Cargo Flows

Global base oils - week of May 22: Cargo flows

Iain Pocock

·        Singapore takes delivery last week of unusually large cargo from Hong Kong – which is a key outlet for supplies from Qatar.

·        Singapore’s weekly exports to China rise last week to highest in a month.

·        Pause in shipments from Europe to Singapore extends into third month following surge in supplies at end-2022/early 2023.

·        Taiwan’s base oils exports rise in first three weeks of May vs April levels, stay lower than March levels.

·        Most of Taiwan’s May exports consist of light grades.

·        April-loading cargo from South Korea set to reach Saudi Arabia in early June.

·        Cargo of Group III base oils from UAE set to reach China later this week.

·        Cargo of Group III base oils from UAE set to reach Europe later this week.

·        Cargo of Group III base oils from Bahrain reaches Europe at start of this week.

·        Cargo of Group III base oils from Malaysia set to reach Europe later this week.

·        Cargo loads from Spain in past week, likely of very light grades, likely bound for India.

·        Another cargo set to reach Nigeria this week after loading from northwest Europe in early May.

·        Cargo adds to wave of Nigeria-bound shipments from US, Russia and Europe earlier this month.

·        Cargo from Asia-Pacific set to reach Nigeria this week, after originally being scheduled to arrive in late April.

Turkey’s July base oils exports rise

China’s Aug base oils output edges up

Pakistan July base oil supply holds firm

Indonesia’s July base oils imports rise

Asia’s lube demand set to slow in Q4