Renewable diesel imports into the USA surged in the first five months of this year, according to data in the US Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s latest Petroleum Supply Monthly report.
US renewable diesel imports averaged 30,000 barrels/day (bpd) in the period, close to the monthly record set last May, the 6 August report said.
Most imports (94%) were shipped to the US West Coast, the area with the highest level of renewable diesel consumption in the country. California, Oregon and Washington are the only US states with active clean fuel programmes promoting renewable diesel consumption beyond incentives provided by federal policies.
All US imports came from Finnish renewable diesel producer Neste’s plants in Singapore and Rotterdam.
The USA imported 29% more renewable diesel during the first five months of 2024 than in the same period last year.
Increased production capacity at Neste’s Singapore plant following its expansion in mid-2023 and expanded renewable diesel storage capacity at Vopak’s terminal in Los Angeles, California, were likely drivers of the increase in imports, the report said.
According to the EIA’s company level import data, 18,000 bpd of the total imported renewable diesel has gone to Los Angeles in the period, an increase from 2023’s annual average of 13,000 bpd.
An increase in imports to Los Angeles port in 2024 was likely to have been driven by an expansion in terminal capacity there, the report said.
Renewable diesel imports into San Francisco, California, had decreased slightly in 2024, while imports increased slightly to Portland, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; and Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
At the time of the report, Neste’s Singapore plant had supplied 96% of US renewable diesel imports this year, with its Rotterdam plant supplying the remainder.
Although the ratio was similar in 2023, Neste’s Finland plant had also supplied some renewable diesel last year.
Imports of biomass-based diesel – comprising renewable diesel and biodiesel – have made up an above average percentage of US consumption, according to the report.
In the first five months of 2024, imported biomass-based diesel supplied about 20% of US biomass-based diesel consumption, compared with about 15% in 2023 and 10% in 2022.
“Although we forecast that more biodiesel and renewable diesel will be imported in 2024 than in previous years in our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we expect imports to decrease in the second half of the year in part because of scheduled maintenance at Neste’s Singapore and Rotterdam plants,” the EIA said.
