Platts to cut al&si specs for fuel oil

Platts is seeking feedback on a proposal to lower the metals specifications for its US Atlantic Coast and US Gulf Coast residual fuel oil 1% sulfur and 3% sulfur assessments to 80 parts per million aluminum and silicone (al+si) maximum starting April 2, 2012.

Platts' current US Atlantic Coast 1% sulfur assessment is based on 120 ppm al+si while the 3% assessment is based on 100 ppm al+si. In the US Gulf Coast, the 1% sulfur residual fuel oil assessment reflects 120 ppm al+si and the 3% residual fuel oil assessment 100 ppm al+si.

The move to lower metal in the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts would be in line with evolution of the bunker fuel markets toward lower sulfur and metals specifications in the US in 2012.

Please send feedback to americas_products@platts.com and cc to pricegroup@platts.com by October 28.