This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Wed 13 Jun 2018, 06:34 GMT

US interest rate decision, OPEC report and weekly oil stocks data


By A/S Global Risk Management.


Michael Poulson, Global Risk Management.
Image credit: Global Risk Management
Today, the US FOMC - which is a part of the US central bank (the Fed) - is meeting to announce future policy. The so-called federal funds rate is especially important as this is the rate at which banks charge each other for overnight loans. Since 2015, the Fed has increased this rate gradually and it is expected to be raised from 1.75% to 2% as of the meeting today. Though this is an important macroeconomic parameter, it is not expected to stir much up in the financial markets as it has been expected for a while and likely is priced in already.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met yesterday in a historical session with a destruction of the North Korean nuclear programmes on the agenda. Even though the session historically and politically speaking was huge, it didn't have much economic significance - at least not on the oil market.

Turning tofundamentals: OPEC released its monthly oil market report which mentioned that a high degree of uncertainty is still present in the oil markets despite accompanying data showing that the supply overhang is gone. OPEC+ producers will meet in Vienna 22-23 June to discuss the further nature of the oil cut deal that is currently in place.

Yesterday, the American Petroleum Institute released its oil inventory data which showed U.S. crude stocks increased by 0.83 mbbl, gasoline stocks increased by 2.3 mbbl and distillates stocks increased by 2.1 mbbl. Later today, the EIA will release the weekly inventory report.


A Maersk vessel, pictured from above. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd suspend Strait of Hormuz transits amid Middle East security crisis  

Container carriers reroute services around the Cape of Good Hope as military conflict escalates.

Map of Middle East. Operations continue as normal at most Middle East ports  

Most facilities operating normally, with exceptions in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Photograph of the 93,000-cbm very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) Gaz Ronin. Naftomar takes delivery of 93,000-cbm dual-fuel ammonia carrier  

Gaz Ronin features a MAN dual-fuel engine with high-pressure selective catalytic reduction technology.

Aurora Botnia leaving harbor. AYK Energy completes world’s largest marine battery retrofit on Wasaline ferry  

Aurora Botnia receives 10.4 MWh battery system, bringing total capacity to 12.6 MWh.

Steel cutting ceremony for an LNG dual-fuel 307,000-tonne crude oil tanker with builder's hull no. 113. Dalian Shipbuilding begins construction on LNG dual-fuel crude tanker  

Development is one of a number of milestones reported by parent company over the past few days.

Photograph of Sallaum Lines' Ocean Breeze vessel with 'Introducing The Blue Corridor' overlaid text. Sallaum Lines launches Blue Corridor sustainability initiative for Europe–Africa ro-ro trade  

Company deploys LNG-capable vessels with AI routing and eco-speed protocols on new green shipping corridor.

The platform supply vessel Viking Energy. Eidesvik Offshore signs yard contract for ammonia retrofit of PSV Viking Energy  

Halsnøy Dokk to convert platform supply vessel as part of EU-backed Apollo project.

Vanquish tanker alongside Jette Theresa oil/chemical tanker docked at terminal. North Sea Port completes risk analysis for alternative fuel bunkering operations  

Port authority says LNG, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia can be safely refuelled across its facilities.

Container ship near a port. Ammonia emerges as most feasible alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping in 2050 emissions study  

Research combining expert survey and technical analysis ranks ammonia ahead of hydrogen and methanol.

Cargo vessel at sea. EMSA study examines biodiesel blend spill response as shipping adopts alternative fuels  

Research addresses knowledge gaps on biodiesel-conventional fuel blends as marine pollutants and response measures.


↑  Back to Top