Latest news on the Middle East conflict
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Kenya lowers fuel standards to ease supply access
Kenya lowers fuel standards to ease supply access
Dubai, 6 May (Argus) — Kenya has temporarily lowered diesel and gasoline quality standards to ease challenges in sourcing fuels because of the US-Iran war in the Middle East. Sulphur limits for gasoil and gasoline have been lowered to 50ppm from the 10ppm for six months from 1 May, according to Kenya's ministry of investments, trade and industry. The measure is introduced to ensure the stability of fuel imports while sourcing higher quality fuels proves difficult. It also allows Kenya to choose from a wider range of fuel suppliers. The policy will be reviewed at the end of the six-month period, or earlier if global supply conditions improve, the ministry said. This comes just a month after Kenya's energy ministry ordered the re-export of a gasoline cargo that may not have met regional fuel standard. The cargo was imported outside of the government-to-government agreements between Kenya and Mideast Gulf NOCs, under which Kenya sources majority of its diesel, gasoline and jet fuel from the Saudi state-controlled Aramco, and the UAE's state-owned Adnoc and Enoc. But supply security on this route has significantly deteriorated since Iran's de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz in March locked in Mideast Gulf production. Kenya sourced around 66pc of its diesel and 24pc of its gasoline imports from the Gulf in 2025, but received none of either from that region in April according to Kpler data. Kenya's reversion to importing lower quality fuels mirrors efforts of the wider east African region to ensure supply stability. Fuels have been arriving from unusual supply regions like the US or Nigeria to replace lost supplies from the Middle East, but this in turn reflects in higher retail prices. Diesel and gasoline prices surged in the latest monthly fuel price review done by Kenya's energy and petroleum regulatory authority EPRA on 14 April. The diesel price rose by 24pc on the month to 206.84 Kenyan shillings/l ($1.59/l), while gasoline price rose by 16pc to KSh206.97/l. EPRA cited the cost of imported products, which they said had risen by as much as 68pc for diesel and 42pc for gasoline between March and April. The price increase already accounts for the government's decision to cut value added tax on both fuels to cushion consumers from the price surge. "The ministry [of energy and petroleum] wishes to reassure Kenyans that country has adequate fuel stocks and there should be no cause for alarm", said Kenya's cabinet secretary Opiyo Wanday on 6 May. But the country may struggle to replace all lost supplies from the Mideast Gulf if the closure of the strait of Hormuz continues. By Ieva Paldaviciute Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
UAE's Fujairah bunker sales rebound in April
UAE's Fujairah bunker sales rebound in April
Dubai, 6 May (Argus) — Sales of marine fuels at the UAE port of Fujairah, the world's fourth-largest bunkering port, located outside the strait of Hormuz, rose in April from their lowest ever monthly level in March, according to Argus data. Argus compiles daily data on deals from Fujairah suppliers, traders and buyers, capturing up to a quarter of the market, offering a snapshot of broader market trends. The volume of bunker sales in deals collected for assessment by Argus rose to 57,000t or 910 t/d last month from around 29,000t or 460 t/d in March. April's total is still the second lowest ever monthly level, according to records. For comparison, in February, Argus collected 162,000t or 2,700 t/d of deals data. Very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) accounted for around 37,000t or 1,760 t/d of sales in April, up from 21,000t or 1,000 t/d of sales in March. High-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) sales rose on the month to 18,000t or 870 t/d from 7,000t or 336 t/d, while traded volumes of marine gasoil rose to 2,100t or 100 t/d from 855t or 40 t/d. Sales rebounded after US president Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension to the US-Iran ceasefire in early April, encouraging more vessels to call at the port for refuelling. But the precarious security and supply situation, as well as high war risk insurance premiums, have been forcing regular bunker buyers to seek refuelling in other regions such as India, Sri Lanka and African ports. A fall in marine fuel cargo imports into Fujairah and the suspension of local bunker fuels production have been tightening the availability. Some suppliers have run out of stocks, with marine fuels mostly sold from whatever is left in storage tanks and barges. A recent drone attack on the port's storage and loading facilities has raised fresh concerns. Early May deals data shows bunker buying activity to have fallen, with only two deals for around 2,000t of marine fuels submitted to Argus for assessment in the first three trading days. One trader described the demand and supply situation as "dead and dry". "We receive enquiries, but they get repeatedly postponed," a Fujairah supplier said. By Elshan Aliyev Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Crude futures rise on reported US vessel attack: Update
Crude futures rise on reported US vessel attack: Update
Adds details in paragraph 5 Singapore, 4 May (Argus) — Front-month Brent crude futures leapt by more than $5/bl in late afternoon trading in Asia on Monday, on unconfirmed reports that a US navy vessel had been hit by missiles near Iran's Jask island. Two missiles struck a US Navy frigate that was sailing through the strait of Hormuz in violation of Iranian shipping rules, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported. There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from US or independent sources. The front-month July Brent contract on the Ice exchange traded as high as $114.30/bl after reports of the attack, up by 5.7pc from the close on 1 May. Futures then dropped back after US news agency Axios quoted an unnamed senior US official as denying any ship had been hit by missiles. This was echoed by US Central Command (CENTCOM). "No US Navy ships have been struck," CENTCOM said on social media platform X. "US forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports," it added. The reported attack came after US president Donald Trump on 3 May claimed that the US and Iran have agreed to allow some neutral ships stranded in the Mideast Gulf to leave the region . The US' Project Freedom mission will support merchant vessels seeking to transit through the strait, US Central Command said. It does not appear to involve US naval escorts. Iran has not confirmed any deal. Tehran's military command said today that any navigation through the waterway needed to be carried out in co-ordination with its armed forces. By Kevin Foster Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Crude futures surge on reported US navy vessel attack
Crude futures surge on reported US navy vessel attack
Singapore, 4 May (Argus) — Front-month Brent crude futures leapt by more than $5/bl in late afternoon trading in Asia on Monday, on unconfirmed reports that a US navy vessel had been hit by missiles near Iran's Jask island. Two missiles struck a US Navy frigate that was sailing through the strait of Hormuz in violation of Iranian shipping rules, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported. There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from US or independent sources. The front-month July Brent contract on the Ice exchange traded as high as $114.30/bl after reports of the attack, up by 5.7pc from the close on 1 May. Futures then dropped back after US news agency Axios quoted an unnamed senior US official as denying any ship had been hit by missiles. The reported attack came after US president Donald Trump on 3 May claimed that the US and Iran have agreed to allow some neutral ships stranded in the Mideast Gulf to leave the region . The US' Project Freedom mission will support merchant vessels seeking to transit through the strait, US Central Command said. It does not appear to involve US naval escorts. Iran has not confirmed any deal. Tehran's military command said today that any navigation through the waterway needed to be carried out in co-ordination with its armed forces. By Kevin Foster Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
