Marine fuel global weekly market update

: Biofuels, Fertilizers, Hydrogen, Natural gas, Oil products, Petrochemicals
23/04/10

A weekly Argus news digest of interest to the conventional and alternative marine fuel markets. Argus' offices were closed on 7 April. To speak to our team about accessing the stories below, please contact: oil-products@argusmedia.com.

Alternative marine fuels

6 Apr Indonesia ships first sizeable volume of UCO to the US Indonesia exported the first ever sizeable volume of used cooking oil (UCO) to the US in...

6 Apr Malaysia's Petronas sells ammonia on formula to Gemoil Malaysia's state-owned Petronas has sold...

6 Apr Brazil's diesel consumption drops in February Brazil's diesel consumption fell in February amid lower demand from the agriculture sector, while gasoline consumption increased.

5 Apr Planned e-methanol site in southern Spain progresses Project developer Cetaer is advancing plans to develop an e-methanol production site in ...

5 Apr West Virginia 2.2mn t/yr blue ammonia plant secures gas One of the largest blue hydrogen projects under development, in West Virginia, US, has secured a supply ...

4 Apr Biodiesel share in German fuel mix up in January The share of biodiesel in Germany's road fuel mix rose on the month in ...

4 Apr UK's Atome actualises Iceland green ammonia plans UK-based green hydrogen and ammonia firm Atome Energy has announced a ...

4 Apr France remained an RME biodiesel market in 2022 French domestic supply and demand for biodiesel remains dominated by ...

4 Apr LNG discount to methanol renews LNG bunker interest The premium for LNG compared with grey methanol flipped to a discount in ...

4 Apr US methanol spot prices sink to multiyear lows The US Gulf coast methanol spot price assessment for the front-month sank to ...

3 Apr Morocco's OCP targets 1mn t of green ammonia by 2027 Moroccan fertilizer firm OCP has announced ambitious green ammonia ...

3 Apr Ireland's ethanol, biodiesel demand edges higher in Feb Irish biodiesel and ethanol consumption increased on the month and the year in …

3 Apr Q&A: EU boosts green marine fuels, says OCI CEO Inclusion of shipping emissions under the EU's emissions trading system (ETS) and mandatory reduction in the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of marine fuels excites OCI Global and Fertiglobe chief executive Ahmed El-Hoshy. The ETS, GHG fuel intensity cuts for EU maritime fuels and upwards revised renewables targets are building the market, he told Argus.

3 Apr Methanex cuts April Asia methanol contract price Canada-based methanol producer Methanex has cut its Asian Posted Contract Price (APCP) to ...

Conventional marine fuels

6 Ap ExxonMobil workers end strikes at French refineries Workers at ExxonMobil's downstream sites in France are ending a...

6 Apr Capesize bulkers face ‘anemic' port congestion: BRS The recent rise in Capesize rates on the back of rebounding...

5 Apr US Gulf coast fuel oil output at 3½-year high in March US Gulf coast residual fuel oil production in March rose to the highest in more than...

5 Apr Croatia's Ina seeks diesel made from non-Russian crude Croatia's Ina has issued a tender to buy diesel on a...

5 Apr India removes crude windfall levy, halves diesel tax India has removed a windfall tax on crude production and...

5 Apr Non-Russia origin bunker fuel sold at premium in UAE Guaranteed non-Russia origin fuel oil has been trading at substantial ...

4 Apr Pemex output of less-desired HSFO at 10-year high Pemex produced 305,100 b/d of heavy sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) in February, a high not seen since ...

4 Apr Japan sees higher oil product demand in FY2023-24 Japan's oil product demand is forecast to increase in the April 2023-March 2024 fiscal year, on the back of ...

4 Apr Lowest European diesel crack spread since war began European non-Russian diesel prices have fallen to their lowest premium against crude since ...

3 Apr Higher Asian bunkers may lift Pacific Panamax rates Freight rates for Pacific dry bulk Panamax vessels could continue to rise on ...

3 Apr NE Asian MR freight rises on higher Chinese exports Freight rates for clean Medium Range (MR) tankers from northeast Asia are higher, supported by ...

3 Apr Oil tanker backlog grows as French strikes rumble on Strikes over pension rights are continuing to hamper operations at French refineries, while a ...

3 Apr Russian Black Sea product exports rise Product loadings at Russian Black Sea ports increased by 60pc ...

3 Apr Fire hits Pertamina's Indonesian Dumai refinery An explosion and a fire hit state-controlled Indonesian refiner Pertamina's ...

