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

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

Platts first proposed launching the assessment in a subscriber note published June 3.

The assessment will reflect parcel sizes between 500 mt and 1,500 mt for delivery 5-10 days forward from the date of publication.

The West Japan assessment will reflect deliveries in Setouchi (which includes Mizushima and Fukuyama ports), Kyushu (Oita port) and Hanshin areas (Kobe and Osaka ports). Activity in other ports will be 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.

Buyers and sellers participating in the Platts Market on Close assessment process will be required to specify three consecutive days for delivery within the assessment laycan and may submit bids and offers for the following volume range: 500-600 mt, 600-700 mt, 700-800 mt, 800-900 mt, 900-1,000 mt, 1,000-1,200 mt, 1,100-1,300 mt, 1,200-1,400 mt and 1,300-1,500 mt. Buyers must declare the exact volume to the seller within one working day after the trade has been concluded.

The assessment will be published in US $/mt, reflecting market value at the close of Asian trade at 5:30 pm Singapore time, and follow the Singapore publishing schedule.

The assessment will be available on Platts Bunker Alert page 2850, Platts Shipping Alert page 210 and published in Platts Bunkerwire.

Please send all comments and questions to asia_products@spglobal.com and PriceGroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if they are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make those not marked as confidential available upon request.