News Archive Jul 2006

31 Jul Fuel cost exceeds cruise line's forecast
Bunker bill running higher than Royal Caribbean expectations, blamed for profit fall.
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31 Jul Valero expects bunkers to pick up in fourth quarter
Company posting positive second quarter results, with better numbers to come.
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31 Jul Marine environment becomes casualty of war
International effort underway to address environmental disaster after bombed power plant leaks thousands of tonnes of fuel oil.
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31 Jul Scrubbers for bigger engines expected by year-end
Krystallon scrubbers geared to fit European ferry sector targeted by upcoming EU sulphur directive, as well as SECA needs.
In Full
31 Jul Rotterdam down sharply on lower crude/barge market
31 Jul K Line lowers profit forecast
Shipowner's mixed fleet expected to improve revenue, but fuel cost is hurting the company's profits.
In Full
31 Jul Hong Kong: Fifteen suppliers on official 'Annex VI' register
Since Annex VI came into force on May 19, 2005, 15 bunker suppliers in Hong Kong have confirmed their compliance with the regulation.
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31 Jul Shipping firm posts 84% drop in Q2 profit
Singapore-listed shipping firm attributes fall in profit to high bunker costs and low freight rates.
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31 Jul Titan seeks to expand delivery capability with new barges
Additional barges will initially be deployed in Titan's existing bunkering markets before expanding to other Asian ports.
In Full
28 Jul July bunker prices creep higher
Crude levels driving US numbers up, but relief may be in sight.
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28 Jul SEACARD needs more bunker suppliers
US defence fuel service wanting to expand to 1500 ports with over 400 vessels.
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28 Jul Krystallon sweetens scrubber deal
Krystallon says rising low-sulphur premiums strengthen the case for scrubbing, but also tempts owners with hedging-linked finance offer.
In Full
28 Jul Office move for Bominflot
28 Jul Bulgarian refinery project expanded
New refinery in the country's northeast plans to include marine fuels in its product line.
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28 Jul South Korea: Demand slips in spite of falling prices
Falling prices over the past week have done little stir buying interest.
In Full
28 Jul ARA market firming further
28 Jul Singapore: Spot demand remains slow amid supply glut
Strong supplies of fuel oil underpin the bunker market, heavy residual stocks near 14 million barrels.
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28 Jul Japan: Bunker supplies to tighten in August
Nippon Oil and other Japanese refiners to supply less bonded bunkers next month.
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27 Jul Future of alleged black market supplier uncertain
Authorities reportedly seizing assets and disbanding smuggling ring.
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27 Jul No spill yet from listing car carrier
Coast Guard reporting fuel tanks secure for Mitsui ship in difficulty off Alaska.
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27 Jul FAMM committed to Greek market despite asset sale
Sale of Greek fuel storage and lubricant blending plant should not affect FAMM's marketing activities.
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27 Jul Aegean affiliate acquires fuel terminal and lube blending plant
Deal could provide Aegean with new bunker storage and marine lubricants blending capacity.
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27 Jul Oiltanking and Stolt-Nielsen finalise Antwerp terminal JV
Stolthaven Terminals BV has acquired a 50% interest in Oiltanking Antwerp N.V.
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27 Jul Rotterdam market firming Thursday morning
27 Jul Singapore: Stocks of residual fuels at record high
Singapore storage tanks are filled to the brim while fuel oil cargoes remain on the water.
In Full
27 Jul Reports: Three Japanese shipping firms to post lower Q2 profit
High bunker costs and slow recovery in container freight rates expected to weigh down on pretax profit.
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27 Jul Heavy fuel oil inflows flood Singapore market
Fuel oil traders rush to clear storage space to accommodate fuel oil cargoes stranded offshore Singapore.
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27 Jul SPC announces higher Q2 profit
Refining margins expected to trend lower in the second half of 2006, company says.
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26 Jul Bunker supplier caught in black market fuel sting
Authorities making eight arrests, leaving future of company uncertain.
