Platts discontinues USAC, USGC 0.1% ultra low sulfur bunker assessments

S&P Global Platts has discontinued the Houston and New York ultra low sulfur 0.1% ex-wharf bunkers assessments with effect from April 1, 2020.

Platts proposed to discontinue these assessments on January 6 and announced the discontinuation of these assessments on February 3.

The assessments were originally launched in line with the expected emergence of an ultra low sulfur residual bunkers market following the 2015 regulatory limit on sulfur content to 0.1% for marine fuel in ships within 200 miles of shore in the North American Emissions Control Area.

However, as this market has evolved, it has become clear that shipowners have preferred to consume 0.1% marine gasoil compliant fuel in ECA zones, and market feedback is that residual blends of 0.1% ultra low sulfur bunkers in these locations are illiquid and uncommon.

These assessments were published in Bunkerwire and Bunkerwire Monthly, on pages 862 and 863 of Platts Global Alert, and pages 2220 and 2221 of Platts Shipping Alert. In Bunkerwire and Bunkerwire Monthly they appear under the table titled US and Canada, Ex-wharf, LS 0.1% Bunker.

The codes for the ports are:

Bunker Fuel Low Sulfur 0.1%S Ex-Wharf New York: AANBF00

Bunker Fuel Low Sulfur 0.1%S Ex-Wharf Houston: AATBF00

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