Vietnam’s April base oils imports fall

Vietnam’s base oils imports fell for a seventh month in April in the face of slowing economic growth.

Imports of 16,290t in April fell from 17,980t in March and by 2pc from year-earlier levels, provisional customs data showed.

Base oil imports of 66,030t in the first four months of the year fell by 19pc from 81,720t during the same period last year.

Any slowdown in southeast Asia’s base oils consumption would complicate regional refiners’ moves to find outlets for their supplies in the face of slower-than-expected demand from China.