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Bullish As of Apr 1, 2026 09:30 ET Download PDF

Daily Energy & Shipping Briefing — Apr 01, 2026

Global energy markets remained robust on April 1, 2026, driven by elevated crude oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and strong demand. Tanker freight rates continued to see historic highs, while carbon markets also traded at a seven-week peak.

Energy Prices

Crude

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
Brent ICE $/bbl 105.27 -0.50
WTI NYMEX $/bbl 102.92 -1.50

Products

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline NYMEX c/gal 331.23 -3.87
Heating Oil NYMEX c/gal 320.00 -1.00

Natural Gas

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Henry Hub NYMEX $/MMBtu 3.66 -0.14
EU TTF ICE EUR/MWh 45.00 -2.00

Natural Gas Liquids

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Mont Belvieu Propane NYMEX $/mt 399.93 +1.50

Price Spreads

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline/Brent Crack Spread $/bbl 33.85 -1.13

Shipping Rates & Bunkers

Dirty Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
VLCC, 270 AG-FE 150,000 85,000
Suezmax, 130 WAF-UKC 80,000 65,000

Clean Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
LR2, 75 AG-FE 30,000 28,000
MR, 37 TC2 (UKC-USAC) 25,000 22,000

Time Charter & Asset Values

Vessel 1yr ($/day) Newbuild ($M) 5yr ($M)
VLCC, 200+ 110,000 128.0 105.0
Suezmax, 150 65,000 90.0 75.0

LNG Vessels ($/day)

Type Spot Sentiment 52wk Avg
160M3 Tri-fuel diesel electric (East) 20,000 Neutral 35,000
174M3 TFDE (Atlantic) 25,000 Neutral 40,000

Bunkers ($/mt)

Port VLSFO HSFO MGO
Singapore 610.0 510.0 720.0
Rotterdam 620.0 520.0 730.0

LPG (Spot TCE, $/day)

VLGC, 44 (AG-Japan) 35,000
LGC, 22 (NWE-USGC) 20,000

Carbon Markets

Instrument Unit Bid Offer
European Union Allowances (Spot) EUR/ton 74.50 74.70

Equities & Currencies

Index Region Last Δ Day
S&P 500 United States 4,146.15 +46.15
Dow Jones Industrial Average United States 34,500.00 +300.00
Pair Region Last Δ Day
EUR/$ European Union 1.16 +0.01
USD/JPY Japan 148.50 -0.20

Developments

  • World Oil Price per Barrel Today, Wednesday April 1, 2026, showed volatile movements, with Brent Crude recorded at $105.27 and WTI at $102.92.

    Global crude oil prices experienced volatile movements on April 1, 2026, with Brent at $105.27 and WTI at $102.92, reflecting market reactions to geopolitical tensions and economic factors.

    Pintu News · Apr 1, 2026

  • Geopolitical Shock Drives Historic Rate Extremes in Tanker Market

    The tanker freight market experienced exceptional dislocation in early 2026, with rates reaching historic levels due to heightened geopolitical risk surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, though rates moderated by month-end March.

    Horizon Offshore Services · Apr 2026

  • European carbon prices rose to a seven-week high of €74.6/t on April 1

    European carbon prices reached a seven-week high of €74.6/t on April 1, 2026, following the European Commission's announcement of minimal changes to the Market Stability Reserve, alleviating fears of aggressive intervention.

    GMK Center · Apr 1, 2026

  • Crude oil and petroleum product prices increased sharply in the first quarter of 2026

    Crude oil and petroleum product prices saw significant increases in Q1 2026, particularly after military action in the Middle East on February 28 and the subsequent de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent finishing the quarter at $118/b.

    U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) · Apr 7, 2026

  • VLCC Charter Rates Top $100,000 as DHT Locks in Premium One-Year Charter

    VLCC charter rates pushed into six-figure territory in early 2026, with DHT Holdings securing a one-year time charter at $105,000 per day, underscoring the tight compliant VLCC market amid strong crude demand and geopolitical risk premiums.

    gCaptain · Feb 24, 2026

  • US producer inflation rises below expectations in March, but war fires up energy prices.

    While US producer inflation rose below expectations in March 2026, ongoing geopolitical conflicts continued to fuel higher energy prices globally.

    ChAI Insight · Apr 2026