European Feedstocks Daily Commentary / Refinery maintenance cuts feedstock demand / VGO loadings plunge 69.73% on the week

Sep 14, 2026

The European fall maintenance season has started to affect feedstock demand, while vacuum gasoil (VGO) loadings fell week over week. Despite elevated distillate cracks, several European refineries have begun routine maintenance, which has negatively impacted feedstock demand, said market participants. One trader saw “some HDC maintenance” across the Mediterranean, which has reduced demand for certain feedstock products, like VGO. Product supply remains ample, with CDU margins healthy. For the low-sulfur straight-run (LSSR) product, market participants indicate that several sources of LSSR are on offer across both Northwest Europe and the Mediterranean, pressuring differentials. Meanwhile, European and Russian loadings of VGO dropped 69.73% week over week to 44,059 metric tons in the week ended Sept. 4, according to the latest. With only two ships loading VGO during the week. Meanwhile, diesel...

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