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26 Jul US court decision may set pollution precedent
Federal authority upheld for oil spills and industry groups pondering implications for wider ship emissions rules.
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26 Jul SECA driving growth in additives market
Consulting company says new sulphur restrictions driving growth in fuel additives markets and predicts increasing revenues this year.
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26 Jul DOE at a glance: This week's key US inventory figures
26 Jul Quiet barge market in Rotterdam
26 Jul No improvement in number of pirate attacks
Emergence of new risk areas counterbalancing positive developments in old hot-spots.
In Full
26 Jul Hong Kong: Suppliers braced for tight avails
Shortage in avails a possibility over next week; typhoon Kaemi makes landfall in Fujian.
In Full
26 Jul Singapore: Horizon Terminal commits to larger storage capacity
A further 240,000 m³ of tankage to be added in phase 2 of the project.
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25 Jul New barge launched in Colombia
Expanded Buenaventura service now up and running.
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25 Jul US ports extend public comment period for emissions plan
Deadline for comment on ambitious plan to cut emissions from ships and other port activities extended by a month.
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25 Jul Port of LA receives EPA grant to monitor air quality
The busiest container port in the US receives federal grant to support ongoing air quality monitoring programme.
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25 Jul Israel-Lebanon conflict hits Cyprus bunker supply
Extra demand from navy vessels and closure of Israeli resupply port drains availability.
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25 Jul Pipeline terminus and refinery for Fujairah
Tanker calls at Fujairah likely to increase with pipeline and refinery deals signed last week.
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25 Jul Rotterdam market firms Tuesday morning
25 Jul SK Corp posts lower Q2 profit, weaker bunker sales
SK's Q2 profit down 22% despite solid refining performance, bunker segment reporting decline in sales.
In Full
25 Jul Slight slip predicted in OPEC's July output
Supply from Saudi Arabia has yet to rebound after April production cut.
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25 Jul Singapore prices rebound after week-long retreat
Bunker market strong in supplies, crude gains trigger bunker price rebound.
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25 Jul Halifax harbour bunker spill caused by tank corrosion
New facts emerge regarding spill, ship's crew praised for swift action.
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24 Jul Shipping emissions and abatement subject of new studies
Studies of actual shipping emissions and ways to limit them to get part of $5 million funding for Air Pollution Research.
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24 Jul Vopak-Mitsui tank terminal merger scrapped
Mitsui and Vopak have decided not to continue pursuing a previously announced 50/50 joint venture regarding their tank storage activities in North America.
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24 Jul Japan: Bunker prices rise as refiners limit supply
Japanese bunker prices regaining typical premium over Singapore as refiners take action.
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24 Jul Pakistan's biggest supplier to import 380 cst
60-80% of ships visiting Pakistan are looking to bunker 380 cst, says local supplier Faisal Marine Oil Services.
In Full
24 Jul Canada: Bunker fuel leak in Halifax harbour
Clean-up operations managed to contain oil spill that leaked in the harbour on Saturday morning.
In Full
21 Jul Canada: Harbour Authority takes over marine fuel supply
Harbour Authority in British Columbia has reached an agreement with Esso Imperial Oil which ensures continued fuel supply.
In Full
21 Jul Primorsk could gain from refinery interest
Russian oil giant Lukoil could be planning to build a refinery at the Russian port of Primorsk.
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21 Jul Powerless Yukos president abandons ship
Yukos president gives up the fight for embattled oil company as creditors meet to vote on liquidation.
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21 Jul Industry awaits guidelines on borderline sulphur readings
With no known cases of Port State Control checking marine fuel sulphur content, industry still wonders what might happen if there is a borderline test result.
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21 Jul Hong Kong: Bunker demand thrives on falling prices
Hong Kong enjoys recovery in demand after little activity last week.
