In the U.S. Gulf, December space is becoming scarce and rates are expected to rise further. Neither Europe nor Asia are particularly busy, but ships generally have several voyages booked ahead, and prompt space is no longer so common.-by Adrian Brown

As global base oil capacity continues its shift from API Group I to Group II base oils - along with rapid growth in Group III - European blenders and Group I base oil producers are taking steps to adapt to the changes, an industry observer told ACIs European Base Oils & Lubricants Interactive Summit in Florence, Italy.

Independent lubricant companies in Africa are missing the mark when it comes to original equipment manufacturer standards, but fostering alliances between the two may help local producers to meet the desired requirements, an industry insider said at the ICIS African Base Oils and Lubricants Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Global electric vehicle sales are growing rapidly from a small base but are concentrated to date in a handful of countries, including Scandinavia, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, according to a new report from LubesnGreases about EVs and their impact on lube markets.