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Sri Lanka may reduce oil product imports in 2021

  • : Oil products
  • 21/02/09

Sri Lanka's state-controlled refiner Ceypetco may reduce its oil product import volumes in 2021 because of an expected reduction in jet fuel and fuel oil demand.

Ceypetco expects to import lower volumes across the barrel, except for diesel, compared with 2020, according to its procurement plan for 2021. The import requirements are calculated using projected demand minus forecast refinery production volumes.

Its jet fuel imports are expected to fall the most among oil products, with projected domestic demand dropping by 25pc from 2020 to 12,405 b/d in 2021. Fuel oil imports are also expected to fall on lower demand, which is forecast to decline by 17pc on the year to 14,800 b/d in 2021. Gasoil is expected to buck the trend with an estimated increase in imports of the 10ppm gasoil and 500ppm gasoil grades.

Dubai's Enoc and Swiss Singapore will supply 12,200 b/d of 10ppm and 500ppm gasoil this year, while trading firms E3 and BB Energy will supply around 10,500 b/d of 92R and 95R gasoline, Ceypetco said. The rest of its requirements will be fulfilled through term and spot tenders.

Sri Lanka's oil product import requirements for 2021'000 b/d
Product20212020±%
92R gasoline24.426.7-8.0
95R gasoline4.13.614.0
10ppm gasoil1.71.63.0
500ppm gasoil31.830.64.0
Jet fuel5.99.3-36.0
Fuel oil7.18.7-19.0

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24/07/19

Trump vows to target 'green' spending, EV rules

Trump vows to target 'green' spending, EV rules

Washington, 19 July (Argus) — Former president Donald Trump promised to redirect US green energy spending to other projects, throw out electric vehicle (EV) rules and increase drilling, in a speech Thursday night formally accepting the Republican presidential nomination. Trump's acceptance speech, delivered at the Republican National Convention, offered the clearest hints yet at his potential plans for dismantling the Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Without explicitly naming the two laws, Trump said he would claw back unspent funds for the "Green New Scam," a shorthand he has used in the past to criticize spending on wind, solar, EVs, energy infrastructure and climate resilience. "All of the trillions of dollars that are sitting there not yet spent, we will redirect that money for important projects like roads, bridges, dams, and we will not allow it to be spent on the meaningless Green New Scam ideas," Trump said during the final night of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump and his campaign have yet to clearly detail their plans for the two laws, which collectively provide hundreds of billions of dollars worth of federal tax credits and direct spending for renewable energy, EVs, clean hydrogen, carbon capture, sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, nuclear and advanced manufacturing. Repealing those programs outright could be politically difficult because a majority of spending from the two laws have flowed to districts represented by Republican lawmakers. The speech was Trump's first public remarks since he was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt on 13 July. Trump used the shooting to call for the country to unite, but he repeatedly slipped back into the divisive rhetoric of his campaign and his grievances against President Joe Biden, who he claimed was the worst president in US history. Trump vowed to "end the electric vehicle mandate" on the first day of his administration, in an apparent reference to tailpipe rules that are expected to result in about 54pc of new cars and trucks sales being battery-only EVs by model year 2032. Trump also said that unless automakers put their manufacturing facilities in the US, he would put tariffs of 100-200pc on imported vehicles. To tackle inflation, Trump said he would bring down interest rates, which are controlled by the US Federal Reserve, an agency that historically acts independently from the White House. Trump also said he would bring down prices for energy through a policy of "drill, baby, drill" and cutting regulations. Trump also vowed to pursue tax cuts, tariffs and the "largest deportation in history," all of which independent economists say would add to inflation. The Republican convention unfolded as Biden, who is isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, faces a growing chorus of top Democratic lawmakers pressuring him to drop out of the presidential race. Democrats plan to select their presidential nominee during an early virtual roll-call vote or at the Democratic National Convention on 19-22 August. By Chris Knigh t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Q&A: Aviation may pull feeds away from marine: BV


24/07/19
24/07/19

Q&A: Aviation may pull feeds away from marine: BV

London, 19 July (Argus) — Biofuel feedstocks could be routed away from marine fuels to meet demand from the aviation sector if the latter is willing to pay higher prices associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Bureau Veritas (BV) Marine & Offshore's global market leader for sustainable shipping Julien Boulland told Argus. Edited highlights follow: Marine biodiesel has been the largest alternative fuel uptake, with over 1mn t sold in Rotterdam and Singapore last year. But with Argus assessments showing premiums above $225/t to VLSFO dob ARA, how do you see marine biodiesel demand in the medium- to long-term? Shipowners and ship operators have to run an individual cost-analysis on whether the premiums could be offset by potential savings under EU emissions trading system (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime regulations, as well as any future regulations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) economic pricing mechanism . 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But this will also have a geographic impact on demand, as larger container liner companies usually utilise the east-west route and they might prefer to opt for bunkering the marine biodiesel blend in Singapore due to lower prices. What are the risks associated with bunkering marine biodiesel in relation to conventional ship engines? How significant is the recent FOBAS report that implied a correlation between the use of "unidentified" biofuels and engine pump injector damage? We have supported our shipowner clients in numerous pilots to trial biofuels such as fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in variable blends. Overall, these trials have gone smoothly, but we have learned a few things along the way. Firstly, engines do not need to be modified, but since biofuels have slightly different physical properties, it is necessary to find the right engine adjustments. 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IMO has assigned a working group of technical experts to look at this mechanism from an apolitical perspective. In terms of potential regulatory conflicts , we have the example of the Netherlands, where the Dutch emission authority requires the delivery of Proof of Sustainability (PoS) certificates for applying to the scheme of Dutch renewable tickets (HBE-G) which can be traded, but this PoS cannot be used for other purposes, such as the EU ETS. To circumvent this hiccup, we may see the development of new digital certificates, such as an accompanying ISCC-certified Proof of Compliance (PoC). By Hussein Al-Khalisy Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Weather sparks uncertainty for Vietnam’s bitumen demand


