Road fuels
Overview
Fuels for road transportation continue to drive the refining industry. But gasoline and diesel are coming under increasing pressure from low-carbon targets being implemented around the world.
Global oversupply, new regulatory measures and rapidly increasing competition for export markets are affecting refining margins. The need for accurate insight and data is more critical than ever.
Argus road fuels coverage includes price assessments and key insights into both conventional fuels - gasoline, distillates and blending components – as well as biofuels, in each key region. Our trusted prices are delivered alongside the latest market-moving news, in-depth analysis, supply and demand dynamics, price forecasts and forward curves data.
Latest road fuels news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global road fuels industry.
Syria issues crude, products tenders: Correction
Syria issues crude, products tenders: Correction
Corrects quality of gasoil sought in paragraph 4, from 10ppm to 50ppm. This story was originally published on 22 January Dubai, 30 January (Argus) — The new administration in Syria has issued its first tenders to buy crude and refined products since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December, as acute fuel shortages continue to cause lengthy blackouts in the country. Tenders seeking 3mn bl of light crude for the 140,000 Banias refinery and 1.2mn bl of heavy crude for the 110,100 b/d Homs refinery close for bidding on 27 January. They have a 10pc flexibility either way on the volumes. The Banias refinery is undergoing maintenance at several of its production units after being taken offline last month because of a lack of crude feedstock. Syria's new administration has also issued its first import tender for refined products — 80,000t of 90 Ron gasoline, 100,000t of 50ppm sulphur gasoil and 100,000t of fuel oil — commencing as soon as possible for delivery over a 30-day period. Offers must be delivered by hand to the oil ministry in Damascus by 14:30 local time on 27 January. A tender seeking 66,000t of LPG has been issued as well. A previous tender for 20,000t of LPG was awarded at mid-teen $/t premiums to fob Lavera west Mediterranean prices. Before Assad was toppled, Syria relied heavily on Iran for its oil supplies, as international sanctions imposed in the wake of the 2011 civil war left the country critically short of feedstock for its refineries. Iran's crude exports to Syria averaged around 55,000 b/d in January-November 2024 and around 80,000 b/d in 2023, according to trade analytics firm Kpler. Iran was also sending around 10,000-20,000 b/d of oil products to Syria in recent years, according to consultancy FGE. But Tehran has halted crude deliveries to Syria since the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control last month , leaving the new transitional government under pressure to find alternative suppliers. Government-to-government deals are a potential option. "Recent political developments have indicated that Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey could play a role in solving Syria's crude and refined products shortage," FGE analyst Palash Jain said. Saudi Arabia is willing to help for a limited period, but discussions remain in a preliminary phase and are light on details, a source with knowledge of the matter told Argus . Riyadh is waiting to hear more from the Syrians on their energy needs and requirements, the source added. The latest tenders come just two weeks after the US waived sanctions that had previously prohibited energy trade with Syria. The waiver, issued on 6 January, is valid until 7 July. By Rithika Krishna and Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
S Australia gets OK to use diesel generators for backup
S Australia gets OK to use diesel generators for backup
Adelaide, 24 January (Argus) — Australian federal energy regulator has approved a South Australian (SA) state government bid to temporarily change regulations, ordering two diesel-fired generators in the state to remain available for back-up electricity supply. French utility Engie last year said it would mothball the 63MW Snuggery and 75MW Port Lincoln generators. The SA's Labor energy minister opposed this, and last month wrote to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to request the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) be given powers to direct this capacity into the market if supply is threatened. The rule change will be enforced until 31 March, and will help secure SA's electricity supply this summer, the AEMC said on 23 January. SA could face load-shedding during cases of reliability shortfalls, especially during extreme weather, without sufficient backup reserves. No objections were received during the fast-tracked process, the AEMC said. SA is highly dependent on renewable power such as solar and wind, especially after closing its last coal plants in the last decade. Its sole connection to the national electricity market is via links to Victoria state. The 800MW EnergyConnect electricity transmission link to New South Wales is still under construction and has been delayed until July 2027, from an original guidance of 2023. About 72pc of SA's power consumption was from renewable sources last year, with gas contributing 24pc and imports from Victoria making up 10pc, leaving the state vulnerable to outages if this connection is damaged. But backup generators are costly to maintain as cheap renewable energy floods the grid, leaving governments stuck between subsidising fossil-fuelled plants or facing politically and economically damaging interruptions to supply. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
