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At 3 AM, we aren’t only talking crude; we’re talking crisis calculus. Do you bet that your West African partner can resolve a blockade in a matter of days, or do you secure the Mediterranean cargo for a hefty $4/barrel premium? This is oil trading in a nutshell; geopolitics, logistics, and margin pressure all colliding in real-time. If you make the right decision you profit. If not you lose contracts, you damage reputations, and you potentially create a fractured supply chain.

We help clients assess these decisions, not just with pricing, but also with probability, partner history, and macro movements.

When the pressure is on, do you use a risk radar, or just instincts?

West Africa: The High-Stakes Play

Pros:

• Discounts on sweet crudes (Bonny Light $2 under Brent)
• Flexible payment terms (common to put 30% down payment)
• New emerging grades (Senegal Sangomar)

Cons:

• Every 4 in 10 cargoes are delayed by piracy or politics
• Missing allocations in pipelines
• Last minute community development fees

Mediterranean: The Steady Choice

Benefits:

• Reliable loading schedules (95% on-time)
• Good legal recourse
• Blending opportunities at Malta/Trieste

Risks:

• Overcrowded ports (Genoa delays up to 9 days)
• Russian oil sanction complications
• Risk of diminishing heavy crude availability

Terra’s Regional Playbook

Choosing between Mediterranean and West African crude isn’t just about price, it’s about your business model. If working capital is your priority, Mediterranean barrels offer predictability: faster turnarounds, consistent load schedules, and fewer geopolitical surprises. You keep inventory moving and cash flowing. But if you’re playing for margin and can stomach the volatility, West Africa’s discounts can deliver serious upside, provided you manage the delays, port congestion, and political flare-ups.

Smart traders align supply choices with financial strategy. Do you need stable cash flow, or are you hunting for alpha in chaos?

Each route speaks a different language. Which one matches your playbook?

A Tale of Two Trades

In oil trading, speed and access define your edge. Our Geneva client secured a 28% profit on Nigerian Agbami crude, not by chance, but because we stepped in to negotiate direct militia clearance at short notice. No clearance, no cargo. Meanwhile, a Hamburg buyer was staring down refinery shutdown. We sourced emergency Saharan Blend from Algeria, organized vessels, and got it to his terminal within 72 hours, just in time to avoid millions in downtime losses.

These aren’t one-off miracles. They’re the result of real-time intelligence, field-tested networks, and relentless execution.

When stakes are high, who’s in your corner matters?

Key Differences

Trading West African and Mediterranean crude requires more than pricing models, it demands regional fluency. In West Africa, partial upfront payments are common, with disputes often handled through local “facilitators” rather than formal channels. Mediterranean deals, by contrast, typically require strict letters of credit and resolve disputes via standard arbitration in Geneva or London.

West Africa favors traders with storage and risk tolerance; Mediterranean flows suit just-in-time operators needing reliability and speed. Knowing which region fits your strategy can mean the difference between profit and peril.

Struggling with regional risks? Get our monthly hotspot analysis and trade smarter, not harder.

The vessel appeared to be legitimate on paper, Maltese flagged, Greek-owned, with compliant EU paperwork. However, legitimacy in oil trading has nothing to do with flags and filings. Our compliance team managed to trace the corporate chain through six shell entities in Cyprus, the BVI, and Hong Kong. The end of that chain? The son-in-law of a sanctioned Russian oligarch. If the deal had executed, our client could have faced frozen payments, being blacklisted, and potential prosecution? Welcome to the modern compliance battlefield, where sanctions change weekly and ownership is buried three layers deep.

If you are not verifying ultimate beneficiaries, you are not compliance. We offer real-time vessel vetting and forensic memory ownership audits.

2024’s Newest Tricks

These aren’t hypotheticals – these are day-to-day strategies in the current, high-stakes world of oil trading. In the Bermuda Bank Shuffle, money goes through three pristine banks before ultimately ending up with a sanctioned entity on the fourth. Meanwhile, the Ghost Fleet Charade employs hacked AIS data and nautical brown paint for color change while at sea to cover the fact they are using blacklisted tankers. And in the Blend Loophole, the traders inadvertently mix 49% Russian crude with 51% Kazakh origin making it “legal” per EU import regulations right away.

