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JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2023)

Country sold about 1.54 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in May, with the daily sales inching down by 1.19% to 49,526 mt, JLC’s data shows, says JLC Network Technology report.

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JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2023)

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for May 2023 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China sees a drop in its daily bonded bunker fuel sales in May

China saw a drop in its daily bonded bunker fuel sales in May when demand was still average and domestic supply remained relatively tight. 

The country sold about 1.54 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in May, with the daily sales inching down by 1.19% to 49,526 mt, JLC’s data shows. Specifically, the daily sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec Zhoushan, ChinaChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) and SinoBunker settled at about 17,097 mt, 18,387 mt, 2,194 mt and 1,129 mt. At the same time, suppliers with regional bunkering licenses sold roughly 10,719 mt per day, the data shows. 

Despite a modest increase in China’s daily low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) output, domestic bonded bunker fuel supply remained relatively tight, depressing the daily sales. But some importers increased their purchases of bonded bunker fuel resources, alleviating the previous disruption of blendstock supply. 

China slashes its bonded bunker fuel exports in April

China slashed its bonded bunker fuel exports in April, as domestic supply tightened. 

The country exported roughly 1.43 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a nosedive of 30.76% from the previous month, reversing a rise of 28.23% in March, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the GeneralAdministration of Customs of PRC (GACC). 

Specifically, heavy bunker fuel exports were about 1.36 million mt, accounting for 95.23% of the total, whilelight bunker fuel exports amounted to 68,300 mt, taking up 4.77%. 

Suppliers with national bunkering licenses exported about 1.09 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, accounting for 75.91% of China’s total, with Sinopec Fuel Oil and Chimbusco taking 70.51%. At the sametime, enterprises with regional licenses exported about 344,800 mt, accounting for 24.09%. Noticeably, PetroChina Fuel Oil (Zhoushan, Shanghai and Guangzhou) exported a combination of 171,100 mt, occupying 11.95% of China’s exports and 49.62% of regional suppliers’ total. 

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports plunged rapidly as domestic refiners cut their LSFO production amid badmargins, insufficient supply of blendstocks and more unit maintenance. The country produced roughly 1.07million mt of LSFO in April, with the daily output at 35,600 mt, tumbling by 17.33% from a month earlier, JLC’s data indicates. 

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports increased by 11.33%. The yearly growth was mainly ascribed to a low base in April 2022 when China tightened its virus-led restrictions amid a new outbreak of the epidemic. 

China tallied a total of 6.43 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports in the first four months of this year, downby 2.89% from the same months in 2022, slowing down from a year-on-year decline of 6.31%in the first quarter, the data shows. 

The exports of heavy bunker fuel and marine gas oil were 6.11 million mt and 323,800 mt in the period, accounting for 94.96% and 5.04% respectively. 

Regarding the exports by supplier, enterprises with national licenses exported 5.22 million mt in the period, accounting for 81.17% and those with regional ones exported 1.21 million mt, accounting for 18.83%.

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Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand still shrinks in May

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand shrank again in May when bearish sentiment strengthened. 

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand slipped to 310,000 mt in the month, down by 20,000 mt or 6.06%month on month. In view of flagging international crude prices, participants expected a further decline in domestic bunker fuel prices, resulting in relatively thin trading. 

Similarly, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand decreased to 130,000 mt in the month, down by 10,000mt or 7.14% from a month earlier. Domestic diesel demand contracted as operating rates at outdoor projects fell amid higher temperatures. 

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rally to 4-month high in Apr

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebounded to a 4-month high in April, as domestic supply declined sharply and was insufficient to meet demand.

The country imported 413,900 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, surging by 135.71% month on monthand 35.17% year on year, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC). 

Malaysia topped the suppliers by shipping 308,700 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, which accounted for 75% of the latter’s total imports. South Korea slipped to the second place with 59,800 mt, accounting for 14%, followed by Singapore with 45,400 mt, occupying 11%. 

Domestic supply of low-sulfur bunker resources tightened as refiners slashed their LSFO production. The country produced about 1.07 million mt of LSFO in April, a decline of 9.87% year on year, with the daily output at 35,600 mt, tumbling by 17.33% from March, JLC’s data shows. 

To fill the demand gap, some traders boosted their bonded bunker fuel imports in April, though freight rates for imported cargoes stayed relatively steep. At the same time, the import arbitrage window opened after China’s bonded bunker fuel prices climbed amid tightening supply. Besides, importers also increased their imports of high-sulfur fuel oil, due to the decline in domestic LSFO supply. 

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 1.05 million mt in the first four months of this year, a slump of 33.73% year on year, decelerating from a 50.30% plunge in the first quarter, JLC estimated, based on data from GACC. The plunge in imports came as a result of larger LSFO production. Chinese refiners producedabout 4.86 million mt of LSFO in the four months, growing by 2.51% from the same months in 2022, JLC’s data indicates.

