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US-Iran war sends FuelEU abatement price negative
US-Iran war sends FuelEU abatement price negative
London, 8 April (Argus) — The FuelEU used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome)–marine gasoil (MGO) abatement ex-emissions trading system (ETS) price was negative on 7 April, underscoring how the US-Iran war has distorted marine fuel economics by driving fossil fuel prices sharply higher. The abatement price — which reflects the cost of meeting FuelEU requirements by using biodiesel instead of conventional MGO — fell below zero on 2 April for the first time since the assessment began at the start of 2025. It has remained negative since then, standing at -€23.46/t CO2 equivalent (CO2e) on 7 April. It follows a sharp rally in oil markets triggered by the conflict. The front-month Ice gasoil futures contract reached an all-time high of $1,569.75/t on 2 April, lifting MGO values and narrowing the cost gap between fossil fuels and biofuels. As a result, the typical "green premium" associated with biodiesel use was eroded. FuelEU Maritime regulations, which entered into force in 2025, require vessels operating in EU waters to cut greenhouse gas intensity by 2pc. The negative abatement price indicates that, at current values, using Ucome-based marine fuel is cheaper than using MGO on a compliance-adjusted basis. The shift follows an earlier distortion seen during the conflict, when B100 advanced fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) delivered into the Netherlands moved to a discount to MGO delivered into the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub once ETS costs were included. In parallel, traded FuelEU compliance surpluses for 2026 were reported at around €185/tCO2e on 8 April. This means it is currently cheaper to generate compliance using marine biodiesel blends than to buy surpluses to meet the FuelEU requirements. This is in stark contrast to last year, when shipowners largely opted to purchase overcompliance instead of using biodiesel — mainly due to cheaper compliance generated via manure-based bio-LNG . Despite these shifts, physical demand for marine biodiesel has yet to rise meaningfully. Market participants have reported limited increases in buying, but overall demand remains subdued even where biodiesel blends now offer a lower compliance-adjusted cost. This may be because of ongoing price volatility and uncertainty about the direction of the US-Iran war, which is keeping many shipowners focused on securing fossil fuel supplies for their vessels for the coming weeks. Another reason could be a lack of availability of marine biodiesel blends at smaller ports, and concerns from shipowners about engine compatibility for pure biodiesel. Demand for FuelEU compliance surpluses for 2026 has also softened, with plenty of offers but no bids. By Hussein Al-Khalisy Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil expects first CGOB issuance in May
Brazil expects first CGOB issuance in May
Sao Paulo, 7 April (Argus) — Brazil's hydrocarbon regulator ANP expects the first issuance of biomethane guarantee-of-origin certificates (CGOBs) to take place in May, a milestone that would trigger compliance obligations under the Fuel of the Future law. Speaking at a panel during the I-REC Day Brazil event in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, ANP director Maria Auxiliadora Nobre said 2026 obligations will be adjusted to reflect the timing of the first issuance. Instead of applying the annual mandate in full, the target will be calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning only the remaining months of the year after the first CGOB issuance will count toward compliance. Under this structure, CGOB demand in 2026 is expected to be lower than under a full-year mandate, aligning compliance volumes with initial supply availability. Nobre said the agency will formally notify the market once the issuance platform is fully operational. The panel also discussed how the timing of the first issuance could shape early supply-and-demand dynamics and delay price formation. Luis Felipe Poli, business development manager for gas and energy at Petrobras, said buyers already see economic value in the environmental attribute associated with gas, although clearer pricing signals are expected only once issuance begins. On the supply side, Tayane Vieira, head of ESG and government relations at biomethane producer Gas Verde, said 2026 is likely to be a transition year, with market participants testing volumes, certification procedures and demand patterns as the regulated market starts operating alongside voluntary schemes. From the demand perspective, Adrianno Lorenzon, natural gas director at industrial consumers' association Abrace Energia, cautioned that the regulated mandate should not crowd out voluntary demand in the early phase, warning that distortions could affect liquidity and price discovery. Luciano Figueredo, project manager at certification body Instituto Totum, said discussions around certificate fungibility and differentiation by carbon intensity could initially fragment liquidity, with pricing premiums only emerging once trading gains scale. The panel concluded that, while regulatory uncertainty remains, the first CGOB issuance will mark the shift from policy design to market execution, with early prices likely reflecting limited supply and cautious demand from obligated parties. By Rebecca Gompertz Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Malaysian biodiesel group urges faster B20 rollout
