Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for June 2025 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inch lower in June

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inched lower in June, due to the negative impact from geopolitical tensions and seasonally tepid shipping demand.

The country sold about 1.74 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June, with the daily sales at 57,910 mt, a dip of 0.26% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Bonded bunker fuel sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 460,000 mt, 560,000 mt, 45,000 mt and 25,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses stood at 647,300 mt.

The efficiency of global trade declined amid trade war, leading to a slip in the world’s bunkering demand.

China’s LSFO output rallies in June

China’s LSFO output rallied in June amid unit restarts, but the rally was limited to some degree by some refineries’ maintenance and bad production margins.

Chinese refiners produced about 1.02 million mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output rising by 10.58% month on month to 34,067 mt, JLC’s data shows.

Specifically, Sinopec maintained basically stable LSFO production in June. The company’s Shengli Oilfield and Jinling Petrochemical slashed their production after launching maintenance in the middle of the month, while Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical, Hunan Petrochemical and Tianjin Petrochemical wrapped up turnarounds and boosted their output.

PetroChina recorded a modest rise in its production in June as Jinxi Petrochemical restarted its units. However, Jinzhou Petrochemical and Liaohe Petrochemical slightly cut their production. The output of other refineries did not change much in the month.

CNOOC saw a significant boost in its output in the month, as Huizhou Refinery resumed production while Zhoushan Petrochemical and Taizhou Petrochemical ramped up production.

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

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s LSFO output fell by 22.75% in June.

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand weakens in June

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand further weakened in June, with most shipowners still holding a wait-and-see attitude.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand slipped to 340,000 mt in the month, down 20,000 mt or 5.56% from the previous month, JLC’s data shows. Most purchases were still based on rigid demand, though market sentiment became slightly bullish.

Meanwhile, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand declined to 140,000 mt, down 10,000 mt or 6.67% month on month. Diesel demand remained lackluster amid the fishing moratorium.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebound in May

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebounded in May, as domestic refiners increased purchases of imported LSFO when domestic supply tightened.

Chinese bunker suppliers imported 610,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a boost of 16.17% month on month and 97.06% year on year, JLC’s calculation shows, based on data from the GACC.

Domestic LSFO output extended declines amid more unit maintenance, forcing bonded distributors to place more orders for imported LSFO. Meanwhile, HSFO imports increased amid growing demand, while MGO arrivals dropped amid larger domestic production and tepid demand.

Russia became the largest bonded bunker fuel supplier to China in May, up from the fourth place in April. The country exported 377,700 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China in the month, accounting for 61.88% of the latter’s total imports. At the same time, Singapore came second with 144,500 mt, accounting for 23.67%, while South Korea ranked third with 50,300 mt, accounting for 8.23%. In addition, Malaysia ranked fourth with 38,000 mt, occupying 6.22%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 2.66 million mt in January-May, surging by 64.54% year on year, the calculation shows.

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continues to tighten in June

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continued to tighten in June, as the availability of blendstock declined and most blending in northeast and east China was still at a halt.

Blenders supplied about 360,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 2.70% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Domestic supply of low-sulfur residual oil tightened as China Offshore Bitumen (Binzhou) came under maintenance, while that of shale oil also declined. Meanwhile, most blenders in northeast and eastern China were yet to resume their blending, as the impact of tax inspections persisted.

Domestic-trade light bunker fuel supply dropped to 150,000 mt in June, down by 10,000 mt or 6.25% month on month, the data shows. Diesel supply tightened as some refineries lowered their operating rates amid unit maintenance.

Bunker Prices, Profits

Editor
Yvette Luo
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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.

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be photocopied, reproduced, retransmitted, put into a computer system or otherwise redistributed without prior authorization from JLC.

Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2025)
Related: [Updated 15 May] JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (January 2025)
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Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (November 2024)
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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: 10 July 2025

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 LSMGO tight in the Gibraltar Strait
• HSFO tight off Walvis Bay
• LSMGO availability improves in Maputo

Northwest Europe

Lead times of 9-10 days are recommended for HSFO and LSMGO in the ARA, up from last week’s 6-8 days and 5-6 days, respectively. VLSFO lead times have come down from 6-8 days to 5-6 days. Prompt supply is tight for all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 9% in July so far, according to Insights Global data. At 6.05 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks are at their lowest average since January this year.

