Independently-held oil product stocks at the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) oil trading hub remained unchanged in the week to 19 April, according to consultancy Insights Global.

Gasoline stocks declined, mostly offset by a rise in fuel oil stocks. Demand appeared mixed during the week.

Gasoline inventories declined in the week to 19 April, as more export demand emerged, according to Insights Global.

Stocks declined on the week, the lowest reading since 4 January when inventories amounted. This comes as the summer driving season is fast-approaching, and this will probably support blending feedstocks in the following weeks.

There has also been more demand up the Rhine river this week as refineries went offline in southern Germany, dragging more stock from ARA.

Gasoline cargoes arrived from Finland, Germany, France and Italy and departed to Canada and Finland.

On the lighter side of the barrel, naphtha’s inventories made up for last week’s decline in the week to 19 April, but still lower on the year.

Demand appears to be lackluster in April, with gasoline blending proving most of the support.

Gasoline blending demand was higher on the week, according to Insights Global, although not enough to reduce stocks. Petrochemical demand up the Rhine appeared lower on the week. Naphtha cargoes arrived from Algeria, Norway, Portugal and Spain, and departed to Spain and the US.

Jet fuel stocks rose on the week, according to Insights Global. Market demand is rising, as is usual for this time of the year, but this appears to be not enough to go through supply.

Jet cargoes came from Kuwait and departed for Norway.

Gasoil stocks were lower in the week to 19 April, remaining virtually unchanged.

The total is still higher on the year.

Demand for gasoil appeared strong up the Rhine river as German refineries were offline, dragging more from ARA.

Gasoil cargoes arrived from Finland, India, Italy and Saudi Arabia, and departed for France and Germany.

At the heavier end of the barrel, there was a lack of export demand for fuel oil in northwest Europe, according to Insights Global.

Fuel oil stocks rose on the week. Cargoes arrived from Colombia, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania and departed to the Mediterranean and the UK.

Reporter: Mykyta Hryshchuk