allow E15 at the pump. Currently, California allows only fuel blends with up to E10 because of environmental concerns, such as the potential for increased emissions of NOx, which contributes to smog, by allowing more ethanol. With the administration predicting a modest surplus of $363mn from higher state revenues, it is unlikely that California will return to the belt tightening of the past two state budgets. But the state cautions that tension with the incoming president-elect Donald Trump, potential import tariffs and ongoing state revenue volatility should leave California on guard for any potential future fiscal pitfalls. The state's legislature's non-partisan adviser cautioned in November that government spending continues to outpace revenues, with future deficits likely. The administration is keeping an eye on the issue, which could result in changes through the governor's May budget revision, state director of finance Joe Stephenshaw said. By Denise Cathey Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil’s inflation decelerates to 4.83pc in December


10/01/25
10/01/25

Brazil’s inflation decelerates to 4.83pc in December

Sao Paulo, 10 January (Argus) — Brazil's headline inflation decelerated to 4.83pc at the end of 2024, as declines in power costs were only partially offset by gains in fuel and food, according to government statistics agency IBGE. The consumer price index (CPI) slowed from 4.87pc in November and compared with 4.76pc in October. The year-end print compared with 4.62pc in December 2023, but was down from 5.79pc in December 2022. Food and beverage costs rose by an annual 7.69pc in December, accounting for much of the monthly increase, following a 7.63pc annual gain in November. Beef costs increased by an annual 20.84pc in December following a 15.43pc annual gain for the prior month. Higher beef costs in the domestic market are related to the Brazilian's real depreciation to the US dollar, with the Brazilian real depreciating by 27.4pc to the US dollar between 31 December 2023 and the same date in 2024 . Still, beef prices decelerated by 5.26pc in December alone, down from 8pc in November. Soybean oil rose by 29.21pc over the year, an increase of 1.64 percentage points from November. Fuel prices rose by an annual 10.09pc in December after an 8.78pc gain in November. Motor fuel costs grew by 0.7pc in December, compared with a 0.15pc drop in the prior month, thanks to higher gasoline prices. Diesel prices increased by 0.66pc in the 12-month period, while it decreased by 2.25pc in November. Gasoline prices — the major individual contributor to the annual high, according to IBGE — rose by 9.71pc in December from 9.12pc in the prior month. Still, that was lower than in December 2023, when the annual inflation for gasoline stood at 11pc. Power costs in December contracted by an annual 0.37pc in December, as improvements in power generation allowed for removal of a surcharge from customer bills, after a gain of 3.46pc the prior month. In November, Brazil faced lower river levels at its hydroelectric plants after a period of severe droughts . Brazil's central bank is targeting CPI of 3pc with a margin of 1.5 percentage point above or below. Brazil's central bank in December raised its target rate to 12.25pc from 11.25pc as the real's depreciation accelerated. It also signaled it is likely to increase the rate to 14.25pc by March. Monthly inflation accelerated to 0.52pc in December from 0.39pc in November. But the rate was lower than in December 2023, when it stood at 0.56pc. By Maria Frazatto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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