Singapore’s base oils exports to China held firm over the past week even as the island-state's total shipment volumes fell.Base oils exports of less than 35,000t in the week to December 20 fell from more than 65,000t the previous week, government data showed.The slowdown cut total shipments to less than 155,000t over the last four weeks. The volume was down from typical levels of close to 170,000 t/month in the first ten months of the year.A slowdown in total exports contrasted with a sustained rise in shipments to China.Exports to the country held at more than 40,000t over the last four weeks, up from close to 30,000 t/month in the four months to October.The rise in shipments pointed to either a pick-up in China’s domestic demand or moves to replenish low stocks in anticipation of firmer demand.Singapore’s base oils imports stayed below the 1,000t level for a second week. The volume was down from typical levels of more than 64,000 t/month in the first ten months of the year.Imports fell because of a pause in shipments from Japan since the beginning of November.A slowdown in supplies from China, the Mideast Gulf and Europe compounded the slowdown.The more prolonged drop in shipments from China added to signs of firmer supply-demand fundamentals in that market..Spore’s exports rise in week to Dec 13.Spore’s exports fall in week to Dec 6
