Marine fuel global weekly market update

Spanish Market: Biofuels, E-fuels, Fertilizers, Hydrogen, Natural gas, Oil products, Petrochemicals
03/04/23

A weekly Argus news digest of interest to the conventional and alternative marine fuel markets. To speak to our team about accessing the stories below, please contact: oil-products@argusmedia.com.

Alternative marine fuels

31 Mar Yara and Enbridge plan 1.4mn t blue ammonia plant in US Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara has signed a letter of intent with Canadian midstream company Enbridge to…

31 Mar Spanish biodiesel exports boom in January Biodiesel exports from Spain, including re-exported cargoes, reached almost…

31 Mar Shell scraps Singapore SAF/HVO, base oil plant plans Shell has cancelled plans to set up a biofuel unit and a Group 2 base oil plant in Singapore.

31 Mar Pupuk Indonesia eyes green ammonia output by 2045-60 State-controlled fertilizer producer Pupuk Indonesia aims to achieve large-scale green ammonia production...

31 Mar Pavilion bunkers tug with LNG at Singapore's Jurong Singapore-based Pavilion Energy bunkered a hybrid-fuel tug boat owned…

31 Mar Spanish biodiesel exports boom in January Biodiesel exports from Spain, including re-exported cargoes, reached almost…

30 Mar China eyes green ammonia exports by late 2024 While new clean ammonia projects are being regularly confirmed in Australia, Europe, the Americas, India and the Middle East, news on green ammonia projects in China…

30 Mar European ports to be key hydrogen demand centres: study Hydrogen demand in EU port areas could reach…

30 Mar Singapore B24 bunker prices decline on Ucome oversupply B24 biofuel bunker prices in Singapore have weakened since…

30 Mar Biodiesel blend hike raises prices in Brazil Differentials for biodiesel supply contracts to Brazilian distributors in April…

29 Mar Canada budget proposal thin on biofuels Canada's new federal budget commits tax incentives to keep pace with massive US clean energy spending but leaves biofuel…

29 Mar Caribbean shipping sector to push decarbonization The Caribbean shipping sector has signed an agreement with the…

29 Mar Titan receives first of two small-scale LNG vessels Dutch firm Titan LNG has received the 12,000m³ Titan Unikum LNG small-scale carrier, which will undergo…

29 Mar Jiangnan, Hyundai Samho receive orders for LNG carriers China's Jiangnan Shipyard and South Korea's Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) have each received orders to build two…

29 March Import data shows shake-up of Russian methanol flows Latest import data from Global Trade Tracker (GTT) shows changing Russian methanol flows in…

28 Mar Spain's Ence, Sener to develop 6 new biomethane plants Spanish bioenergy company Ence's subsidiary Ence Biogas has signed an agreement with…

28 Mar Shell, Zim complete first 10-year LNG bunkering deal Shell and Israeli shipping firm Zim have completed the first LNG bunkering operation…

28 Mar IMO GHG meeting still reflects profound divisions The draft revised strategy on the reduction of emissions in shipping agreed at the…

27 Mar Q&A: Methanex says future of biomethanol is in shipping Canadian firm Methanex, one of the largest methanol producers, told Argus…

27 Mar Japan's KHI to build LPG-fuelled LPG, ammonia carrier Japan's shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) plans to build an 86,700m³ LPG and ammonia carrier that is…

Conventional marine fuels

31 Mar Australia's Ampol offers rare residual fuel spot supply Australian refiner Ampol has offered rare residual fuel spot cargoes, after it…

30 Mar China on course for shock diesel export increase Chinese oil firms have revised up their export plans for…

29 Mar Argentina's VLSFO sales fall to lowest since 2019 Argentina's sales of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) fell in…

29 Mar Ohio River lock chambers closed after vessel crash A vessel crash yesterday morning on the Ohio River has closed three…