24/07/19
24/07/19

Weather sparks uncertainty for Vietnam’s bitumen demand

Mumbai, 19 July (Argus) — Expectations of Vietnam's bitumen consumption in July-August are mixed, given an easing in the monsoon season in some regions but an upcoming typhoon season in other parts. The mixed expectations will likely keep importers uncertain about future seaborne purchases. Consumption in Vietnam has been lower than normal in the last quarter because of unfavourable weather, political uncertainties, a lack of new paving projects and delays in disbursement of project funds, according to market participants. The lower consumption kept inventories higher and weighed on demand for spot seaborne volumes, with many importers only focused on taking delivery of their term contract shipments. Some importers in Vietnam are cautious and did not report consumption rising noticeably as weather in the key consuming south and central regions continues to be wet and not suitable for road paving, while the country is also set to experience typhoons next month. Consumption will stay low until September because the typhoon season starts next month, and the first region to get hit is the north before moving towards the south, a key importer told Argus . It is raining in the south and central regions, according to the importer. "The north is alright now but there is no good pick up [in consumption]," the importer said, adding that imported cargo inventories in the region are still notably higher. This is in contrast to expectations from other Vietnamese importers and some Asian traders, which said that consumption and demand for seaborne bitumen are expected to be higher in July and August as compared to previous months this year, given favourable weather in north Vietnam and more enquiries for Singapore cargoes, to restock in August. Consumption in the south and central regions are stable-to-weak, but overall demand in July and August are set to pick up as some new road projects are in the pipeline, a market participant said. Inventories are falling in some parts of the region and there is a need to replenish stocks now, while the domestic selling price is also expected to increase, participants said. "Demand in Haiphong and north Vietnam is good, and we are able to sell more than last month," another importer told Argus . "If the weather continues to be good, then demand will improve further in the coming weeks and that can increase import appetite." Vietnam is a net importer and typically secures most of its seaborne volumes from Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and China. Vietnam imported 1.04mn t of bitumen in 2023, up by 20pc from 866,000t imported in 2022, according to GTT data. Singapore cargoes accounted for about 32pc of Vietnam's total imports last year, while Thailand, Taiwan, and China together accounted for about 35pc of the total imports, the data showed. This compared to a 33pc and 40pc share, respectively, in 2022. Middle East penetration Some importers are worried that domestic prices are unlikely to rise in the near term, because of increased availability of relatively cheaper Middle East-origin cargoes in the region. They noted that this would cut domestic appetite for Asian cargoes and would in turn weigh on imports. Vietnam imported about 252,000t of bitumen from the Middle East in 2023, accounting for about 24pc of the total imports, show GTT data. This compared to 135,000t imported in 2022, which accounted for about 16pc of the total imports. Imports from the Middle East totalled 156,000t over January-May, nearly tripling from 55,000t imported during the same period last year. The region's imports from Singapore during the five-month period this year totalled 135,000t, down from 150,000t a year earlier. Imports from the Middle East increased as the inter-regional price arbitrage with Singapore was wide open. The Argus assessed ABX 1 fob Singapore prices averaged $421.50/t for the week of 12 July, while fob Iran bulk prices averaged $294.50/t for that week. Vietnam importers noted that Middle East-origin bulk cargoes were priced at low-$400s/t on a cfr basis, which was still lower than prevailing fob Singapore levels during the period. By Sathya Narayanan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil's flood-hit airport to resume flights in Oct


24/07/18
24/07/18

Brazil's flood-hit airport to resume flights in Oct

Sao Paulo, 18 July (Argus) — The Salgado Filho international airport in Porto Alegre, in flood-hit Rio Grande do Sul state, will begin receiving some flights in October, Brazil's port and airport ministry said. The airport, which is managed by Germany's Fraport, will initially receive roughly 50 flights/d, with the goal of resuming full capacity by year-end. Prior to the floods, the airport had forecast that it would have 5,404 domestic and international flights (180 flights/d) and transport over 608,000 passengers in April. But it was forced to shut in late April after the record floods that hit the state. The economy of Rio Grande do Sul state contracted by 9pc in May from the previous month, according to preliminary estimates by Brazil's central bank. The floods have left at least 182 dead and nearly 600,000 people displaced, according to the state's civil defense. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Port Klang completes first B24 biofuels bunkering


24/07/17
24/07/17

Port Klang completes first B24 biofuels bunkering

Singapore, 17 July (Argus) — Marine fuel logistics firm Banle Energy has completed two B24 biofuel bunkering services at Port Klang, Malaysia, for Taiwan's containership firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, on 28 June and 10 July. This is the inaugural biofuels bunkering for Malaysia's largest port, and the bunkering was done in partnership with local suppliers Green Marine Supply and Armada Meridian. The B24 biodiesel blend was made from 76pc traditional marine fuel and 24pc used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome), with Banle Energy estimating a 20pc cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with bunkering conventional fuels. Further details on the fuel type or amount bunkered was not available. The maritime sector continues to push for decarbonisation ahead of the International Maritime Organisation's 2050 net zero GHG emissions from ships. Yang Ming had bunkered B30 high-sulphur fuel oil in Busan on 26 June. Container throughput in Port Klang has remained firm, with about 14.1mn twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) handled in 2023 and almost 3.46mn TEU handled in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from Port Klang Authority. By Cassia Teo Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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