Platts implements 0.1%S bunker fuel type for Med routes for calculation of yearly, dynamic conventional base rates

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, has implemented 0.1% sulfur bunker fuel (instead of 0.5% sulfur fuel currently) for routes operating entirely or primarily within an Emission Control Area, as a result of the Mediterranean Sea being an ECA. This change affected the calculations for a defined number of yearly and dynamic conventional base rates, effective Dec. 8, 2025.

On May 1, 2025, the International Maritime Organization officially designated the Mediterranean Sea as an ECA under MARPOL Annex VI. Such designation entails the obligation to use fuel with a sulfur content of 0.1% within that maritime area, instead of a fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5%.

Earlier, Platts calculated yearly and dynamic conventional base rates based on 0.5% sulfur fuel for each route in the Mediterranean Sea region.

This adjustment revised the bunker fuel calculations for all routes that have 100% or most of their distance within an ECA, including those in the Mediterranean Sea:

• The 2026 yearly base rates for the impacted routes have been calculated using the average bunker price from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, based on Rotterdam 0.1% low sulfur bunker fuel for rates basis loading originating in the West of Suez (for ECA regions): $617.50/mt
• The 2026 dynamic base rates have been changed from the previously used 0.5% Rotterdam sulfur fuel (MFRDD00) and 0.5 % Singapore sulfur fuel (MFSPD00) to 0.1% Rotterdam sulfur fuel (AARBF00).

This change affects the bunker fuel calculations for 704 assessments, comprising 352 yearly and 352 dynamic base rates, from the suite of 2,542 assessments which are evaluated on a yearly and daily basis. Both the yearly and dynamic base rate lists of affected symbols and assessed routes are available here .

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