Since October, U.S. West Coast Jet Fuel production has been reduced after an El Segundo refinery fire in southern California that forced Chevron to shut down multiple units.

According to Kpler, LSEG, and four sources of trade data, about 60,000 metric tonnes (472,800 barges) of aviation fuel were loaded onto the Panamax tanker Hafnia Kallang from Jamnagar, where Reliance Industries runs a refinery.

Castleton Commodities chartered this ship which, according to multiple shipbrokers, is expected in Los Angeles during the first half December.

All sources spoke under the condition of anonymity. Reliance Castleton has not responded to any requests for comment.

Chevron refused to comment on commercial issues, but said it expects to finish repairs at the El Segundo Jet Fuel Production Unit in early 2026.

Imports from the U.S. West Coast to remain elevated

Two trade sources have said that the supply of jet fuel on the West Coast could be limited until El Segundo repairs are complete.

Chevron is committed to supplying customers worldwide, including those served by the El Segundo Refinery. The company may use local or imported products in order to achieve this.

But traders say that it is unlikely the U.S. West Coast will receive many imports from India because shipments to Northeast Asia are more affordable.

SSY's pricing data shows that shipping costs for about 40,000 metric tonnes of refined fuels shipped from South Korea to U.S. West Coast remain at $40 per ton.

As the route is not very common, it's rare to find spot shipping rates between India & the U.S. West Coast.

Kpler data revealed that last month, exports of jet fuel from Northeast Asia to the U.S. West Coast reached a five-month-high of approximately 600,000 tonnes.

Arbitrage economics has remained healthy, with U.S. West Coast Jet Fuel prices $10 per barrel higher than Singapore's free-on-board spot prices.

On November 7, the U.S. West Coast Jet Fuel stocks were at a low of 11,12 million barrels, a period lasting three months.