In Full
21 Jul Quiet Friday morning in Rotterdam market
21 Jul Pakistani firm to build new refinery
Construction of oil refinery expected to be completed by 2009.
In Full
21 Jul Titan confident of improving fundamentals
Fundamentals improving despite downgraded credit ratings. Fall in 2005 earnings due to high bunker costs among others.
In Full
20 Jul Big bunker bucks bother box liners
Container ship alliance bemoans inflexible contracts that make it hard to compensate for soaring fuel costs.
In Full
20 Jul Product drought spreads to Cape Town
South African bunker market malaise widens as ships diverted from Durban suck Cape Town dry.
In Full
20 Jul PRAXIS: Daily bunker market report (Wednesday)
20 Jul ARA market still weak Thursday morning
20 Jul Singapore: Stocks of residual fuels at 18-week high
20 Jul OPEC unsettled by high oil prices
OPEC fears record high oil prices is hurting the world economy.
In Full
20 Jul Japanese refiner reveals August fuel oil export volume
Supplies into Japan's bonded bunker market expected to shrink towards end of July.
In Full
20 Jul Singapore supplier aims for higher bunkering volumes
Two double-hulled barges expected to be operational within this year.
In Full
19 Jul US oil inventories recover
Recovery across the board for US crude oil imports, refining and oil inventory levels.
In Full
19 Jul Kazakhstan eyes Latvian oil terminal
In a bid to diversify potential outlets for increasing Kazakh crude oil production, the Kazakh government has expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Ventspils Nafta.
In Full
19 Jul Founder of global broker outfit dies
Founder of Cockett Marine fuels and author of bunker reference book has passed away.
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19 Jul Bunker fuel leak after shipyard explosion
Following an explosion at a shipyard in Laem Chabang, bunker oil has leaked into surround waters and polluted local beaches.
In Full
19 Jul New bunker barge rates in the Houston area
New barging rates will come into force in the Houston area from August 1.
In Full
19 Jul Rotterdam market softer in line with crude
19 Jul Singapore: Prices drop amid good avails
Bunker traders expect strong demand over the next couple of days.
In Full
19 Jul Singapore supplier completes second debunkering
19 Jul Chemoil advises on new US bunker delivery tax
New fees will apply to all bunker deliveries made in the US following reinstatement of the Oil Spill Liability Tax.
In Full
18 Jul Piraeus: Collision causes bunker spill
Damages caused by collision between two vessels leads to bunker spill from one of them.
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18 Jul Durban suppliers withdraw from spot market
Durban's bunker market hit by product drought half-way through shutdown at country's biggest refinery.
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18 Jul ExxonMobil redefines marine lube service offer
ExxonMobil Marine Lubricants is in the process of redefining the standard offer for its International Marine Lubricants customers.
In Full
18 Jul ARA market opens soft on lower crude prices
18 Jul Vessel sinks off coast of Keelung port
Vessel was carrying 27 tonnes of fuel oil, small spill reported.
In Full
18 Jul OPEC official admits cartel is 'powerless' to lower prices
Oil prices are lifted by Middle East violence, not by shortage of supplies in the market, says OPEC delegate.
In Full
18 Jul Shanghai rolls out second stage trials of fuel oil forwards
The Shanghai Petroleum Exchange has started its second phase of trials for fuel oil forwards trading ahead of offical launch.
In Full
18 Jul Singapore ex-wharf bunker premium hits low
380 cst ex-wharf bunker premium sank to a five-month low on Friday amid mediocre end-user demand.
In Full
17 Jul Sri Lanka bunker port a 'priority project'
Sri Lanka welcomes increased Chinese participation in infrastructure and development projects.
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17 Jul Hope fades for stranded ship
Some oil said to be leaking from Safmarine Agulhas and remaining containers soiled by oily water.
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17 Jul Oil transfer plans prompt litigation threat
Conservationist groups and local council leaders say Forth Ports risks breaking European law if it approves STS transfer operations at Forth.
