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Bullish As of Aug 14, 2026 17:00 ET Download PDF

Daily Energy & Shipping Briefing — Aug 16, 2026

Global energy markets closed Friday with crude oil benchmarks posting gains, driven by supply concerns and firm demand. Refined products also saw price increases, while natural gas remained relatively stable. Equity markets experienced a slight pullback after reaching record highs, and bunker prices remained elevated across key hubs.

Energy Prices

Crude

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
Brent ICE $/bbl 87.92 +0.97
WTI NYMEX $/bbl 82.55 +1.60

Products

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline NYMEX c/gal 318.41 +5.61
Heating Oil NYMEX c/gal 295.50 +4.20

Natural Gas

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Henry Hub NYMEX $/MMBtu 2.73 +0.01

Natural Gas Liquids

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Mont Belvieu Propane NYMEX $/mt 378.14 +1.25

Price Spreads

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline/Brent Crack Spread $/bbl 45.81 -0.50
Heating Oil/Brent Crack Spread $/bbl 38.10 +0.25

Shipping Rates & Bunkers

Dirty Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
VLCC, 270 AG-FE 40,300 39,700
Suezmax, 130 WAF-UKC 28,500 27,800
Aframax, 80 Caribs-USG 22,100 21,500

Clean Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
LR2, 75 AG-FE 20,500 26,400
LR1, 55 AG-FE 18,200 21,300
MR, 37 TC2 (UKC-USAC) 16,800 19,500

Time Charter & Asset Values

Vessel 1yr ($/day) Newbuild ($M) 5yr ($M)
VLCC, 200+ 49,000 127.0 112.0
Suezmax, 150 35,000 85.0 72.0

LNG Vessels ($/day)

Type Spot Sentiment 52wk Avg
160M3 Tri-fuel diesel electric (East) 13,000 Flat 30,231
174M3 TFDE (Atlantic) 15,500 Firm 35,800

Bunkers ($/mt)

Port VLSFO HSFO MGO
Singapore 831.0 640.0 1,230.0
Rotterdam 660.0 548.0 1,271.0

LPG (Spot TCE, $/day)

VLGC, 44 (AG-Japan) 34,643
VLGC, 44 (USG-Japan) 41,200

Carbon Markets

Instrument Unit Bid Offer
European Union Allowances (Spot) EUR/ton 81.66 81.68

Equities & Currencies

Index Region Last Δ Day
S&P 500 United States 7,785.76 -13.23
Dow Jones Industrial Average United States 53,732.41 -107.58
Pair Region Last Δ Day
EUR/$ European Union 1.16 +0.00
USD/JPY Japan 148.20 -0.15

Developments

  • OPEC+ Ministers Signal Cautious Approach to Output Hikes Amid Demand Uncertainty

    Reports from Vienna suggest OPEC+ members are leaning towards maintaining current production levels, citing global economic headwinds despite recent crude price strength. The decision aims to balance market stability against potential oversupply in Q4.

    Reuters · Aug 14, 2026

  • Major North American LNG Export Project Reaches Final Investment Decision

    A consortium of energy companies announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for a multi-billion dollar LNG export facility on the US Gulf Coast. This move is expected to significantly boost future global LNG supply capacity by late decade.

    S&P Global Platts · Aug 15, 2026

  • VLCC Tanker Rates Firm on Robust Middle East Demand and Limited Vessel Availability

    Spot rates for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) on key Middle East-Far East routes have strengthened, driven by consistent crude export volumes from the Arabian Gulf and a tightening supply of available tonnage. Owners are holding firm on offers.

    TradeWinds · Aug 14, 2026

  • EU Carbon Prices Climb as Industrial Activity Picks Up Across the Bloc

    European Union Allowance (EUA) prices saw an uptick this week, reflecting increased industrial output and higher demand for carbon credits as companies prepare for compliance obligations. Analysts anticipate continued support for prices.

    Bloomberg · Aug 14, 2026

  • Asian Refining Margins Remain Elevated on Strong Gasoline and Jet Fuel Demand

    Refining margins in Asia continue to be robust, supported by healthy regional demand for transportation fuels, particularly gasoline and jet fuel. This trend is encouraging higher refinery runs despite rising crude feedstock costs.

    Argus Media · Aug 15, 2026

  • Red Sea Shipping Concerns Persist, Keeping Insurance Premiums High

    Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region continue to impact shipping, with vessel operators facing elevated insurance premiums and extended transit times. This ongoing situation is contributing to higher freight costs for various cargo types.

    Lloyd's List · Aug 15, 2026