Skip to content
Neutral As of May 19, 2026 09:30 ET Download PDF

Daily Energy & Shipping Briefing — May 19, 2026

Crude oil prices dipped on May 19, 2026, following news of a called-off US strike on Iran, easing immediate geopolitical tensions. However, natural gas prices saw an uptick, and tanker freight rates remained elevated, reflecting persistent supply concerns and strong demand in other segments. U.S. equities continued their downward trend.

Energy Prices

Crude

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
Brent ICE $/bbl 109.15 -2.35
WTI NYMEX $/bbl 107.28 -1.38

Products

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline NYMEX c/gal 364.24 -9.87
Heating Oil NYMEX c/gal 350.50 -7.50

Natural Gas

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Henry Hub NYMEX $/MMBtu 3.11 +0.03

Natural Gas Liquids

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
US Mont Belvieu Propane NYMEX $/mt 465.98 -0.99

Price Spreads

Instrument Unit Last Δ Day
RBOB Gasoline/Brent Crack Spread $/bbl 59.50 -2.00
WTI/Brent Spread $/bbl -1.87 +0.97

Shipping Rates & Bunkers

Dirty Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
VLCC, 270 AG-FE 60,000 58,000
Suezmax, 130 WAFR-UKC 45,000 42,000

Clean Tanker (Spot TCE, $/day)

Vessel Route Spot TCE Avg YTD
LR2, 75 AG-FE 19,000 22,000
MR, 37 ARA-USAC 15,600 18,000

Time Charter & Asset Values

Vessel 1yr ($/day) Newbuild ($M) 5yr ($M)
VLCC, 200+ 65,000 130.0 139.0
Suezmax, 150+ 48,000 85.0 85.0

LNG Vessels ($/day)

Type Spot Sentiment 52wk Avg
160M3 Tri-fuel diesel electric (East) 100,000 Firm 70,000
174M3 TFDE (Atlantic) 90,000 Firm 65,000

Bunkers ($/mt)

Port VLSFO HSFO MGO
Singapore 750.0 650.0 850.0
Rotterdam 760.0 660.0 860.0

LPG (Spot TCE, $/day)

VLGC, 44 (AG-Japan) 35,000
VLGC, 44 (USGC-Japan) 60,000

Carbon Markets

Instrument Unit Bid Offer
European Union Allowances (Spot) EUR/ton 70.00 70.05

Equities & Currencies

Index Region Last Δ Day
S&P 500 United States 7,353.61 -49.44
Dow Jones Industrial Average United States 49,363.88 -322.24
Pair Region Last Δ Day
EUR/$ European Union 1.16 -0.01
JPY/$ Japan 155.20 +0.30

Developments

  • Oil Prices On May 19: Brent Crude Dips Below $110 As Trump Calls Off Planned Strike On Iran

    Oil prices declined after US President Donald Trump announced he had called off a planned military strike on Iran, fostering hopes for de-escalation and potential restoration of disrupted crude flows.

    NDTV Profit · May 19, 2026

  • Stock Market Today (May 19, 2026): S&P 500 falls for third consecutive day as Treasurys take off

    U.S. equities continued their decline, with the S&P 500 falling for the third straight day, as rising U.S. Treasury yields and inflation fears weighed on the market.

    TheStreet / Associated Press · May 19, 2026

  • Henry Hub natural gas prompt month rose to $3.11 per MMBtu on May 19, highest price since mid-March

    Henry Hub natural gas futures saw a notable increase, with the prompt month reaching $3.11/MMBtu, marking its highest level since mid-March amid sustained production and healthy storage inventories.

    EIA (via DeGolyer & MacNaughton) · May 19, 2026

  • Tanker Earnings Remain Elevated in Late May Amid Hormuz Disruption

    Average tanker earnings stood at $60,791/day in late-May, remaining elevated despite some easing, as transits through the Strait of Hormuz remained very limited due to ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

    Clarksons Research (via Shipping Intelligence Network) · May 19, 2026

  • Middle East tensions have Asian gas buyers looking to Australia

    Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are prompting Asian gas buyers to seek alternative supplies, with increased interest directed towards Australia, impacting global LNG trade flows.

    Reuters (via LNG Global) · May 19, 2026

  • US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts global LNG market forecasts, driving up prices

    The ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran has significantly disrupted global LNG market forecasts, leading to increased prices, damage to export facilities in Qatar, and delays in new supply projects.

    Reuters (via Maaal) · May 19, 2026