The Middle East energy crisis can no longer be explained simply as tension in the Hormuz Strait. The United States said it disabled five Iranian tankers after an attempted attack on a U.S. naval vessel, while Iran claimed it retaliated by targeting 10 vessels across the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, the largest wave of reciprocal attacks on commercial shipping since the war began.

At the same time, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on several Saudi cities and energy facilities, injuring 73 people. Pakistan has also urged Tehran to use its influence to prevent further Houthi escalation. The energy market is therefore facing two simultaneous risks: shipping security across the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, and the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and the Red Sea route.

Hormuz Strait Is Still Operating; But It Is No Longer Predictable

The issue is no longer simply how many vessels can cross the Hormuz Strait. The real problem is the lack of consistency in energy flows.

Analysis of shipping data suggests that, even with widespread “dark transits” in which vessels switch off their tracking systems, oil exports from Persian Gulf producers remain at only around two-thirds of pre-war levels. At the same time, additional insurance and war-risk costs for some tanker voyages through the Hormuz Strait have reportedly reached $10–20 million per voyage, while fewer shipowners are willing to enter the region.

A cargo may be able to cross today, but there is still no certainty that the next shipment can move at the same cost or within the same timeframe.

Brent Oil Price Returns Above $100

Brent crude was trading around $93 per barrel last Friday. As the tanker conflict intensified, attacks on Saudi Arabia increased and concerns over further supply losses grew, the Brent Oil Price moved back to around $101 per barrel on September 10.

This rise is different from some earlier geopolitical spikes. Part of the supply disruption is now physical, global inventories have declined, and OPEC+ decided on September 6 to keep its October production policy unchanged. For now, the market does not see a fast or reliable way to replace disrupted Middle East barrels.

For the Bitumen Market, Execution Risk Now Matters More Than Oil Price Alone

Higher Brent and fuel costs are only part of the story. When insurance, war-risk premiums, vessel availability, demurrage and shipping routes can change within days, the gap between a quoted Bitumen Price and an actually executable price becomes much wider.

This is also why Bitumen Markets are not reacting uniformly to higher crude. In some regions, tight supply is pushing prices higher; elsewhere, weak demand is still preventing the full increase in costs from being passed through to buyers.

East Asia: Fuel Oil Jumps and Bitumen Moves Higher, While China Follows a Different Path

International market reports put Singapore 180 CST HSFO at around $618 per metric ton, while Singapore Bitumen traded near $655 per metric ton. South Korea Bitumen also moved higher to approximately $585 per metric ton.

The more than $20 daily increase in fuel oil shows how quickly energy-cost pressure has returned to East Asia.

In China, export Bitumen Prices from southern ports are assessed at around $635–650 per metric ton FOB. Domestic prices in eastern and southern China have also increased, but higher costs are beginning to delay some purchasing decisions and non-essential infrastructure projects.

India: Monsoon Pressure Eases, but the Import Problem Remains

Argus has reported early signs of demand recovery as rainfall begins to ease, but India Bitumen imports remain constrained. Many shipowners are still reluctant to load cargoes from the Persian Gulf because of Middle East Shipping Risk, while war-related costs, vessel delays and demurrage have increased.

Indian state-owned refineries have also raised Bitumen Prices by around $13–14 per metric ton since the beginning of September. Even as consumption gradually improves, importers still face a wide gap between the origin price and the actual landed cost in India.

A further increase in India Bitumen Prices is also expected around mid-September if current cost and supply pressures continue.

Europe Remains Calmer Than Asia; Bahrain Holds at $550

Europe continues to show a more balanced picture than East Asia, with relatively sufficient supply and a slow recovery in demand following the summer holiday period.

FOB Bitumen Prices across European markets are currently around $530–560 per metric ton. In Bahrain, the official Bitumen Price remains unchanged at around $550 per metric ton for another week, although vessel shortages and shipping restrictions continue to limit maritime exports.

Iran: Lower Origin Prices Are Losing Their Advantage at Sea

Iran Bitumen continues to show a significant price gap compared with major Asian producers. However, maritime restrictions, security concerns, sanctions, insurance costs and cancelled orders have reduced the practical value of that price advantage.

As a result, land and rail exports to neighbouring countries are becoming increasingly important. Under current conditions, the origin price is only the starting point of the calculation, not the real transaction price.

Insight from Razieh Gilani: A Credible Seller Does More Than Quote a Price, They Manage Uncertainty

In a market like this, customers do not expect sellers to predict the future. They expect them to remain available when conditions change.

A reliable price is one supported by a clear route, available logistics capacity and a defined validity period. If those conditions change, a fast response and transparent explanation are more valuable than trying to artificially maintain yesterday’s price.

Trust is built precisely at these moments: when the customer knows that even if the market changes, the seller will remain available and communicate the reality before it becomes a problem.

For current bitumen prices, cargo availability, and reliable shipping guidance, Contact Us.

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Kenya has officially moved forward with one of its latest major road projects in Bomet County, with President William Ruto launching the upgrading of the 91 km Kapkatet–Boito–Kapset–Kaptien–Kapleleito–Kiptenden–Kapkoros–Kiplelji–Kapsimotwa–Kapkwen–Olbutyo–Siongiroi Road to bitumen standard.

