Base Oils and Lubricants: Weekly Global Market Review - 20 Mar '26

Shell's Pearl GTL plant halted after an 18 March attack — removing a major source of global Group III shipments with restart timeline unclear

US January Group III imports surged from the Middle East before war disrupted shipment flows — Middle East arrivals now set to drop sharply in April

South Korea February exports fell to a nine-month low before the Middle East conflict disrupted flows across key markets — curtailing shipments to the Middle East and boosting the need for alternative shipments to the US

Asia's December-January surplus fell to a five-year low as demand rose for a seventh straight month — leaving the region more exposed to unplanned supply cuts

Singapore exports hit a six-year high, boosting regional stocks — but run cuts and lower imports could trigger a sharp reversal

India February imports stayed below typical levels for a second month, leaving stocks tight ahead of peak demand and further supply disruption

US exports to Europe and South America hit multi-year highs in January, clearing surplus just as market focus shifted from oversupply to security of supply