Platts to amend volumes for US Atlantic Coast bunkers assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, will amend the ex-wharf and delivered volumes assessed for several North American Atlantic Coast bunkers markets for marine fuel 0.5%S and IFO 380 and will establish a minimum and maximum volume for marine gasoil in those ports, effective May 1.

Platts currently assesses bunkers in New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, Norfolk, Savannah and Charleston on North Americas Atlantic Coast. The changes will apply to all ports except for Montreal, which will have unique changes separately implemented -- the subscriber note for those changes can be found here.

Platts will change the volume range for marine fuel 0.5%S and IFO 380 to 500 mt to 1,000 mt on both ex-wharf and delivered basis. The current range is 250 mt to 1,000 mt on an ex-wharf basis and 250 mt to 500 mt on a delivered basis.

Platts understands that bunkers prices can vary on an ex-wharf basis by volume, and the narrower volume ranges will reflect a significant proportion of trading activity while providing more precise assessments. Platts also understands that most trades on an ex-wharf basis are ultimately performed on a delivered basis, so aligning the volumes across both will reflect the market structure.

The new volumes are based on an analysis of Platts heards and feedback from the market. For volumes outside this range, Platts will survey the market to determine the price spread back to volumes between 500 mt and 1,000 mt.

Platts also will establish a minimum and maximum range for MGO in these ports of 100 mt to 400 mt on both an ex-wharf and delivered basis.

Platts understands that MGO volumes within this range are typically traded and delivered in combination with another product, and the assessment will reflect value for these combination deals. Currently, Platts reflects a typical size of 150 mt ex-wharf and a typical size of 75 mt delivered.

Platts will also amend the volumes for Atlantic Coast bunker fuel instruments on the eWindow platform effective May 1.

Please send all questions and comments to americasbunkers@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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.