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Singapore's middle extracts stocks struck highest in 2-1/2 years as exports dip

Singapore's middle distillates stockpiles surged by 8% week on week to strike a fresh high because September 2021 as net exports of both diesel/gasoil and jet fuel/kerosene slipped by 98% and 26%, respectively, official data showed on Thursday.

Inventories of gasoil/diesel and jet fuel/kerosene at key oil storage center Singapore were at 10.787 million barrels, compared to 9.99 million barrels a week ago, the information from Business Singapore showed.

The large dip in net exports of diesel/gasoil was associated to a more than 38% gain in total imports week-on-week, with import arrivals from South Korea and China being the essential motorist.

This was mainly in line with earlier trader expectations that these cargoes would land in Singapore in the near term, provided the unpredictable east-west arbitrage window and much better seller profitability regionally in Asia.

Imports from South Korea were up until now at their greatest level in 2024, the data revealed.

March-loading cargoes were slated to get for a third straight month, Kpler and LSEG shiptracking data revealed.

This indicates that near-term price pressures in Asia will stay, some analysts say.

With the South Korean arbitrage now more favourable than those from the Middle East into Singapore, helped by their lowered FOB (complimentary on board) premia, March Singapore diesel spreads have weakened significantly, and are not far from a. contango structure, Sparta Commodities analyst James. Noel-Beswick stated.

A contango price structure, where prompt costs are. trading lower than forward month rates, usually encourages. traders to hang on to their stockpiles as there is increased. profitability selling forward cargoes rather.

Diesel/gasoil freights from the Middle East,. mainly the United Arab Emirates, and India were also widespread. in overall imports for the week.

Overall exports of diesel/gasoil fell by around 4% as volumes. to local locations all slowed, especially to Indonesia and. Australia.

Exports to Vietnam resurfaced provided the prompt demand there. just recently.

On the jet fuel/kerosene front, exports from China were. evident, adding to the drop in overall net exports.

There are still some indications of China-origin cargoes. continuing well into April, given that some China majors have. already kicked off area sales this week, one refinery source. stated.