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- Fuel and Freight Daily Update - 1/9/26
01/09/2026
Futures Market Settles (Front Month)
All prices reflect end-of-day settlements from January 8th, 2026
Instrument | Settlement | Change |
|---|---|---|
WTI Future (Feb) | $57.76 | ▲ 0.63 |
Brent Final Day (Mar) | $61.99 | ▲ 1.29 |
RBOB (Feb) | $1.7603 | ▲ 0.0597 |
ULSD (Feb) | $2.1195 | ▲ 0.0365 |
Ethanol CU (Jan) | $1.5800 | (FLAT) |
Spread | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
HO/Brent (Mar) | $26.69 | ▲ 0.11 |
RB/Brent (Mar) | $12.83 | ▲ 1.03 |
HO/WTI Crack (Feb) | $31.26 | ▲ 0.90 |
ULSD & Jet Physical Market Settles
Colonial Pipeline Differentials (USGC):
ULSD 62g (C05): -8.75
Jet Fuel 54g (C05): -18.50
Type | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
D6 (Ethanol) | $1.1100 | ▼ 0.0025 |
D4 (Biodiesel) | $1.1925 | ▲ 0.0025 |
D5 (Advanced) | $1.1800 | ▲ 0.0025 |
D3 (Cellulosic) | $2.3515 | ▼ 0.0385 |
Freight Market Summary
Clean Tankers:
Clean-product tanker markets remain under pressure. Prompt tonnage availability in the U.S. Gulf and other export regions continues to exceed cargo demand, keeping lists long. While post-holiday inquiries are gradually returning, activity remains light and insufficient to materially tighten the market. Owners are still competing aggressively on rates to secure employment, and near-term sentiment remains cautious.
Crude Tankers:
Crude freight remains steady with a supportive undertone. A meaningful portion of VLCC and Suezmax tonnage remains tied up on long-haul or extended voyages, limiting effective supply. Although spot demand is not accelerating, these structural constraints continue to underpin rate floors across major long-haul routes. Market conditions remain stable but rangebound.
LNG Shipping:
LNG freight continues to trade firm. Winter demand remains strong, absorbing vessel availability and extending voyage durations, particularly in the Atlantic Basin. Charterers are actively securing both prompt and forward coverage, allowing owners to maintain pricing leverage despite generally thin early-January liquidity.
Dry Bulk & General Freight:
Dry-bulk markets are mixed as trading activity slowly normalizes. Some bulk commodity corridors are seeing modest improvement, but container and general cargo markets remain challenged by excess capacity and uneven global trade flows. Rate momentum remains limited across most standard lanes.
Overall Outlook:
Freight markets remain bifurcated heading into mid-January. Crude and LNG sectors continue to benefit from structural tightness and seasonal demand, while clean-product tanker and container markets remain pressured by oversupply and sluggish cargo recovery. A clearer directional shift will depend on how quickly post-holiday cargo programs rebuild in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer
This article and its contents are provided by Liquidity Energy, LLC ("The Firm") for informational purposes only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any commodity, futures contract, option contract, or other transaction. Although any statements of fact have been obtained from and are based on sources that the Firm believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee their accuracy, and any such information may be incomplete or condensed.
Commodity trading involves risks, and you should fully understand those risks prior to trading. Liquidity Energy LLC and its affiliates assume no liability for the use of any information contained herein. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to buy or sell any futures or options on futures contracts. Information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy. Any opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice, are that of the individual, and not necessarily the opinion of Liquidity Energy LLC