SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts proposes amendments to Japan rack, waterborne A-Fuel Oil assessments

S&P Global Platts is proposing to lower the maximum sulfur content in its Japan domestic rack and waterborne high sulfur A-Fuel oil assessments to 0.5% from October 1, 2019, following a period of market research.

As a result of the cut in the maximum sulfur content from 1% currently, the product will be renamed as A-Fuel oil.

With the lowering of the maximum sulfur content, Platts Japan AFO assessments will reflect standard Japanese Industrial Standard, JIS K 2205 (Class 1 No. 1) specifications from October 1, replacing the JIS K 2205 (Class 1 No. 2) standard used for the current HSAFO assessments.

To reflect the different level of sulfur in historical and current data, Platts will launch new symbol codes for the sulfur content to distinguish between HSAFO 1% and AFO 0.5%.

Platts has no plans to change other aspects of the methodology for HSAFO/AFO.

Please send all questions and comments to oilgroup@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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