3 Apr Boarded tanker found but some crew missing A tanker that was boarded by pirates on 25 March has been recovered, but ...

3 Apr German's Bayernoil refinery extends partial shutdown The shutdown at the Neustadt section of the 207,000 b/d Neustadt-Vohburg refining complex is ...

3 Apr Germany's costly return to diesel cargo market looms German diesel stockpiles are steadily sinking and ...

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24/12/02

Mexico central bank flags 2025 growth uncertainty

Mexico City, 2 December (Argus) — Mexico's central bank (Banxico) maintained its base-case 2025 GDP growth estimate at 1.2pc, with a range of 0.4pc to 2pc, citing heightened global uncertainty fueled by geopolitical conflicts and potential shifts in international economic policies. Central bank governor Victoria Rodriguez last week addressed US president-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25pc tariffs on Mexican goods, urging caution until the trade situation clarifies. Mexican president Claudia Shienbaum initially responded with a firm stance, saying Mexico could apply counter-tariffs. Later, Sheinbaum and Trump had a "friendly" phone call to discuss issues surrounding the proposed 25pc tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports, Sheinbaum said. Banxico raised its 2024 GDP growth forecast to 1.8pc from 1.5pc in its previous quarterly report in August, driven by stronger-than-expected third-quarter performance. Still, Banxico noted that the additional growth is driven by increased spending on imported goods rather than domestic production, particularly in investment and private consumption. Inflation dynamics remain mixed. While headline inflation rose to an annualized 4.76pc in October, core inflation eased to 3.58pc, its lowest level since mid-2020. Rodriguez emphasized progress on inflation despite external uncertainties, signaling room for further monetary easing. Banxico cut its target interest rate by 25 basis points to 10.25pc on 14 November and is widely expected to lower it again to 10pc at its 19 December meeting. Projections from Mexican finance executives institution (IMEF) suggest the rate could drop to 8.25pc by the end of 2025. Banxico also revised its 2024 inflation forecast to 4.7pc from 4.4pc in the August report but expects inflation to return to its 2–4pc target range by early 2025, with a 3pc rate projected by the fourth quarter. Other adjustments include a downgraded forecast for formal job creation in 2024 and 2025, with the range estimate for full-year job creation in 2024 dropping to 250,000–350,000 from 410,000-550,000 in August. The 2025 estimate came down to 340,000–540,000 from 430,000–630,000.The 2025 trade deficit outlook was also tightened to $14.9bn–$22.1bn, compared to a previous range of $13.7bn–$23.7bn. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

LAT Nitrogen curtails CAN, urea, NPK output at Linz

24/12/02

LAT Nitrogen curtails CAN, urea, NPK output at Linz

Amsterdam, 2 December (Argus) — Major European producer LAT Nitrogen has halted calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), urea and NPK output at its Linz site in Upper Austria to at least the end of this year, citing the economic outlook and uncertain demand for straight-nitrogen fertilizers. The producer has not provided a fixed timeline for the curtailment but said it aims to resume output as soon as demand and "natural gas developments" allow. Nitrogen-fertilizer production at the Linz facility has been hampered since mid-September. The producer withdrew from the German nitrogen market on 14 November , citing a surge in gas costs. It carried out maintenance at the facility from mid-September to early November , affecting nitrogen-fertilizer output. The Linz site is a major source of fertilizers for central and eastern Europe, with CAN 27 production typically around 600,000 t/yr in recent years, according to the latest IFA data. LAT operates a significant distribution network in the region. The recent rise in European gas prices is pressuring nitrogen-fertilizer output on the continent and compounding lower grain prices and slim demand. Major supplier Yara halted production at its Ferrara urea plant in Italy from 7 November until at least the end of January. The facility has a capacity of 600,000 t/yr of ammonia and 600,000 t/yr of urea. Argus' day-ahead assessment of natural gas prices at the TTF rose by a fifth in November to close at around $14.5/mn Btu on Friday. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Lower prices support German fuel demand

