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Leading S.Korean refiners contribute to April spot diesel supply in Asia as more offers emerge

Leading South Korean refiners are putting extra spot April supplies in the market following the issuance of more sale tenders after concluding several in the previous week, according to tender files seen and a number of trade sources on Thursday.

Both GS Caltex and SK Energy, a subsidiary of SK Development , provided at least 5 more 10ppm sulphur gasoil cargoes for second-half April loading, after selling at least 11 area cargoes because the start of recently at discount rates of more than $1 a barrel, the sources added.

If successful, the total variety of area cargoes offered by South Korean refiners will likely strike 16, similar to February-loading volumes.

This ready area supply from South Korea might balance out the possible decrease in April China-origin exports to below 1 million metric heaps and place a ceiling on refining margins in the near term, two of the sources stated.

Refining margins for March have actually averaged at $21 a barrel, down from last month's $24.60 a barrel, LSEG prices information showed on Thursday.

The increase in spot offers after a minor healing in refinery runs there after a part of refinery and derivative unit prepared maintenance ends, among the 2 sources said.

GS Caltex is using 2 more 300,000-barrel 10ppm sulphur gasoil freights filling April 23-27 and April 25-29 by means of a sales tender that closes on March 22 with same-day credibility.

Meanwhile, SK Energy is providing three more freights packing April 16-18, 18-20 and 23-25 via an area tender that closes on March 21. The refiner had also sold one April 22-24 loading cargo on March 20, one of the sources added.

There could be a possibility for these cargoes to delivered together in a larger-sized vessel to the West for expense savings, though the locations remain uncertain, among them said.