SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts proposes to end China fuel oil assessments

Platts requests feedback on a proposal to discontinue all of its domestic China fuel oil and dirty tanker assessments with effect from January 2, 2014. These proposed assessment suspensions reflect changing market conditions within China, where a rapid expansion of refining capacity over recent years, coupled with an increasing use of alternative utility feedstocks natural gas, has seen the domestic Chinese fuel oil market reduce in size and activity. Under these proposed changes, Platts would discontinue the following South China and East China fuel oil assessments: FOB Shanghai, FOB Huangpu and STS Huangpu 180 CST 3.5%S; C+F Huangpu and C+F Shanghai 380 CST 3.5%S, C+F Shanghai straight run 180 CST 1.5%S, FOB Qingdao 180 CST 1.5%S. Platts seeks particular feedback on a proposal to discontinue its C+F Qingdao straight run 180 CST 1.5%S assessment. Most of the straight run 180 CST 1.5%S Platts assesses on a C+F Qingdao basis is Russian M100 which is used as a feedstock by independent refineries in Shandong. Platts also propose to discontinue China dirty freight rate assessments into Guangzhou, Shanghai and Qingdao. These assessments are currently published on Platts Global Alert, Platts Asia-Pacific/Arab Gulf Marketscan and in the Platts price assessment database. Please send all comments, feedback and questions by October 31, 2013 to pl_asia_oilproducts@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.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.