London, 28 June (Argus) — Oil product stocks held in independent storage tanks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) trading hub rose by 2pc week on week to reach 5.7mn t today.

The increase in total stocks was driven by a 5pc rise in fuel oil inventories to around 1.61mn t, the highest level on record. The rise in fuel oil inventories resulted from high levels of incoming cargo and volume awaiting loading onto two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) currently docked in Rotterdam.

Fuel oil cargoes arrived in ARA over the last week from the Black Sea, Estonia, Norway and Russia. Cargoes left the area for the Mediterranean.

Gasoil stocks were steady. Demand from inland Germany firmed on the week but remains below the seasonal average. Low Rhine water levels impacted diesel and gasoil loadings, which are at around 70pc of their normal levels. Diesel demand from France and Switzerland was firm amid lower inventories in the two countries. Gasoil cargoes arrived in the ARA area from Russia, the US and west Africa. Cargoes left for France, Germany, Portugal and the UK.

Naphtha stocks recorded the largest percentage rise, increasing by 7pc amid weakening demand from petrochemical end users and a lack of interest from gasoline blenders. Barge loadings restrictions on the river Rhine also affected Naphtha flows. Cargoes arrived from Algeria, Russia, Spain and the UK.

Jet kerosine stocks were steady amid stable demand. A 90,000t cargo arrived in the ARA area from Yanbu, discharging on 25 June in Antwerp. A single cargo left the area for the UK.

Gasoline inventories declined slightly amid rising transatlantic exports and higher outflows to other European markets. Cargoes departed ARA for Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Latin America, the US and west Africa. Cargoes arrived from Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the UK.

Reporter: Thomas Warner