Platts proposes USAC ex-duty cargo assessments

Following a period of industry feedback, Platts is revising its proposal to change the basis of its US Atlantic Coast gasoline cargo assessments to ex-duty, and has decided to maintain the existing assessment without any changes to its methodology.

However, due to changes in market practice, Platts is proposing to launch supplemental ex-duty basis USAC cargo assessments for Unleaded 87, Unleaded 89, Unleaded 93, RBOB, Premium RBOB, CBOB and Premium CBOB. These assessments would be published concurrent to Platts existing USAC gasoline cargo assessments, which currently reflect inside-duty basis.

The supplemental assessments would be published in Platts Dispatch, Platts Global Alert, US Marketscan, and Oilgram Price Report, and would be exclusive of RINS, import duty, and any importing fees.

In addition, Platts is proposing to launch an assessment of the gasoline duty, RINS, and importing fees value on February 1 which will be called "Duty+RINS."

Platts is considering launching these new assessments on February 1, 2010, but welcomes your feedback on appropriate launch timing.

Please respond with questions and comments by December 15, 2009, to Sheela Tobben, sheela_tobben@platts.com, with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com.