HVO output supports rising Spanish UCO, Pome imports
HVO output supports rising Spanish UCO, Pome imports
Barcelona, 22 January (Argus) — Spanish imports of palm oil mill effluent (Pome) and used cooking oil (UCO) rose on the year in November, supported by EU tariffs on Chinese biodiesel (Ucome) and increased domestic production of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). According to customs data Spain imported 720,000t of UCO in January-November, higher by 50pc on the year. Imports in November were over 55,000t, down from 90,000t on the month but up by 24pc compared with November 2023. UCO imports have been supported as domestic producers reported good margins in October-November, but also as EU tariffs have sharply cut imports of Chinese Ucome. In addition a rising volume of UCO cargoes have been headed to Cartagena, where integrated oil firm Repsol started up a 250,000 t/yr HVO unit in the first half of 2024. The Spanish customs office issues more detailed data around a month after its import-export figures. This shows 125,000t of UCO unloaded at Cartagena in January-October, up sharply from 35,000t a year earlier. According to Kpler data cargoes of UCO have continued to arrive from China and Malaysia this year at a good pace. This includes at least 15,000t delivered to Cartagena, 25,000t delivered to Huelva and 35,000t to Ferrol, where biodiesel producer Musim Mas has a 300,000 t/yr unit. Spain's Pome imports under the CN code 15220099 are also up, by 17pc on the year to nearly 280,000t in January-November. Imports were particularly strong in February-August, weakening slightly after that. November imports of 20,000t were up from 15,000t on the month, but down by 24pc on the year. Most of these imports head to Huelva's Decal terminal, for domestic distribution. Imports of palm fatty acid distillates (Pfad) were 140,000t, up by 2.9pc on the year, but imports of palm oil are now particularly low. Industrial palm oil imports were 1,500t in November, down from 40,000t on the year and a multi-year low (see chart) . Imports of industrial palm oil were 295,000t in the first 11 months of last year, under half the 660,000t in January-November 2023. By Adam Porter Spain biofuels feedstock imports 000t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Sharp increase in Italian Pome imports continue
Sharp increase in Italian Pome imports continue
Barcelona, 20 January (Argus) — An increase in Italian imports of palm oil mill effluent (Pome) continued in November, according to customs data. The rise came ahead of any impact from Indonesia's decision to suspend export permits for Pome and used cooking oil (UCO). Italian Pome imports under the 15220099 import code rose to 205,000t in January-November from 65,000t on the year. There is some lack of clarity on whether imports have increased or suppliers have improved adherence to import codes. November imports more than doubled on the year to over 12,000t (see chart) . According to Kpler data, cargoes of Pome — from Indonesia and Malaysia — continued to arrive in December and January at Italian ports that are home to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production. Italian HVO output was reduced in the second half of the year by margins described as the worst on record . This appears to have encouraged Eni and other regional producers to undertake some planned works and trim throughput. Kpler data show five seaborne cargoes totalling 30,000t leaving integrated Eni's 650,000 t/yr Gela HVO unit in October-December. This compares with around 90,000t shipped in the second quarter, 85,000t in the second and 70,000t in the first. Italian imports of palm oil continued to fall, with 915,000t imported in January-November, down by 16pc on the year, and the lowest in eight years. Industrial-use palm oil fell by 30pc year on year to 510,000t. Given previous Argus tracking, Kpler, shipping and port data it is highly likely that part of this decline in industrial palm oil is actually the correct coding of Pome. While Pome imports increased, deliveries of fatty acid distillates (Pfad) were lower by 24pc on the year to just under 510,000t in January-November. Some mislabelling of Pome as Pfad may also occur. Italian imports of UCO fell to 55,000t in the first 11 months of last year from 80,000t on the year. There may also be some mislabelling in this market. With Italy using significant volumes of Pome in biofuels production there may be some uncertainty over the impact of recent proposed changes in export permit allowances by Indonesia. This could support alternative feedstock procurement. Eni said previously it was aiming for 100,000t of alternative feedstock supply from its own initiatives last year. Italy's total castor oil imports were 20,000t in January-November of which 6,500t came from Eni's cultivation in Kenya. None arrived in November. Cottonseed oils from Kenya were lower at 5,000t in January-November, with no arrivals since August. Eni has said it plans alternative feedstock cultivation in several other African, Asia-Pacific countries and Italy, but production volumes remain opaque. By Adam Porter Italy biofuels feedstock 000t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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