Bunker Fuel

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2026)

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales continued to grow in April, as the country’s LSFO supply increased and its bonded bunker fuel prices were still competitive, according to JLC.

Published

3 months ago

May 13, 2026

Admin

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2026)

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

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales continue to grow in April

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales continued to grow in April, as the country’s low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) supply increased and its bonded bunker fuel prices were still competitive.

The country sold about 1.88 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in April, with the daily sales at 62,700 mt, up by 4.93% month on month and 6.71% year on year, JLC’s data shows.

Specifically, the sales of the ports in East China, including Zhoushan Port and Shanghai Port, increased significantly amid price advantages and good weather, while those of northern ports slipped as their bonded bunker fuel prices were relatively high.

Regarding the sales by supplier, the sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker, and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 470,000 mt, 570,000 mt, 85,000 mt, and 15,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses settled at 741,000 mt. China’s LSFO output surges in April

China’s LSFO output surged in April, as global bunkering demand improved and domestic refiners saw considerable production margins.

Chinese refiners produced roughly 1.22 million mt of LSFO in the month, 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.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East forced many ships to continue detours, pushing up their consumption of bunker fuels. Meanwhile, more shipowners chose to refuel in Chinese ports where bonded bunker fuel prices were more competitive. In addition, domestic refiners showed higher production enthusiasm amid considerable margins.

Sinopec’s LSFO output climbed in the month. Most refineries, including Qingdao Petrochemical, Shengli Oilfield, Shanghai Petrochemical, Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical, Maoming Petrochemical, and ZhongKe (Guangdong) Refinery & Petrochemical, ramped up their production.

PetroChina’s LSFO output increased as well, with Liaohe Petrochemical, Jinzhou Petrochemical, Jinxi Petrochemical, and Dagang Petrochemical boosting output. CNOOC’s Daxie Petrochemical resumed normal LSFO production and delivery in April, while Taizhou Petrochemical raised its output. Meanwhile, Huizhou Petrochemical maintained stable production. Zhongjie Petrochemical did not produce any LSFO in the month.

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

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Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand weakens in April

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand slid to 320,000 mt in April, with the daily demand at 10,667 mt, down by 2.75% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Shipowners stood on the sidelines as bunker fuel prices continued to rise and downstream transportation demand was weak. Meanwhile, trade in North China was tepid as the operation of local ports was hindered to some extent.

On the other hand, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand settled at 140,000 mt in April, with the daily demand at 4,667 mt, a rally of 11.28% month on month, the data shows. Bunkering demand from marine diesel engines increased amid warmer weather and more active coastal shipping.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports continue to rise in March

Chinese bunker suppliers continued to increase their bonded bunker fuel imports in March.

They imported 823,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a boost of 8.48% month on month and 23.61% year on year, calculations show, based on data from the GACC.

The arrivals of imported high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) increased as the economic efficiency of HSFO bunkering remained high, while those of imported LSFO decreased amid larger domestic production.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports mainly came from Asian countries, and the impact of the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East on the overall imports was relatively limited. In addition, most import orders were made in early to mid-February, before the outbreak of the conflict.

Regarding the imports by source, Malaysia became the largest supplier by shipping 282,600 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, accounting for 34.34% of the latter’s total imports. Russia climbed to the second place with 226,300 mt, accounting for 27.50%, while Singapore slipped to the third place with 204,800 mt, representing 24.89%. The imports from South Korea and Japan settled at 70,000 mt and 39,300 mt, accounting for 8.50% and 4.77%, respectively.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 2.04 million mt in the first quarter of this year, a surge of 33.64% year on year, calculations show.

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Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply tightens in April

Chinese blenders supplied 350,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in April, with the daily supply at 11,667 mt, a decline of 4.82% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Downstream buying interest in heavy bunker fuel was low, coupled with high blendstock prices, limiting blenders’ production enthusiasm.

By contrast, domestic-trade marine gas oil (MGO) supply settled at 180,000 mt in April, with the daily supply at 6,000 mt, soaring by 16.25% from the previous month, the data shows. Downstream demand improved, and refineries raised their MGO yields.

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Bunker Prices, Profits

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Editor
Yvette Luo
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Sales (Beijing)
Tony Tang
+86-10-84428863
[email protected]

Sales (Singapore)
Ginny Teo
+65-31571254
[email protected]
[email protected]

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.

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: 13 May, 2026

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IBT Bunkering & Trading appoints Kevin Döhmen to lead Singapore expansion

Döhmen will lead the new Singapore office, with responsibility for managing and developing the operation and strengthening relationships with customers and partners.

Published

1 minute ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

IBT Bunkering & Trading appoints Kevin Döhmen to lead Singapore expansion

Hamburg-based marine fuels firm IBT Bunkering & Trading on Wednesday (12 August) said it has appointed Kevin Döhmen as Executive Vice President to lead the company’s new Singapore office.

Manifold Times previously reported the company announcing that it is opening its doors in Singapore and will be running a trading desk in the city-state after trading bunkers out of Hamburg since 1976.

