The Singapore 0.5% “Hi5” contract is a commodity SB (Spread Bet) in the Fuel Oil group that represents the price differential between Marine Fuel 0.5% FOB Singapore and 380 CST Singapore fuel oil.
Contract Purpose
This product differential contract allows market participants to:
- Hedge exposure to the price spread between low-sulfur marine fuel and high-sulfur fuel oil in Singapore
- Speculate on the impact of IMO 2020 regulations on fuel oil prices
- Manage risk related to the adoption of scrubber technology in the shipping industry
Market Significance
- IMO 2020 Impact: Reflects the price differential between compliant and non-compliant fuels under the International Maritime Organisation’s sulphur cap
- Scrubber Economics: Provides insights into the financial viability of installing exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on ships
- Regional Fuel Dynamics: Captures the supply-demand balance for different fuel grades in the key bunkering hub of Singapore
Trading Benefits
- Spread Risk Management: Allows traders to focus on the relative price movements between low-sulfur and high-sulfur fuel oils
- Market Access: Provides exposure to both IMO 2020-compliant and non-compliant fuel markets in Singapore
- Flexibility: Enables various trading strategies related to the marine fuel transition
This contract is particularly valuable for shipowners, bunker suppliers, refineries, and commodity traders active in the Asian marine fuel market. It offers a powerful tool for managing price risks and implementing sophisticated trading strategies in the evolving landscape of marine fuels post-IMO 2020.