Business

China bonded bunker fuel sales dip 1.5% on year from Jan to May

Domestic LSFO production and market price fluctuations may be main factors in whether bonded bunker fuel volume can achieve a breakthrough for 2022.

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2022

Admin

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The following article published by Manifold Times on 5 July was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. An online translation service was used in the production of the current editorial piece:

China sold 8.295 million metric tonnes (mt) of bonded bunker fuel from January to May 2022, down 1.5% year-on-year, according to China-based consultancy LongZhong on Friday (24 June).

In comparison, the world’s largest marine bunkering hub Singapore's bonded fuel supply totalled 19.163 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 9.4%, during the same period.

China bonded bunker fuel sales dip 1.5% on year from Jan to May

Figure 1 Comparison of the fuel supply of bonded ships in Singapore and China from 2017 to 2022

In the second quarter of the year, low sulphur fuel oil availability continued to be tight while price rose, which made it difficult to significantly boost bonded bunker fuel sales.

Figure 2 2021-2022 China Bonded Ship Fuel Supply Monthly Sales

From the perspective of supply companies, the bunkering volume of Sinopec Zhoushan and Chimbusco accounted for 92% of the total bunkering volume, occupying a major market share.

Figure 3 Market share of Chinese bonded ship fuel supply companies from January to May 2022

In terms of oil supply varieties, from January to May 2022, low-sulphur fuel oil in China's bonded ships accounted for 88%, and the proportion of high-sulphur fuel oil was 6%. During the same period last year, its proportion was 88.8% and 6.5% respectively.

The proportion of low-sulphur fuel oil in Singapore's total oil supply to ships is 64.5%, and high-sulphur fuel oil accounts for 26.9%. During the same period last year, the proportion was 66.8% and 24.6% respectively.

The fuel supply of bonded ships in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province reached 2.36 million mt, an increase of 18% year-on-year. It accounted for 28.5% of the national oil supply of bonded vessels, making it the largest domestic bonded ship fuel supply port in China. The market share of local licensed enterprises in Zhoushan accounted for 10.6% of the national market share and 37% of the local bonded direct supply in Zhoushan.

In addition, the oil supply of bonded vessels in Qingdao Port increased rapidly from January to May, with a year-on-year increase of more than 40%. At present, domestic resources have become an important factor in whether suppliers can achieve breakthroughs in supply of bonded vessels. In addition, under high oil prices, there is great resource pressure, which is also a factor restricting business development.

Figure 3 Comparison of oil supply in key ports of China's bonded ship oil supply in 2021-2022

From January to May 2022, bonded fuel oil imports shrank significantly. The total volume of fuel oil imports was 4.4036 million mt, down 4.55% year-on-year. Bonded fuel oil imports account for 31% of the oil consumption of bonded ships.

From January to May, about 84% of China's bonded low-sulphur ship fuel oil consumption was from domestic refinery resources, an increase of 22.5% year-on-year.

Figure 5 China's bonded fuel oil import and consumption trends

In June, it was still difficult for the oil supply of local bonded bunker suppliers to rise significantly due to high prices. It is expected that the oil supply of China's bonded ships may reach about 10 million mt in the first half of the year, a year-on-year decline of about 2%.

In the second half of the year, domestic low-sulphur fuel oil production and market price fluctuations may be the main factors in whether the oil supply of bonded bunkering ships can achieve a substantial breakthrough for 2022.

Photo credit: Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash
Published: 5 July, 2022

Business

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

Both signed a MoU to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China, focusing on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and covering areas such as clean energy.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) on Friday (28 March) said they have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.

The MoU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, and Professor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021, and further strengthens talent development and knowledge exchange between both maritime ecosystems.

As part of the MOU, MPA and DMU will continue to engage in faculty exchanges, study visits and student exchanges in Singapore and Dalian, and joint maritime training and research programmes. Trainers from MPA, including subject matter experts and adjunct trainers, will contribute to courses, events and knowledge sharing.

