Singapore rolls out Covid vaccines to maritime workers

Market: Oil products
20/01/21

Singapore is aiming to vaccinate 10,000 frontline maritime workers against Covid-19 by the end of January following recent cases linked to the sector.

Singapore is one of the first countries to prioritise vaccinating such workers, the country's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said. It defines frontline maritime personnel as "port workers, harbour pilots, cargo officers, marine surveyors and marine superintendents who are required to work onboard ships in the port and who come in contact with people from outside Singapore".

Vaccines have already been given to 700 people and the MPA has received about 6,000 vaccination registrations this week.

The MPA tested some 27,000 shore-based personnel from 2-8 January in an attempt to safeguard the entire maritime sector. Those who have completed their full course of vaccination will require less frequent testing for Covid-19, it said.

The announcement came after the MPA strengthened requirements for shore-based personnel boarding vessels effective from 15 January, including providing proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

The enhanced measures follow the discovery of a Covid-19 cluster on board the NewOcean6 bunker tanker on 6 January. The vessel was subsequently quarantined and ceased all operations.

Singapore is stepping up the vaccination drive and safety requirements to protect its maritime sector. The country has one of the busiest ports in the world and is the largest bunkering hub and container trans-shipment hub.

Singapore's coronavirus outbreak is largely under control, with just 15 confirmed community infections in the last week, although some recent cases have been linked to workers at the country's port and airport.

Singapore bunker sales rose to 49.83mn t in 2020, a 5pc increase from 2019, despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19 and the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) sulphur cap.

By Sammy Six

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News

08/04/25

Keystone oil pipeline shut down after ND spill: Update

Adds latest pricing for US, Canadian sour crudes. Calgary, 8 April (Argus) — North American sour crude prices rose relative to their benchmarks today after the 622,000 b/d Keystone pipeline carrying Canadian crude was shut down following a spill in North Dakota. Canadian crude prices on either side of the spill diverged in Tuesday's trading, with Western Canadian Select (WCS) at Hardisty, Alberta, trading between a $9.15-11/bl discount to the CMA Nymex, with the midpoint representing a widening of about $1/bl day-over-day. WCS at the Texas Gulf coast was up by about 45¢/bl from its prior assessment, trading at a $2.60/bl discount to CMA Nymex. Fellow Canadian heavy sour Cold Lake meanwhile was up by a similar level, trading between $2.25-$2.65/bl discounts against CMA Nymex. The Keystone system is a major route for Canadian heavy crude destined for both the US midcontinent and the Gulf coast. Pipeline operator South Bow initiated a shutdown at 8:42am ET Tuesday after the leak occurred about 6 miles south of Kathryn, North Dakota, according to North Dakota environmental quality program manager Bill Suess. A pipeline employee working on a pump station along the route heard what he described as a "mechanical bang" prompting him to shut down the pipeline, which took about two minutes, Suess said. Crude was then seen surfacing in an agricultural field about 300 yards south of the pump station, where it was contained. Suess said there is no impact to a nearby stream. South Bow estimates about 3,500 bl was released. No restart timeline The company and government officials did not have an estimate for when the pipeline would restart. Next steps involve assessing the area for other utilities before excavating down to the 30-inch pipeline to make repairs. The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) said it has dispatched personnel to the scene to conduct a failure investigation. Today's upset is the latest of several incidents to disrupt the market since it was commissioned in 2010. The pipeline halted flows for more than three weeks in December 2022 after it spilled about 12,937 bl of oil in Washington County, Kansas. A crack in a flawed weld was determined to be the cause. Once fixed, PHMSA allowed the line to operate again, but at a reduced pressure. Only last month did PMHSA give South Bow the green light to increase pressure again . Other US prices affected Louisiana-delivered Mars and Thunder Horse widened their premiums over the Domestic Sweet (DSW) benchmark by over 30¢/bl, trading at 80¢-$1/bl premiums and $1.80-$1.90/bl premiums to the basis, respectively. Texas-delivered Southern Green Canyon (SGC) traded as strong as a 60¢/bl discount against the Cushing basis Tuesday morning, after trading at $1/bl discount for the prior two sessions. April DSW was exchanged for May in the Cushing physical spot market at premiums as high 60-70¢/bl, from roughly 45¢/bl on the final day of the April trade month on 25 March. In the futures market, May Nymex WTI has moved up to end the session at a 48¢/bl premium to June, rising from a 26¢/bl premium at settlement in the prior session. DSW is the assumed grade for delivery into the Nymex contract. It is blended to specifications in Cushing and is comprised of various crudes, including Canadian grades. The appreciating differentials came despite pressure from weak export demand from the US Gulf coast. By Brett Holmes, Mykah Briscoe and Amanda Smith Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more

