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ESPO Crude Shipments Taking Longer Journeys

OIL

Shipments of Russia’s key ESPO crude oil are showing unexpected delays and longer journeys with ships bouncing between ports in China and more cargoes heading to India.

  • The delays are increasing time at sea, reducing loading frequency and increasing the number of ships to result in higher shipping costs.
  • Six out of a total 29 February-loading tankers have yet to discharge their cargoes in China, according to Bloomberg ship-tracking data. It would normally take four-to-five days for a vessel to reach its destination and another two days to offload its cargo.
  • Three of ten ESPO cargoes from Kozmino so far in March are heading for India compared to just one between October and February. A voyage from Kozmino to India takes about three weeks compared with less than one week to China.
  • Competition to purchase Russian ESPO has increased for April delivery with renewed interest from refiners in China and India.

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