Argus launches 1st B24 Mediterranean spot-price assessment

Global energy and commodity price-reporting agency Argus has launched a new Mediterranean marine biodiesel price assessment for B24, a blend of 24 percent used cooking oil (UCO)-based methyl ester and 76 percent very-low sulfur fuel oil.

The new daily dob Algeciras-Gibraltar price joins Argus’ existing global suite of marine biodiesel price assessments including prices for blends containing UCO methyl ester, advanced biodiesel produced from feedstocks listed in Annex IX part A of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, and, in the U.S., other crop-based biodiesel grades.

Prices are provided for the key bunkering regions of Singapore, northwest Europe, the Mediterranean, New York and Houston.

Marine biodiesel blends such as B24 are attractive to shipowners as they are compatible with existing engine technologies.

Marine biodiesel delivers an immediate carbon reduction without the need for high capital investment to meet upcoming regulations, including the extension of the EU’s Emissions Trading System to shipping from January 2024.

At a global scale, under International Maritime Organization regulations, blending biofuel into conventional marine fuel can improve the Carbon Intensity Indicator of a vessel.

Shipowners seeking to delay new vessel investment decisions may use marine biodiesel to improve CII ratings of existing vessels.

“Argus is the only price-reporting agency offering a global suite of marine biodiesel prices that reflect shipowners’ global bunkering operations today,” said Adrian Binks, chairman and chief executive of Argus Media. “Our new B24 Mediterranean price is underpinned by our traditional assessment methodology and provides important transparency based on spot-market activity to the growing marine biodiesel market.”

The new B24 dob Mediterranean price is based on physical spot-market information including deals, bids and offers relating to fuel loaded at Algeciras/Gibraltar at the southern tip of Spain.

More information about Argus European marine biodiesel prices can be found here.