London, (Argus) — Oil products held in independent storage tanks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) trading hub increased by 1.7pc on the week today to 4.9mn t. A sharp rise in fuel oil stocks outweighed declines in every other product.

Fuel oil inventories increased by 18.5pc on the week hitting a three week high. Cargoes arrived from France, Poland, Russia and the UK. A Suezmax and Aframax departed for Singapore. Stocks increased ahead of the loading of a very large crude carrier (VLCC) — the Neptun — due to arrive next week.

Gasoil stocks declined by 1.4pc to a six month low. A rise in Rhine water levels allowed exports from ARA to reach the German inland market, which weighed on stock levels. Cargoes also left for the US and west Africa. Tankers from the Baltic and Russia.

Gasoline stocks fell by 1.3pc to a three week low, as cargoes departed for west Africa and product loadings along the Rhine increased. Products arrived from France, Germany, Sweden and the UK.

Naphtha inventories declined by 7pc. Cargoes arrived from Algeria, France, Spain and the UK. As with gasoil and gasoline, naphtha demand from inland Europe is likely to have increased as a result of higher Rhine water levels.

Jet fuel stocks fell by 3.7pc, also a three week low. Exports to the UK outweighed imports from the Mideast Gulf, which totalled just one cargo.