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.


Shore power system launch at Port of Callao. Peru’s Port of Callao launches first shore power system in Latin America  

DP World Callao’s onshore power supply system could cut over 6,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Aristodimos vessel. New Times Shipbuilding delivers LNG dual-fuel crude oil tanker to Capital  

Chinese yard hands over 155,500-dwt vessel in ceremony attended by owner’s representative.

MSC Sabrina and Alice Cosulich ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation. Shell completes maiden LNG bunkering operation in Valencia  

Delivery to MSC vessel facilitated by Fratelli Cosulich said to be first-ever LNG bunker supply at Spanish port.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. PIL hiring senior marine fuels executive to manage global bunkering operations  

Singapore-based role includes oversight of fuel procurement and delivery operations, covering PIL's fleet of container and multi-purpose vessels.

Steel-cutting ceremony of vessels with builder's hull nos. CHB2083 and CHB2084. Changhong International Shipbuilding cuts steel on two more 3100-teu boxships for Costamare  

HSFO-fuelled vessels feature scrubbers, SCR systems and shore power connections to meet emissions requirements.

Decab Hub and MMMCZCS logos. Lloyd’s Register and Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center launch ammonia safety and training resources for shipping  

New tools aim to help operators build the safety management and competency frameworks needed for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Kevin Dohmen, IBT Bunkering & Trading. IBT Bunkering & Trading appoints Kevin Döhmen to manage new Singapore office  

Döhmen tasked with developing IBT’s operation in the Asian city-state.

Peak Skarv 3 vessel. Peak takes delivery of third S-class vessel and cuts steel for ammonia-fuelled ship  

Norwegian operator marks two events at Chinese yard as ammonia-powered newbuild programme advances.

Launching ceremony of Minerva Helen. New Times Shipbuilding launches LNG dual-fuel tanker for Minerva  

112,500-dwt Minerva Helen launched at shipyard in Jiangsu, China.

Hansa Drejoe vessel. Leonhardt & Blumberg equips first of four newbuilds with Econowind VentoFoils  

German shipowner installs wind-assisted propulsion technology aboard general cargo vessel Hansa Drejoe.