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Neutral As of Aug 5, 2026 09:30 ET Download PDF

Daily Energy & Shipping Briefing — Aug 05, 2026

Global energy markets are navigating heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which continues to impact crude oil and LNG flows, leading to price volatility. Despite these challenges, major equity markets are reaching new highs on strong corporate earnings, while EU carbon prices see slight gains amidst ongoing reform discussions. Shipping rates for tankers and LNG vessels remain elevated due to supply disruptions and increased demand for lo...

Energy Prices

Crude

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
Brent ICE $/bbl 78.81 -0.55
WTI NYMEX $/bbl 75.20 -0.48

Products

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline NYMEX c/gal 247.17 -1.67
Heating Oil NYMEX c/gal 265.50 -1.20

Natural Gas

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Henry Hub NYMEX $/MMBtu 2.69 +0.01
Dutch TTF ICE EUR/MWh 35.50 -0.80

Natural Gas Liquids

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Mont Belvieu Propane NYMEX $/mt 380.14 +1.25
US Mont Belvieu Ethane NYMEX $/gal 0.35 +0.01

Price Spreads

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline/Brent Crack Spread $/bbl 25.00 -0.15
WTI/Brent Spread $/bbl -3.61 +0.07

Shipping Rates & Bunkers

Dirty Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
VLCC, 270 AG-FE 45,000 42,000
Suezmax, 130 WAF-UKC 32,000 30,500
Aframax, 80 Carib-USGC 28,000 27,500

Clean Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
LR2, 75 AG-FE 28,000 27,000
LR1, 55 AG-Japan 22,000 21,500
MR, 37 TC2 (UKC-USAC) 25,000 24,000

Time Charter & Asset Values

Vessel 1yr ($/day) Newbuild ($M) 5yr ($M)
VLCC, 200+ 52,000 130.0 115.0
Suezmax, 100-150 38,000 90.0 78.0

LNG Vessels ($/day)

Type Spot Sentiment 52wk Avg
160M3 Tri-fuel diesel electric (East) 150,000 Strong 120,000
174M3 TFDE (West) 135,000 Strong 110,000

Bunkers ($/mt)

Port VLSFO HSFO MGO
Singapore 600.0 500.0 700.0
Rotterdam 610.0 515.0 715.0

LPG (Spot TCE, $/day)

VLGC, 44 (AG-Japan) 40,000
VLGC, 44 (USGC-Japan) 45,000

Carbon Markets

Instrument Unit Bid Offer
European Union Allowances (Spot) EUR/ton 81.67 81.69
California Carbon Allowances (Spot) USD/ton 38.50 38.60

Equities & Currencies

Index Region Last Δ Day
S&P 500 United States 7,746.20 +46.20
Dow Jones Industrial Average United States 54,584.00 +584.00
Pair Region Last Δ Day
EUR/$ European Union 1.16 +0.00
JPY/$ Japan 156.20 -0.50

Developments

  • Oil Prices Volatile Amid Shifting Hopes for Strait of Hormuz Reopening

    Crude oil futures saw significant swings as diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz progressed, though physical shipping flows remain constrained by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Brent crude settled lower on Tuesday but saw some recovery on Wednesday.

    Reuters/Bloomberg · Aug 5, 2026

  • Atlantic Basin LNG Market Remains Tight as Qatar Supply Disruptions Persist

    Five months into the Middle East conflict, the Atlantic Basin LNG market continues to face tight supply and elevated prices, with European imports hitting multi-year lows and no LNG tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

    S&P Global Energy · Aug 5, 2026

  • S&P 500 Extends Record Rally on Strong Corporate Earnings and Easing Geopolitical Concerns

    Wall Street's S&P 500 index reached new all-time highs, driven by better-than-expected corporate earnings reports and optimism surrounding potential de-escalation in the Middle East.

    Associated Press · Aug 5, 2026

  • EU Carbon Allowances Edge Higher Amidst Ongoing ETS Reform Discussions

    European Union Allowances (EUAs) saw a slight increase, trading around €81.68 per tonne, as the market digests proposed reforms to the EU Emissions Trading System aimed at balancing climate ambition with industrial competitiveness.

    Trading Economics · Aug 5, 2026

  • US LNG Export Capacity Expansion Requires Significant Midstream Feedstock Boost

    Planned expansions to U.S. LNG export terminals will necessitate an additional 5.27 billion cubic feet per day in natural gas feedstock, prompting midstream companies to announce new pipeline projects.

    Industrial Info Resources · Aug 5, 2026

  • European Gas Storage Hits Record Low for Time of Year Amid Sustained Heatwaves

    Despite recent increases, European gas storage levels remain at an unwelcome record low for this time of year, exacerbated by sustained high temperatures across the continent boosting gas-for-power demand.

    Flagship Energy · Aug 5, 2026