US Cash Crude-Grades slip as Houthi rebels expected to halt shipping attacks

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Crude grades slipped on Thursday, dealers said, as expectations that Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels will halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea, according to maritime security officials, helping ease global supply concerns.

The group is likely to halt attacks after a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

The group has carried out more than 100 attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea since November 2023, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. They have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers.

* Light Louisiana Sweet WTC-LLS for February delivery fell 43 cents to a midpoint of a $1.70 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.60 and $1.80 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* Mars Sour WTC-MRS fell 35 cents to a midpoint of a 5-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a discount of 15 cents and 5-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* WTI Midland WTC-WTM fell 5 cents to a midpoint of a 70-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 60-cent and 80-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* West Texas Sour WTC-WTS was steady at a midpoint of a 15-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a discount of 5 cents and 35-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a 75-cent and 95-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* ICE Brent March futures LCOc1 fell 74 cents to settle at $81.29 a barrel

* WTI February crude CLc1 futures fell $1.36 to settle at $78.68 a barrel

* The Brent/WTI spread WTCLc1-LCOc1 widened 15 cents to last trade at minus $3.47, after hitting a high of minus $3.22 and a low of minus $3.52

(Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston; Editing by Richard Chang)

((Georgina.McCartney@thomsonreuters.com))