Tue 1 May 2018, 08:55 GMT

Oil and fuel oil hedging market update


By the Oil Desk at Freight Investor Services.



Commentary

London Brent crude for new July delivery was up 21 cents at $74.90. The June contract expired on Monday, settling up 53 cents at $75.17. U.S. WTI crude for June delivery was up 24 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $68.81 a barrel by 04:02 GMT, after settling up 47 cents on Monday. Like that kid in school who no one wants to hang out with, it seems that the U.K. is the only place (together with the Netherlands and much of the Middle East) currently not on holiday, only waiting for its bigger brother the U.S. to come in later to save us. Netanyahu has stuck his oar in on Iran sanctions - no geopolitical surprise there. The only question now is whether this will sway Trump, give him the excuse he needs, or will moderation win out when it comes to the actual decision next week?

Fuel Oil Market (April 30)

The front crack opened at -12.50, strengthening to -12.45, before weakening to -13.20. The Cal 19 was valued at - 16.65

Ex-wharf cash premiums of 380 cSt fuel oil eased from their recent highs as supply constrains showed some signs of easing over the near term but the downside was limited by berth congestion as suppliers worked to clear a backlog of demand and limited overall supplies of finished grade fuel oil, trade sources said.

Ex-wharf premiums of 380 Sst fuel oil eased to about $5- $6 a tonne to Singapore quotes on Monday, down from about $9-$10 a tonne on Friday. However, firm demand for cutter stock supplies helped boost the viscosity spread higher to about $12.75 a tonne, while tight overall supplies in Singapore helped widen the front-month arbitrage spread to about $15.25 a tonne, broker sources said.

Economic Data and Events: (Times are London.)

* Labor Day holiday in many parts of world, including China, Korea, Russia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Iraq, Nigeria, India, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

* OPEC April production estimate based on Bloomberg survey

* Bloomberg to start publishing monthly crude export estimates for April for key OPEC nations based on tanker-tracking analysis

* EARNINGS: BP Plc, Marathon Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum

Singapore 380 cSt

Jun18 - 401.25 / 403.25

Jul18 - 397.50 / 399.50

Aug18 - 395.00 / 397.00

Sep18 - 392.25 / 394.25

Oct18 - 389.25 / 391.25

Nov18 - 386.25 / 388.25

Q3-18 - 394.75 / 396.75

Q4-18 - 386.25 / 388.25

Q1-19 - 375.75 / 378.25

Q2-19 - 365.25 / 367.75

CAL19 - 341.50 / 344.50

CAL20 - 275.75 / 280.75

Singapore 180 cSt

Jun18 - 413.00 / 415.00

Jul18 - 409.25 / 411.25

Aug18 - 406.50 / 408.50

Sep18 - 403.50 / 405.50

Oct18 - 400.50 / 402.50

Nov18 - 397.25 / 399.25

Q3-18 - 406.25 / 408.25

Q4-18 - 397.50 / 399.50

Q1-19 - 387.25 / 389.75

Q2-19 - 377.00 / 379.50

CAL19 - 355.75 / 358.75

CAL20 - 299.75 / 304.75

Rotterdam Barges

Jun18 - 386.25 / 388.25

Jul18 - 383.50 / 385.50

Aug18 - 380.75 / 382.75

Sep18 - 377.50 / 379.50

Oct18 - 373.50 / 375.50

Nov18 - 369.25 / 371.25

Q3-18 - 380.50 / 382.50

Q4-18 - 368.50 / 370.50

Q1-19 - 358.50 / 361.00

Q2-19 - 346.00 / 348.50

CAL19 - 321.25 / 324.25

CAL20 - 250.25 / 255.25

BP  

Bermuda Container Line (BCL) logo. Bermuda Container Line imposes emergency bunker surcharge citing Iran War fuel price spike  

Shipping operator to add $150 per TEU charge from 1 May amid geopolitical fuel cost pressures.

China flag. Zhejiang’s first methanol-powered container ship launches in Jiaxing  

Vessel uses methanol propulsion technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90%.

TES flag with a model vessel in the background. TES joins SEA-LNG coalition to advance e-methane as marine fuel  

Green energy company targets 1m tonnes annual e-methane production by 2030 for shipping decarbonisation.

Ethanol and methanol workshop graphic. IBIA to host workshop on ethanol and methanol marine fuels during Singapore Maritime Week  

Half-day event will examine alcohol-based fuel pathways and integration into shipping’s multi-fuel landscape.

Steel-cutting ceremony for 13,000-dwt vessel. ROC begins construction of second chemical tanker for Essberger  

Chinese shipbuilder holds steel-cutting ceremony for 13,000-dwt methanol-ready vessel with ice class capability.

Norsepower and CHIC sign agreement. Norsepower and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment sign wind propulsion cooperation agreement  

Wind propulsion technology provider partners with Chinese shipyard to scale rotor sail production.

Wärtsilä logo. Shipping firms struggle to prioritise decarbonisation investments amid regulatory uncertainty, Wärtsilä survey finds  

Survey of 225 maritime executives reveals 70% say uncertainty hinders investment decisions despite regulatory pressure.

IMT Isca G-Flex vessel render. Longitude Engineering unveils IMT Isca G-Flex PSV design with alternative fuel capability  

Naval architecture firm launches adaptable platform support vessel design based on the IMT-984 G-Class hull.

Philippos Ioulianou, EmissionLink. Shore power infrastructure is key to cutting ferry emissions in European cities, says EmissionLink  

Port electrification is needed to enable vessels to switch off engines at berth, reducing urban pollution.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore logo. Singapore prioritises maritime resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty, eyes digitalisation and green fuels  

MPA chief outlines the sector’s adaptation to supply chain disruptions while advancing automation and alternative fuels.