Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for May 2026 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales slip in May, but still high

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales slipped in May, but they were still high, as domestic supply remained sufficient and bonded low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) prices were still competitive.

The country sold roughly 1.88 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, with the daily sales at 60,626 mt, down by 3.31% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Bonded LSFO prices in Zhoushan averaged $803.68/mt in the month, $11.47/mt lower than those in Singapore, JLC’s data shows.

Regarding the sales by supplier, the sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker, and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 440,000 mt, 550,000 mt, 90,000 mt, and 10,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses settled at 789,400 mt.

China’s LSFO output decreases in May

China’s LSFO output decreased moderately in May due to unit maintenance. Chinese refiners produced about 1.19 million mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output at 38,323 mt, a cut of 5.92% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Specifically, Sinopec’s LSFO output dropped, as Qingdao Petrochemical, Shanghai Petrochemical, Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical, and Hainan Refining and Chemical lowered their output. However, Shengli Oilfield, Maoming Petrochemical, and ZhongKe (Guangdong) Refinery & Petrochemical boosted their production, limiting the decline in Sinopec’s overall output.

CNOOC also recorded a drop in its LSFO output, as Taizhou Petrochemical suspended production amid turnarounds. Zhongjie Petrochemical was still under maintenance, while Zhoushan Petrochemical and Huizhou Petrochemical ramped up their production.

PetroChina’s LSFO output did not change much in May, with most refineries maintaining stale production. Meanwhile, Liaohe Petrochemical raised its output slightly, while Dalian WEPEC lowered its output.

ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in the month, but the latter produced and exported 10,000 mt of MGO.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s LSFO output surged by 24.40% in May.

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand mixed in May

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand settled at 320,000 mt in May, with the daily demand at 10,323 mt, down by 3.23% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

The recovery of shipping demand was slower than expected, and risk aversion sentiment in the domestic-trade market intensified. Trade in North China remained lukewarm, with shipowners prioritizing the consumption of their stockpiles.

On the contrary, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand came in at 160,000 mt in the month, with the daily volume at 5,161 mt, growing by 10.60% from the prior month, the data shows.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunge in April

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunged in April, as bunker suppliers suspended their import of LSFO when domestic production surged.

The country imported 555,100 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a slump of 32.55% from a month earlier, calculations show, based on the GACC data.

Bonded bunker suppliers did not import any LSFO as they prioritized domestic resources to meet demand. China’s LSFO output settled at roughly 1.22 million mt in April, with the daily output at 40,733 mt, surging by 27.55% month on month and 17.16% year on year, JLC’s data shows.

However, the arrivals of imported high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) remained high, putting a cap on the decline in the overall imports.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel imports increased by 5.63% in April.

Regarding the imports by source, Russia became the largest supplier by exporting 317,900 mt to China, accounting for 57.26% of the latter’s total imports. Malaysia slipped to the second place with 141,300 mt, accounting for 25.46%. Singapore remained in the third place with 79,000 mt, accounting for 14.24%, followed by South Korea, with 16,900 mt, accounting for 3.04%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 2.59 million mt in the first four months of this year, soaring by 26.46% year on year, calculations also show.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply declines in May

Chinese blenders reduced their heavy bunker supply in May, as the availability of low-sulfur residual oil decreased and trade in North China was depressed by stricter tax inspection.

These blenders supplied 330,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, with the daily supply at 10,645 mt, down by 8.76% from a month earlier, JLC’s data shows.

Conversely, domestic-trade marine gas oil (MGO) supply settled at 190,000 mt in May, with the daily supply at 6,129 mt, increasing by 2.15% month on month, the data shows. Refineries continued to raise their MGO yields to meet growing demand.

Bunker Prices, Profits

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognised as the leading information provider in China. We specialise in providing the transparent, high-value, authoritative market intelligence and professional analysis in commodity market. Our expertise covers oil, gas, coal, chemical, plastic, rubber, fertilizer and metal industry, etc.

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report is published by JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd every month on China bunker market, demand, supply, margin, freight index, forecast and so on. The report provides full-scale & concise insight into China bunker oil market.

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Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2026)
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Note: China-based commodity market information provider JLC Technology has been providing Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times China bunker volume data since 2020. Data from earlier periods are available here.

Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 11 June, 2026

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• Prompt supplies tight in the ARA
• Fuel availability is normal off Malta
• VLSFO and LSMGO supplies in Luanda need 5-6 days of notice

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability remains tight for prompt supplies in the ARA hub, a trader said.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO supplies have reduced slightly to 7-8 days, from 10 days advised last week, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have remained flat in June so far, compared to May’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks in the ARA hub have fallen to levels not seen in more than a decade.

