OIL: Marine Fuel Sales Dip on Trade Worries: oilprice.com

Mar-19 12:24

Marine Fuel Sales Dip on Trade Worries: oilprice.com

  • Bunker fuel sales at top hubs around the world have slowed down amid increased geopolitical uncertainty and Trump’s tariffs, Reuters has reported, citing industry sources it did not name.
  • Marine fuel sales at Singapore and Fujairah, the world’s biggest and third-biggest refueling hubs, totaled 9.78 million tons over the first two months of the year. This was 9% less than the total for the two months in 2024, according to official figures cited by Reuters.
  • “There has been a bit of a slowdown in demand as economic activity is lagging. Freight rates are lower as a result as well,” one industry source told the publication.
  • “Shipping companies are now optimising their operations more cautiously to navigate volatile tariff conditions and geopolitical instability,” the chief executive of a container trading platform told Reuters, adding “The slowdown in marine fuel demand is a reflection of the broader uncertainty in global trade.”
  • “We are unsure where demand has vanished to,” a trader in Asia told Reuters. “Typically, if Singapore demand is slow, we might see an uptick in demand from other ports (in the region) but that's not happening.”
  • Demand for bunker fuel rose in 2024 due to the longer journeys maritime companies needed to make to avoid the Red Sea where the Yemeni Houthis attacked commercial vessels associated with Israel and its Western allies.
  • The Red Sea is a much shorter route from Asia to Europe but given the risk, many maritime transport companies rerouted around Africa. That lengthened trips by weeks, raising fuel demand in the process.

Historical bullets

SONIA: 3.5k More Of the SFIM5 95.6 Put

Feb-17 12:20

SFIM5 95.60 put, bought for 2 in 3.5k. 

  • Now 7.5k total for the session.

GERMANY: Nagel Sees 1.5pp Negative Growth Impact for Germany In Tariff Scenario

Feb-17 12:10

ECB's Nagel expects the German economy to "suffer considerably" from the implementation of US tariffs per US President Trump's election campaign (tariffs on imports from China at 60 percent, while products from Germany and other countries would face 10 percent), according to his speech today in Frankfurt.

  • Nagel cites a Bundesbank scenario analysis, concluding a negative impact on GDP of a cumulative 1.5pp by 2027.
  • Models are more inconclusive on inflation though, with Nagel noting one only sees slight effects while another one points towards clear upwards pressure.
  • We'd note that actual tariff proposals by the US administration have so far come short of the election campaign plans.
  • More broadly, the uncertainty posed by tariff risks has been a common theme in commentary from other ECB officials:
    • Bank of Italy Governor Panetta over the weekend: "The tariffs could produce upward pressures linked to a depreciation of the euro against the US dollar and to possible retaliatory measures from the EU [...] However, these effects could be offset by a slowdown in the global economy and by China diverting its tariffed goods to European markets'”. The net impact of US tariffs would be limited or even 'slightly negative'.
    • ECB President Lagarde on Feb 10: "Greater friction in global trade would make the euro area inflation outlook more uncertain".
    • ECB Chief Econ Lane on Feb 5: "Risks to economic growth remain tilted to the downside. In addition to trade policy uncertainty, lower confidence could prevent consumption and investment from recovering as fast as expected".

OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - Bund Futures Pierces A Trendline Support

Feb-17 11:59
  • In the FI space, Bund futures are trading lower and in the process have pierced an important short-term support at 132.05, a trendline drawn from the Jan 15 low. A clear break of this line would strengthen a bearish theme and signal scope for an extension towards 131.59 next, the 61.8% retracement of the Jan 14 - Feb 5 bull leg. Below 131.59, lies 131.00, the Jan 25 low and a key support. For bulls, a resumption of gains would refocus attention on the bull trigger at 133.71, Feb 5 high.
  • A bull cycle in Gilt futures remains in play and the latest pullback appears corrective for now. Last Thursday’s gains are a positive development and appears to be a bullish engulfing candle. A resumption of gains would open 94.35, the Feb 6 high and a bull trigger. Clearance of this level would open 94.75, the 76.4% retracement of the Dec 3 - Jan 13 bear leg. The next firm support to watch lies at 91.52, the Jan 24 low.

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