Vitol

China–UAE News

Soaring Tanker Freight Rates Spur Asian Refiners to Pivot to UAE Murban Crude

Record crude tanker freight rates have made shipments of US crude oil to Asia economically unviable, with charter rates from the US Gulf of Mexico to China reaching $80 million for a very large crude carrier. In response, Asian refiners are switching to alternatives including UAE Murban crude, which has traded at an estimated $2 per barrel delivered discount compared with West Texas Intermediate. The shifting demand caused Murban's cash premium over Dubai quotes to rebound above $11 per barrel.

Industry News

Middle East Oil Shipments Avert Severe Price Spikes, Says Vitol CEO

Around 14 million barrels per day of crude and refined products have recently departed the Middle East, according to Vitol CEO Russell Hardy. Speaking in London, Hardy noted that these continuous flows help balance energy markets and prevent prices from escalating to $200 per barrel. He also highlighted surging shipping costs and pointed to China's domestic oil reserves as an essential market buffer earlier in the year.