The protocols have not changed, but the sophistication of those circumventing them has.

If you are not working to uncover these tactics, you are already compromised. Let us help. Please inquire about our forensic compliance and advisory services.

How Terra’s Compliance Works

Our compliance process is real deal, not just a cursory review. It is described in detail in The Document Autopsy. We look at every certificate to find a font discrepancy, which is often the red flag with a forgery. The PDFs we have seen metadata for make it easy to find out where “official” files come from. “Official” files are easy to undermine if, for example, the emailed date/time stamp makes no sense relative to the claimed route of a shipment.

Then we want to know the Physical Trail. We verify port calls based on our proprietary log records compared to what other people claim. We analyze the mix of nationalities of the crew in their movements that signal reflagging of the vessels, and trace the bunker fuel receipts to verify the moves of the tankers.

Meaningful due diligence follows the dark shadows of the ghosts along the routes they created until they take shape. If you are looking at things at face value in their current state, you are in a compromised position.

When We Said No

These aren’t hypotheticals, they’re real red flags we’ve intercepted in the last six months.

1. A “Swiss” trader who couldn’t provide a corporate email or landline, just a Gmail address and a Telegram handle.
2. A supposed cargo of EN590 claimed to be stored at a terminal, except the coordinates led to an empty field when checked on Google Earth.
3. Payment terms insisting on cryptocurrency “for speed,” but actually designed to bypass traceability.

In oil trading, fraud wears a tailored suit. If your counterparty can’t pass the most basic verification steps, walk away, fast. We can show you how.

Your Simple Compliance Checklist

In today’s murky trading environment, surface-level checks aren’t enough. A vessel name can be spoofed, but the IMO number is unique and traceable. Corporate documents? They must be notarized and verified, not just PDFs in your inbox. And when terms mention “alternative payment channels” or “flexible documentation,” it’s often code for illicit routing, sanction evasion, or forgery.

Our Turkish client nearly entered a nightmare, what looked like legitimate Middle Eastern crude turned out to be Venezuelan Merle blend. We caught it mid-process through forensic vessel tracking and avoided massive OFAC penalties.

Sleep soundly with our compliance shield. Get protected today.

In Lagos, there is an oil trader who has been with the same supplier for 14 years, an impressive accomplishment in today’s combustible marketplace. In 2020, when banks retreated, and liquidity was hard to find, that supplier easily agreed to terms of 90-day payment. Why? Because in 2012, the trader had a contract and rather than walking away, they took a small loss. That is character, trust, integrity, led to a relationship. At Terra Commodities, we firmly believe that trading is not simply an exchange of barrels and bank wires, it is a business based on reputation, loyalty, and trust. It is a relationship that takes time and in the right circumstances, we believe good relationship result in good trading deals.

Why Most “Partnerships” Fail.

The average oil trading relationship lasts on average 18 months, and it is easy to see why. Buyers will leave for a $0.10/barrel discount for short term savings with no concern for long-term reliability. Sellers will also use vague force majeure clauses to shift their requirements, when the market has swung. The parties will continually withhold information from each other and treat each deal as a zero-sum game. There is no trust and therefore increased risk for all the players involved. At Terra Commodities, we strive to create lasting relationships by aligning incentives, requiring transparency, and are committed to managing both sides of a risk. In a market of volatility, consistency and trust are differentiators and competitive advantages.

How Terra Builds Decade-Long Bonds

At Terra Commodities, we don’t just connect buyers and sellers, we design the sustainable trading partners.

• First we align through our Introduction Protocol, in not only deal specs, but also by company culture.
• A family-run refinery does not think, or move, like a hedge fund backed desk.
• Then we structure the First Deal. We do so with small volumes and phased payments in order to better manage exposure and build trust early.
• After the deal is done we have face-to-face debriefs to deal with all the potential friction points.
• Next we play out a Crisis Test, a minor disruption, real or staged, and we look to see how both sides react under pressure. Because in trading it is not the contract that matters.

