Structured brokerage for ULSD EN590, Jet A-1 aviation turbine fuel, and gasoil grades — connecting refiners with distributors, airlines, governments, and end-buyers globally.
From ultra-low sulphur road diesel to aviation turbine fuel and marine gasoil, Meridian facilitates compliant, documented transactions across the distillates spectrum.
Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel meeting European EN590:2013+A1 specification, the dominant road transport fuel grade in Europe, Middle East, and export markets. Sourced from European and Mediterranean refineries for bulk cargo and barge transactions.
Jet A-1 aviation turbine fuel meeting Def Stan 91-091 / ASTM D1655 specifications, the global standard for commercial aviation. High-demand product serving airlines, charter operators, and strategic reserve buyers. SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) blending options available.
Medium and standard sulphur gasoil grades for industrial heating, agricultural machinery, off-road equipment, and marine (MGO/MDO) applications in markets where ULSD is not mandated. Common in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and developing market exports.
Reference quality specifications for the three main middle distillate grades intermediated by Meridian, aligned with international testing standards.
| Parameter | Diesel ULSD EN590 | Jet A-1 (Def Stan) | Gasoil 500 PPM | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur Content | ≤ 10 mg/kg | ≤ 3,000 mg/kg | ≤ 500 mg/kg | ASTM D2622 |
| Density @ 15°C | 820–845 kg/m³ | 775–840 kg/m³ | 820–860 kg/m³ | ASTM D4052 |
| Flash Point | ≥ 55°C | ≥ 38°C | ≥ 55°C | ASTM D93 |
| Cetane Number | ≥ 51 | N/A | ≥ 45 | ASTM D613 |
| Cold Filter Plugging Point | −15°C (winter) | Freeze Pt ≤ −47°C | −5°C | ASTM D6371 |
| Viscosity @ 40°C | 2.0–4.5 mm²/s | 1.0–8.0 mm²/s @ −20°C | 2.5–6.0 mm²/s | ASTM D445 |
| Polycyclic Aromatics | ≤ 8.0% m/m | ≤ 3.0% V/V | ≤ 11.0% m/m | EN 12916 |
| Lubricity (HFRR) | ≤ 460 µm | ≤ 0.85 mm | ≤ 520 µm | ASTM D6079 |
| Distillation 95% (T95) | ≤ 360°C | ≤ 300°C | ≤ 370°C | ASTM D86 |
| Water Content | ≤ 200 mg/kg | Nil (visual clear) | ≤ 200 mg/kg | ASTM D6304 |
Current signals shaping distillates mandate flow and counterparty demand in road transport, aviation, and marine markets.
The International Air Transport Association's latest forecast projects full-year 2026 global passenger traffic will exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 6–8%, driven by recovery in Asia-Pacific routes and sustained growth in Middle East hub traffic. Jet A-1 demand in the ARA hub is trending at 12–14% above Q1 2025, with spot availability tightening as refiners optimise towards diesel amid lower crack spreads.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to absorb significant volumes of gasoil and diesel imports, with the region's refinery utilisation rate averaging just 42% in 2025 due to chronic maintenance underinvestment. Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Mozambique collectively imported an estimated 4.2 million tonnes of gasoil in 2025. Middle distillate traders targeting CIF West Africa deliveries are reporting strong counterparty interest from government-backed off-takers and independent distributors.
The middle distillates market in 2026 is being shaped by two divergent demand signals: the structural recovery of aviation, which is pushing Jet A-1 to multi-year demand highs, and the gradual softening of road diesel demand in Europe and North America as electric vehicle penetration accelerates — albeit from a low base relative to the total vehicle fleet.
Global air passenger traffic is set to exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 2026, with IATA projecting a 6–8% year-on-year increase. Asia-Pacific is the dominant growth driver, as Chinese domestic aviation and international routes connecting Southeast Asia to Europe and the Americas have recovered faster than most analysts anticipated. Middle East hubs — Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH) — continue to absorb disproportionate market share, underpinning sustained Jet A-1 demand at Gulf terminals.
"The European SAF mandate is not yet materially impacting physical Jet A-1 volumes — but it is reshaping the commercial conversation. Every serious airline procurement desk is now asking about SAF blending options, even for non-EU routes."
The European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which came into force in January 2025, mandates a minimum 2% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend at EU airports. While 2% is a modest initial threshold, it has catalysed significant commercial activity among refiners, feedstock aggregators, and fuel intermediaries seeking to establish compliant SAF supply chains ahead of the escalating 2030 (6%) and 2035 (20%) targets.
For diesel and gasoil, the picture is more nuanced. European ULSD demand is declining at approximately 1.5–2% per annum as EV penetration in the passenger car fleet slowly reduces consumption. However, heavy commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery — which collectively account for over 60% of European diesel consumption — remain overwhelmingly diesel-dependent with no near-term electrification pathway at scale.
The most active mandate flow in Meridian's distillates desk in 2026 centres on CIF deliveries of ULSD EN590 to North and West African buyers, Ex-Tank Jet A-1 transactions at ARA and Mediterranean hubs, and FOB Gasoil 500PPM for Sub-Saharan African government tenders — markets where supply reliability and documentation compliance remain the primary differentiators.