Spain’s Aug Cartagena premium-grade exports fall

Exports of premium-grade base oils from the Spanish port of Cartagena fell in August, raising the prospect of a dip in Group III supplies in Europe.

Base oils exports from Cartagena fell to less than 36,000t in August, from more than 73,000t the previous month, port data showed.

Exports from the Spanish port had averaged close to 60,000 t/month in the first four months of 2023, before falling to 25,000-30,000 t/month in May and June.

The fall in shipments during those two months coincided with scheduled maintenance work on a Group III unit in the country.

The rise in shipments in July followed the completion of the plant maintenance work.

The lower shipments in August were similar to volumes in May and June, despite the lack of any scheduled plant maintenance work.