Malaysian biodiesel group urges faster B20 rollout
Singapore, 7 April (Argus) — The Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) has urged the government to speed up the nationwide rollout of biodiesel-fossil diesel blends of up to 20pc (B20) to strengthen energy security, it said today. The MBA called for immediate implementation of higher blending levels between B10 and B20 in areas where infrastructure can support it. It acknowledged that progress towards higher blends has been limited by infrastructure readiness but sought further government support to enable a nationwide B30 blend. To encourage biodiesel use outside the national blending programme, the MBA also asked the government to exempt a 10pc sales tax on biodiesel. The national biodiesel programme, combined with voluntary biodiesel use, would enhance energy security, cut greenhouse gas emissions, generate foreign exchange savings, reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and improve fiscal resilience while supporting domestic palm oil and rural livelihoods, the MBA said. Malaysia launched the B20 biodiesel programme for the transport sector in February 2020, but implementation has been limited to Langkawi, Kedah, Labuan and Sarawak. B7 remains the applied blend in the industrial sector without a nationwide rollout, the MBA said. Neighbouring countries have also announced or are considering higher biodiesel blending levels because of energy security concerns due to the war in the Middle East. Indonesia last week announced it will implement a B50 blending mandate from 1 July while Thailand adjusted the biodiesel content from B5 to B7 in March and has announced restrictions on crude palm oil exports from 7 April . By Malcolm Goh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Oiltek Malaysia, Brunei's BioSeaga to build SAF plant
Oiltek Malaysia, Brunei's BioSeaga to build SAF plant
Singapore, 7 April (Argus) — The Malaysian subsidiary of Singapore-based Oiltek International, which provides technology solutions in the vegoils industry, and Brunei-based food security and renewables project developer BioSeaga Industries signed a heads of agreement on 6 April to build a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Sabah, Malaysia. The plant has a planned capacity of approximately 300 t/d according to a Singapore Exchange (SGX) filing. It is expected to cost around $350mn, but the final contract value will be recomputed and mutually agreed upon by the companies before they enter into a definitive agreement. The final value will be based on prevailing costs, finalised engineering designs and agreed scope of supply. Oiltek and BioSeaga aim to enter a definitive agreement by 6 October, depending on whether project financing, regulatory approvals, land right confirmation and other items have been secured. After that, Oiltek Malaysia will be the plant's exclusive contractor and undertake engineering, procurement, design, construction and commissioning (EPCC) services for its pre-treatment facilities, tank farm, logistic bulking infrastructure, and partial blending facilities. The term of the heads of agreement will be one year unless terminated earlier by the companies, extended by mutual written agreement, or superseded by a definitive agreement, whichever happens first. Oiltek is involved in several other early-stage Malaysian SAF projects. It is providing pretreatment unit technology for Malaysian engineering firm SK SAF's plant which plans to reach final investment decision by 2027-28. Last September, Oiltek also signed an agreement with state-owned Sarawak Economic Development (SEDC), biofuel feedstock supplier Apeiron Bioenergy, and fellow technology provider Sulzer to build a 15,000 t/yr SAF pilot plant in Sarawak. But Oiltek said in a separate filing with SGX on 6 April that it has not entered into a definitive agreement with Indonesia's state-owned Pertamina's subsidiary, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional, to develop a pre-treatment unit in Indonesia and supply its feedstock. It added that the heads of agreement signed between the two companies in February 2025 had expired. By Sarah Giam Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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Argus launches Australian large-scale generation certificate prices
Argus launches Australian LGC prices as the market stays highly liquid and continues to trade at a premium to most regional renewable certificate markets.
Strategic Opportunities in the RNG Market
Fertilizer Matters EP35: Sulphur & sulphuric acid - unprecedented rise in global prices
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