Following on from our earlier Integr8 notes on developments in bunker prices, oil prices and the supply/demand fundamentals behind the oil industry, here we give an update on bunker pricing and some of the possible next moves in the market.

Prior to IMO 2020 there was a lot of conjecture mingled with a fair spattering of trepidation as to the perceived level of quality issues we would see with many stakeholders suggesting significant problems were on the horizon using analogies of our old foe 1% Sulphur LSFO and the relatively recent Houston problem among others.

There has been a lot of peering into the rear-view mirror in recent months as to IMO 2020 but what has remained constant has been the continuing spectre of Bunker Delivery Notes being found to be inaccurate or non-compliant.

In this article we will address the main issues we have found in our trading experience, the key implications and, of course, some advice on how to prevent this from affecting our bunker procurement.

This year so far has been full of events which have affected many global markets, including the bunker market. While the spread of Covid-19 reduced crude oil demand, the production cuts changed not only the supply of crude oil but also its composition.