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Dutch FincoEnergies supplies B100 biodiesel to HAL

  • : Biofuels, Oil products
  • 24/05/03

Dutch supplier FincoEnergies has supplied shipowner Holland America Line (HAL)with B100 marine biodiesel at the port of Rotterdam for a pilot test.

This follows a collaboration between HAL, FincoEnergies' subsidiary GoodFuels, and engine manufacturer Wartsila to trial blends of B30 and B100 marine biodiesel.

HAL's vessel the Rotterdam bunkered with B100 on 27 April before embarking on a journey through the Norwegian heritage fjords to test the use of the biofuel. The vessel will utilise one of its four engines to combust B100, which will reportedly cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 86pc on a well-to-wake basis compared with conventional fossil fuel marine gasoil (MGO), according to GoodFuels. There is no engine or fuel structure modification required for the combustion of B100, confirmed HAL. The B100 marine biodiesel blend comprised of sustainable feedstock such as waste fats and oils.

The firms did not disclose how much B100 was supplied, or whether this is the beginning of a longer-term supply agreement.

Argus assessed the price of B100 advanced fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) 0°C cold filter plugging point dob ARA — a calculated price which includes a deduction of the value of Dutch HBE-G renewable fuel tickets — at an average of $1,177.32/t in April. This is a premium of $410.20/t to MGO dob ARA prices for the same month, which narrows to $321.68/t with the inclusion of EU emissions trading system (ETS) costs for the same time period.


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24/07/05

Lithuanian refinery to halt bitumen output for a month

Lithuanian refinery to halt bitumen output for a month

London, 5 July (Argus) — Bitumen production at Polish firm Orlen's 190,000 b/d Mazeikiai refinery in Lithuania will be halted for around a month from 7 October because of maintenance, according to a source with knowledge of the refinery's operations. It is not clear what impact the work will have on other products. The maintenance had initially been expected to last for just two weeks and cut output of all oil products, including bitumen, by around 50pc. As a key supplier of bitumen to the Baltic and Nordic markets, Orlen is looking to transport around 20,000t of bitumen from its refinery at Plock in Poland via trucks to the Baltics to help make up for the lost supply during the maintenance, the source said, adding that the company is also looking into the possibility of importing bitumen to Klaipeda in Lithuania. Klaipeda is usually used to export bitumen produced at Mazeikiai. The loss of supply will be particularly felt in the Baltic markets as bitumen consumption there typically peaks in October. The Mazeikiai refinery has been an important supplier of bitumen in the region after sanctions against Russia stopped cross-border truck flows into the Baltics last year. Swedish specialty products producer Nynas is set to benefit from the maintenance as it operates a bitumen terminal at Muuga in Estonia. Bitumen production at Mazeikiai reached a 10-year high of 468,400t in 2023 . The maintenance work could prevent the refinery from hitting a new record this year. By Tom Woodlock and Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Hengyuan's Malaysian refinery completes LRCCU repairs


24/07/04
24/07/04

Hengyuan's Malaysian refinery completes LRCCU repairs

Singapore, 4 July (Argus) — China-based independent Hengyuan Refining (HRC) has completed repairs at the long residue catalytic cracking unit (LRCCU) at its Malaysian 156,000 b/d Port Dickson refinery on 30 June. The LRCCU was shut after a leakage at a carbon monoxide boiler on 19 June. It is a gasoline production unit and typically uses residual fuel as a feedstock to produce full-range catalytic cracked gasoline (CCG). Inspection activities for HRC's hydrogen manufacturing unit and Euro4Mogas facilities were also complete. The refinery has restarted the units and is "recovering to its normal operational level", said HRC. The LRCCU issue had prompted HRC to offer rare and prompt straight-run fuel oil cargoes, and buy gasoline cargoes for June and July loading. The Port Dickson refinery houses two crude distillation units, a LRCCU, two naphtha treaters, a merox plan, two reformers and a gasoil treatment plant. Approximately 85pc of its oil products are sold domestically in Malaysia. By Aldric Chew Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water


