SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts proposes new US clean tanker assessments

Platts proposes to launch two new Clean Medium Range tanker freight rate assessments fir the US Gulf Coast, reflecting newly established supply trends of refined products out of the region in the wake of major changes to refining capacity in the southern US. These new assessments -- US Gulf Coast to Argentina and US Gulf Coast to Brazil -- would reflect strong market interest in these routes for clean Medium Range tankers. The new assessments would reflect modern MR tonnage. Platts proposes to launch the assessments with effect from August 1, 2014. Each assessment would be published on a worldscale basis to reflect how these routes are traded. Platts would also publish a dollars per metric ton value for these routes.

US GULF COAST TO ARGENTINA: This assessment would reflect a 38,000-mt clean MR tanker from the US Gulf Coast to Argentina, and reflect the increased amount of refined products leaving the US Gulf Coast. The assessment would reflect loadings from Houston, Texas City and Port of Louisiana, and discharge into major Argentine ports, including Buenos Aires and La Plata.

US GULF COAST TO BRAZIL: This assessment would reflect a 38,000-mt, clean MR tanker from the US Gulf Coast to Brazil, and reflect the increased amount of refined products leaving the US Gulf Coast. The assessment would reflect loadings from Houston, Texas City and Port of Louisiana and discharge into Santos, Tramandai and Salvador. These new assessments would be published in Platts Clean Tankerwire and Platts Tanker Alert pages PGT 1912. Please send all comments or questions by June 28, 2014 to tankers@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.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