Bitumen 60/70 Price Per Ton Today
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Bitumen 60/70 Price Per Ton Today
As of February 2025, the global benchmark price for bitumen 60/70 ranges between USD 420 and USD 520 per metric ton FOB, depending on the port of origin and grade. Bulk cargoes from the Middle East (Jebel Ali, Bandar Abbas) sit at the lower end (~USD 430–460/MT), while Southeast Asian and European cargoes (Singapore, Rotterdam) trade between USD 470 and 520/MT. Domestic ex-tank prices in India and West Africa typically land 10–18% higher once freight, import duty, and local logistics are applied.
The Bitumen 60/70 grade (penetration 60–70 dmm at 25°C) remains the single most traded penetration grade worldwide, accounting for roughly 62% of global penetration-grade bitumen demand. This article breaks down today's pricing by region, by incoterm, and by packaging format, with verified reference points you can quote directly in a purchase inquiry or tender.
Today's Bitumen 60/70 Price by Region and Port
Prices below are indicative FOB bulk rates for February 2025, based on published refinery differentials, port FOB assessments, and trading desk quotes. Actual transacted prices vary ±USD 15/MT depending on cargo size (typically 5,000–30,000 MT parcels) and payment terms.
| Region / Port | Grade | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali, UAE | 60/70 | 445 – 465 | ▲ +1.2% |
| Bandar Abbas, Iran | 60/70 | 420 – 445 | ▬ flat |
| Singapore | 60/70 | 475 – 495 | ▲ +0.8% |
| Rotterdam, Netherlands | 60/70 | 485 – 520 | ▲ +1.5% |
| Mumbai / Kandla, India (ex-tank) | 60/70 | 500 – 540 | ▲ +0.9% |
| Lagos, Nigeria (landed) | 60/70 | 560 – 610 | ▲ +2.0% |
| Houston, USA (ex-tank) | 60/70 | 530 – 570 | ▲ +1.0% |
Key takeaway: the spread between the cheapest (Iran) and most expensive (West Africa landed) market is roughly USD 140–190 per ton, which is why sourcing origin selection alone can swing a 20,000 MT contract by USD 3–4 million.
- Feedstock advantage: Iranian and UAE refineries run heavy sour crude with high vacuum residue yield, keeping production costs USD 40–70/MT below European refiners.
- Freight economics: A 20,000 MT parcel from Jebel Ali to Nhava Sheva (India) costs roughly USD 28–35/MT; Jebel Ali to Lagos runs USD 55–70/MT.
- Volume reliability: Iran and UAE together export an estimated 4.5–5.5 million MT/year of penetration-grade bitumen, over 40% of seaborne trade.
Bitumen 60/70 Price by Packaging Type (Bulk vs Drum vs Jumbo Bag)
The grade is identical; the packaging premium is what changes the landed cost. For buyers without heated storage or bulk discharge capability, drummed and bagged cargoes are the practical route — at a cost.
| Packaging | Unit | Premium over Bulk (USD/MT) | Typical Price Range (USD/MT, FOB Jebel Ali) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (vessel tanker) | MT | — | 445 – 465 | Large EPC contractors, 5,000+ MT |
| New steel drum (150–182 kg) | MT | +55 – 75 | 500 – 540 | Small paving firms, 500–2,000 MT |
| Used/reconditioned drum | MT | +35 – 50 | 480 – 515 | Price-sensitive resellers |
| Jumbo bag (1 MT) | MT | +60 – 85 | 505 – 550 | Projects without drum handling |
| Bitutainer / flexitank | MT | +70 – 95 | 515 – 560 | Containerized exports, 20–24 MT/TEU |
Practical rule: drums add roughly USD 60–80 per ton to the invoice and reduce vessel payload by weight (steel tare), while jumbo bags add slightly more but cut loading labor in half. If your annual volume exceeds 3,000 MT, bulk is almost always cheaper even after chartering a small coaster.
- Under 500 MT: containers (24 MT per 20' with flexitank or 18–20 MT drummed) are cheaper than a part-cargo.
- 500–3,000 MT: breakbulk or small coaster becomes competitive.
- Above 3,000 MT: full bulk vessel, no contest — savings of USD 40–90/MT.
What Drives the Bitumen 60/70 Price Per Ton Today?
Bitumen pricing is not random. Five variables explain roughly 85% of day-to-day movement in the 60/70 grade.
| Driver | Impact on Price | Current Direction (Feb 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude oil (Brent) | +0.6–0.8 correlation | Brent ~USD 78/bbl, ▲ mild |
| Vacuum residue (VR) feedstock spread | ±USD 25/MT | Tight, ▲ supportive |
| Freight rates (BDI / tanker) | ±USD 10–20/MT | Elevated, ▲ +8% YoY |
| Seasonal demand (paving season) | ±5–8% | Northern hemisphere off-season |
| Currency & sanctions (IRR, freight insurance) | ±USD 15–30/MT | Iran discount persists |
Brent rule of thumb: every USD 10/bbl move in Brent translates to roughly USD 45–60/MT on bitumen FOB, with a 2–4 week lag as refiners re-price cargoes.