The project, tendered by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) under Tender No. RWC 884, includes several bituminous materials, such as penetration grade bitumen, MC30 cutback and K1-60 bitumen emulsion.

Based on the official Bill of Quantities, the project may require approximately 5,200–6,100 MT of bituminous materials during construction.

RWC 884 Project at a Glance

Project: Kapkatet–Boito–Kapset–Kaptien–Kapleleito–Kiptenden–Kapkoros–Kiplelji–Kapsimotwa–Kapkwen–Olbutyo–Siongiroi Road

Tender Number: RWC 884

Authority: Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA)

Location: Bomet County, Kenya

Road Length: 91 km

Project Status: Construction officially launched in September 2026

Construction Period in Tender: 42 months

Main Bituminous Products:
• MC30 Cutback Bitumen
• K1-60 Bitumen Emulsion
• Bitumen 80/100
• Penetration Grade Bitumen for Asphalt Concrete

How Much Bitumen Does RWC 884 Require?

The official KeRRA Bill of Quantities shows the approximate scale of bituminous materials required for the project.

MC30 Cutback Bitumen
Official BOQ Quantity: 701,000 litres
Approximate Equivalent: 666 MT

MC30 is specified as the prime coat for the carriageway and shoulders.

K1-60 Bitumen Emulsion
Official BOQ Quantity: 630,630 litres
Approximate Equivalent: 631 MT

K1-60 is specified as the tack coat for the carriageway, shoulders and rumble strips.

Bitumen 80/100
Official BOQ Quantity: 701,000 litres
Approximate Equivalent: 715 MT

The BOQ specifies 80/100 penetration grade bitumen for the second seal.

Asphalt Concrete Type II
Official BOQ Quantity: 24,525 m³
Required Bitumen Content: 5.5–7.0% by weight of the asphalt mix

Depending on the approved mix design and asphalt density, this volume may require roughly 3,200–4,100 MT of penetration grade bitumen.
This brings the estimated overall requirement to approximately 5,200–6,100 MT of bituminous materials.

The exact final consumption will depend on the approved mix design, actual application rates, site conditions and project execution.

60/70 or 80/100? An Important Technical Point

The RWC 884 tender includes a technical point that suppliers and contractors should check carefully.

One section of the project specification states that Bitumen 60/70 should be used for asphalt concrete, while another section refers to Bitumen 80/100. The BOQ also specifically identifies 80/100 for the second seal.

Therefore, suppliers should not assume that the same penetration grade applies to every part of the project.
Before procurement, the required grade for asphalt production should be checked against the approved mix design and the Engineer's specifications.

For contractors looking for supply options, Infinity Galaxy can provide both Bitumen 60/70 and Bitumen 80/100 together with technical specifications and packing options.

Why RWC 884 Matters for Kenya's Bitumen Market

RWC 884 is part of a wider increase in road construction activity across East Africa.
Kenya and the wider East African road construction market are entering a period of active infrastructure demand.

Recent road projects in Kenya and neighboring countries continue to support demand for penetration grade bitumen. Mombasa remains a key entry point for imported bitumen into East Africa.
In late August and early September, a 5,700 MT bulk bitumen cargo was delivered into Mombasa, consisting of approximately 4,700 MT of Bitumen 60/70 and 1,000 MT of Bitumen 80/100.

Similar road construction activity has also been reported in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other East African markets.

New projects are creating demand, but contractors also need reliable supply, suitable packing and delivery schedules that match their construction plans.

Mombasa Remains Critical to Kenya's Bitumen Supply Chain

For imported bitumen, Mombasa remains the main logistics gateway into the Kenyan market.

Recent disruptions in Middle East–East Africa supply routes have shown that the FOB price is only one part of the final delivered cost.

Contractors also need to consider:

• Availability of the required grade

• Packing method

• Ocean freight to Mombasa

• Shipping schedule

• Port and inland logistics

• Project delivery schedule

• Product inspection and documentation

Infinity Galaxy supplies road bitumen to Mombasa in different grades and packing options and has experience serving the Kenyan bitumen market.

For current CFR Mombasa prices, specifications and available packing, visit our Bitumen Supplier in Kenya page.

Bitumen Supply Options for Kenya Road Contractors

Infinity Galaxy can support Kenyan contractors, asphalt producers, importers and infrastructure suppliers with:

Bitumen 60/70

Suitable for asphalt paving applications subject to approved project specifications.

Bitumen 80/100

Available for projects requiring softer penetration grade bitumen and specifically referenced in the RWC 884 BOQ.

MC30 Cutback Bitumen

Used as a prime coat in road construction and specifically required under RWC 884.

Bitumen Emulsion

K1-60 and other emulsion grades are available depending on project specifications.

Available packing options include new steel drums, jumbo bags and other solutions, depending on the product grade and shipment requirements.

Supplying Bitumen for RWC 884 or Other Kenya Road Projects?

RWC 884 is one example of the road construction projects creating new bitumen requirements in Kenya.

For contractors, asphalt producers and procurement companies working on RWC 884 or other road projects in Kenya, Infinity Galaxy can provide technical specifications, packing options and quotations for delivery to Mombasa.

Need Bitumen 60/70, 80/100, MC30 or bitumen emulsion for a road project in Kenya?

Contact the Infinity Galaxy commercial team for the latest CFR Mombasa quotation and available shipment schedule.

Latest News December 10th, 2019

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