Fri 26 Aug 2016, 10:05 GMT

Waiting for Yellen and news of oil producer meeting


Any comments by Yellen about an upcoming interest rate hike could spur volatility.



By Michael Poulson, A/S Global Risk Management

Voices are mixed on potential talks between OPEC and non-OPEC in Algeria next month. Iran's oil minister seems ready to join talks and support oil producers stabilise the oil market - provided that the parties acknowledge the country's right to regain previous market share. The country in July pumped around 3.6 mio. barrels per day; close to pre-sanction level of around 4 mio. barrels per day. Saudi Arabia's energy minister is quoted as saying that "we don't believe any significant intervention in the market is necessary". A number of OPEC countries which are hugely affected by this year's oil price levels have been advocating a way to curb output in order to spur oil price increase/stability. One of the hardest hit countries is Venezuela, which possesses the world's largest oil reserves, but sees the largest oil output drop in 14 years due to lack of investments in oil facilities and outages.

This week saw a slight increase of geopolitical risk premium on reports of "incidents" between Iranian and U.S. vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, main economic market focus will be on comments and news from the Jackson Hole summit where Fed's Janet Yellen will speak on monetary policy. Any comments about an upcoming interest rate hike could spur volatility. Yesterday, the July Core Durable Goods data came out above expectations and around 1-year high (1.5%) after two consecutive negative readings.

Tonight, the number of active drilling rigs in the U.S. will be published by Baker Hughes.


Arctic Tern vessel. Wallenius Wilhelmsen takes delivery of first methanol-ready Shaper Class vessel  

The dual-fuel Arctic Tern will enter service on the Asia–Europe trade almost immediately.

Al Muraykh vessel. Hapag-Lloyd signs shore power agreement with Hamburg Port Authority  

Deal commits the carrier to using onshore power supply at all Hamburg terminals.

Dorthe Karin Bendtsen, KPI OceanConnect. KPI OceanConnect reports 21% rise in pre-tax earnings for 2025/26  

Marine fuel firm delivers 13 million tonnes and expands carbon markets capabilities amid geopolitical turbulence.

VTTI logo. VTTI Dalian completes first large-scale 'green methanol' vessel loading  

Cargo to be supplied as marine fuel in Shanghai.

Steff Tan, Oilmar. Oilmar appoints Steff Tan as marine fuels trader in Singapore  

New hire's background spans bunker operations, logistics, commercial trading, marketing, and business development.

Feng Da Hai vessel. Cosco Shipping adds methanol-ready bulk carrier Feng Da Hai to fleet  

The 64,000-tonne vessel is equipped with a methanol fuel system for future low-carbon operations.

Oilmar office in Dubai. Oilmar welcomes summer intern to Dubai branch  

Arpit Aryan will rotate across the bunker fuel trading, finance and operations departments.

Aerial view of the Dubai skyline. Oilmar takes on trading and finance intern in Dubai  

New intern to rotate across trading, operations and finance teams.

Seaspan and Maersk signing. Seaspan and Maersk deepen fleet efficiency collaboration with $75m upgrade programme  

Retrofit package for four 13,000-teu vessels includes installation of shaft generator to reduce auxiliary engine fuel consumption.

European Parliament building in Brussels. EU Parliament vote on soy biofuels could expose bloc to $5.6bn a year in trade sanctions  

MEPs reject regulation that would have phased out soy biofuels, risking WTO retaliation penalties.