Subscriber note: Platts to launch Japan gasoil differential assessment

Platts proposes to launch a new assessment of the physical market differential for gasoil delivered to Japan on a C+F basis. The differential assessment, planned for launch on July 2, 2012, would reflect the value of gasoil trading as a premium or discount relative to the price published by Platts around the time of loading for gasoil on an FOB Singapore basis. Platts has published an assessment of outright prices for C+F Japan gasoil since 1990. Since that time, market activity has evolved and counterparties now regularly bid, offer and trade the grade on a differential basis against Mean of Platts Singapore Gasoil around cargo-loading dates. This is in line with trading practices for other gasoil grades in Asia. The assessment would reflect 0.5% sulfur gasoil upon its launch, and migrate with all Platts 0.5% sulfur gasoil assessments to reflect 0.05% sulfur (500 ppm sulfur) from January 2, 2013. The new assessment will be published on Platts Global Alert, in Asia Pacific/Arab Gulf Marketscan, and in the Platts price assessment database. Please send any comments and questions by June 15, 2012 to asia_products@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.com.