The ARA has imported 110,000 b/d of fuel oil this month, a decline compared to June’s 133,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Half of these imports have come from France. Other major import sources include Finland (26%) and the UK (21%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have fallen by 3% in July, compared to June. The ARA hub has imported a total of 101,000 b/d, a decrease from June’s 164,000 b/d, Vortexa data noted.

Lead times of 10 days have been recommended for Sweden’s Gothenburg and Denmark’s Skaw, according to a trader. Bunkering could be disrupted by bad weather in Gothenburg between 11-12 July and off Skaw between 12-13 July, a source noted.

The German port of Hamburg continues to have good bunker availability with recommended lead times of 3-5 days, another trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Prompt supply remains tight in the Gibraltar Strait, according to a trader. Lead times of 8-9 days continue to be advised for HSFO and LSMGO, and of 10-12 days for VLSFO.

There were two receiving vessels waiting for bunker barges to become available in Gibraltar on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland. The port has been facing varying degrees of congestion since last week. Suppliers in the port were running 2-12 hours behind schedule on Wednesday.

The port agent also noted that suppliers in Algeciras are delayed by 2-8 hours.

Prompt bunker supply is good in Las Palmas, with recommended lead times consistently at 5-7 days, according to a trader.

All grades are readily available in Barcelona, with recommended lead times unchanged at 5-7 days, a trader said.

Off Malta, prompt bunker supply is good, according to a trader. Wind gusts of up to 29 knots could disrupt bunker operations, a source noted.

HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO are readily available in the Greek port of Piraeus, with recommended lead times of 1-5 days, according to a trader. VLSFO is less in demand now after the sulphur limit was capped at 0.10% in the Mediterranean, and lead times vary.

The Turkish port of Istanbul has good bunker availability, a trader said.

Africa

Prompt bunker supply is available in the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, according to a supplier. LSMGO availability in Maputo has improved from last week.

HSFO availability is very tight in Port Louis, according to a trader. VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the port. The port is forecast with bad weather between 9-13 July, which could disrupt operations.

Durban continues to have steady VLSFO supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

HSFO availability has tightened further off Walvis Bay, while VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, according to a trader. Bad weather is forecast between 9-13 July and could disrupt deliveries, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO are available in Luanda with lead times of 3-4 days advised for both grades, according to a trader.

HSFO availability is strained in Togo’s Lome. Inconsistent weather conditions are forecast in the port from 8-13 July and could hold back bunkering.

By Samantha Shaji

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 July 2025

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 and HSFO lead times vary widely in Singapore
• Several Chinese ports suspended due to Typhoon Danas
• Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO lead times in Singapore remain highly variable. Some suppliers are quoting as few as six days, while others recommend booking up to two weeks in advance due to long-term nominations—typically contract-based stems that take priority over spot demand. Tight loading schedules at some terminals have further contributed to the delays.

Lead times for LSMGO in Singapore have increased, with most suppliers now advising 6–9 days, up from 2–8 days last week. HSFO lead times also vary widely, ranging from 3–12 days, compared to 9–14 days last week.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt delivery possible for smaller parcels. However, HSFO supply continues to be tight.

East Asia

VLSFO supply in Zhoushan remains steady amid muted demand, with lead times slightly improving to 4–6 days from 5–7 days last week. Most suppliers are well-stocked, but delays in replenishment cargoes have led some to raise prices in anticipation of tighter availability, a trader noted. This has added further upward pressure on the grade’s price.

For other grades, HSFO lead times have extended to 5–7 days, up from 4–6 days last week, while LSMGO lead times have risen more sharply to 4–6 days from the previous 2–4 days.

However, bunker operations at Zhoushan’s outer and inner anchorages have been suspended since Sunday due to adverse weather caused by Typhoon Danas, according to a source.

The typhoon made landfall in Taiwan’s Chiayi County on Sunday and has since weakened. A second landfall is expected between Taizhou in Zhejiang and Ningde in Fujian on Tuesday afternoon or evening, according to China’s Ministry of Water Resources.

Full resumption of port operations is anticipated by Thursday, when conditions are expected to stabilise.

