SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts proposes to launch USGC Aframax lightering assessment

S&P Global Platts proposes to launch a US Gulf Coast Aframax full-service daily lightering assessment, effective June 3, 2019, amid an increasing volume of US crude exports since the lifting of the US crude export ban in December 2015.

The new assessment would reflect reverse lightering activity offshore US Gulf Coast ports such as Corpus Christi, Houston and Texas City, for loading seven to 10 days forward, onto larger-than-Aframax size tankers.

In the absence of spot market information, Platts would assess the rate based on related factors such as intraregional freight rates, in-chartering values, port and terminal fees, and bunker cost. The assessment would be published daily on a lump-sum basis in US dollars.

Please send all comments or questions by April 30, 2019, to shipping@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 to the public upon request.