29 Mar Exmar shipping profit rose in 2022 Belgium-based LPG shipowner Exmar's shipping arm increased its profit to…

29 Mar EU diesel imports slump EU diesel imports dropped to just 375,000t last week, the lowest for any week since…

28 Mar Russian fuel oil exports rising Seaborne Russian fuel oil exports were 6.2pc higher than the…

28 Mar Pirates board products tanker in Gulf of Guinea Pirates have boarded a tanker in the Gulf of Guinea…

27 Mar Russian 1Q bunker sales up, 2Q outlook mixed Russian first quarter bunker sales were around…

27 Mar Kenya-Mideast Gulf oil tender lift MR rates to Africa Freight rates for clean Medium Range (MR) clean tankers from the Mideast Gulf to Africa will potentially…

28 Mar Carnival Cruise narrows losses in 1Q Carnival Cruise Line pared its loss in the first quarter…

27 Mar Australia's Ampol shuts FCC unit at Lytton refinery Australian refiner Ampol has shut a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC) at its…

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15/11/24

Cop: Korea’s Plagen plans Azeri green methanol plant

Baku, 15 November (Argus) — South Korean clean energy firm Plagen has signed an initial agreement to develop a green methanol production plant near the port of Baku, Azerbaijan. Plagen expects that the plant, which it described as Azerbaijan's first green methanol facility, will produce 10,000 t/yr of the fuel by 2028. It will use Plagen's technology, the firm said at a side event at the UN Cop 29 climate summit today. The methanol will be produced from agricultural waste and wood waste, including hazelnuts shells and almond shells, which will be sourced from Azerbaijan, Plagen chief executive officer John Kyung said. The production process yields 96t of methanol from 300t of biomass. The produced methanol will be used as bunker fuel, and contribute Baku port's goal to reach "carbon neutrality" by 2035 amid increased traffic through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as ships seek alternatives to the fraught Suez Canal route. Kyung said today that the firm also has plans to produce green methanol at Indonesia's Batam to supply as bunker fuel to Singapore, the biggest bunkering port in the world. Plagen also expects 32,000 t/yr of green methanol production by 2027 at a plant in Taebaek, South Korea. This is up from 10,000 t/yr as previously planned . By Tng Yong Li Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil starts US, Canada PE-dumping probe

14/11/24

Brazil starts US, Canada PE-dumping probe

Sao Paulo, 14 November (Argus) — Brazil's government has started an anti-dumping investigation into polyethylene (PE) produced in the US and Canada. The country's foreign trade committee Gecex launched the investigation on 13 November following allegations from the sole Brazilian PE producer, major petrochemical company Braskem, that these countries are exporting PE to Brazil at prices below what is considered fair market value. Overall imported PE prices into Brazil have been in a downward trend since July, pushing down Braskem prices in the domestic market. Gecex said it will analyze export prices and compare them with those in the domestic markets of both countries. If dumping is confirmed, corrective measures may be applied to protect the Brazilian industry. A preliminary analysis has identified significant evidence of dumping, justifying the continuation of the investigation, Gecex said. It added that there was a considerable increase in PE imports from these countries — especially from the US — during the period being investigated, which may have contributed to the decline in domestic prices and harmed the domestic producer. The preliminary analysis of dumping evidence covered 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The damage analysis period extended from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024. The anti-dumping investigation into PE imports from the US and Canada was preceded by an increase in import taxes on a number of polymers and chemicals to 20pc from 12.6pc, including PE, polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), effective since 15 October. Repercussions An international trader specializing in polymer imports into Brazil told Argus that if anti-dumping duties are applied, his company's PE imports from the US to Brazil could drop by 20-30pc. "The decision has a 10-month deadline to be presented, but I believe it will be implemented and possibly announced earlier," he said, adding that this is another Braskem maneuver to regain its traditional 70pc market share in the Brazilian market. If confirmed, the measure is expected to have a significant impact on the Brazilian economy, especially on the plastic products manufacturing industry, as imports of finished plastic products could rise substantially, the trader said. One US-based trader selling US and Canada PE into Brazil sees the possible application of anti-dumping measures on the products as a structural development. "We will need to source PE in different production regions such as Asia and the Middle East, developing new ways of logistics, cash flows, ways of payment, to make it work flawlessly as it currently works with North American PE," the trader told Argus . "Prices should go up and we will increase our margins on PE sales." Brazil's January-September PE production increased by 1pc to 1.7mn t from the same period in 2023, while domestic sales fell bu 2pc to 1.24mn t. In contrast, PE imports jumped by 45pc to 1.54mn t, resulting in an apparent consumption of around 2.8mn t, up by 20pc higher year-on-year and a record high. By Fred Fernandes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: German opposition pushes for Article 6