Several other ports across South China and the Yangtze River Delta have also suspended operations since Sunday, the source added.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao continue to offer good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. However, HSFO remains scarce in Qingdao. Tianjin is currently facing tight supply across all three fuel grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO remain in limited supply, while LSMGO stocks are relatively stable. Further south, availability varies: Fuzhou is experiencing restricted supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO, whereas Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO but limited LSMGO. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO remain challenging.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain stable at around seven days. However, forecasts indicate adverse weather between 9–11 July, which could disrupt bunker deliveries.

Meanwhile, bunker operations at Taiwan’s Kaohsiung and Taichung ports resumed today after being suspended yesterday due to Typhoon Danas, according to another source. Currently, lead times at both Kaohsiung and Taichung are approximately 3–4 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. At other major Taiwanese ports, such as Hualien and Keelung, lead times are shorter—around two days.

In South Korea, LSMGO availability remains tight as more bunker buyers have shifted to Korean ports, where the grade is currently priced lower than in neighbouring Chinese ports. Busan’s LSMGO is now priced $16/mt below Zhoushan’s.

Lead times for LSMGO have widened significantly, now ranging from 4–14 days, up from 4–10 days last week. In contrast, availability for VLSFO has improved, with lead times shortening from 4–6 days to just 2–4 days. HSFO lead times have also eased, dropping from around five days last week to 2–4 days now.

However, bunker operations may be impacted by adverse weather across several ports. Ulsan and Onsan could see disruptions from 10–11 July, Busan from 8–14 July, Daesan and Taean from 11–12 July, and Yeosu from 11–14 July.

VLSFO supply remains robust at key Japanese ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. However, prompt availability is more limited in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, and Mizushima, and remains particularly constrained in Nagoya and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally well-stocked across the country, though securing prompt deliveries remains a challenge in several ports—including Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is steady overall, but prompt delivery is likewise restricted at these same ports.

In Oita, availability remains tight across all fuel grades.

Adverse weather is forecast to disrupt bunker deliveries at Thailand’s Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports on 9 July. In Vietnam, rough sea conditions are also expected to affect bunker operations in Ho Chi Minh on 10 July and again between 13–14 July.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with suppliers recommending lead times of 7–8 days.

In New South Wales, LSMGO supply remains steady in Sydney, though prompt deliveries of HSFO continue to face challenges.

Victoria’s ports—Melbourne and Geelong—have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains limited, particularly for prompt requirements.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO are well-stocked at Brisbane and Gladstone, with typical lead times of around seven days. However, HSFO availability in Brisbane remains tight.

Across the Tasman, VLSFO is sufficiently available in both Tauranga and Auckland. That said, bunker operations in Tauranga could be affected by adverse weather conditions forecast for 11–12 July.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight across several Indian ports—including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Haldia—extending the supply constraints observed in recent weeks. LSMGO availability at most Indian ports continues to be handled on an enquiry basis.

The dock workers’ union has announced a one-day strike in Mumbai from 9–10 July, with plans to extend the action to Cochin thereafter. Cargo operations in Mumbai are unlikely to face major disruptions, as most terminals there are privately operated. However, operations at Cochin are expected to be affected, according to GAC Hot Port News.

Adverse weather is also set to hamper bunker activity at multiple Indian ports. Disruptions are forecast at Kandla and Sikka on 9 July, and at Visakhapatnam and Mumbai from 8–9 July.

In Sri Lanka, lead times for all fuel grades at Colombo and Hambantota have improved significantly, dropping to around two days from approximately six days last week. However, rough weather conditions expected in Colombo between 11–12 July could impact bunker operations.

Middle East

In Fujairah, VLSFO requires lead times of approximately 5–7 days, slightly improved from last week’s recommendation of around 6 days. Lead times for LSMGO and HSFO remain steady at about 5–7 days, showing little change compared to the previous week.

In Basrah, Iraq, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, although HSFO supply remains limited. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO is constrained.

At Egypt’s Suez port, stocks of all three conventional bunker grades, VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, are nearly depleted. In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is currently tight.

Djibouti is facing significant supply pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO nearly out of stock, and LSMGO availability also limited.

On the other hand, Omani ports—including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm—continue to report stable LSMGO supply.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 9 July, 2025