In Full
17 Jul Hong Kong: BP prepares for trial sales of 500 cst
BP set to join ExxonMobil to effectuate sales of high-viscosity bunker fuel.
In Full
17 Jul Rotterdam holds firm Monday morning
17 Jul Singapore supplier under investigation by corruption bureau
Independent supplier embroiled in on-going investigation handled by the Corrupt Practices investigation Bureau.
In Full
17 Jul Singapore: Three bunker firms on the move
14 Jul DNVPS bemused by e-mail and on-going supplier boycott
DNVPS says 'Whistle Blower' e-mail allegations are false and comments on supplier boycott of the firm.
In Full
14 Jul Petrol Ofisi plans significant investment at Ceyhan
Turkish oil firm seeking permission for refinery, storage and bunkering facilities.
In Full
14 Jul Lintec offers advice on borderline SECA fuels
Lintec reports numerous cases of samples testing slightly above 1.5% sulphur, but advises owners to 'act, not panic'.
In Full
14 Jul Tropical storm passes Taiwan, bunkering largely unaffected
14 Jul Rotterdam market firms Friday morning
14 Jul Singapore's 2006 bunker sales on target for new record
Total bunker sales volumes for the first six months of 2006 show solid gains despite 12% monthly drop in June.
In Full
14 Jul E-mail circulation ''mischievous'', fuel testing firm says
Following an e-mail circulated by a 'Whistle Blower', fuel-testing firm Maritec urges the relevant government agency to take appropriate action.
In Full
14 Jul Vancouver: Barge operator denies spill liability
Contrary to reports, barge operator says oil spill liability lies with bunker buyer.
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14 Jul Fuel testing companies deny 'Whistle Blower' claims
An e-mail distributed to bunker players claims DNVPS is working closely with two other fuel testing agencies in Singapore in bid to get around supplier boycott.
In Full
13 Jul ARA market leaps out of slumber mode
Crude surging to new record combined with Asian arbitrage cargoes and large September contango causes fuel oil values to bounce.
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13 Jul New product to detect potential water contamination
Remote online sensor technology will tell users when water in oil approaches saturation point.
In Full
13 Jul Singapore: Stocks of residual fuels and distillates up
13 Jul Rotterdam market firms Thursday morning
13 Jul ASPO's earnings suffer from bunker cost upsurge
Earnings this year unlikely to match last year's due to higher bunker costs.
In Full
13 Jul Hong Kong: Demand slows, avails good
Local supplier expects tight barging situation throughout the week from July 16 to 21.
In Full
13 Jul Singapore supplier arranges second debunkering
Following the debunkering of the first ship supplied with off-spec bunkers earlier this month, the second debunkering is scheduled for July 17-18.
In Full
13 Jul Oil prices near $75
Concerns over possible supply disruption in the Middle East have triggered a rise in oil prices.
In Full
12 Jul US crude and gasoline stocks decline
DOE report shows sharp crude drop as imports fell, even as refinery use dropped last week.
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12 Jul IEA forecasts stronger oil demand growth
Demand growth set to rise in 2007 and beyond, but new supply should outpace demand next year agency says.
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12 Jul Oil major buys PSA's share in marine fuel depot
Oil major takes full ownership of depot in the port that is also its main focus for LSFO supply in Belgium.
In Full
12 Jul ARA market firms on higher crude
12 Jul Thoresen Thai plans subsidiary unit in Singapore
The company's subsidiary unit would send its ships to Singapore for bunkering.
In Full
12 Jul IMO deadline sparks double-hull barge boom in Hong Kong
Independent suppliers are racing to bring in double-hulled barges ahead of MARPOL Annex I deadline in 2008.
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11 Jul Vancouver narrows price gap
Bunker differential narrowing as US West Coast prices firming.
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11 Jul San Francisco pushes ahead with cold ironing
Authority following in footsteps of other California ports with cruise ship shore power plan.
