Platts proposes to launch additional North, South America Marine Fuel 0.5% bunkers assessments

S&P Global Platts proposes launching new daily price assessments for IMO-compliant Marine Fuel 0.5% bunkers on delivered and ex-wharf basis at several ports in the Americas, from April 20, 2020.

Platts proposes to publish Marine Fuel 0.5% bunker fuel price assessments on both an ex-wharf and delivered basis in Montreal and San Francisco and on a delivered basis in Callao, Guayaquil, La Libertad and Montevideo.

Platts' assessments in San Francisco would be 3-10 days forward, with the ex-wharf assessment reflecting volumes from 500 to 1,500 mt, and the delivered assessment for 250-750 mt. The Montreal assessments would be for 3-10 days forward, with the ex-wharf assessment reflecting volumes from 250 to 1,000 mt and the delivered assessment 250 to 500 mt.

The Callao, Guayaquil, La Libertad and Montevideo delivered assessments would be 3-7 days forward, reflecting volumes from 250 to 1,500 mt.

Platts understands that residual marine grade fuels with a viscosity of at least 30 CST are currently considered broadly deliverable. Platts does not reflect Marine Fuel 0.5% sulfur barges in its assessment process where the fuel is demonstrably not acceptable or broadly deliverable to bunker buyers, as outlined in the following clarification note, published January 17:

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/011720-merchantability-of-low-viscosity-marine-fuel-05s-cargoes-in-platts-moc

Platts will continue to review the publication of high sulfur bunker fuel assessments at locations where they currently exist.

In line with Platts' existing Marine Fuel 0.5% bunker and cargo assessments, the new IMO-compliant bunker fuel assessments will reflect specifications for RMG fuels as defined by the International Organization for Standardization in document ISO 8217:2010 Petroleum products -- Fuels (class F) -- Specifications of marine fuels, but with a maximum sulfur limit of 0.5%.

Please send all questions and comments to oilgroup@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by March 18, 2020.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.