Platts changes Gasoline 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo specification

S&P Global Platts has changed the specification reflected in its Gasoline 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo assessment effective Aug. 2, 2021, following the UK government's announcement that it will adopt E10 as the standard gasoline blend from September 2021.

Following the change, Platts is now reflecting EN228 specification material in the assessment with a maximum oxygenate content of 0.1% by mass and a maximum evaporation (E70) of 35% in winter specification material and 33% in summer specification material, in order to allow for greater ethanol content in the finished grade.

The assessment, which is CIF basis Thames with normal charterparty options within Northwest Europe for cargoes loading 10-25 days forward, previously reflected EN228 specification material with a maximum oxygenate content of 0.9% by mass and a maximum evaporation (E70) of 43% in winter specification material and 41% in summer specification material.

On Feb. 25, 2021, the UK government announced that it will adopt E10 gasoline, which can contain up to 10% ethanol, as its standard blend from September 2021 as part of a move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK currently consumes gasoline containing no more than 5% ethanol, known as E5 gasoline. E10 has already been introduced in Austria and Belgium, while Germany, Finland and France all have the option of both E10 and E5 at the pump.

Platts opened a consultation into possible specification changes to its Gasoline 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo assessment (AAXFQ00) on May 12, 2021: https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/051221-platts-opens-consultation-on-gasoline-10ppms-cif-nwe-cargo-specification.

The assessment continues to reflect material with a 95 RON/85 MON min octane rating and a reference density of 0.755 kg/l. The maximum sulfur content remains 10ppm and the maximum aromatics limit 35%. The assessment continues to reflect cargoes of 10,000 mt, with a typical operational tolerance of 10%, although larger sizes may be considered for normalization.

Separately, Platts will continue to monitor the prevalence of guarantees of EU origin for gasoline imported into the UK and their effect on import duties and tariffs.

The Gasoline 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo assessment is published on Platts Global Alert pages 1110 and 1310, in the European Marketscan and in the Platts database under the code AAXFQ00.

Please send any further comments or queries to europe_products@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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