Storage levels in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Flushing (ARA) region are a critical indicator of the refined products supply and demand balance, influencing both European and global markets. Given that ARA is the delivery point for ICE Low Sulphur Gasoil futures contracts and possesses extensive global market connectivity, inventory changes at the hub can significantly influence pricing.
Wood Mackenzie’s highly accurate ARA storage data offers traders unmatched insight into inventory and capacity shifts at one of the world’s most vital refined products hubs. Granular and timely storage data allows subscribers to enhance in-house models and analyses, enabling them to identify new trading opportunities and effectively mitigate risk.
Alejandro Alderete Bezaba recently took a look at how Wood Mackenzie's storage data can move the ICE Gasoil futures market, one of the examples from those insights is below.
On November 19, Wood Mackenzie reported that gasoil inventories in ARA decreased 198,000 MT to 3.079mn MT for the week ending November 14. The decrease took place during three weeks of consec utive draws, where inventories declined 420,000 MT since week ending October 31. Rotterdam saw the largest draw of 141,000 MT, driven by Vopak Europoort Terminal, where capacity utilization fell from a three-week average of 61 percent to 44 percent. Gasoil tanker outflows from ARA remained high, with loadings reaching 272,000 MT since the week ending November 7, according to Wood Mackenzie’s European Waterborne Products, accounting for the over all draw.
Meanwhile, ARA-Rhine flows by barge rose for the fourth consecutive week, with 139,000 MT of GO/ULSD entering the Rhine in the week ending November 14. Despite water levels on the Rhine causing loading restrictions, monthly barge imports from ARA remained healthy, totalling 510,000 MT through November 2025. Price Commentary ICE low Sulphur gasoil front month prices rose by $8.5/MT to $798.75/MT within 39 minutes of Wood Mackenzie’s November 19 report of the inventory draw. After the increase, prices declined and trended lower for the remainder of the day.
