BunkeringEnvironmentOperations

FIS concludes landmark March low sulphur futures trade at $503 per tonne

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersNovember 28, 2019
4 1 minute read

Freight Investor Services (FIS) has concluded its first futures trade on the SGX Platts Marine Fuel 0.5% FOB Singapore Index ahead of the global sulphur cap. The trade was for a March 2020 contract, done at $503 per tonne.

“The volatility and price risks for shipping companies as we approach the start of the IMO2020 regulations are putting intense pressure on the margins that shipowners will earn next year,” said FIS founder John Banaskiewicz. “On a Brazil-China voyage at $21.90/tonne, the 0.5% fuel component represents 56% of the freight rate, an incredible $6.60/tonne premium compared with using 3.5% fuel. On the Aus-China route at $9.80, 2020 compliant fuel would be 43% of the freight rate, a $2.70/tonne premium over 3.5% sulphur fuel.”

“The fuel oil paper market, used for hedging bunker fuel exposure is very liquid but shipowners are still a small part of the liquidity and can often get overlooked because of their trade size requirements,” FIS stated in a release.

FIS can offer contracts in all sizes from 10m tonnes upwards with clearing via CME.

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersNovember 28, 2019
4 1 minute read
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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