Market Briefing

Tue 22 Apr 2014, 08:44 GMT

Risk of unrest in Ukraine escalating (Brent: $109.9).

Fuel oil trend

Rotterdam: $ 1 lower.
Singapore: $ 4 higher.
US Gulf: $ 1 lower.

Risk of unrest in Ukraine escalating (Brent: $109.9)

Last week's peace deal between the U.S., E.U., Russia and Ukraine seems to be staggering as rebels appear to be ignoring the deal; refusing to give up the seized government buildings in Ukraine. This increases the risk of the west imposing additional sanctions on Russia and vice versa. The increased risk of escalation of the conflict makes oil prices increase this morning.

An important oil hub in South Sudan was seized by rebels; affecting oil production in the young country; oil output has fallen to 150,000 bpd (from 260,000 bpd in December 2013).

Aside from a lot of geopolitical tension around the world, investors are awaiting U.S. existing home sales this afternoon (16.00 CET) and tomorrow’s oil inventory numbers. Expectations are an increase in crude oil stock and draws in gasoline and distillate stocks.


		Lloyd’s Register delivers fleet-wide energy transition roadmap for TMS Tankers LR Advisory maps vessel-level compliance risk and decarbonisation pathways across the Greek owner’s tanker fleet.

		GCMD shares biofuel assurance and green finance insights at Hong Kong shipping decarbonisation forum The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation presented pilot findings on biofuels and energy efficiency financing.

		Maersk conducts large-scale ethanol bunkering trial on Laura Maersk in Rotterdam A.P. Moller – Maersk has conducted a barge-delivered ethanol bunkering operation as part of ongoing fuel trials.

		MOL Techno-Trade completes first LNG bunkering for international cruise ship in Hokkaido Truck-to-ship LNG operation at Hakodate marks first such supply to an international cruise vessel in Hokkaido.

		Acta Marine takes delivery of methanol dual-fuel CSOV Acta Gemini for RWE wind farm charter The vessel will support operations at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm at Dogger Bank.

		Malik Supply expands Danish team with bunker trader and finance hire Danish bunker supplier Malik Supply adds two new staff across its Fredericia and Aalborg offices.

		HJSC wins AiP for 10,000-teu biofuel-powered container ship design South Korean shipbuilder HJ Shipbuilding & Construction receives classification society approval for its biofuel vessel design at Posidonia.

		Capital Clean Energy Carriers takes delivery of LNG carrier and dual-fuel gas carrier, secures five new charters Athens-based CCEC expands its fleet and pushes contracted revenue backlog to $3.1bn.

		Fuel quality management for vessels in extended idle: Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and adjacent anchorages \| Rahul Choudhuri, VPS Managing fuel quality deterioration following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

		Agastya Green Fuels signs 250,000 t/yr e-methanol offtake deal with Sri Lanka’s SAR Group Indian producer and Sri Lankan maritime firm agree long-term green methanol supply partnership.