Europe & Africa Market Update 18 June

Most bunker prices across major European and African ports have declined, while prompt fuel availability is tight in the ARA bunkering hub.

IMAGE: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images

Changes on the day to 09.00 GMT today:

• VLSFO prices up in Durban ($1/mt), and down in Rotterdam ($17/mt) and Gibraltar ($4/mt)
• LSMGO prices down in Gibraltar ($26/mt) and Rotterdam ($10/mt)
• HSFO prices up in Rotterdam ($27/mt), and down in Gibraltar ($23/mt)
• B30-VLSFO prices up in Gibraltar ($14/mt), and down in Rotterdam ($8/mt)

Regional bunker benchmarks have mostly dropped over the past session, tracking Brent’s decline.

Meanwhile, Rotterdam’s HSFO price has gained significantly. A large stem of 500-1500 mt, fixed at a high price of $550/mt, may have provided support to the benchmark.

The port’s VSLFO price has fallen considerably, in line with the broader market. These diverging movements have halved the port’s Hi5 spread in a single session to $44/mt. This decreases the economic incentive for scrubber-fitted vessels to bunker HSFO in the port.

The Dutch port’s ULSFO price has decreased around $49/mt over the last session, influenced by a lower priced 500-1500 mt stem, fixed at around $788/mt. Bunkering ULSFO in Rotterdam is around $101/mt cheaper than off Malta and $98/mt lesser than at Spain’s Algeciras.

Prompt supply of all fuel grades in the ARA hub remains tight, as suppliers are facing delays at loading terminals, a trader said. Buyers are recommended lead times of around 7-8 days for HSFO and VLSFO deliveries, and around six days for LSMGO, the trader added.

Brent

The front-month ICE Brent contract has lost by $1.45/bbl on the day, to trade at $77.76/bbl at 09.00 GMT.

Upward pressure:

Brent’s price has felt some upward pressure after the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a big drawdown in US crude stocks.

Commercial US crude oil inventories decreased by 8.3 million bbls to 418.2 million bbls in the week ending 12 June, according to data from the EIA.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) also reported a substantial draw of 8.33 million bbls during the same week – largely matching with the EIA estimates.

“US inventory data was tighter,” two analysts from ING Bank remarked.

A sharp fall in US crude stockpiles is generally seen as a sign of stronger oil demand and can provide upward support to Brent crude’s price.

“EIA figures show crude stocks fell by 8.3m [8.3 million] barrels last week, well above expectations and the largest draw since mid-February, broadly in line with the API data,” the two ING Bank analysts added.

Downward pressure:

Brent’s price has continued to decline, following a fast-tracked US-Iran peace deal, with terms effective immediately.

US President Donald Trump signed the deal during his visit for the G7 meeting in France. The text of the agreement includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a complete halt to all regional hostilities including attacks on Lebanon.

“Oil prices extend declines as the US and Iran sign a peace agreement, with Middle East supply expected to recover sooner than previously anticipated,” ING Bank’s analysts said.

The US will lift its blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said earlier. Washington will also waive some sanctions on Iran, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely to the global oil market.

“Iran expects a swift lifting of US oil sanctions, supporting a return of exports,” ING Bank’s analysts added.

By Nachiket Tekawade and Aparupa Mazumder

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