Russia remained as the top crude supplier to China’s independent refineries in June — the second consecutive month — with 2.32 million mt arrived, far outpacing the second supplier in Angola, S&P Global Platts monthly survey showed Thursday. June imports from Russia were up 31.7% on month from 1.76 million mt in May, hitting a five-month high, and also 124% higher from a year earlier. About 96% of the Russian imports were ESPO blend, with only 100,000 mt of Sokol imported by Shengxing Petrochemical. The comparatively strong demand of gasoil has been supporting the higher appetite for ESPO grade, according to sources. “ESPO gives better yields of gasoil, and coupled with shorter voyage times and smaller lots, all makes it a very good feedstock,” an independent refinery source said. The ESPO imports were shared by […]