24/07/03
24/07/03

Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water

Houston, 3 July (Argus) — High water levels on the upper Mississippi River have caused several lock closures and spurred delays for barge carriers. Lock and Dams (L&D) 12, 16 and 17 on the upper Mississippi River closed 2 July and are expected to remain closed through the rest of this week and possibly into the next, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Locks 11, 13, 18 and 20 are expected to close on 4 July. The Corps will likely close locks 14 and 22 on 5 July, while lock 15 is expected to close 6 July. The Corps said the duration of the July 4-5 closures is unclear. Another 2-5 inches of rain fell along the western Corn Belt in the past week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. High river conditions led to major flood status at Dubuque, Iowa, while other locations along the river are at moderate flooding levels. Water levels are 4-5ft below record highs on the upper Mississippi River. The outdraft at lock and dam 16 was at 211,444 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Tuesday, compared with typical flow of 41,100cfs. Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line anticipates 7-10 days of disruption followed by a 2-3 week catch-up. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US services contract in June, signal broad weakening


24/07/03
24/07/03

US services contract in June, signal broad weakening

Houston, 3 July (Argus) — Economic activity in the US services sector contracted in June by the most since 2020 while a report earlier this week showed contraction in manufacturing, signaling a broad-based slowdown in the economy as the second quarter came to an end. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services purchasing managers index (PMI) registered 48.8 in June, down from 53.8 in May. Readings above 50 signal expansion, while those below 50 signal contraction for the services economy. The June services PMI "indicates the overall economy is contracting for the first time in 17 months," ISM said. "The decrease in the composite index in June is a result of notably lower business activity, a contraction in new orders for the second time since May 2020 and continued contraction in employment." The business activity/production index fell to 49.6 from 61.2. New orders fell by 6.8 points to 47.3. Employment fell by 1 point to 46.1. Monthly PMI reports can be volatile, but a services PMI above 49 over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. "Survey respondents report that in general, business is flat or lower, and although inflation is easing, some commodities have significantly higher costs," ISM said. The prices index fell by 1.8 points to 56.3, showing slowing but robust price gains. ISM's manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in June from 48.7 in May, ISM reported on 1 July. It was the third consecutive month of contraction and marked a 19th month of contraction in the past 20 months. Wednesday's weaker than expected ISM report, together with a Wednesday report showing initial jobless claims last week rose to their highest in two years, slightly increase the odds that the Federal Reserve may lower its target rate later this year after maintaining it at 23-year highs since last year in an effort to stem inflation. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico economy showing 'timid growth': IMEF


24/07/03
24/07/03

Mexico economy showing 'timid growth': IMEF

Mexico City, 3 July (Argus) — Indicators of Mexico's non-manufacturing and manufacturing sectors suggested the economy recovered "some dynamism" in June, while maintaining the slow pace of growth of the second quarter, according to domestic financial association IMEF. "The trend suggested by the IMEF indicators suggest a moderate growth for the second quarter of the year," IMEF said. "The economy finds itself in an evident pause compared with the solid dynamism observed during 2022 and a large part of 2023." Manufacturing "stagnated" in the second quarter, it said. "It is very probable that economic activity will undergo additional slowdown in the second half of the year that will extend into 2025." IMEF's June manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) increased by 0.4 points to 49.5 points, still beneath the 50-point breakeven that shows contraction. This has been the third consecutive month of contraction. PMI adjusted to compensate for variations in company size was more positive, growing by 0.8 points to 51.2 in June, the group said. Manufacturing accounts for about a fifth of the Mexican economy. The non-manufacturing PMI, which covers the lion's share of the economy, rose by 0.6 points to 51 in June, marking a 29th month of expansion, IMEF said. Adjusted for company size, the headline services PMI rose by 0.9 to 5.18. Economic activity in Mexico continues to surprise downwards. After growth came in at an annual 1.6pc in the first quarter from a year earlier, the first data for April showed a monthly contraction of 0.6pc, IMEF said. Headwinds and tailwinds IMEF representatives highlighted growing market uncertainty following the Mexican election and ahead of the US presidential election in November. On the upside, said IMEF, Mexico should benefit from continued strength in the US economy, adding the incoming administration looks to bring down the current fiscal deficit, which is equal to 5.9pc of GDP. It will not reach the government's 3pc target for the budget coming out in November, but progress is expected with next year's budget and moving forward. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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