ARA fuel oil stocks grew 9% in December
The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks increased 9% in December compared to November, according to Insights Global data.
Changes in monthly average ARA stocks from November to December:
- Fuel oil stocks up 730,000 bbls to 8.64 million bbls
- Gasoil stocks down 50,000 bbls to 16.73 million bbls
The region imported 161,000 b/d of fuel oil in December, significantly down from 301,000 b/d imported in November, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in an equal ratio in December, compared to a 51/49 ratio in November.
The UK (27% of the total) was the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in December, followed by Poland (17%), Denmark (13%), Germany (11%) and Colombia (9%).
The ARA hub exported 266,000 b/d of fuel oil in December, an increase from 217,000 b/d of fuel oil exported in November. Fuel oil cargoes mostly departed for Brazil (21%), the US (13%), Singapore (10%), Panama (9%) and Spain (8%).
The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - held steady in December. The region imported 238,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel in December, down from 359,000 b/d imported in November, according to Vortexa data.
The US (29%) was the region's top import source of gasoil and diesel oil. Cargoes also arrived from India (15%), Kuwait (11%), and the UK and Qatar (8% each).
By Manjula Nair
Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online
Contact our Experts
With 50+ traders in 12 offices around the world, our team is available 24/7 to support you in your energy procurement needs.