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Argus Media: East China’s Zhoushan October bunker sales fall

VLSFO and HSFO premium between Zhoushan to Singapore bunker price assessments widened, which could have driven some of the spot deals to Singapore, it said.

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Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus Media on Wednesday (11 November) published an article summarising the reasons behind the fall in bunker fuel sales in October at Zhoushan port, including higher prices and a fall in domestic production:

Bonded bunker sales in east China’s Zhoushan fall by 6.5pc to 420,100t in October from 449,300t in September, according to the port’s bunker suppliers, as higher prices in October undermined demand.

The October average of very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) in the Argus Zhoushan Bunker Index (ZBI), which is a delivered-to-ship bunker index, rose by $13/t from September to $333/t.

ZBI’s high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) assessment also rose to $302/t from $283.50/t over the same period, reacting to Asia and China’s overall tight supplies. Marine gasoil was up slightly to $382/t from $379.50/t.

ZBI’s VLSFO and HSFO assessments’ premium to the Singapore Argus Bunker Index widened, which could have driven away some of the spot deals to Singapore from Zhoushan. The premium for VLSFO rose to $4.30/t in October from $0.65/t in September, with HSFO rising to $29.60/t from $24/t over the same period.

Some bunker suppliers’ unwillingness to sell in the spot market in October also undermined Zhoushan’s bunker sales because the price was near breakeven or a small loss, according to a domestic bunker supplier. Some bunker suppliers prefer doing spot trades in nearby Shanghai when the Zhoushan price is unsatisfactory, Argus’ daily market coverage shows.

China’s overall fuel oil supplies probably fell in October, in line with domestic production, which pushed up its bunker prices. September fuel oil output fell by nearly 170,000t to 2.53mn t from 2.7mn t in August, according to China’s national bureau of statistics. October data have yet to be released but are estimated to have fallen further.

Bunker suppliers had to increase fuel oil imports in October to make up for the reduced production. Bunker suppliers estimated China increased fuel oil imports by at least 400,000t in October to 1.6mn t with 300,000t heading to Zhoushan.

The October bunker supply shortage was reflected in the ex-wharf market in Zhoushan. November-loading cargoes in Zhoushan were offered at a zero differential to the average of November 10ppm (0.001pc) gasoil physical price in Singapore. The differential was about minus $10/t for October loading.

China fuel oil output (‘000t)

Screen Shot 2020 11 12 at 1.32.36 PM

Zhoushan-Singapore bunker differential ($/t)

Screen Shot 2020 11 12 at 1.32.58 PM


Photo credit and source:
Argus Media
Published: 12 November, 2020

 

 

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Biofuel

Petrochina International blends over 30,000 mt of marine biofuel since March

Company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

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Zhoushan completes China’s first batch of marine biofuel blending under pilot programme

Petrochina International Co Ltd recently said it has blended more than 30,000 metric tonnes (mt) mt of biofuel since completing the country’s first biofuel marine fuel blending operation on 13 March.

The company said the milestone demonstrates its ability to conduct continuous and large-scale biofuel marine fuel blending operations.

The company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

Its latest product, B24 marine fuel containing 24% biofuel component, meets relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements and marine fuel standards, according to the company. It said the product can be supplied for bunkering vessels operating on international routes.

It has used its global trading network to secure feedstock supplies and support cost control and supply security for the blending operations, it added.

The company said the large-scale blending of its marine biofuel products marks a development in China’s marine biofuel blending market.

It plans to work with upstream and downstream businesses within its group to support the development of Zhoushan Port as a major bonded marine fuel bunkering hub and contribute to its parent group’s transition towards lower-carbon energy.

Manifold Times previously reported China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone launching the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China with the completion of the first batch of B24-HSFO. 

The launch was marked with the blending of 2,000 mt of biodiesel and 6,300 mt of high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) in storage tank F-02 of Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan), producing 8,300 mt of B24-HSFO. 

Manifold Times also reported the first cross-regional bonded bunkering operation of blended biofuel in East China was successfully completed at the Meishan Port Area of ​​Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. 

The B24-HSFO used in the bunkering operation was supplied by the Aoshan Petroleum Base in Zhoushan from the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China. 

Related: Zhoushan completes China’s first batch of marine biofuel blending under pilot programme
Related: Ningbo wraps up East China’s first cross-regional biofuel blending and bunkering
Related: China debuts first marine biofuel blending pilot programme in Zhoushan
Related: China’s first batch of domestically blended marine biofuel delivered to Qingdao for bunkering

 

Photo credit: Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan)
Published: 21 September, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Final general meetings scheduled for Dromond Shipping, related firms

A member is entitled to attend the meetings and should notify the liquidators’ team office via email no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.

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The final general meetings of Dromond Shipping Pte Ltd  and related companies have been scheduled to take place on 19 October, according to the company’s liquidator on a notice posted on Friday (18 September) on the Government Gazette.

The other companies are Tidewater Emergency Response Services Pte Ltd, Tidewater Production Solutions Pte Ltd and Tidewater Salvage Pte Ltd. 

The final general meetings of the members of the companies will be held via electronic means on 19 October 2026 at 2.00 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.00 pm and 3.30 pm (Singapore time), respectively.

The meetings are being held for the purpose of having accounts laid before the members showing the manner in which the winding up of the respective companies has been conducted and how the property of the respective companies has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the liquidators. 

The details of the liquidator is as follows:

Tan Kim Han
Joint and Several Liquidators
137 Amoy Street, #02-03, Far East Square
Singapore 049965

Note: A member is entitled to attend the above meeting and should notify the Liquidators’ team office via email to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.

 

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 21 September, 2026

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Ammonia

NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

Ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier “Shoei Maru” via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier, scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

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NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

NYK Line, on Thursday (17 September) with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, and Kokuka Sangyo Co Ltd, has completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operation to an ammonia-fuelled vessel. 

At a quay within Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier Shoei Maru via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026. 

The operation was conducted in preparation for sea trials of the AFMGC using fuel ammonia.

“This achievement represents an important initiative that has put into practice an operation essential for the future practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels,” the company said. 

The bunkering operation was conducted following extensive discussions among the companies involved. Safe operating procedures and work processes were established prior to the operation, enabling the transfer to be completed safely. Through this initiative, we have accumulated practical insights regarding safe fuel supply operations.

This operation serves as a pioneering example of the fuel-supply framework that will be required for the widespread adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels. 

The AFMGC is currently in the final stage of construction and is scheduled for delivery in November 2026. 

“The successful completion of this operation marks a significant milestone toward the broader commercial use of fuel ammonia and the practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels. It also represents an important step forward in establishing an ammonia supply chain,” the company added. 

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 21 September, 2026

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