Asia’s high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) spot market narrowed in discounts on Wednesday after a series of deals lifted sentiment, while the contango structure slimmed to just 11 cents for the 380-cst grade for the prompt months.
Singapore 380-cst HSFO cash differential was pegged at a discount wider than $3 a metric ton, up from minus $5.44 per ton a day earlier.
“380 East-West August contract is at 10-year low, with HSFO cracks likely remaining weak as refineries still are running at max in the prompt to make diesel,” Sparta Commodities’ analyst June Goh said in a note.
OTHER NEWS
– China’s naphtha imports will hit record levels this year as new plants and caution over U.S. propane and ethane purchases will drive demand and support refiners’ margins for the petrochemical feedstock, analysts and traders said.
– Repairs were continuing on Tuesday to a diesel-producing hydrocracker at Marathon Petroleum’s 631,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas, said people familiar with plant operations.
– Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, as signs of stronger Chinese crude consumption were outweighed by investor caution about the wider economic impact from U.S. tariffs.
WINDOW TRADES
– 180-cst HSFO: One trade
– 380-cst HSFO: Two trades
– 0.5% VLSFO: Two trades
Source: Reuters