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Transatlantic diesel spread surges as winter storm disrupts US

Published28 JAN 26 - 08:50 Reading time  minutes
The freeze has “threatened Midwest US refinery production,” said James Noel-Beswick, head of commodities at Sparta. Diesel stockpiles have also been seasonally low in parts of the country, and the imminent start of a heavy US Gulf coast refinery turnaround period hasn’t helped, he added.

Bloomberg, January 28, 2026 – A major winter storm and ongoing freezing temperatures have tightened the US diesel market, pushing New York Harbor diesel to its widest premium over European gasoil in more than three years. Refinery disruptions, low regional inventories, heating oil demand in the Northeast, and looming Gulf Coast turnarounds have all amplified the move, though analysts expect the spread could ease once the cold snap passes.

Author

James Noel-Beswick

Head of Commodities

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