Platts proposes to launch West Japan delivered 0.5%S marine fuel bunker assessment

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to launch a West Japan delivered 0.5% sulfur marine fuel bunker assessment, effective Aug. 1.

The proposal follows steady trading volumes of the International Maritime Organization-compliant bunker fuel grade in West Japan.

The assessment will complement existing 380 CST 3.5% sulfur bunker fuel delivered West Japan (PUAEV00).

The West Japan assessment will reflect deliveries in Setouchi (includes Mizushima and Fukuyama ports), Kyushu (Oita port) and Hanshin areas (Kobe and Osaka ports). Activity in other ports is normalized to Setouchi after taking into account barging costs.

In line with Platts cargo assessments, the West Japan delivered bunker assessment will reflect specifications for RMG fuels as defined by the International Organization for Standardization in document ISO 8217:2010 Petroleum products -- Fuels (class F) -- Specifications of marine fuels, but with a maximum sulfur limit of 0.5%, and a minimum viscosity of 30 CST at 50 degrees Celsius.

The proposed assessment specifications are as follows:

Please send all feedback, comments and questions to asia_products@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by June 18.

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.