The ARA hub has imported only 7,000 b/d of fuel oil in the first week of June, sharply lower from April’s monthly average of 230,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. All of the cargoes during the first week of June have come from Germany.

The ARA hub imported 164,000 b/d of gasoil in June, down considerably from 204,000 b/d imported in May, Vortexa data showed.

Around 37% of June’s shipments have come from the Saudi Arabia, while Lithuania has sent around 21% of the cargoes.

In Germany’s Hamburg, buyers are advised to book stems around five days ahead to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is normal off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, but buyers need to provide a notice of around 10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

In the Gibraltar Strait ports, bunker availability remains tight for prompt deliveries of any fuel grade, with buyers advised lead times between 7-10 days, a trader told ENGINE.

Ships calling in Gibraltar for bunkers are facing high congestion, with around 20 vessels awaiting bunkers as of Wednesday morning due to lack of space, port agent MH Bland said.

Suppliers in the port are delayed by around 12-24 hours, subject to availability of space, the port agent added.

The Gibraltar Port Authority has issued a fog warning for Wednesday. The port authority has said that patches of sea fog overnight may reduce visibility to around 500 metres at times.

Strong winds of more than 25 knots are forecast in the port between 11-13 June, which may further impact bunkering operations and schedules.

In Algeciras, suppliers are delayed anywhere between 4-24 hours behind deliveries, MH Bland said.

Prompt bunker availability is tight in Las Palmas, and buyers are advised to book with a notice of between 7-10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

High swells of above 1.5 metres are forecast in the area until 11 June. Bunker operations are suspended in the outer anchorage areas currently, MH Bland said. Supplies can be carried out in the inner anchorage and at the berth, the port agent added.

Fuel availability has now normalized off Malta, a trader said. Loading delays had affected delivery schedules in Malta over the past few weeks. Buyers can now get delivery of any fuel grade with a lead time of 3-4 days, the trader added.

Fuel availability is normal in Türkiye’s Istanbul, and buyers are able to get deliveries easily within 1-3 days, a trader said.

LSMGO availability is stable in the Romanian ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia, a local supplier said.  

Africa

Fuel availability remains tight for prompt deliveries in the Togolese port of Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, a trader said. Buyers are advised to book stems 10 days in advance for VLSFO and LSMGO in both locations, a trader said.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, VLSFO supplies need a lead time of around 5-7 days, a local supplier told ENGINE.

A supplier in Luanda’s Angola said VLSFO and LSMGO supplies can be carried out within 5-6 days.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in South Africa’s Durban and off Algoa Bay, and buyers are recommended lead times of around 5-7 days, a trader said

In Mozambique’s port of Nacala and Maputo, buyers are recommended around 7-10 days of lead time for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability is tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Buyers are recommended longer lead times of between 10-15 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 June, 2026

The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlook for the East of Suez region has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• VLSFO availability tight in Singapore
• VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Taiwanese ports
• Bunker demand low in several South Korean ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO supply in Singapore remains constrained, with suppliers advising lead times of 8–14 days, a slight improvement from 10–15 days reported last week. HSFO availability has improved marginally, with lead times shortening to 5–12 days from 10–15 days previously. By contrast, LSMGO supply has tightened, with recommended lead times extending from around seven days last week to 9–14 days.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO availability remains broadly stable, particularly for smaller prompt requirements. LSMGO remains difficult to secure due to tight supply, while HSFO availability is still limited, leaving both grades under pressure.

East Asia

Bunker availability in Zhoushan remains under pressure despite subdued demand, with VLSFO lead times unchanged at 7–10 days. Supply conditions for LSMGO and HSFO have improved, with recommended lead times easing to 3–5 days from 4–7 days a week ago.

Elsewhere in northern China, supply conditions vary by port. Suppliers in Dalian and Qingdao have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO remains difficult to secure in Qingdao. All fuel grades are in tight supply in Tianjin, while VLSFO and HSFO availability is tight in Shanghai. LSMGO supply in Shanghai remains comparatively stable.

In southern China, VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains constrained in Fuzhou. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO supply, but LSMGO availability is tighter. Similar supply pressures persist in Yangpu and Guangzhou, where both grades remain limited.

Hong Kong’s bunker market remains largely stable, with lead times for all grades holding steady at around seven days in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s state-owned supplier CPC Corporation has temporarily halted new VLSFO nominations at Keelung port due to urgent maintenance work on its storage tanks and pipeline infrastructure. The restriction applies to deliveries scheduled on or before 14 June. LSMGO supply at the port remains unaffected.

Supply conditions at Taiwan’s other major ports – Hualien, Taichung and Kaohsiung – remain stable. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are around two days, largely unchanged from last week.

