News: BHP Asia Fuel Oil-Benchmarks hold steady; monthly incoming supplies dip

SINGAPORE, May 14 (Reuters) - Asia's fuel oil benchmarks were little changed on Tuesday, while latest ship-tracking data showed this month's incoming supplies remained lower compared to the previous month.

Total supplies to East Asia are expected to hit about 5 million metric tons in May, compared with 5.5 to 6.0 tons in April, calculations based on LSEG's ship-tracking data showed on Tuesday.

Expectations of lower supplies and stronger seasonal demand has given the market support in recent sessions.

The low-sulphur (VLSFO) market held rangebound, with cash premiums pegged between $6 to $6.50 a metric ton on Tuesday, though cracks LFO05SGDUBCMc1 dipped below $11 a barrel.

Market sources eyed the outcome of Kuwait's VLSFO term tender which closes on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, high-sulphur (HSFO) benchmarks have been retaining support due to firm summer demand expectations.

Singapore's cash premium for 380-cst HSFO was pegged at a premium between $8 to $8.50 a ton, though the product's cracks FO380DUBCKMc1 eased to discounts below $7 a barrel on Tuesday.

OTHER NEWS - Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday as investors waited on upcoming data, including U.S. inflation indicators and a monthly report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries this week.

- Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday there was "not one shred of evidence" of ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned Iranian oil off Malaysia.

- Indonesia's state refiner Pertamina is ramping up operations at its Balikpapan refinery after completing a revamp that started in February, a company official said on Tuesday.

- BHP Group is likely to sweeten its $43 billion takeover offer for Anglo American for a second time and possibly add cash, investors in both companies said on Tuesday, after the London-headquartered target rejected a higher bid.

WINDOW TRADES - 180-cst HSFO: No trade - 380-cst HSFO: No trade - 0.5% VLSFO: Two trades

ASSESSMENTS FUEL OIL

 CASH ($/T)					ASIA CLOSE	 CHANGE	  PREV CLOSE  RIC 
 Cargo - 0.5% VLSFO				   604.42	   -2.47	  606.89   MFO05-SIN  
 Diff - 0.5% VLSFO					  6.15		0.22		5.93   
 Cargo - 180cst					   504.69	   -1.35	  506.04   FO180-SIN  
 Diff - 180cst						  8.93		1.96		6.97   
 Cargo - 380cst					   492.01	   -2.31	  494.32   FO380-SIN  
 Diff - 380cst						  8.35		0.28		8.07   
 Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium -			8.00		0.50		7.50				
 380cst																

 Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium -			8.00		0.00		8.00				
 0.5% VLSFO															

For a list of derivatives prices, including margins, please double click the RICs below. Brent M1 BRENTSGMc1 180cst M1 FO180SGSWMc1 180cst M1/M2 FO180SGSDMc1 180cst M2 FO180SGSWMc2 Visco M1 FOVISSGDFMc1 Visco M2 FOVISSGDFMc2 380cst M1 FO380SGSWMc1 380cst M1/M2 FO380SGSDMc1 380cst M2 FO380SGSWMc2 Cracks 180-Dubai M1 FO180SGCKMc1 Cracks 180-Dubai M2 FO180SGCKMc2 East-West M1 FOSGEWMc1 East-West M2 FOSGEWMc2 Barges M1 HFOFARAAMc1 Barges M1/M2 HFOFARAASMc1 Barges M2 HFOFARAAMc2 Crack Barges-Brent M1 HFOFARAACMc1 Crack Barges-Brent M2 HFOFARAACMc2