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Jet Fuel Inventories in ARA Hub Drop 4.5% on Muted Trade
Inventories of jet fuel and kerosene in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) refining and storage hub fell by 4.5% in the week ending Thursday, according to new data from Dutch consultancy Insights Global. The drawdown was driven by a decline in exports coupled with a complete absence of imports during the period.
Inventory Details
Total jet fuel stocks in the key European hub now stand at 592,000 metric tons, Insights Global reported. The weekly decline reflects a slowdown in trade activity for the aviation fuel in the region.
Other refined products also saw significant inventory draws:
- Gasoline stockpiles decreased by 3.8% to 904,000 tons, reaching their lowest level since May 2024.
- Naphtha inventories experienced the sharpest drop, falling 18.3% to 339,000 tons.
AdMarket Drivers and Logistics
The drop in gasoline inventories was attributed to cargoes being shipped to South Africa and the United States, along with an unusual export to Brazil, said Lars van Wageningen of Insights Global. The naphtha decline resulted from a combination of increased blending activity, stronger inland demand, and two shipments destined for Venezuela.
Market logistics have been complicated by low water levels in the Rhine river. Wageningen noted that this has delayed blending operations and slowed the loading of barges. The risk of vessels becoming grounded has consequently pushed freight rates higher for river transport.