The U.S. Gulf is making some progress after the Intercontinental Terminals Co. fire, but is still not back to normal. Europe is seeing a moderate amount of activity, while Asia is slowly but surely filling the last of the April loaders.-by Adrian Brown

Base oil imports to Turkey dropped sharply in recent years due to a government clampdown on previously widespread dodging of fuels taxes. The nations base oils and finished lubricants markets continue to chug along, according to one supplier, despite the implementation of hefty import tariffs.

The United Arab Emirates remains a dominant trading hub for base oils and lubricants in the Middle East, thanks to its strategic geographic location, efficient shipment facilities and its logistics services, an industry expert said.

The lubricants industry has a well-established practice of rerefining waste oils into base stocks that are used to make new lubes. Now a South African start-up company is leading an effort to make lubricants from human waste.