Independently-held oil product stocks at the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) trading hub increased in the week to 28 February, the highest since June, according to consultancy Insights Global, as overall trading activity remained muted.

Naphtha stocks rose on the week, the highest figure reported since 21 January 2021. Both gasoline blending activity and demand from the petrochemical sector remained level amid higher imports and little activity in the afternoon trading window. Naphtha cargoes arrived in ARA from northwest Europe, Algeria and the US, while none left.

Gasoline stocks declined on steady export flows from the ARA region, mainly into the US and west Africa. Market participants noted that blending activity remained stable in anticipation of higher demand from the US in the coming months. Inland gasoline demand remained muted. Tankers carrying gasoline arrived mainly from northwest Europe and the Mediterranean and departed to North and South America, the Mediterranean, west Africa and northwest Europe.

Gasoil stocks rose, helped by higher arrivals from the US and east of Suez while demand in the ARA region showed no signs of growth. Independently-held jet fuel stocks fell on the week, with no cargoes arriving.

By Mykyta Hryshchuk