News

US faults EU carbon fee during tariff fight

08/04/25

News

08/04/25

US faults EU carbon fee during tariff fight

Washington, 8 April (Argus) — President Donald Trump's administration is citing the EU's upcoming tariff on carbon-intensive imports as one of the "unfair trade practices" that justified a tariff response. Trump has said a 20pc tariff on most EU goods and a higher tariff on many other key trading partners — set to take effect after midnight — are "reciprocal" to other countries' tariffs and non-tariff barriers, even though those tariffs are calculated based on each country's trade deficits and imports with the US. Trump has yet to even identify which trade policies he wants other countries to change before he would withdraw tariffs his administration expects will raise $600bn/yr in new revenue. But the US Trade Representative's office, in a social media post on Monday made in "honor" of Trump's tariffs, identified the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — which will collect a carbon-based levy on imports such as steel, cement and fertilizer — as one of the examples of what it sees as an unfair trading practice. The Trump administration estimates $4.7bn/yr of US exports would be affected by the CBAM, which is set to take effect in 2026. "These EU regulations undermine fair competition, penalizing US companies while providing advantages to EU-based competitors," the US Trade Representative's office wrote in a series of posts on Tuesday that also criticized India and Thailand for imposing import restrictions on ethanol produced in the US. White House officials say more than 70 countries have approached the administration seeking deals on the tariffs since they were announced nearly a week ago. But with just hours before the tariffs take effect, Trump has yet to announce any definitive agreements to withdraw the tariffs. Instead, he has rejected offers from countries to zero out some of their tariffs. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said the EU was "ready to negotiate" on tariffs, and would zero out its tariffs on industrial imports if the US agreed to do the same. But Trump on Monday said that offer was not enough. "We have a deficit with the European Union of $350bn, and it's gonna disappear fast," Trump said. "One of the ways that that can disappear easily and quickly is they're gonna have to buy our energy from us." Today, Trump said he had a "great call" with South Korea's acting president Han Duck-soo that created the "probability of a great DEAL for both countries." Trump cited a potential agreement that might include large-scale purchases of US LNG and investments tied to the 20mn t/yr Alaska LNG export project. Trump and his cabinet believe the tariffs will align with a goal to achieve "energy dominance" and increase the amount of US energy exported abroad. "At the end of the day, we're going to have growing American exports and reindustrialize the country," US energy secretary Chris Wright said today during an interview on CNBC. Trump's tariffs have already caused a selloff in equities and, according to many analysts on Wall Street, a higher likelihood of a recession. Oil prices have dropped because of a "sudden change in the economic outlook, whereas everyone just honestly 10 days ago was expecting modest but steady positive growth in the US", non-profit group Center for Strategic and International Studies' senior fellow Clayton Seigle said today. Republicans have largely backed Trump in his imposition of tariffs, with the hope the tariffs will be lifted as part of trade negotiations. But some Republicans have started criticizing the rationale for the tariff policy. "Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?" US senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) said in a hearing today with the US trade representative Jamieson Greer. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Mexican peso weakens on US tariff fears

