Thursday, July 31, 2014 - Unlike in recent years, growth in global gasoline consumption is outpacing diesel growth in 2014. At the same time, new refining capacity engineered to produce more distillate than gasoline is coming online in 2014. The narrowing spread for December 2014 futures contracts demonstrates how these two factors may be temporarily leading to a tighter global gasoline market than was expected at the beginning of the year.

Thursday, July 24, 2014 - Iran holds the world’s fourth-largest proved crude oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves. Despite the country’s abundant reserves, Iran’s oil production has substantially declined over the past few years, and natural gas production growth has slowed.

The U.S. flag crewboat "Three Aces" was sold to C&C Boats of Huntington Beach.

Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - The average U.S. offshore rig count for June 2014 was 58, the same number that was counted in May 2014 and up three from the 55 counted in June 2013. 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014 - Unrest in Iraq put upward pressure on world oil prices last month, helping North Sea Brent crude oil spot prices reach their highest daily level of the year at just over $115/barrel (bbl) on June 19.

Wednesday, July 02, 2014 - With the exception of Singapore, MGO prices remained the same or decreased slightly in June. Fujairah held steady at US$ 977.50 per metric tonne.

A U.S. flag, 250.0’ x 54.0’ x 11.0’ deck barge was sold for conversion to a terminal stevedoring platform.

Of the 3,921 barges and 12,727 vessels we currently track, 733 are tank barges with 54 inland and 41 ocean or coastal barges officially on the market for sale.

Friday, June 27, 2014 - India was the fourth-largest energy consumer in the world after China, the United States, and Russia in 2011, and its need for energy supply continues to climb as a result of the countrys dynamic economic growth and modernization over the past several years.

Monday, June 23, 2014 - Venezuela is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of crude oil. It has consistently been one of the largest exporters of crude oil in the Americas. As a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Venezuela is an important player in the global oil market.

Of the 12,727 vessels (excluding barges) Marcon currently tracks, 677 are inland river pushboats with 83 officially on the market for sale (70 U.S. flag and 13 foreign flag).

Of 12,727 vessels and 3,921 barges tracked by Marcon, 3,171 are supply and tug supply boats, with 261 officially on the market for sale.

Of the 12,727 vessels and 3,921 barges Marcon tracks, 1,089 are crew, fast supply & pilot boats with 196 officially on the market for sale, plus we have 51 boats available for charter worldwide. 31.1% of the boats officially for sale are U.S. flag.

2014 is off to a good start for most sectors Marcon covers, and although it remains a bit of mixed bag we are confident that the year will finish strong - which we have all been looking forward to.

Of the 12,705 vessels and 3,888 barges that Marcon currently tracks, 4,770 are tugs with 687 currently officially on the market for sale worldwide, up 2.38% since November 2013 and down 5.50% from February 2013.