24/12/02

Lower prices support German fuel demand

Hamburg, 2 December (Argus) — German demand for heating oil, diesel and E5 gasoline increased in the week to 29 November, supported by a fall in domestic prices. The switch to winter grades and low stocks further boosted fuel demand. Middle distillates traded at lower prices nationwide last week, with heating oil and diesel prices falling by around €0.60/100 litres compared with the previous week. The drop was in line with a decline in the value of Ice gasoil futures, which came under pressure from the prospect of US tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico indicated by president-elect Donald Trump. Oversupply from refineries in the south and west of Germany put further downward pressure on domestic prices last week. Suppliers offered heating oil, diesel and gasoline from Bayernoil's 215,000 b/d Neustadt-Vohburg complex, Miro's 310,000 b/d Karlsruhe refinery and Shell's 334,000 b/d Rhineland complex at lower prices than surrounding loading locations in order to fulfil their contractual offtake volumes by the end of the month. The switch to winter grades supported German fuel demand last week. Consumers ordered smaller quantities of diesel in recent weeks as they waited for the switch to winter specification grades before replenishing their stocks. Since the switch, traded diesel spot volumes reported to Argus have steadily risen. An anticipated €10/t rise in Germany's CO2 tax next year will likely lead to increased stockpiling of product from mid-December, according to traders. End-consumer tank levels for diesel were at just 52pc at the end of last week. The extent to which the increase in the CO2 tax will put pressure on diesel imports depends on whether German refineries can maintain current high throughput levels. For the time being, imports into Germany via the country's northern ports or along the Rhine are not feasible because of the comparatively low domestic prices. By Johannes Guhlke Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

China's sulphur prices set to cool

24/12/02

China's sulphur prices set to cool

London, 2 December (Argus) — Prices of sulphur delivered to China are expected to lose momentum in the coming weeks, following lower volumes of phosphates exports. Sulphur prices have rallied over the past few months, with delivered granular sulphur prices to China rising $73.5/t, or 69pc, from the start of the third quarter to $179.5/t cfr as of 28 November, as a result of robust demand meeting tight supply in the sulphur market. Delivered prices are expected to now peak in the coming weeks, before softening. Scheduled refinery maintenance in Saudi Arabia, and port congestion at a few ports significantly reduced spot availability in the third quarter, and product moving from east to west of Suez during the fourth quarter also shortened supply to cover demand from east of Suez markets. Meanwhile an increase in sulphur burning activity in countries like India and Indonesia supported demand, with the latter purchasing as much as 350,000-370,000t of granular sulphur in just one round of buying. Domestic Chinese ex-works prices also rose by Yn507.5/t, or 48pc, over the same period to Yn1,565/t ex-works, equivalent to around $175.6/t cfr. However, talk of a potential halt DAP and MAP exports from December may soften domestic sulphur prices instead. Fertilizer producers are also expected to continue taking a cautious approach to raw material buying, and moderate any stockpiling while fertilizer exports are curbed. China's port stocks have been on a declining trend in recent weeks, as a low level of import bookings in the spot market during October and November has limited the replenishing of inventories, and end users have consumed some tonnes from existing stockpiles. Port inventories have dropped from 2.59mn t on 13 September to 2.18mn t on 29 November. This is expected to lead to some stock build from import buying in the run up to the lunar new year starting on 28 January 2025. This holiday typically marks the point by which fertilizer producers aim to have sufficient stocks to enable them to slow buying over the holiday period. Demand from southern Africa and Indonesia for December and January cargoes remains open, and buyers are expected to accept higher announced prices from the Middle East. Qatar's Muntajat/QatarEnergy increased its Qatar Sulphur Price (QSP) by $27/t to $163/t fob Ras Laffan/Mesaieed for December. Offer prices for delivered markets have reflected a rising cost level, with Indonesian offers against in the week of the 28 November ranging from the high-$180s/t cfr to the low $190s/t cfr for December-lifting Middle East parcels. Higher sulphur burning operations in both north Africa and Indonesia continue to drive demand in the short term. In north Africa, Morocco's OCP is ramping up its latest sulphur burner, and this is expected to contribute around 550,000 t/yr of sulphur demand at capacity. This is in addition to the sulphur burner with 417,000 t/yr capacity that started in the second quarter of 2024. The actual capacity usage is expected to be driven by market realities in the phosphate fertilizer market, with the producer typically tailoring capacity usage to market dynamics and demand levels. In Indonesia nickel-driven sulphur demand is also expected to continue growing. Indonesian sulphur imports for the year are expected to exceed the 3mn t threshold from 2.66mn t last year, following an increase in PT QMB New Energy's sulphur burning as part of its HPAL Phase 2 operations. This will contribute around 333,000 t/yr of additional sulphur demand when operating at full capacity, data show. By Deon Ngee and Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India's Fact tenders to buy sulphur

24/12/02

India's Fact tenders to buy sulphur

London, 2 December (Argus) — Indian fertilizer producer Fact issued a tender to buy 15,000-25,000t +/- 10pc of granular sulphur for 20-30 December arrival at Kochi Port on the east coast of India. The tender closes for offers on 5 December. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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