Cement News tagged under: petcoke

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Drop in oil, reversed by new Middle East situation adding uncertainty, while petcoke discounts attract buyers again

20 October 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark A geopolitics crisis emerged with the Hamas attack on Israel at the beginning of October. The European Central Bank raised interest rates 0.25 per cent but is behind the US Federal Reserve (Fed). This has strengthened the US dollar as the Fed still talks of keeping rates high for longer. The two per cent inflation target is still far away. In October the fear surrounding China’s property market re-emerged and, along with higher interest rate...

Coal continues recovery while petcoke sees sharp fall

11 October 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll Aps, Denmark Coal has continued its recovery with a higher energy complex, consolidating in the US$110-140 range and balancing Russian supply. Petcoke saw a sharp fall on increased supply, leading to a switch to coal as the discount fell to low levels. Both grades are now below US$100 and pushed down by freight. The increased FOB discount is expected to lure in new buyers. Petcoke with 6.5 per cent S is expected to continue in the US$80-95 range wi...

Freight rates rising quickly due to increased demand

22 September 2023, Published under Cement News

By Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The USG Supramax spot market remained strong throughout the month. Freight rates were rising on all routes as fresh demand was at healthy levels, especially on front-haul routes. The increase in front-haul rates was also partially aided by improved activity on transatlantic routes. Shipowners were increasing their prices on front-haul directions to maintain the rate difference by staying within the Atlantic and performing transatlantic shipments. As shown i...

Petcoke discount falls sharply, energy complex rises driven by oil

20 September 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The fight against inflation is still the focus point for the US Federal Reserve Bank and the European Central Bank, which both raised interest rates by 0.25 per cent in July. This impacted equity markets as the IMF came out with a slower global GDP forecast for 2024, down 0.5 per cent to three per cent. However, new Chinese promises of boosting the economy have taken some of the fear out of the energy markets, which have seen a recovery in...

Petcoke discount falls sharply, energy complex rises driven by oil

22 August 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The fight against inflation is still the focus point for the US Federal Reserve Bank and the European Central Bank, which both raised interest rates by 0.25 per cent in July. This impacted equity markets as the IMF came out with a slower global GDP forecast for 2024, down 0.5 per cent to three per cent. However, new Chinese promises of boosting the economy have taken some of the fear out of the energy markets, which have seen a recovery ...

Freight rates drifting lower after short rebound

22 August 2023, Published under Cement News

By Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The USG Supramax spot freight market started the month on a strong note. Rates were rising across all routes as a region was supported, especially on fronthaul directions, which were dominated by petcoke trades. However, in the second half of the month, rates started slipping below the previous levels due to limited fresh demand, while tonnage continued to pile up for spot/prompt laycan dates. Therefore, the hope for market recovery did not materialise in July. ...

Petcoke continues rally with discounts into neutral zone

03 August 2023, Published under Cement News

by Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Coal rallied from US$100, driven by the energy complex as oil broke through the US$80 barrier following new cuts by OPEC+ in July 2023. Meanwhile, petcoke continues its rally after hitting the major support of US$65, and reached its target of US$85. At US$88, is now close to resistance at US$90 with discounts to coal falling sharply into the neutral zone. Further points of resistance are US$95, US$105, US$115 and US$135. Support is at US$85,...

Petcoke on the rise, driven by higher coal prices and high discounts – new OPEC cuts support oil

21 July 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The holiday mood has dampened the volatility in most markets and the dominant factor is the fear of low demand due to slower growth as central banks keep raising interest rates to bring inflation down. The European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates again. Following the general elections, the Turkish Central Bank raised rates by 6.5 per cent to 15 per cent in a new inflation focus. Talks between the USA and China have released the te...

Freight rates remain weak on low demand

20 July 2023, Published under Cement News

By Brannvoll ApS, Denmark USG Supramax spot freight market activity was limited with rates continuing to slide. Fresh cargo replenishment was slow, resulting in charterers lowering their bids on fronthaul and transatlantic routes. There were a few petcoke requirements towards India and the Far East, but the market suffered from a notable lack of grain cargoes. Figure 3: Supramax freight rates for petcoke from Houston, USA, March 2019-August 2023 (Source: Brannvoll Aps) Freigh...

Petcoke seen as cheapest fuel as up first time in 17 weeks

07 July 2023, Published under Cement News

by Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Oil is stabilising following an intervention from Saudi Arabia with cuts as negative sentiment persists. Coal has settled above US$100, but plenty of supply to the market. Nevertheless, a higher price is expected. Petcoke dropped to US$65, but after 17 weeks, it is now seen as the cheapest fuel and price is moving up. While the discount remains in neutral, its position at the high end points to a move to the cheap zone. Steam coal an...