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.


Spirit of Mobile vessel. LD Armateurs launches second low-emission ro-ro vessel for Airbus charter fleet  

French shipowner LD Armateurs has launched its second methanol-capable, rotor sail-equipped ro-ro vessel at a Chinese shipyard.

Verde Marine Energy (VME) logo. Verde Marine Energy renews ISCC EU certification and achieves RED III compliance  

Dutch bunker supplier Verde Marine Energy says it is now fully compliant with the EU's updated renewable energy rules.

bound4blue receives DNV Type Approval. Bound4blue wins DNV type approval for its largest installed eSAIL suction sail  

DNV certification of the Model 3-24 eSAIL is said to support wider adoption of wind-assisted propulsion.

BGN and HD HHI signing ceremony. BGN expands owned LPG fleet with two additional VLGCs from HD HHI  

BGN signs a new shipbuilding contract, bringing its owned VLGC fleet to 19 vessels.

Medium-range (MR) tanker with Rotor Sails render. Anemoi and partners win DNV approval in principle for rotor sail integration on MR tankers  

DNV issues approval in principle for EX-rated rotor sail design on medium-range product tankers.

TMS Tankers logo. 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.

Dr Prapisala Thepsithar, GCMD. 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.

Laura Maersk ethanol bunkering graphic. 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.

Luminara vessel truck-to-ship bunkering. 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 Gemini vessel. 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.