08/04/25

News

08/04/25

Mexican peso weakens on US tariff fears

Mexico City, 8 April (Argus) — The Mexican peso has weakened in recent days amid growing fears that US president Donald Trump's new wave of tariffs could derail the US economy and, in turn, slash Mexico's economic growth, financial analysts said. After Trump announced a series of new import tariffs on what he dubbed "Liberation Day" on 2 April, the peso initially reacted positively, as Mexico was largely spared from the measures, thanks to protections under the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement. The current tariff structure largely remains in place, which means zero tariffs on products under the USMCA agreement, except for steel, aluminum and finalized// assembled automobiles. Auto parts under USMCA still face zero tariffs. These exceptions, and other non-USMCA-compliant products, maintain 25pc tariffs on non-US content, analysts Barclays said. The peso appreciated more than 3.2pc to Ps19.97/$1 on 3 April from Ps20.4/$1 on 2 April, according to data from Mexico's central bank (Banxico). The exemptions could make Mexico more attractive in the medium- and long-term to manufacturers aiming to avoid US tariffs, Barclays said. Yet, investors are now concerned about the broader economic fallout of the escalating US-China trade conflict. "The Mexican peso is one of the most depreciated currencies [as of 7 April], because even though Mexico has not been hit with reciprocal tariffs and benefits from USMCA, the economic impact of tariffs on the US economy could significantly affect Mexico," said Gabriela Siller, chief economist at Mexican bank Banco Base. The peso weakened to Ps20.50/$1 on 4 April, from Ps19.97/$1 on 3 April, and continued weakening, closing at Ps20.69/$1 on 7 April, a 2.3pc depreciation over the last week. Year over year, the peso has tanked 21pc, affected by multiple reforms diminishing Mexico's business environment that passed in late 2024, Trump's electoral victory in November, and now by Trump's tariffs. Mexico's GDP is expected to grow by 0.2pc this year, according to a new Citi survey of 32 bank analysts, with nine forecasting zero or negative growth because of the potential fallout from US trade policy. On 1 April, Mexico's finance ministry lowered its 2025 GDP forecast to 1.5–2.3pc, down from 2–3pc. That's still more optimistic than the central bank and private analysts, who expect growth of only 0.7pc , citing uncertainty over US policy and tariff threats. By Édgar Sígler Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Grimaldi buys nine methanol-ready vessels

08/04/25

News

08/04/25

Grimaldi buys nine methanol-ready vessels

New York, 8 April (Argus) — Italian ferry operator Grimaldi Group has ordered nine methanol fuel-ready vessels that will be delivered by 2030. The company is spending $1.3bn for six vessels that will be operated in the Mediterranean Sea by subsidiary Minoan Lines and three ships that will travel between Finland and Germany in the Baltic Sea. Those vessels will be operated by another subsidiary, Finnish shipping company Finnlines. The ferries will cut CO₂ emissions per transported cargo unit by more than 50pc compared with ships traveling on the same routes, according to Grimaldi Group. The Mediterranean ships will be able to hold up to 2,500 passengers, 300 cars and will have 3,300 freight lane meters. The Baltic ferries will be able to carry 1,100 passengers, 90 cars and have 5,100 freight lane meters. China Merchants Jinling Shipyard is set the deliver the vessels from 2028-2030. By Luis Gronda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Bunker Industry seeks universal alternative fuels rules

08/04/25

News

08/04/25

Bunker Industry seeks universal alternative fuels rules

Fujairah, 8 April (Argus) — Bunker market participants urged the adoption of universal standards for alternative bunker fuels, warning that fragmented regulations are hampering the maritime sector's shift to lower-carbon options. Speaking at the S&P Global Commodity Insights FUJCON 2025, held in Fujairah, UAE, stakeholders highlighted inconsistencies and divergent regional policies, governing biofuels, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen as a key obstacle to scaling up adoption. The lack of harmonised standards on fuel certification, safety protocols and emissions accounting is creating uncertainty for operators and suppliers navigating a complex global market. "Shipping companies like us face an unfair situation, falling behind the policies, that are changing every day," Jens Maul Jorgensen, director of bunkering at Oldendorff Carriers said. The EU's emissions trading system (ETS) was extended to cover the maritime sector last year, and this year FuelEU Maritime came into effect, while the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is lagging with global regulations, Jorgensen said. FuelEU Maritime, which came into effect this year, sets greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for vessels travelling in or out of Europe. Panel participants at FUJCON called for the replacement of "too many regulations" with universal, clear and policed rules. "If we do not ensure the proper policing of these rules, people will keep finding loopholes, and we do not need loopholes," according to chair of the International Bunker Industry Association Constantinos Capetanakis. The bunker market is under pressure to decarbonise as the IMO targets a 50pc cut in shipping emissions by 2050 from 2008 levels. Alternative fuels are central to this goal, but regulatory disparities complicate investment decisions, industry players said. Market participants warned that prolonged regulatory fragmentation could delay infrastructure investments and inflate costs for end-users. By Elshan Aliyev Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more