It’s the behavior when what goes wrong.

What Lasting Partnerships Deliver

This is the hidden value of long-term trading relationships. When markets tighten, as they did during the 2022 diesel crisis, first access goes to trusted counterparties, not the highest bidder. Relationships unlock refinery maintenance schedules before they’re public, giving you a competitive edge. They even open doors to joint ventures in storage and infrastructure, like terminal acquisitions. One Spanish client reaped the rewards of patience: after an 11-year partnership with a Greek supplier, he secured EN590 at $12/ton below market. Why? Because years earlier, he absorbed a late cargo without penalties. Loyalty isn’t sentimental, it’s strategic. Relationships remember. Markets don’t.

Three Unbreakable Rules

Great partnerships thrive on transparency, consistency, and real human connection.

That’s why our first rule is simple:

• Never surprise each other with bad news, problems should be shared early and solved together.
• Second, we share market intelligence freely, when one side benefits, both grow stronger.
• And third, we always visit each other at least once a year, because no email or call replaces a handshake and a shared coffee.

This isn’t just about oil; it’s about building trust that survives volatility.

Ready to trade beyond transactions? Let’s build your forever partnership. We don’t just broker deals. We build legacies.

The smell of diesel, the sheen of crude, and these surface impressions matter little in the world of petroleum trading. Real quality often lies hidden until too late. Last year in season, a Mumbai importer experienced this firsthand. His shipment of “premium” gasoline had appearance or even odor, but the lab report indicated otherwise: sulfur content at five times the legal limit. The $17 million cargo, destined for a retail distribution in the local market, had now taken on the classification of hazardous waste. No resale, no recovery, just disposal expenses and damage to reputation. At Terra Commodities, we rely on certified lab reports, not just first impressions or just smell. Because in this business, what you cannot see has the power to completely destroy you.

Why Paper Certificates Lie.

Each week we intercept fuel fraud operations that would cost traders millions of dollars. We have witnessed:

• The lab reports recycled from earlier shipments
• “Accidental” sample switches at ports of loading
• Inspectors bribed to sign blank verification documents

This is why Terra Commodities employs a focused field team specifically trained to identify the most obscure manipulation.

1. Sampling Sleight of Hand

• Sampling the top of tanks where sludge may reside
• Sampling at midnight when no one is looking
• Using pre-filled containers that have been tampered with

2. Temperature Trick

• Heating crude oil to cover up waxy residue
• Cooling diesel to falsify a lower cloud point
• The usual deception ends at the dock with Terra.

Real-World Test Failures We have Caught

Contaminated fuel can be more than just a financial risk, it is an engine and safety issue as well, not to mention it can also put your name on the map. At Terra Commodities, we have witnessed very troubling examples, such as:

• Jet A1 with water content (not just trace) using alcohol additives to hide water content from visual inspections.
• EN590 diesel with recycled motor oil mixed in, which could risk your injectors failing and expose you to potential emission fines!
• Nigerian crude contaminated with drilling mud, causing damage to expensive refinery equipment and reducing the yield.

These horrors often happen without your knowledge even after delivery, with the loss being irrevocable. That is why we demand third-party certified lab analysis, sealed sampling protocols, and real-time monitoring. With Terra you receive fuel certified, not compromised.

Your Simple Quality Checklist

Before accepting any petroleum shipment, cutting corners on testing can be a million-dollar mistake. Follow these essentials:

1. Demand fresh lab tests, no older than 72 hours before loading.
2. Witness the seal break, never accept samples without verified chain of custody.
3. Test at both ports, discrepancies often surface only at discharge.
4. Verify lab accreditation, not all “SGS” offices meet global standards.

A Bulgarian trader narrowly avoided disaster when our discharge port testing exposed 8% naphtha blended into his Russian gasoil, undetectable in paperwork, but enough to destroy engines.

Never gamble on quality. Ask about our two-port testing guarantee.