14/11/24

Cop: German opposition pushes for Article 6

Berlin, 14 November (Argus) — Germany's main opposition parties have welcomed the progress achieved on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in at the UN Cop 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. They have called on Germany and the EU to make better use of the instrument to allow for more cost-efficient climate action. Germany's dominant opposition party, the right-of-centre CDU/CSU, on 14 November commended the framework under Article 6 as an efficient way of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Article 6 of the Paris accord aims to help set rules on global carbon trade. The Article 6 mechanism allows for reductions to happen where they are quickest, cheapest and easiest to be carried out, the CDU head of the working group on climate action and energy, Andreas Jung, said in a debate in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. The deputy head of the FDP faction Lukas Koehler, also speaking in the Bundestag on 14 November, called on Germany and the EU to "finally" integrate the Article 6 in their climate action plans. Koehler argued that if for instance Germany's progress in emissions reduction should turn out to be too slow, the country could temporarily shift its efforts — and the associated finance — to where more rapid mitigation might be achieved, such as Brazil. The EU, of which Germany is a member state, will not make use of Article 6 credits, at least until 2030, to reach its so-called nationally determined contribution (NDC) – its climate action pledge — under the Paris climate accord. The EU has been seeing progress on ongoing Article 6 negotiations at Cop 29, the European Commission's principal advisor for international aspects of EU climate policy Jacob Werksman said today, "mostly because parties are now agreeing with the EU and others that were concerned about the transparency and accountability of the bilateral markets that operate under Article 6.2". Werksman believes there is enough momentum for negotiations to be concluded next week, noting that the atmosphere has "improved" compared with previous negotiations, which echoes the sentiment expressed by a number of negotiators earlier this week . Werksman pointed in particular to the US now agreeing with others and helping to broker compromises. Koehler also warned German government representatives in Baku to refrain from "expensive" pledges which may strain the country's budget. Developed countries agreed in 2009 to deliver $100bn/yr in climate finance to developing nations, and Cop 29 is focused on the next iteration of this — the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) . In a statement, Germany — represented by Scholz despite his absence at the Cop — and other G7 members like Canada, France, or the Netherlands agreed that "developed countries must continue to take the lead and live up to existing finance commitments". Germany faces early elections as the government lost its majority last week following the sacking, by chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrat SPD, of finance minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business FDP party and the FDP's subsequent withdrawal from the ruling coalition. Polls suggest that the CDU/CSU group will easily win the next federal elections which are scheduled to take place on 23 February. The FDP's persistent refusal to allow Germany to take on more debt to enable more public funding, including of clean technologies, was the main reason for Lindner's sacking. By Chloe Jardine and Victoria Hatherick Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Advanced Fame ARA marine biodiesel blends hit 2024 lows

