Platts proposes to amend volumes for Houston, New Orleans bunkers assessments

S&P Global Platts proposes to amend the ex-wharf and delivered volumes assessed for the Houston and New Orleans bunkers markets for marine fuel 0.5%S and IFO 380, and establish a minimum and maximum volume for MGO in those ports, effective Nov. 1, 2021.

Platts is proposing to change the volume range for marine fuel 0.5%S and IFO 380 to 500 to 1,000 mt on both an ex-wharf and delivered basis. The current range is 250 to 1,000 mt on an ex-wharf basis and 250 to 500 mt on a delivered basis.

Platts is proposing to establish a minimum and maximum range for MGO in Houston and New Orleans of 75 to 225 mt on both an ex-wharf and delivered basis. Currently Platts reflects a typical size of 150 mt ex-wharf and a typical size of 75 mt delivered.

The proposal follows extensive feedback from the market and a review of Platts' published heards. Platts understands that bunkers prices can vary on an ex-wharf basis by volume, and the narrower volume ranges were chosen to reflect a significant proportion of trading activity while providing more precise assessments.

Platts also understands that most trades on an ex-wharf basis are ultimately performed on a delivered basis, so aligning the volumes across both will reflect the market structure.

Please send all questions and comments to oilgroup@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Sept. 10, 2021.

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.