The Silent Profit Killer

Poorly structured contracts and vague, untapped conditions contribute to far greater losses than outright fraud within an industry. Industry estimates in 2022 suggested losses were at least $12 billion when your account for missed opportunities, demurrage, litigation costs, labor inefficiencies, and time wasted. Non-performing contracts will consume your bottom line even when they are not fraud, and even in the best of times.

At Terra Commodities, we help you remove risk from each deal. From enforceable clauses to allowable terms, every contract must be as actionable, enforceable, and assured as possible, and rely upon verified capacity. Furthermore, we regularly monitor execution, allowing us to implement corrective measures before they’re missed execution milestones, particularly in volatile markets. Building a contract is optional; depending on your trading strategy, protecting your exposure with a contract and a hard commercial position could mean life or death.

Why Contracts Fail

Even signed contracts can dissolve if there is a lie behind them.

1. The Capacity Lie

Sellers say they have capacity of 500,000 barrels/month but instead they are closer to 80,000. We check:

• Refinery throughput data
• Tank July inventory data
• Historical deliveries

2. The Non-Existent Performance Bond

A “guaranteed” performance bond is nothing (worthless) if it is:

• Issued by a non-rated Bank
• Full of vague, unsupported clauses
• No active SWIFT confirmation

3. The Bait and Switch

We have seen predatory approaches such as:

• Grade swapping (LSFO , sold as HSFO)
• Port changes made without advisory
• Totals that are widely lower than acceptable shortages

Terra can avoid these ’bad’ acts with you sign on the dotted line.

Terra’s Contract Armor

Good contracts don’t just provide protection, they perform. Here at Terra Commodities we engineer every deal for success.

1. The Pre-Signing Audit

Before we sign, we physically confirm:

1. Actual product exists (not phantom “floating cargo”)
2. Loading infrastructure is in place (not chartered VLCCs with no loading arms)

2. The Milestone Map

We stage payments for risk limitation:

1. 10% after SGS Inspection
2. 30% at load
3. 60% confirmed upon receipt of the Bill of Lading

3. The Escape Hatch

Our contracts have defined exit clauses:

1. Defined force majeure clauses
2. Binding quality dispute resolution by a third-party
3. Daily penalties for late delivery.

No surprises.  No loopholes.  Just performance.

A Recent Save

An Indian buyer was on the brink of a $9 million loss when a contracted seller missed the agreed loading window, then had the audacity to demand extra payment for “unexpected storage fees.” The buyer contacted Terra Commodities immediately. Our team stepped in, reviewed the contract, and swiftly enforced the built-in penalty clause. The seller backed down, and the buyer recovered partial costs. Simultaneously, we activated our trusted network and secured an alternative supply, delivered within 72 hours. No disruptions, no additional losses. With Terra, even when deals go sideways, our clients stay protected and operational. That’s the value of real support.

Three Contract Must-Haves

In high-stakes petroleum deals, vague contracts invite costly surprises. That’s why Terra Commodities insists on precise, enforceable terms every time.

1. Named Inspection Company
   No more “TBD.” We name the independent inspector in advance, ensuring accountability and unbiased results.
2. Loading Rate Guarantees
   No open-ended berthing delays. We include specific loading rates and demurrage protections to keep schedules tight.
3. Title Transfer Timing
   Know exactly when ownership, and risk, transfers. No ambiguity, no disputes.

Our legal experts dissect every clause to safeguard your interests before signatures go on paper.

 Don’t gamble with paper. Have our legal team review your contract today.

When a Handshake Still Matters

In a digital world where transactions are completed with a click and negotiations occur via Zoom, billions of dollars are still tied to something ancient: looking someone in the eye. At Terra Commodities we understand the complexity of relationship-based transactions, and that is why we require face-to-face meetings for every transaction we execute. Trust cannot be created through a string of emails or by a digital signature. When you sit across a table, you can see intent, eliminate misunderstandings, and often identify red flags that no document will show you. This is where real partnerships begin. In an industry full of risk where a handshake can lead to a $1 million misstep, we believe in slowing the process down, being present, and completing transactions in a more traditional sense.

