Japan’s gasoline imports jump in May

Oil

Japan’s gasoline imports increased by 50K b/d m-o-m and 60K b/d y-o-y to 110K b/d in May, rising for the fourth month in a row to the highest level on records dating back to 1995, according to data from the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI). Total oil product imports rose by 30K b/d m-o-m and 190K b/d y-o-y to 720K b/d, with arrivals of naphtha falling by 30K b/d m-o-m to 540K b/d, a four-month low.

Crude oil imports decreased by 240K b/d m-o-m to 2.42M b/d, falling after previously reaching a one-year high in April. Shipments from the Middle East Gulf declined by 190K b/d m-o-m to 2.25M b/d, accounting for around 93% of the total figure.