Platts to launch FOB ARA ULSD cargo assessment Sep 23

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, will launch a new standalone FOB ARA ULSD cargo assessment, effective Sept. 23, 2025.

This follows a proposal published on Aug. 1, 2025: available here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/pricing-benchmarks/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/080125-platts-proposes-to-launch-fob-ara-ulsd-cargo-assessment-sep-29 .

The assessment will reflect 15,000-mt cargoes of EN590 French quality diesel fuel, which Platts has observed to be the most typical volume size used to supply into the UK on a coaster ship, however, cargoes ranging between 10,000 mt and 30,000 mt may be published and considered in the assessment process with value normalized to a basis size of 15,000 mt. Bids, offers, and trades for other 10 ppm diesel grades, such as those conforming to UK or German specifications, may be considered in the assessment process but normalized to the basis specification.

The FOB ARA assessment will reflect the value of diesel loading 7-20 days forward from the date of publication, with values normalized to reflect the mean of the loading period.

The assessment will reflect loadings from the ARA hub. Offers from the individual ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Antwerp may be considered for publication.

Platts continues to seek feedback on prevailing standards regarding ship nomination timelines and guidelines, and typical operational tolerance volumes of 10,000-30,000 mt cargoes for loadings from ARA.

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

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.