The Naked Truth About Digital-Only Deals

Last year we reviewed 47 failed petroleum transactions and an obvious trend was clear, 89% of them were negotiated completely online, without any physical interaction. Scams do well behind a screen. We revealed:

• “Sellers” using stolen corporate identities to pose as bona fide traders.
• Buyers presenting fake bank guarantees that failed basic scrutiny.
• Phanton shipments using manipulated GPS to simulate vessel movements.

These transactions were not just troublesome, they were disastrous, costing clients millions and damaging corporate reputations. At Terra Commodities, we believe in physical meetings and intensive due diligence to minimize risk. In an electronic world, real-world due diligence wins.

How Tabletop Meetings Prevent Disaster

In-person meetings show what documents and emails hide.

1. The Micro Expressions test In a London meeting last June, one of our traders noticed this supposed seller sweating and having trouble answering basic technical questions. A few probing below-the-surface questions were all that it took to know – he was a front man and had no access to the product.
2. Document Forensics. Reviewing paperwork in person led to red flags: different letterheads; LOI signatures were not consistent; and one letter had an authorizations from a refinery that would have expired long ago and never would have passed through a digital review.
3. The Coffee Break Intel When a buyer said in passing during a casual coffee break, that there was another deal, ‘in Nigeria’, in a country his firm wasn’t registered in, it saved our client millions.

Real Cost Savings

A Turkish client saved $4.7 million because Terra Commodities set up a face-to-face meeting. In the meeting, we identified a number of red flags:

• The “seller’s” fantastic office was actually a virtual address with no real estate.
• The images of their “storage tanks” were discovered to come from a stock image bank.
• The seller provided inspection reports copied word-for-word from a completely different deal.

Without the meeting, this client would have wired money to an unknown seller. At Terra, we like to see things close at hand because true trust comes from true validation.

Making Meetings Work for You

At Terra Commodities, our tabletop meetings go beyond handshakes, they’re precision-engineered for security, neutrality, and discretion. We handle:

• Venue security to eliminate wiretap or surveillance risks
• Neutral location selection to ensure a level playing field
• Strict confidentiality protocols to protect sensitive business details

As Linda M., a procurement manager, shared: “The 2-hour meeting in Rotterdam saved us six months of headache.” That’s the power of meeting in person, with the right safeguards in place.

Ready for real transparency? Schedule your tabletop meeting today.
Cut through the noise. Sit down. Get deals done, with confidence.

The Pulse of Global Oil Markets.

As we enter 2024, the crude oil trader is like a tightrope walker – one misstep and all their profit disappears. Do you remember all of the price steps we had in 2022? In March, crude oil was priced at $130 per barrel, then in December it was down to $70 per barrel. Those drastic moves shaped fortunes for some and of others in a matter of weeks. Well, the volatility isn’t going away. We are continuing to see short term spikes in price from geopolitical events, shifting demand, and speculation. But smart traders know how not to be scared of volatility, but rather to be prepared for it. Here at Terra Commodities we provide our clients with insight into the market direction, risk management to protect against volatility, and access to real supply chains with real reliable suppliers. By partnering with the right partner, market changes will be looked at as an opportunity instead of a risky liability. Information is everything, be knowledgeable and stay ahead of the market. Trade smart.

Three Game-Changers Right Now

Today’s oil market is not merely constructed on supply and demand but an interconnected network of evolving policies on environmental objectives and geopolitical risk.

1. The Green Energy Squeeze

European refineries are turning their backs on heavier crudes as they transition to cleaner fuels. Recently, we had a Swiss client who was about to get caught with 500k barrels of heavy crude! We had to replace the cargo with Asian buyers and helped mitigate their losses significantly.

2. Geopolitical Flashpoints

With sanctions on Russian oil, shipping issues in the Middle East, and U.S. releases from the reserve, our Intel team is on watch for any new indications of risks to your deals.

3. The Diesel Dilemma

While EN590 demand is up, and the number of closures of European refineries is down, supply is being tightened with long term contracts premiums increasing to 22%.

