Base oils shipments from the Saudi Arabian ports of Yanbu and Jeddah fell in September, contrasting with a strong pick-up in Asia's exports that month.The wave of exports from Asia included a surge in shipments to the Middle East.A larger-than-usual share of shipments from Yanbu and Jeddah also showed signs of staying within that region.Such a move would tap increasingly firm Group I and Group II base oils prices in the UAE relative to other markets.It would also add further to the region’s supply.Base oils shipments from the ports of Yanbu and Jeddah combined held at more than 50,000 tonnes in September, shipping data showed..The volume was down from more than 80,000 tonnes in August and from typical levels of close to 60,000 tonnes/month in the year to August.The lower volume reflected a drop in shipments from the port of Yanbu.Regular outlets like Singapore already saw a slowdown in the delivery of supplies from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.India’s imports from Saudi Arabia were also lower in early-October compared with the previous month..The surge in Asia's base oils exports in September likely cushioned the impact of the slowdown in shipments from Saudi Arabia to markets like Singapore and India.Any extension of the rise in Asia's exports could similarly cushion the impact of the likely fall in shipments from Saudi Arabia in November and December during a round of plant-maintenance work.The slowdown in exports from Saudi Arabia in September by contrast had a smaller impact on flows to the UAE.Steadier flows to that region would add to the swathe of shipments moving from Asia to the Middle East in September.The additional rise in the region’s supply could stretch for longer its subsequent slowdown in requirements for replenishment volumes..Asia's September base oils exports to Middle East rise.Saudi Arabia’s August Yanbu/Jeddah base oils exports rise.India’s September base oils imports rise