The collaboration will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation, covering areas such as clean energy and sustainable practices in the maritime sector, digital transformation of maritime operations, environmental management, maritime safety, navigational technologies, and port management and smart technologies.

DMU is home to world-class facilities, including two ocean-going training vessels and state-of-the-art research centre. A leader in autonomous ship technology and innovation in smart and sustainable shipping, the university has recently launched its 3rd ocean-going new generation autonomous training vessel.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “The renewal of this MOU reflects the strong partnership between MPA and DMU. As the maritime industry evolves, our collaboration in maritime education and training is more crucial than ever in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals. This agreement will enhance maritime talent development and knowledge sharing between Singapore and China, fostering innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Environment

SMW 2025: Maritime drone training for ship emission monitoring to be established

MPA and Republic Polytechnic ink a MoU to start a specialised Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Training programme for MPA pilots to operate drones for maritime applications such as monitoring vessel emissions.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Republic Polytechnic (RP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a specialised Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Pilot Training programme for MPA UA pilots, which will also provide internship opportunities for RP students.

This initiative aims to equip MPA, as well as commercial UA pilots, with advanced competencies to operate drones for maritime applications. These include inspection of vessel structures, monitoring of vessel emissions, and supporting emergency response efforts.

The course will cover essential skills, including take-off and landing from vessels, emergency procedures at sea, and Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. UA pilots will also be trained to operate drones equipped with various sensor payloads such as electro-optics, infrared, and multispectral imaging. Tethered drone operations, which enable extended flight times for surveillance and monitoring, will also be included.

Under this five-year collaboration arrangement, MPA and RP plan to develop competency frameworks for UA pilots operating at sea, and will train over 20 MPA UA pilots annually. The collaboration will also explore the potential development of a maritime-specific qualification for UA pilots for interested parties. The training will be conducted by RP’s team of full-time lecturers who are also certified UA Pilot Licence trainers.

Through this partnership, RP students have internship opportunities with MPA, and can explore potential career pathways as UA pilots and watch supervisors coordinating the deployment of unmanned systems for port operations and maritime safety.

RP lecturers and students will also have opportunities to gain industry exposure and practical experience through participation in MPA’s upcoming drone-related projects. In addition, RP will work with MPA in relevant committees and forums to shape policies, safety standards, and regulations for maritime drone operations.

In 2025, MPA will trial new drone capabilities, including coordinated drone operations for chemical spill management and the Maritime Drones Traffic Management System to ensure safety in port waters.

The Maritime Drone Estate, launched in 2021, will also be expanded to support commercial drone services such as remote inspections and shore-to-ship deliveries. These advancements will contribute to safer, more fuel-efficient, and sustainable maritime operations.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

MPA and partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to improve safety and efficiency of port operations, such as bunkering of alternative fuels and vessel navigation.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (26 March) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several partners to promote knowledge-sharing initiatives and explore geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges in the republic.

Partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to strengthen preparedness, monitor sea level rise, and improve the safety and efficiency of port operations, such as vessel navigation, marine services and the bunkering of alternative fuels.

MPA signed a three-year MOU with Jurong Port, Singapore Cruise Centre Private Limited, Esri Singapore, Hexagon’s Safety Infrastructure and Geospatial Division, Nika, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR IHPC) and the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) in the College of Design and Engineering of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Geospatial tools use location-based data such as satellite images, traffic and weather data, and sensor readings from buoys and on land to create 2D and 3D visual insights.

These can help stakeholders monitor real-time conditions, manage risks, and plan operations more effectively by improving risk management and decision-making, and enhancing operational planning for improved safety and efficiency.

MPA also signed a three-year MOU with NUS to develop a skilled maritime geospatial workforce.

Under this partnership, MPA and NUS will explore the development of maritime geospatial courses for NUS undergraduate and post-graduate geography students, and a professional certification programme for mid-career professionals.

The maritime geospatial programmes will cover skills in 2D and 3D mapping, geospatial analytics, and advanced environmental and operations modelling. This will build a pipeline of talent equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive maritime geospatial innovation in the industry and government.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025