London, 28 January (Argus) — Oil products held in independent storage tanks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) trading hub were steady on the week.

Gasoil inventories rose, increasing for the third consecutive week to reach the highest level since the week to 8 November 2018. Firm heating oil demand from end-users in the northwest European hinterland supported Rhine barge flows.

Fuel oil inventories fell by 8.8pc week on week. The very large crude carrier (VLCC) As Suwayq departed Rotterdam for Singapore carrying a 270,000t cargo.

Gasoline stocks fell, but remained around the nine-month high recorded in recent weeks. The four-week rolling average of gasoline inventories hit its highest level since Argus began recording PJK’s ARA stocks data in 2011, at 1.37mn t. Ample and rising supply in north America has significantly reduced demand from the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts, limiting outflow opportunities for northwest European volumes. Tankers arrived from Finland, Spain, Russia, Sweden and the UK. Tankers left the area for Canada, the Mediterranean, the US and to Suez for orders.

Naphtha inventories fell to reach their lowest since November 2017, as northwest European end-users continued to move volumes inland ahead of anticipated falls in Rhine water levels. Demand from gasoline blenders remained subdued.

Jet fuel stocks rose to reach a seven-week high amid seasonally low demand. A single tanker arrived in the region from the UAE and none departed. Ample supply in the Mediterranean and US east coast regions is likely to make northwest Europe a more attractive destination for cargoes arriving from the east of Suez in the coming weeks.

Reporter: Tom Warner