Terra’s Market Intelligence Edge

Last month, we advised our clients to brace for a deluge in West African grades, as weak Asian demand and climbing U.S. exports were set to flood the market. Those who took our advice early on escaped larger losses, including:

• 12% price drop in Bonny Light, one of the most liquid grades in the region
• Daily tanker storage cost of $35,000, as cargoes were stranded, unable to find buyers

At Terra Commodities, our market intelligence is more than facts and figures. We provide actionable intelligence to help clients pivot prior to the market, mitigating margin and capital deterioration. This is an unpredictable world where timing and trusted advice is everything.

Practical Tips for 2024

In today’s unpredictable energy markets, staying profitable means staying proactive. The smartest traders know it’s not just about reacting to price swings, it’s about positioning ahead of the curve. Here’s how to stay sharp:

• Diversify Your Basket: Relying on a single crude grade increases exposure to regional disruptions and pricing slumps. Blend your portfolio with a mix of light, medium, and heavy grades to reduce risk.
  Watch the Contango: With storage economics back in play, traders are capitalizing on the widening spread between spot and futures prices. Tanker storage, once a cost burden, is now a profit opportunity.
  • Hedge Strategically: Oil options are trading cheaper than last year, offering cost-effective ways to protect your downside and lock in profits.

As Daniel O., a Swiss trader, shared: “Terra’s weekly briefings helped us spot the Mediterranean diesel opportunity three weeks before competitors.” That’s the power of timely intelligence.

At Terra Commodities, we turn market noise into clarity. Our experts break down geopolitical triggers, demand patterns, and trading signals, giving you a head start in every decision.

CTA: Stay ahead with our monthly market snapshot. Subscribe Now
Don’t just trade, trade smarter with Terra Commodities.

Introduction

Jet A1 is the primary fuel for the global aviation industry, but one bad batch can result in grounding fleets worth millions and there are still numerous buyers that listen to the slick-talkers, many of whom sell nothing. Below a few tips on avoiding the pitfalls that will make you their next victim.

At Terra Commodities, we protect buyers by only working with certified suppliers that meet international aviation fuel standards. With us, every Jet A1 deal is defined with verified refinery documents, legitimate inspection reports and clear logistics supply chains. No verbal promises, only proof. We conduct rigorous KYC and compliance checks to alleviate the risk of fraud. With Terra, you can be confident that you receive what is promised: clean, certified fuel to support your business operations.

The High Risks of Jet A1 Trading

In the always-changing world of Jet A1 trading, risks aren’t just financial, but operational as well. Typical threats include:

• Adulteration – Kerosene that has been adulterated with contaminants that can cause corrosion on seals and components and damage aircraft engines.
• Document Fraud – False letters of credit, false bills of lading or false inspection reports, all of which are designed to hide the truth from the buyer.
• Defaulters – Sellers who take partial payments and just disappear from sight while leaving buyers hanging and exposed.

At Terra Commodities, we have developed a systematic approach to all these threats. We deploy our document authentication process, check fund security with known financial channels, and work with third-party labs to ascertain cargo quality. We enable our clients to trade confidently because we leave nothing to chance.

Terra’s Verification Shield.

Our buyers are protected through the following means:

1. Supplier Deep Dives,
   1. On-Site Visits – We examine storage facilities.
   2. Transaction history – We verify track records with airlines/refineries.
2. Secure Payment Terms:
   1. Escrow services (disbursement only upon delivery).
   2. LC confirmations (no non-verifiable bank).
3. Quality Guarantees:
   1. Pre-shipment testing: (DEF STAN 91-91).
   2. Chain of custody logs – no tampering in route.

A Near-Miss Story.

A Nigerian distributor was prepared to send a wire transfer of $3.2 million for a Jet A1 deal with what was considered a “Singapore-based trader.” It all looked very legitimate. We were dueling on the deal, and our due diligence went into overdrive. Our team discovered that the entity was just a rented mailbox in Cyprus, not even registered as an aviation entity, no refinery access, no past trading history. We flagged the risk and halted the transaction just in time. The client not only escaped with not draining $3.2 million, but also entered into a legitimate Jet A1 supply contract with Terra Commodities. Having completed the appropriate due processes, utilized a trusted partner, the client transformed from a potential disaster into a long-term opportunity.