- March–June: peak demand in India, Middle East, and Africa — prices typically rise 4–7%.
- July–September: European and North American paving peak — European FOB tightens.
- October–February: off-season in the northern hemisphere; best window to book forward volumes at 3–6% below peak.
- Monsoon (June–Sept, South Asia): Indian ex-tank prices dip temporarily due to construction slowdowns.
Comparing Bitumen 60/70 vs Other Penetration Grades (Price & Use)
Buyers often ask whether 60/70 is the right grade or whether a neighboring grade offers better value. Here is today's approximate FOB Gulf pricing across grades.
| Grade | Penetration (25°C) | FOB Price Range (USD/MT) | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40/50 | 40–50 dmm | 450 – 480 | High-modulus base courses, hot climates |
| 60/70 | 60–70 dmm | 445 – 465 | Standard road construction, most climates |
| 80/100 | 80–100 dmm | 440 – 460 | Cold climates, spray sealing |
| 85/100 | 85–100 dmm | 438 – 458 | Similar to 80/100, regional spec |
| 100/120 | 100–120 dmm | 435 – 455 | Very cold regions, primer sealing |
| 160/220 | 160–220 dmm | 430 – 450 | Cold-mix, winter paving |
Why 60/70 commands a small premium: it balances stiffness (rutting resistance) with workability, making it the default specification in ASTM D946 / EN 12591 for highways, airport runways, and urban roads across 90+ countries. Softer grades are cheaper per ton but require more modifier or thicker sections, often erasing the savings.
Landed Cost Calculation: From FOB to Your Gate
The FOB number is never your final number. Below is a worked example for 20,000 MT bulk bitumen 60/70 from Jebel Ali to Lagos, Nigeria.
| Cost Component | Rate | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| FOB cargo (20,000 MT @ USD 455) | USD 455/MT | 9,100,000 |
| Ocean freight | USD 62/MT | 1,240,000 |
| Marine insurance (0.35% of CIF) | — | 36,400 |
| Discharge & port dues | USD 9/MT | 180,000 |
| Import duty & levies (varies) | 5–10% | 455,000 – 910,000 |
| Inland transport to plant | USD 18/MT | 360,000 |
| Total landed cost | — | ~USD 11.37M – 11.82M |
| Landed cost per MT | — | USD 568 – 591 |
Four quick rules to remember:
- Freight typically adds 12–22% to FOB for intercontinental routes.
- Duty varies wildly: 0% in some GCC states, 5% in Nigeria (plus levies), 10%+ elsewhere.
- Payment terms (LC at sight vs 90-day credit) can shift effective price by USD 8–15/MT in financing cost.
- Volume discount: orders above 25,000 MT frequently negotiate USD 10–20/MT off FOB.
FAQ: Bitumen 60/70 Price Per Ton Today
Q1: What is the price of bitumen 60/70 per ton today?
Today's benchmark FOB price is USD 445–465 per metric ton from Jebel Ali, UAE, and USD 420–445/MT from Bandar Abbas, Iran. Landed prices in India, West Africa, and Europe range from USD 500 to 610/MT after freight, duty, and logistics. Prices update weekly with Brent crude and freight movements.
Q2: Is bitumen 60/70 price going up or down this month?
The trend is mildly upward, +0.8% to +2.0% month-on-month, driven by firm Brent crude around USD 78/bbl and elevated tanker freight. However, Northern Hemisphere off-season demand is capping gains. Most traders expect a flat-to-1.5% rise over the next 30 days.
Q3: What is the cheapest origin for bitumen 60/70?
Iran (Bandar Abbas) consistently offers the lowest FOB price, currently USD 420–445/MT, roughly USD 25–40 below UAE cargoes. However, sanctions-related payment friction, insurance surcharges, and documentation risk can add USD 15–30/MT in hidden cost — so confirm total landed cost, not just FOB.
Q4: How much does shipping add to bitumen 60/70 cost per ton?
Ocean freight adds USD 25–35/MT for short-haul routes (Gulf to India) and USD 55–75/MT for long-haul (Gulf to West Africa or Europe). Add another USD 8–12/MT for port discharge and USD 15–20/MT for inland transport to reach a final delivered figure.
Q5: What is the minimum order quantity for bitumen 60/70?
Bulk vessel cargoes start at 3,000–5,000 MT for economic viability, though part-cargoes of 1,000 MT are possible at a premium. Containerized shipments allow 24 MT per 20-foot container (flexitank) with a practical minimum of one container. Drummed orders typically start at 100–200 MT.
Calculate Your Exact Bitumen 60/70 Cost in 60 Seconds
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Use the 6Tar cost calculator to instantly model:
- FOB → CIF → landed cost across any origin/destination pair
- Bulk vs drum vs jumbo bag economics for your exact volume
- Duty and levy impact by country
- Break-even tonnage between vessel and container shipping
Enter your volume, port pair, and packaging preference — and get a line-item landed cost you can put straight into your tender or purchase order. Try the 6Tar cost calculator today and quote with confidence.