The Daily MABUX Bunker Index

Crude oil prices appear to have stabilised today while there are reports that Russia has already taken a US$40 billion hit on crude sales while Saudi Arabia continues to ramp up production in a market where demand is falling rapidly.

Collapsing crude prices have been met with substantial falls in the price of bunker fuel in all regions and for virtually all fuel types, with ships’ bunkers still playing catch-up with the price of crude.

Only the North American region has the price spread between...

https://container-news.com/mabux-bunker-index-19-march/

Oil prices have fallen into the high US$20/bbl range, around US$220/tonne, and in some regions the spread has increased, mainly because the price of 380 HFO has fallen faster than VLSFO. A very unexpected turn of events.

The main talking point, however, is the collapse in demand in some regions for manufactured goods and the consequent fall in demand for containerised shipping services.

Surprisingly, that may not mean that there will be further price deterioration in the bunker price, with some...

https://container-news.com/mabux-bunker-index-17-march/

The price differential between VLSFO and 380 HFO in Northern European harbours is just US$80/tonne now with the major bunkering port in Rotterdam a little higher at US$93/tonne difference.

In southern Europe the average spread is at US$81/tonne with Gibraltar offering VLSFO at US$330/tonne, a mere US$37 above the 380 HFO price. Other ports, such as Busan are offering 380 HFO at US$297 and VLSFO at US$350/tonne. In Fujairah thespread has been maintained at US$130/tonne largely due to the decline...

https://container-news.com/mabux-daily-bunker-index-12-march/

A war of words is fuelling the collapse of crude oil prices which is pushing bunker prices to ever lower levels.

The Financial Times reports today that Saudi Arabia will maximise its output, to around 12.3 million barrels per day in April, higher than “Saudi Arabia’s maximum sustained production capacity, suggesting that the kingdom will take barrels from storage to flood the market rapidly.”

Saudi Arabia’s decision to ramp up production as demand collapses due to the Coronavirus and other global...

https://container-news.com/mabux-daily-bunker-index-10-march/

Fuel testing facility Viswa Lab has issued a white paper concerning the testing and use of VLSFO blended fuels since the beginning of this year when the IMO 2020 regulation was introduced.

The lab has analysed thousands of fuel samples from all over the world and says that the blending has caused stability and compatibility problems for crew on board ships.

The list of issues caused include cold flow properties, high acid numbers, poor ignition and combustion properties, high cat fine content,...

https://container-news.com/daily-mabux-bunker-index-6-march/

Fears over the availability of VLSFO, voiced loudly prior to the introduction of the IMO 2020, appear to have evaporated after just two months, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reporting few incidents of non-availability.

Ship masters who are unable to load IMO 2020 compliant fuel are required to submit a FONAR, fuel oil non-availability reports, when they are forced to load non-compliant fuel. Since the beginning of the year, when the sulphur cap was introduced, the IMO has...

https://container-news.com/the-daily-mabux-bunker-index-4-march/