Red Flags to Watch

• “Discounts” for Crypto Payments: Legitimate sellers use standard methods.
• Vague Origins: “European-sourced” isn’t enough, demand refinery names.
• No Physical Office: Google Earth their claimed address.

Conclusion

Jet A1 is just too important to take risks with. One wrong choice can stop operations, ruin an engine or cost a lot of money. At Terra Commodities, when we take a supplier on, we check out every single guy we do business with, no phone brokers, no head-fake promises, and no middlemen with unverifiable claims. Our team confirms refinery access, financial capability, and export licensing and product availability before you send a single dollar. We make it secure, transparent and accountable to source aviation fuel. Terra gives you more than a feeling or a gamble. We give you an informed decision making process based upon factual information.

Skip the scams. Get verified Jet A1 sellers today.
Trust Terra Commodities. Trade with confidence. Fly without worry.

Introduction

It can be daunting finding reliable EN590 diesel suppliers, with fraud and substandard products putting millions of dollars at risk, and sometimes there may not even be a physical product shipped to you at all! Finding the right strategy can save you the pain of finding good quality fuel, every time!

Terra Commodities takes the guess work away from sourcing EN590. We have only vetted suppliers and refineries in accordance to compliance to our strict quality and compliance programs. Product batches are shipped with authentic inspection reports, and logistics can all be traced from origin to destination. Transparency and traceability is our priority. Our clients receive deliverables with no worries of receiving something different, every time, on time. No surprises, no shortcuts, no scams.

The EN590 Challenge

EN590 is considered the gold standard in Europe for diesel, low sulfur, and performance. However, its popularity also leads to fraud. The common mistakes which happen include.

• Blended substitutes: Low quality fuel diluted with means to increase profits higher.
• Fake certificates: Lab reports to show compliance with EN590’s spec fraudulently.
• Port Swindles: Ships “disappear” from the load port, and buyers have no cargo.

At Terra Commodities we deal with risk in diesel head on. Each EN590 cargo is tested independently by trusted laboratories and the results is shared directly with you. Our logistics partners, transport fuel droplets, so they are completely traceable. We never release the funds until confirmation is received that the cargo has been loaded. So, when you deal with Terra Commodities you are not just buying diesel, you are buying comfort and security that you will receive what you have paid for.

Terra’s Sourcing Solution

We cut through the noise with a 4-step process:

1. Supplier Vetting.
   Our network includes only pre-approved refineries and distributors. We check:
   • Production capacity (can they deliver volume?).
   • Past client feedback (any history of defaults?).
2. Quality Assurance
   Before shipment, we require:
   • Independent lab tests (sulfur content, cetane number).
   • Batch sampling (no last-minute substitutions).
3. Logistics Oversight
   From loading to discharge, we track:
   • Shipment routes (avoiding high-risk zones).
   • Insurance coverage (full cargo protection).
4. Price Benchmarking.
   Too cheap? It’s probably a scam. We compare offers against:
   • Real-time market indices (Platts, Argus).
   • Historical pricing (unusual dips = red flags).

A Client’s Success Story

Maria is a logistics director based in Spain and for months she was having difficulty sourcing a reliable EN590 supplier. Ultimately, inadequate delays, poor quality, and lack of clarity from her supplier disrupted her supply chain process costing her company thousands. Once Maria began working with Terra Commodities, everything changed. We quickly put her in contact with a reputable Polish refinery and arranged for clear contract terms for Maria to understand, while providing the capability to track every shipment through direct tracking all of the way through to their tenth destination in the supply chain process. She received every shipment on time and the lab reports all stated confirmed product quality. “Finally a supplier that delivers on their promises,” said Maria. In the past, she would have to worry about unforeseeable problems in her supply chain experience, now she has a reliable and adequate fuel supplier to monitor in order to keep her company running smoothly and her clients happy.

