Wed 1 Nov 2017, 09:05 GMT

Oil and fuel oil hedging market update


By the Oil Desk at Freight Investor Services.



Brent closed up $0.35 last night to $60.94 and WTI closed at $54.38, up $0.23. Who would have thought we'd be up to these dizzying heights? There just seems to be something uneasy about it all though; it doesn't feel comfortable. As quick as this market is to rally, it is also extremely capable of collapsing, and it doesn't take much to really cause a collapse. If the funds have bought in to this rally, then what's to stop them cashing out and selling their long positions? As Paul Daniels would say, "not a lot". However, I think it will be a while yet before we see any kind of price correction. EIA data is out later and, according to API, we can expect to see some pretty chunky drawdowns on crude and products.

Fuel Oil Market (October 31)

The front crack opened at -7.80, strengthening to -7.30 across the day. The Cal 18 was valued at -8.10.

Aggressive offers continued to weigh on the break-bulk ex-wharf premiums of Asia's 380-cst fuel, with some suppliers seeking to stimulate demand.

Demand for spot 380-cst ex-wharf fuel oil has been sluggish in recent weeks amid rising outright prices of 380-cst bunker fuel which has climbed to its highest level since June 2015, keeping some buyers at bay, sources said.

China said it would stop domestic sales of diesel with sulphur content higher than 10 parts ppm, typically used by tractors and ships, from Nov. 1, in its latest effort to clean up the nation's air.

The challenge will be in the execution of the ban, which follows a move earlier this year to stop sales of diesel with more than 50 ppm of sulphur and a 10-ppm cap on diesel used by cars.

Economic Data/Events: (UK times)

* 11am: U.S. MBA mortgage applications for week ended Oct. 27 (prior -4.6%)

* 12:15pm: U.S. ADP employment change for Oct., est. 200k (prior 135k)

* 1:45pm: U.S. Markit manufacturing PMI for Oct., final, est. 54.5 (prior 54.5)

* 2:30pm: U.S. EIA oil inventory report; TOPLive blog coverage begins 2:25pm

* 6pm: U.S. FOMC rate decision, est. 1.25% (prior 1.25%)

** Genscape weekly ARA crude stockpiles report

** International Energy Forum hosts 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable, Bangkok, Nov. 1-3. Speakers include Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih, U.A.E. Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei

** International Emissions Trading Association event in London, ahead of the COP23 climate talks that will take place in Bonn starting Nov. 6

** Bloomberg will publish October monthly tanker-tracking assessments for several oil exporting nations, starting Wednesday

** Bloomberg will publish OPEC production survey for October on this day, or Thursday. Data may be the last entire-month set available before OPEC's next ministerial conference on Nov. 30

** International Petroleum Tax Conference, Oslo. Speakers include Norway Ministry of Finance's Tax-Law Director Stig Sollund

** Earnings: Occidental Petroleum

Singapore 380 cSt

Dec17 - 359.25 / 361.25

Jan18 - 357.00 / 359.00

Feb18 - 355.25 / 357.25

Mar18 - 353.25 / 355.25

Apr18 - 351.00 / 353.00

May18 - 349.75 / 351.75

Q1-18 - 353.00 / 355.00

Q2-18 - 348.50 / 350.50

Q3-18 - 343.25 / 345.75

Q4-18 - 338.25 / 340.75

CAL18 - 344.75 / 347.75

CAL19 - 328.25 / 333.25

CAL20 - 301.75 / 308.75

Singapore 180 cSt

Dec17 - 364.25 / 366.25

Jan18 - 353.50 / 355.50

Feb18 -360.75 / 362.75

Mar18 - 359.25 / 361.25

Apr18 - 357.50 / 359.50

May18 - 356.50 / 358.50

Q1-18 - 359.00 / 361.00

Q2-18 - 355.00 / 357.00

Q3-18 - 349.75 / 352.25

Q4-18 - 345.75 / 348.25

CAL18 - 351.50 / 354.50

CAL19 - 337.25 / 342.25

CAL20 - 311.25 / 318.25

Rotterdam 380 cSt

Dec17 338.75 / 340.75

Jan18 337.00 / 339.00

Feb18 336.00 / 338.00

Mar18 335.25 / 337.25

Apr18 334.50 / 336.50

May18 333.50 / 335.50

Q1-18 335.25 / 337.25

Q2-18 333.00 / 335.00

Q3-18 328.75 / 331.25

Q4-18 321.25 / 323.75

CAL18 328.00 / 331.00

CAL19 289.00 / 294.00

CAL20 246.00 / 253.00


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.