Asia

Global Base Oils Cargo Flows: Week To 13 February

Iain Pocock

  • Taiwan export activity stays subdued, with February loadings remaining well below December and January levels

  • Cargo moves from Italy to Singapore, marking first such shipment on this route in several months

  • More US supplies move to India, with second shipment loading in February

·         Group II cargo-loadings from Taiwan stay well below month-earlier levels so far in February even with loading of several shipments this week.

·         Large of light and heavy-grade Group II base oils loads from Taiwan in H2 Jan 2026 before heading to India, arrives in recent days.

·         Cargo of Group II light and mostly heavy grades loads from Taiwan in late-Dec 2025 before heading to Europe, arrives in recent days.

·         Large cargo loads from South Korea around mid-Jan 2026 before heading to US Gulf coast, set to arrive in coming week.

·         Shipments from South Korea to US since then stay unusually low.

·         Large cargo of Group III base oils set to load from UAE around mid-Feb 2026 before heading to US Gulf coast.

·         Cargo of Group III base oils set to load from UAE around mid-Feb 2026; shipment size suggests Europe is likely destination.

·         Smaller cargo of Group III base oils loads from UAE in past week, with destination unclear.

·         Cargo of Group III base oils loads from Bahrain in recent days before heading to Europe, set to arrive in H2 March 2026.

·         Several cargoes of Group III base oils load from Bahrain in late-Dec 2025 before heading to Europe and US Gulf coast, set to arrive in coming days.

·         Cargo-loadings from Saudi Arabia extend recovery in February, including large shipment that loaded in recent days that is likely bound for India.

·         Cargo of Group I base oils loads from Italy in past week before heading to Singapore, set to arrive in H2 March 2026.

·         Cargo of Group II base oils loads from US Gulf coast in past week before heading to India, set to arrive in H2 March 2026.

·         Cargo is second such India-bound shipment from US in February 2026.

South Korea’s March Base Oils Exports Rebound To Five-Month High

Italy’s February Base Oils Output Extends Recovery

Global Base Oils Supply Near Multi-Year High In January

Taiwan’s March Base Oils Exports Rebound On China/SE Asia Demand

US Feb Exports To South America Rise Even As Total Shipments Fall