Pro Tips for Buyers

• Avoid “Urgent” Deals: Scammers pressure you to skip checks.
• Insist on SGS Reports: Legitimate suppliers won’t hesitate.
• Start Small: Test with a trial shipment before large orders.

Conclusion

Reputable EN590 starts with vetted suppliers. At Terra Commodities, we will do the heavy lifting, so you don’t need to gamble with your fuel supply. We conduct extensive due diligence on every refinery and distributor we deal with, including the supplier’s certifications, trading history, financial position, operations, and technical capabilities. This process ensures you are only working with legitimate, qualified suppliers. We handle the entire procurement process, from negotiating contracts to logistics. We guarantee PEACE OF MIND: no chance of fraud, no middlemen, and high quality diesel on every order. When you source fuel with Terra, you don’t have to worry – you know who you’re dealing with.

Looking to source EN590 you can trust? Contact us for our list of vetted suppliers.

Introduction

In high-risk petroleum trading trust is at a premium. Most transactions, which are worth billions of dollars, are opaque, making it easy for fraudsters to operate. Therefore, the industry is characterized by all kinds of issues. At Terra Commodities, we have seen broken contracts, lower revenues, and lost reputations drive nearly all of the transparency problems. What if there were a way to trade with confidence?

At Terra Commodities, we are setting the new standard in petroleum trading and sourcing based on integrity, due diligence, and end-to-end transparency. The verified diligence, vetted networks of suppliers, live updates, and quality-centric execution provide customers with reliable information to make informed decisions. When guesswork is taken out of the trading equation and risk is minimizes, clients can trade in confidence and trust in every step.

Why Transparency Matters

Imagine wiring a $2 million payment for a crude oil shipment only to find out that there is no seller, or worse, the shipment never existed. This is not a hypothetical situation, it is a reality for many traders who think due diligence is an example of extra work. The benefits of transparency are as follows:

• Verify identities: No anonymous middlemen.
• Terms are clear: No ambiguous clauses in contracts.
• Mutual accountability: Each party is accountable for their commitments.

At Terra Commodities, we have set up a system designed to reduce these risks from the beginning by performing due diligence before the trade is made. We run full backgrounds, verify all documentation, and have visibility on every transaction. It’s not just trading oil, it is about protecting your investment.

How Terra Commodities Ensures Transparency.

We do more than connect buyers with sellers; we also create bridges of trust. Here’s how:

1. Mandatory Tabletop Meetings

Every deal we broker requires the buyer and seller to meet in person. In the negotiating phase of every deal, there is always more than just talking, and negotiating as personal emotional beings eliminates unnecessary misunderstandings and usually exposes red flags early on. As one of our clients, Ahmed, Dubai, said, “Seeing the seller across the table gave me confidence. No more going back and forth with fake emails.” The tabletop meeting allowed both parties to get to know each other, review documents in real-time and challenge each other with hard questions – it is a necessary step to raise the stakes of a high-value petroleum trade.

2. Rigorous KYC Checks

Before any deal proceeds, our compliance team verifies:

• Corporate registration documents to confirm the entity is legitimate.
• Financial health to ensure the company isn’t a shell or facing insolvency.
• Past trade performance to avoid “ghost” suppliers with no verifiable history.
  We don’t rely on paperwork alone, we also cross-reference third-party databases and conduct interviews when needed.

3. Anti-Fraud Protocols

Our dedicated risk team actively monitors deals for red flags, such as:

• The “Paper Barrel” Trick: Sellers claiming ownership of oil they don’t control.
• Bogus Inspections: Fabricated quality or quantity reports to inflate value.
  By catching these tactics early, we protect our clients from financial disaster and safeguard the integrity of every transaction.

A Real-World Example

Last year, a West African refinery nearly signed a contract for Jet A1 at 20% below market price. Our verification team discovered the “supplier” had no refinery ties, just a glossy website. The client avoided a $1.5 million loss.

Conclusion

Transparency isn’t just ethical, it’s good business. By insisting on verified partners and face-to-face deals, Terra Commodities helps you trade with peace of mind.

Tired of guessing? Let’s arrange a tabletop meeting for your next deal. Contact us today.