In Full
11 Jul $South Africa\\\'s East London harbour$ Salvors pleased as oil spill is prevented
Salvage team working on emptying the Safmarine Agulhas of bunkers and cargo doing well.
In Full
11 Jul Marine businesses included in Shell's latest divestment
Shell announced today that it has signed Sale and Purchase agreements for the sale of its downstream sales and marketing businesses is several Pacific islands.
In Full
11 Jul Massive emission reductions projected for LNG-fuelled ship
Oil company awards contract for its third LNG-fuelled ship after first two perform well.
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11 Jul Lukoil in bid to build Turkish refinery
Russian oil giant wants to process crude and build storage terminal on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
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11 Jul Rotterdam bunker market largely steady again
11 Jul Japan: June retroactive bunker price eases from record-high
NYK, Nippon Oil agree to cut retroactive bunker fuel price partly due to abundant supplies.
In Full
11 Jul Singapore bunker fuel prices fall on good avails
Bunker prices are expected to soften throughout this week.
In Full
11 Jul South Korea: Typhoon passes, bunker operations resume
Bunkering operations resumed on Tuesday morning, bunker prices down sharply on good avails.
In Full
10 Jul Public forums on emissions plan
Los Angeles and Long Beach holding public meetings to discuss new clean air measures.
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10 Jul Petrobras market entry sees softer prices
New Uruguay operation launching today, but longer-term market impact unknown.
In Full
10 Jul Lake Charles: Open for bunker business
Barge deliveries resuming as ship restrictions easing and vessel traffic continuing.
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10 Jul Salvors make good progress in bunker, container removal
Bunker and cargo removal from Safmarine Agulhas has made good progress after Friday's weather scare.
In Full
10 Jul Talk grows of triple-digit oil prices
Bullish analysts talk of crude oil trading around $100 by year-end and maybe hitting twice that in 2007.
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10 Jul Clean air plan could bring port operations to standstill
Fears raised over European Commission proposal for Directive on Ambient Air Quality.
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10 Jul Japan bunker fuel prices dip below Singapore
Prices for 180 cst in Tokyo Bay fall below Singapore's prices on surplus of fuel oil supplies.
In Full
10 Jul ARA market holding steady Monday morning
10 Jul Singapore: Underground storage project to open tender soon
Dutch oil storage firm Royal Vopak interested in helping JTC run the underground storage facility.
In Full
10 Jul South Korea: Bunker operations halted as typhoon approaches
Bunker barge operations and berths were closed ahead of the approaching typhoon.
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10 Jul Singapore: Ocean Tankers to invest in new VLCCs
The company will build six VLCCs in support of its oil trading activities.
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07 Jul Legal review of ship fuel rule pending
California's state oversight agency to shortly consider low-sulphur distillate fuel regulation.
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07 Jul Petrobras launches new supply
Brazilian supplier expanding in regional markets with barge and truck supply.
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07 Jul ARA region's LSFO demand falling short of expectations
No shortage of supply in Rotterdam, Antwerp or Zeebrugge as anticipated LSFO demand has yet to materialise.
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07 Jul Race on to remove fuel as ship's condition deteriorates
Salvors fear breakup of stranded container ship as bad weather moves in.
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07 Jul Rotterdam quiet at noon today

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07 Jul Hong Kong supplier builds two new barges
Two new double-hulled barges with heating coils needed to handle high-viscosity fuels due by end-2006.
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07 Jul OPEC oil output hits high in June
Crude production by OPEC rose by 240,000 bpd in June, the highest in seven months.
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06 Jul Bullish prices keep West Coast quiet
After a rush in San Francisco yesterday, suppliers reporting little demand in California today.
In Full
06 Jul California ports and IMO in emissions race
LA and Long Beach putting local measures on the agenda as IMO looking to 2007 for global review.
In Full
06 Jul DOE: US oil inventory moves at a glance
06 Jul New box giant ticks environmental boxes
World's biggest box ship has been assigned Lloyd's Register's Environmental Protection Notation.
