Tightness of vessel space in the U.S. Gulf is the main limiting factor as to a lack of fixtures this week. Europe has been slightly busier on the long-haul routes but remains flat on coastal markets. Asia is slowing down in advance of the New Year holidays.-by Adrian Brown

Global bright stock demand was 2.7 million tons in 2017, but is expected to decline by approximately 250,000 tons by 2027, said Kline & Co. in a webinar last week. The Americas account for 20 to 25 percent of demand.

Chevron, Phillips 66, Total and Petro-Canada America Lubricants notified U.S. customers of upcoming finished lubricant price increases that go into effect from late February through early March. Like other marketers that announced increases in recent weeks, these companies cited factors such as increasing costs for raw materials such as base oils and additives.

Transformer oil rerefiner Hydrodec Group posted its first positive full-year profits in the groups history for 2017, and its revenues were up 6 percent from 2016, according to its pre-close trading update issued Monday.