EMEA News
More ARA Region Loading Delays Reported
Further loading delays were reported in the ARA region last week, with traders telling Platts there was a shortage of high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) in Rotterdam.
"It's insane...just spent the last four days waiting at ETT [Eurotank Terminal Rotterdam]," a market source said earlier in the week.
The problems persisted throughout the week, with a source saying Friday that terminals were still congested and loadings were "still a nightmare."
"We have to wait five to six days for loadings."
The HSFO shortage was said to have been caused by a buying spree in August and September, when there were also reduced deliveries from Russia.
About 40 barges were reported to have been waiting to load at the port.
The shortage was also said to have been responsible for a narrowing of the low sulfur premiums at the port.
Ship & Bunker data on Friday showed IFO380 had risen to $599.50 per metric tonne (pmt), while LS380 was priced at $608.50 pmt for a premium of $9.00 pmt, down from $13.50 pmt the previous Friday.
Prompt HSFO bunker deliveries were postponed until the weekend, while some barges were redirected to Antwerp where more bunker fuel was available for loading, sources said.
Amid reports of previous loading delays in region, Aegean NWE Managing Director Tony Vertommen said earlier last week he thought the ARA market could end up with no bunker suppliers, and instead be just dominated by traders.
