💡 Industry Insights
🔁 Global Oil Trade Flow
- Key routes include the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Panama Canal.
- Major export terminals: Fujairah (UAE), Ras Tanura (Saudi Arabia), Rotterdam (Netherlands).
- Supply chain disruptions can impact global pricing and delivery timelines.
🚢 Major Oil Ports Around the World
- Fujairah (UAE) – Major transshipment and bunkering port in the Gulf of Oman.
- Rotterdam (Netherlands) – Europe’s largest oil port and energy hub.
- Ras Tanura (Saudi Arabia) – The world’s largest offshore oil loading facility.
- Houston (USA) – Key terminal for US Gulf Coast oil exports.
- Singapore – Global center for oil trading and storage in Asia.
- Yosu & Ulsan (South Korea) – Major East Asian oil hubs.
- Dalian (China) – China’s key crude oil import terminal.
🏭 Major Refineries Around the World
- Jamnagar (India) is the largest refinery by capacity.
- Baytown (Texas) and Ulsan (South Korea) are key global hubs.
- Refinery capabilities vary by crude compatibility and output focus.
🏷️ Crude Grades & Specifications
- Brent and WTI are benchmarks with high liquidity.
- Arab Light, Bonny Light, and Basrah Heavy vary by sulfur and API gravity.
- Grades impact pricing, transport, and refinery suitability.
⛽ Types of Refined Fuels
- Gasoline (Petrol): Passenger vehicles; refined for octane and seasons.
- Diesel: For trucks, buses, trains, and industry.
- Jet Fuel (Jet A, A-1): Aviation-grade kerosene.
- Fuel Oil: Bunkering (IFO/VLSFO), heating, shipping.
- LPG: Propane and butane for heating, cooking, vehicles.
- Naphtha: Petrochemical feedstock and gasoline blending.
- Bitumen (Asphalt): Road and roofing materials.
⚠️ Current Sanctions & Export Restrictions (Updated July 2025)
- EU & UK: 18th sanctions package on Russia; $47.6/barrel price cap, bans on refined products, restrictions on shadow fleet tankers.
- U.S.: Ongoing sanctions on Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Sudan, Venezuela; considering shipping interdictions and high tariffs.
- Venezuela: U.S. Executive Order 14245 enforces tariff sanctions on trade partners.
- Iran: Targeted for maritime inspections and tanker restrictions.
- Enforcement: Russia uses shadow fleets; China, India, Turkey still purchase—highlighting gaps in enforcement.
🔍 Spotting Fraud & Red Flags
- Watch for fake allocations, forged refinery letters, and unusually favorable pricing.
- Verify mandates, authorizations, and all intermediary credentials.
- Conduct due diligence on every party — buyer, seller, or broker.