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06 Jul ARA market opens firm after crude gains
06 Jul Malacca Straits remains a piracy playground
Pirates attacked two UN-chartered vessels and one Japanese bulk carrier over the past week.
In Full
06 Jul Singapore: Stocks of residual fuels and distillates drop
Onshore stocks of middle distillates fall by nearly three million barrels from week-ago levels.
In Full
06 Jul Singapore spot market slows
Strong crude prices in New York expected to send bunker prices on bullish prospect today.
In Full
05 Jul NYMEX crude posts new record
Markets firming following the long weekend and jittery geopolitical reactions.
In Full
05 Jul Brazil avails remain tight
Petrobras advising limited supplies available, capping a bad week for Brazil.
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05 Jul Broker wins military gasoil contract
US firm nudges out four others for 5-year local supply deal.
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05 Jul Titan eyes new Asian markets with bunker fleet expansion
Titan orders two double-hulled newbuilds with option for a further eight new bunker barges.
In Full
05 Jul Spanish supplier preparing to offer LSFO
Next month's EU requirement for passenger vessels to burn low sulphur fuel expected to boost demand.
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05 Jul Safmarine Agulhas bunker removal well underway
Salvage teams reporting good progress on removing bunkers and cargo in bid to prepare for new refloat attempt.
In Full
05 Jul Terminal reconstruction to be completed in September
Rosneft subsidiary planning reconstruction work at Arkhangelsk in the coming months.
In Full
05 Jul Rotterdam barge market dips below $300
05 Jul Singapore: One debunkering completed
Debunkering has been completed on one out of three ships supplied with high-density bunkers in Singapore last month.
In Full
05 Jul Saudi Arabia endorses oil strategy plan
Oil strategy plan targets the need to gradually raise oil production and increase refining capacity.
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04 Jul Fuel additive blocked from sale
Company planning new test after Green Plus fails to meet particulate matter standards.
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04 Jul PDVSA on holiday Wednesday
National holiday closing offices but staff still available.
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04 Jul Lake Charles poised to resume bunkering
Ship channel reopening to limited ship traffic with a return to full operations predicted shortly.
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04 Jul Bunker derivatives: More trades but fewer lots in June
Imarex reports drop in traded value compared to May.
In Full
04 Jul Container lines to reduce August fuel surcharges
Bunker Adjustment Factor set to drop in August after July peak.
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04 Jul ARA market reported stable Tuesday morning
04 Jul Subic Bay supplier awaits second bunker barge
Bunkering volumes expected to increase in the long-run on completion of a new shipyard.
In Full
04 Jul Japan: Refineries boost supply into bonded bunker market
Despite higher production volumes, local refineries reluctant to export cargoes elsewhere.
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04 Jul Grounded vessel posing pollution threat
A vessel carrying 13 mt of fuel oil remains grounded after running onto a reef at Rotuma in Fiji last month.
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03 Jul US markets take long weekend
Minimal bunker enquires ahead of July 4 holiday and NYMEX closed today and tomorrow.
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03 Jul LA to offer incentives to ships for cold ironing
Port plans 'aggressive rollout' of infrastructure and over 600 cold ironing vessel calls by 2010.
In Full
03 Jul Bunkers & containers coming off stranded vessel
Bunker fuel and cargo removal underway from vessel stranded dangerously close to East London harbour wall.
In Full
03 Jul New employee at O.W. Bunker
03 Jul Rotterdam market firm but slow this morning
03 Jul New Zealand: Highest fine meted out for oil spill
Court meted out the country's highest oil spill fine of NZ$70,000 for offences in Lyttelton Harbour in 2004.
In Full
03 Jul Singapore suppliers welcome NYMEX bunker futures
The exchange, expected to be launched in September, will be the first to offer physically deliverable products in Singapore.
In Full
03 Jul Japan: May marine fuel sales up 15.4% on month