Blog SPFO

When we think about the price of oil or gasoline, it may seem like it only depends on the basic law of supply and demand. However, the reality is much more complex. Oil prices are determined through a global system involving multiple factors, regulatory mechanisms, and market references that interact to set prices internationally. As […]

Although there are many types of crude oil, two names dominate the global market: Brent and WTI. These two crudes are used as global benchmarks to set the price of a barrel, regardless of whether buyers are purchasing that exact oil. In other words, they act as reference indexes for the energy market. Brent: The […]

As we explained in the previous article, the oil we use every day is not the same as the crude extracted from underground. Crude oil must be processed to separate its components and turn it into useful products. This transformation involves several key steps. Refining Begins with Fractional Distillation The first stage is fractional distillation, […]

The fuel we use every day comes from a natural resource formed millions of years ago: crude oil. Its geological origin and the process of extraction and transformation are key to understanding its value and its role in our daily lives. But what exactly is crude oil? Let’s break it down step by step. What […]

Factors Affecting Commodity Prices At first glance, you might think the price of oil, wheat, or copper should remain fairly stable—after all, the product itself doesn’t change much. In reality, there are many factors that influence price fluctuations. The commodities market doesn’t just respond to supply and demand; it also reacts to politics, climate, and […]

How are commodities bought and sold? You may not notice it in your daily life, but behind every purchase you make at the supermarket or simple actions like turning on the heating, there is a huge global market operating every single day: the commodities market. We already understand what commodities are, but do we really […]

Energy Commodities Just like other commodities—and as we learned in the previous article—energy commodities are basic goods traded in large volumes and are interchangeable among different producers. Their price is determined by global supply and demand, and their quality is standardized regardless of origin. As we mentioned earlier, these commodities are essential for electricity generation, […]

You may have never heard the term “commodities,” but the truth is, you interact with them every day — and they play a fundamental role in the global economy. The word commodity refers to raw materials or basic goods that are traded in large volumes, such as wheat, gold, coffee, or oil. Commodities are considered […]

Have you ever wondered how the massive ships crossing the oceans refuel? The answer lies in a logistical operation that is as essential as it is little known: bunkering. This term, which may sound unfamiliar if you’re not involved in the maritime world, is actually one of the fundamental pieces that keeps international shipping moving. […]

The Shift That’s Cleaning Our Oceans In January 2020, a major international regulation came into effect, marking a turning point for maritime transport: the IMO 2020 regulation. This initiative from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) limits the sulfur content in marine fuels to just 0.5% m/m (mass by mass), down from the previous 3.5%. It […]

How Biofuels Help Reduce Emissions The primary environmental benefit of biofuels lies in their carbon-neutral balance. Since they are produced from organic materials that previously absorbed CO₂ during their growth cycle, their combustion does not release “new” carbon into the atmosphere—unlike fossil fuels. Another important aspect is that many biofuels are produced from waste materials […]

The maritime sector plays a fundamental role in international trade. Within this complex logistics network, “bunkering” stands out as a critical operation for ensuring the energy supply of merchant vessels. Although it is a lesser-known concept outside professional circles, its impact on the efficiency and continuity of maritime transport is undeniable. Definition of Bunkering Bunkering […]