Cement News tagged under: petcoke

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Oil pressures energy complex lower despite OPEC+ cuts while petcoke collapses, offering new high discounts towards coal

22 December 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The energy complex fell in November, with oil leading the way. The Israel-Gaza war continued but still without any contagion – and no war premium. Ukraine-Russia war is frozen literally, and some hints of possible talks are emerging to the upcoming Russian election. The US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have both hinted in speeches that interest rates need to be high but not higher, which has given a relief rally in the financia...

Coal drops and petcoke-coal discounts fall

20 December 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The price of coal declined after the Israel-Gaza war premium was taken out and oil also moved down. Petcoke saw downward pressure by coal with discounts falling. As a result, discounts on both FOB and ARA contracts are now in the lower part of the neutral range.  Petcoke with 6.5 per cent S is expected to continue in the US$80-95 range with resistance at US$95, US$105, US$115 and US$135. Support is at US$80, US$68 and US$55 with multi-year...

Energy complex lower on fading war premium while petcoke discounts fall as coal retraces

28 November 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The Israel-Gaza situation seems to be contained from spreading and the war premium has quickly faded as no disruptions in any markets have been seen. The focus has now shifted back to demand and supply. The two major central banks kept their rates unchanged in the October meetings,  keeping to the “higher for longer” rhetoric with inflation still too high for both the US and EU central banks. China’s growth, particularly in the property market...

Freight rates rise again on increased petcoke and grain demand

27 November 2023, Published under Cement News

By Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The USG Supramax spot freight market finished the month on a positive note with rates continuing to increase as tonnage supply appears tight, while demand remains healthy. This especially relates to the fronthaul trips as fresh petcoke and grain cargoes are steadily trickling in. Meanwhile, the transatlantic segment had its ups and downs with rates dropped on transatlantic routes in the first half of the month but bounced back closer to its end. Freight rat...

Israel-Gaza war drives coal higher with petcoke reversing its drop

03 November 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Coal was driven higher by the energy complex responding to the Israel-Gaza war and is now at the top of the US$100-140 range. Petcoke reversed its fall as its discount increased, creating a switch from coal. After reaching the major support at US$80, petcoke bounced back and will now follow coal, possibly at the top of the range. Petcoke with 6.5 per cent S is expected to continue in the US$80-95 range with resistance at US$95, US$105, US$...

After dip, freight rates seen stable to slightly higher

23 October 2023, Published under Cement News

By Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The USG Supramax spot freight market was strong during the first half of the month.  Rates were increasing thanks to consistent fronthaul demand while shortage of tonnage in the United States East Coast (USEC) area presented attractive options for vessels free in the North Coast South America (NCSA) area, which usually prefer to ballast towards USG. However, at the end of the month, it became evident that fresh demand was lacking for transatlantic trips from USG....

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...