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


Renewable ammonia project pipeline by region chart. Clean ammonia project pipeline shrinks as offtake agreements remain scarce  

Renewable ammonia pipeline falls 0.9 Mt while only 3% of projects secure binding supply deals.

Global Ethanol Association (GEA) logo. Thoen Bio Energy joins Global Ethanol Association  

Shipping group with Brazilian ethanol ties becomes member as association plans export-focused project group.

Geiranger Fjord, Norway. Norway enforces zero-emission rules for cruise ships in World Heritage fjords  

Passenger vessels under 10,000 GT must use zero-emission fuels in Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord from January 2026.

D-Flex PSV design render. Longitude unveils compact PSV design targeting cost efficiency  

Design consultancy launches D-Flex vessel as a cost-efficient alternative to larger platform supply vessels.

IBIA hiring graphic IBIA seeks advisor for technical, regulatory and training role  

Remote position will support the association’s IMO and EU engagement and member training activities.

Truck-to-ship LNG bunkering in Hammerfest. Barents NaturGass begins LNG bunkering operations for Havila Kystruten in Hammerfest  

Norwegian supplier completes first truck-to-ship operation using newly approved two-truck simultaneous bunkering design.

Everllence L70ME-GI engine. Everllence receives 2,000th dual-fuel engine order from Cosco  

Chinese shipping line orders 12 methane-fuelled engines for new 18,000-teu container vessels.

Sakura Leader vessel. NYK signs long-term charter deals with Cheniere for new LNG carriers  

Japanese shipping company partners with Ocean Yield for vessels to be delivered from 2028.

Ocean Legacy vessel. Sallaum Lines takes delivery of LNG-powered container vessel MV Ocean Legacy  

Shipping company receives new dual-fuel vessel from Chinese shipyard as part of fleet modernisation programme.

Gas Utopia vessel alongside Oceanic Moon vessel. Rotterdam bio-LNG bunkering surges sixfold as alternative marine fuels gain traction  

Port handled 17,644 cbm of bio-LNG in 2025, while biomethanol volumes tripled year-on-year.





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