Insights · Refined Products
How to buy EN 590 10 ppm diesel
Specification, pricing, delivery terms and the process — a plain-English guide for buyers of ultra-low-sulphur diesel.
In brief. EN 590 10 ppm is ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) to the European standard — sulphur ≤10 mg/kg, cetane ≥51. It trades per metric tonne against ICE Low-Sulphur Gasoil plus a differential, on CIF or FOB terms. A genuine purchase runs KYC → signed SPA → independent inspection → delivery. Firm pricing and availability are confirmed by the desk; nothing here is an offer.
1. Know the specification
EN 590 is the European standard for automotive diesel. The grade traded internationally as "10 ppm" caps sulphur at 10 mg/kg and sets a minimum cetane number of 51, density of 820–845 kg/m³ and up to 7% biodiesel (B7). Cold-flow properties vary by seasonal grade and destination. Every parcel should be confirmed by an independent assay — see the full EN 590 specification.
2. Understand how it is priced
Diesel is not sold at a flat "list price". EN 590 10 ppm prices per metric tonne against a low-sulphur gasoil benchmark — ICE Low-Sulphur Gasoil in Europe, or a regional Platts assessment (ARA, US Gulf, Singapore, West Africa) — plus a differential that reflects grade, delivery location and timing. So a quote reads as "benchmark ± differential", agreed per cargo. Any live levels you see published (including on our Markets page) are indicative and delayed; firm pricing is confirmed by the desk under contract.
3. Choose the delivery basis (Incoterms)
The two most common terms for fuel cargoes are:
- FOB (Free On Board) — the seller delivers the cargo onboard the vessel at the load port; the buyer arranges and pays onward freight and insurance and carries risk from that point.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) — the seller pays cost, insurance and freight to the named destination port.
Storage-based delivery inside a terminal (TTO / tank-to-tank) is also used in hubs such as ARA. The precise term is always written into the contract.
4. The process, end to end
A real transaction is orderly and document-driven:
- Enquiry — you tell the desk the grade, volume, destination and preferred terms.
- Onboarding & KYC — both sides exchange verifiable company information and pass compliance screening.
- Indicative terms — the pricing basis and commercial terms are set out.
- SPA — the binding sale and purchase agreement fixes price, quantity, quality, Incoterms, inspection and payment.
- Inspection & delivery — an independent inspector (SGS, Saybolt, Intertek) certifies quantity and quality; the cargo is delivered on the agreed basis.
Our full compliance and process page walks through each step.
5. A word on documentation and safety
Buyers new to the market often encounter acronyms — ICPO, LOI, POF, BCL, RWA, MT199. These describe orders, letters of intent and bank readiness messages that appear in some procedures. Treat them with care: a legitimate deal is built on verified counterparties, a signed SPA and independent inspection, not on a single document. Be wary of any process that demands upfront fees, "SBLC-only" terms or unverifiable instruments — those are common fraud patterns, and Adelante does not transact that way.
Ready to enquire?
If you are a qualified buyer, the fastest route is to contact the desk with your grade, volume, destination and terms. We will confirm the pricing basis and begin onboarding. Firm pricing, availability and terms are always confirmed by the desk, in writing, under contract.
Educational and indicative only — not an offer, quotation, or financial advice.
Talk to the desk.
For EN 590 supply, pricing basis and onboarding — qualified counterparties only.
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