The company said Kevin Döhmen will lead the new Singapore office, with theresponsibility for managing and developing the operation and strengthening relationships with customers and partners.

IBT said the Singapore office represents an important first step in strengthening its presence in Asia.

“At the same time, we are actively exploring further opportunities to expand our activities and establish new partnerships in this key maritime hub,” the company said.

Döhmen said: “Singapore is the heartbeat of global bunkering. Bringing IBT’s Hamburg roots — 50 years of them — onto the ground in this hub is a real privilege, and I couldn’t be more ready for it.”

IBT said it will maintain the service approach established through its Hamburg operations while building its activities in Singapore.

The company described the move as bringing together its Hamburg roots and Singapore presence through a global bunker network.

Photo credit: IBT Bunkering & Trading
Published: 12 August, 2026

Bunker Alerts

Low flashpoint found in Indonesia bunker fuels, alerts Maritec-Naias

Firm tested eight bunker samples representing LSMDO and B40 fuel grade from vessels that took fuel oil /bunkered in Indonesia ports, which indicated flashpoints as low as 39.5°C.

Published

7 minutes ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Bunker fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec-Naias on Wednesday (12 August) issued an alert regarding bunker samples from vessels that took fuel oil/bunkered in Indonesia showing flashpoints as low as 39.5°C:

During the period of 21 July to 04 August 2026, Maritec-Naias tested eight bunker samples representing Low Sulfur Marine Distillate Oil (LSMDO) and B40 fuel grade from vessels that took fuel oil /bunkered in Indonesia ports, which indicated Flashpoints as low as 39.5°C.

All eight fuel samples tested were sourced from a single supplier.

Regulatory Implications:

Based on the results of the eight samples tested, the fuels do not comply with the minimum flashpoint requirement of 60 °C set by SOLAS and ISO 8217.

As per SOLAS requirements, the minimum flashpoint of any fuel carried in the tanks of a ship should be not less than 60 °C (with exception of fuel for lifeboats, which can be grade DMX with a flash point min of 43 °C).

ISO 4259 interpretation for tested flashpoint temperature is not taken into consideration here as the safety of onboard crew and vessel is of higher precedence.

Since 01 May 2024, it has been a MARPOL Annex VI requirement that the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) includes either the actual flashpoint of a fuel as supplied or a declaration that its flashpoint has been determined as being at or above 70°C.

From 1 January 2026, SOLAS amendments clarified that the flashpoint requirement applies to fuels, which were specifically intended to have a flashpoint not less than 60°C as required under SOLAS II‑2/2.1.1 These amendments now align with MARPOL by requiring flashpoint details to be recorded on the BDN. Additionally, prior to bunkering, suppliers must provide the ship’s representative with a signed declaration confirming that the fuel meets the SOLAS flashpoint standard.

MARITEC-NAIAS RECOMMENDATIONS

When ordering fuels from Indonesia it is advised to insist on getting the actual flash point values from the supplier. If your vessel has bunkered a low flashpoint fuel it is prudent to observe/implement the precautions below:

Flame screens on tank vents should be maintained in good condition and there should be no sources of ignition in the vicinity of the vents. This will assist in safe natural ventilation of volatile components in the fuel.
No Smoking, no naked flame and no hot work must be allowed at any areas near to tank air vents.
Send additional tank(s) samples upon arrival in port to check the fuel properties and flash point results especially if there has been co-mingling of fuels in bunker tanks
If the vessel is out at sea, it may be possible to obtain dispensation from your Flag State Administration up to the next arrival port.
Put the supplier on notice promptly and notify your P&I club.

Photo credit: Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
Published: 13 August, 2026

Methanol

China: Xiamen issues safety guidelines for methanol bunkering operations

New guidelines establish safety requirements across the full methanol bunkering process, supporting the expansion of green marine fuel supplies at Xiamen Port.

Published

10 minutes ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Xiamen Free Trade Zone on Monday (10 August) said its Administrative Committee recently jointly issued the Safety Guidelines for Marine Methanol Fuel Bunkering in Xiamen Waters with Xiamen Port Authority and Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, establishing a framework for methanol bunkering operations in the port.

The guidelines are the first safety operating standard in Fujian province specifically covering marine methanol fuel bunkering. They apply to methanol bunkering operations conducted by bunker vessels in Xiamen waters and set out safety requirements covering the entire operation, from preparation through completion.

The guidelines specify requirements for bunkering companies, equipment and materials used on bunker vessels, hose inspection intervals, personnel certification and personal protective equipment.

They also require operators to conduct dedicated risk assessments and prepare emergency response plans before operations begin. During bunkering, operators must maintain continuous monitoring and comply with specified weather restrictions. After completion, pipelines must undergo procedures including purging and inerting.

Xiamen Port has previously carried out ship-to-ship bunkering of biofuels and LNG. The new guidelines provide a regulatory framework and operational basis for methanol bunkering and are intended to support the safe and orderly conduct of such operations.

The move is also expected to help Xiamen Port expand its market and bunkering capacity for green marine fuels.

Photo credit: Woo Winter on Unsplash
Published: 13 August, 2026