14/11/24

Advanced Fame ARA marine biodiesel blends hit 2024 lows

London, 14 November (Argus) — Marine biodiesel blends comprising Advanced Fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) 0 hit their lowest prices so far this year on 13 November, according to Argus assessments. Calculated B30 Advanced Fame 0 dob ARA prices fell by $15.05/t to $654.79/t, the lowest since 14 December 2023. Calculated B100 Advanced Fame 0 dob ARA values tumbled by $70.60/t to $922.79/t, their lowest since 29 December 2023. The calculated dob ARA range prices incorporate a deduction for HBE-Gs. These are a class of Dutch renewable fuels units, or HBEs, used by companies that bring liquid or gaseous fossil fuels into general circulation and are obligated to pay excise duty/energy tax on fuels. The sharp drop in blend values came despite firming prices in Advanced Fame 0 fob ARA range values, which rose by $11.50/t to $1,481.25/t on 13 November — their highest since 8 July. Fossil markets also rebounded from recent drops that day, with front-month Ice Brent crude futures and gasoil futures contracts edging higher by 16:30 BST. Market participants had pointed to sluggish demand for European marine biodiesel blends in recent sessions, which may have added pressure on Advanced Fame 0 blend prices. HBE-G values have soared, weighing on the blend values for which it is accounted as a deduction. Prices for 2024 HBE-Gs had almost doubled on the month at €18.75-18.95/GJ by 13 November, up from €9.70-9.90/GJ four weeks prior. Market participants attributed the increase in 2024 prices to recent gains in European hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) prices, tight supply because of a decline in tickets from biofuels used in shipping and less overall biofuel blending in the fourth quarter. HBE-Gs surpassed the like-for-like cost physical blending of HVO class IV by 13 November, albeit marginally, which could encourage physical blending. But high demand in a tightly supplied market in the Netherlands is continuing to drive HVO prices higher. The supply tightness is the result of a combination of fewer imports, with provisional anti-dumping duties in place on Chinese volumes, and some production problems. Italy's Eni confirmed on 7 November that it has halted output at its Gela HVO unit on Sicily, for planned maintenance. Finnish producer Neste said it stopped production at its plant in Rotterdam because of a fire on 8 November. France's TotalEnergies said that the shutdown of unspecified units at its La Mede plant would result in flaring on 8 November. By Hussein Al-Khalisy and Evelina Lungu Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

LAT Nitrogen halts sales to Germany on high gas costs

14/11/24

LAT Nitrogen halts sales to Germany on high gas costs

London, 14 November (Argus) — Major European producer LAT Nitrogen has withdrawn from the German market today owing to a surge in gas costs. LAT Nitrogen produces nitrogen-based products for the fertilizer and industrial chemical markets. It sells CAN, ASN and NPK 15-15-15 to the German market. "We will closely monitor the development of gas prices before considering a return to the market," LAT Nitrogen market intelligence and demand planning analyst Harald Lindner said. Front-month natural gas prices on the Dutch TTF have climbed steadily over the past two months, reaching more than €45/MWh today, up by €10/MWh from September. CAN is a key nitrogen fertilizer used in the German market and spot prices have stagnated at about €280/t bulk cif inland and have failed to grow ahead of the season, despite higher list prices. Yara raised its CAN asking price on 16 October to €305/t bulk cif inland for delivery to Germany and the Benelux countries, up from its previous offer of €295/t bulk cif inland. Buying interest from farmers has been incredibly slow ahead of spring applications this year. Market coverage in Germany for nitrogen fertilizers for the 2024-25 fertilizer year is estimated to be 40-45pc, down from an average of 60-65pc by mid-November. Weak grain prices, reduced farm incomes and warehouses full of unsold agricultural produce are also said to be behind the lack of demand for fertilizers from consumers. Some wholesalers are expecting sales to remain slow until the start of 2025, which will give distributors logistical challenges to deliver product ahead of early spring applications. LAT Nitrogen began maintenance in mid-September on some of the lines at its Linz site in Austria, affecting downstream fertilizer output of ammonia, nitric acid, CAN and NPKs. This was due to be finished by early November. The Linz site is a major source of fertilizers for central and eastern Europe, with CAN 27 annual production roughly at or above 600,000t in typical recent years, according to latest IFA data. The 429,000 t/yr prilled urea plant at Linz was unaffected by the maintenance and is running as normal. By Suzie Skipper Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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