In South Korea, bunker demand has weakened as elevated prices encourage buyers to source fuel from neighbouring markets, according to a local trader. Across southern ports including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times have extended to 3–10 days from about three days previously. HSFO availability has tightened considerably, with lead times widening to 9–11 days.

Supply conditions have also deteriorated across western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean. Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO have increased to 3–9 days, while HSFO is now available only upon enquiry.

Weather-related disruptions remain a concern in the country, with operational delays forecast in Yeosu on 11 June and in Daesan between 13–14 June.

Japan’s bunker market has shown modest signs of improvement. Fuel oil remains available in Tokyo Bay, Nagoya and parts of western Japan, including Oita, Tokuyama and Mizushima, although supply is still limited to a small number of suppliers. Despite the broader market remaining tight, these pockets of availability indicate some easing of supply constraints.

Across major Japanese ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Mizushima, Tokuyama, Oita and Yokkaichi, recommended lead times stand at 7–10 days for HSFO and 10–12 days for VLSFO. In Osaka, Kobe and Kashima, both grades continue to be supplied only on a case-by-case basis.

By contrast, Indonesia’s bunker market remains relatively well supplied. VLSFO availability is steady in Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Cigading, with suppliers generally recommending lead times of around three days.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO remains available at Kwinana and Fremantle, with suppliers generally recommending lead times of about seven days. Bunker deliveries at both ports are carried out by barge and are currently supported by a single supplier.

Supply dynamics vary along Australia’s east coast. In New South Wales, Port Kembla can receive VLSFO through truck or pipeline deliveries, while Sydney continues to maintain sufficient stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO availability in Sydney remains limited, with suppliers typically requiring around seven days’ notice.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in Brisbane and Gladstone, where lead times are also around seven days. Further south, Melbourne and Geelong continue to report healthy VLSFO inventories. However, bunker operations at both ports rely on a single barge, resulting in recommended lead times of roughly one week.

HSFO stocks are running critically low in both Melbourne and Brisbane.

One supplier recommends lead times of approximately five days for all fuel grades across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. In Dampier, bunker operations continue to depend on truck-assisted pipeline deliveries, making advance booking and berth confirmation particularly important, according to a source.

New Zealand’s bunker market remains largely unchanged. VLSFO is readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, with suppliers recommending lead times of around four days. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered directly to vessels via pipeline.

Weather remains a key operational risk across New Zealand. Bunker deliveries are particularly susceptible to disruptions in Wellington and at ports across the South Island.

South Asia

Lead times of approximately seven days are currently recommended for all three bunker fuel grades across several Indian ports, according to a source.

Adverse weather conditions are expected to affect operations at several Indian ports over the coming days, potentially causing disruptions to bunker deliveries. Delays are forecast at Kandla and Sikka between 9–13 June, while high waves are expected to impact Cochin and Visakhapatnam during the same period. Similar weather-related challenges are also anticipated in Mumbai between 10–13 June.

In Sri Lanka, bunker supply conditions remain steady. Colombo and Hambantota continue to maintain healthy inventories across all fuel grades, with at least one supplier able to deliver stems within approximately five days, broadly in line with last week.

However, weather-related disruptions remain a risk, with bunker operations in Colombo and Trincomalee likely to face intermittent impacts until 13 June.

Middle East

Bunker supply in the UAE’s Fujairah port has tightened considerably. HSFO and LSMGO availability is extremely tight, while VLSFO is being offered only on an enquiry basis. Similar supply constraints are being reported at nearby Khor Fakkan.

Elsewhere in the UAE, port operations at Jebel Ali, Hamriyah and Sharjah continue without disruption, according to Inchcape Shipping. Ports in Ras Al Khaimah are also operating normally, although the RAK Ports Authority has continued to impose a marine risk surcharge on vessels calling at its ports, harbours and anchorages since March.

In Kuwait, port operations at Shuaiba and Shuwaikh continue without disruption despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

No formal operational advisories have been issued by Saudi Arabian ports. In Jeddah, VLSFO availability remains constrained, while LSMGO supply is comparatively stable. However, rough weather conditions could disrupt bunker operations in Yanbu between 10–13 June.

Qatar restored round-the-clock maritime navigation for all vessel types at the start of May, according to Inchcape Shipping. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight at Ras Laffan.

Oman continues to offer strong prompt supply of LSMGO. One supplier is recommending lead times of just 1–2 days across key ports including Duqm, Muscat, Sohar and Salalah.

Egyptian ports are functioning normally. At Port Suez, VLSFO stocks are nearing depletion, while inventories of LSMGO and HSFO remain sufficient.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight in Djibouti. Meanwhile, port and bunker operations across Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, Pakistan and Lebanon continue to proceed normally, according to Inchcape Shipping.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 June, 2026