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Domestic heavy bunker fuel supply decreases in May

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply slightly lessened in May, as blenders lowered their output in view of relatively high feedstock costs. Chinese blenders supplied about 340,000 mt of heavy bunker fuel in the month, a decrease of 10,000 mt or 2.86% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

In the meantime, blenders supplied about 140,000 mt of marine gas oil (MGO) in the month, a drop of 10,000mt or 6.67% from April, the data indicates.

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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
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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognized as the leading information provider in China. We specialized 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 Market Monthly Report (March 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2023)
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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 that period is available here.

 

Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 12 June, 2023

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Milestone

Singapore retains titles as Best Global Seaport and Best Seaport in Asia

Port of Singapore has been named the “Best Global Seaport” for the third consecutive year and the “Best Seaport in Asia” for the 35th time at the 2023 AFLAS Awards.

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Singapore retains titles as Best Global Seaport and Best Seaport in Asia

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Friday (29 September) said the Port of Singapore has been named the “Best Global Seaport” for the third consecutive year and the “Best Seaport in Asia” for the 35th time at the 2023 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards.

These accolades recognise the contributions by the Port of Singapore serving as a key node in the global supply chain, and Singapore’s leadership in driving maritime decarbonisation and transformation.

The annual AFLAS Awards is organised by freight and logistics publication, Asia Cargo News, to honour leading service providers in the supply chain community for demonstrating leadership as well as consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability. Winners were determined by votes cast by readers of the publication.

singapore best seaport 2

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, said: “Singapore is honoured to be named the Best Global Seaport and Best Seaport in Asia. These awards are the result of the shared effort and strong collaboration between the Government, industry, unions and workers. We will continue to grow our port as an efficient, sustainable, and trusted node in global supply chains.”

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “These awards are testament to the partnership and collaboration between Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with industry and international partners, the research and enterprise community, as well as unions. MPA remains committed to fostering an environment that encourages enterprise, innovation, and talent development.”

“We will continue to work with our partners to enhance Singapore’s connectivity, advance digitalisation efforts, and accelerate the decarbonisation of international shipping in line with the 2023 IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore 
Published: 29 September, 2023

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Employment

Melvin Lum appointed as KPI OceanConnect Global Accounts Commercial Director in Singapore 

Lum will take on the position of Commercial Director from Thomas Lee who was recently promoted to Head of APAC in a management restructure within KPI OceanConnect.

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Melvin Lum appointed as KPI OceanConnect Global Account Commercial Director in Singapore

Global marine energy solutions provider KPI OceanConnect on Thursday (28 September) announced the appointment of Melvin Lum as Commercial Director for its Global Accounts team in Singapore.

Lum will take on the position of Commercial Director from Thomas Lee who was recently promoted to Head of APAC in a management restructure within KPI OceanConnect. 

The Global Accounts team is an expert unit within KPI OceanConnect, specialised in providing long-term, tailored fuel strategy solutions to a portfolio of Key Accounts on a global scale. Dedicated regional teams located in London, Houston and Singapore work seamlessly across the world and around the clock to support their clients.

Lum joined KPI OceanConnect in 2021 as Senior Key Account manager and has made a significant contribution to the development of the team and optimisation of the daily operations of the unit in Singapore. Lum has vast experience across the supply chain and previously worked with TotalEnergies, Glencore and Global Energy Group prior to joining KPI OceanConnect.

Henrik Zederkof, Head of Global Accounts at KPI OceanConnect, said: "It is always a pleasure to witness the growth of our team members, and Melvin's progression is no exception. I have full confidence in Melvin's expertise, ability to lead the unit and dedication to his team. I look forward to seeing the progress of Melvin and his team, which will undoubtedly bring significant value to our numerous partners and the wider organisation.”

"Melvin will assume a pivotal role within the Global Accounts management team, leveraging his extensive experience in supply chain management and profound insight into emerging technologies. In his new role, Melvin will further enhance our team's skill set, aligning them with our ongoing objectives of supporting our partners in their green transition and digitalisation endeavours."

Melvin Lum, Commercial Director of KPI OceanConnect Global Accounts in Singapore, said: "I am very appreciative of the support and confidence from our management team as I take on this exciting new role. I am enthusiastic to work with the team as we continue to deliver an exceptional experience to our partners and stakeholders with dedication, innovation and passion."

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect 
Published: 29 September, 2023

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Biofuel

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels renews ISCC EU certification for bio bunker fuel  

Firm’s operations teams in Singapore and Geneva successfully renewed its ISCC EU sustainability certification for the supply of biofuel bunkers, says Louise Tricoire, Vice President.

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TotalEnergies Marine Fuels renews ISCC EU certification for bio bunker fuel

Louise Tricoire, Vice President of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels recently said the firm’s operations teams in Singapore and Geneva successfully renewed its International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU sustainability certification for the supply of biofuel bunkers.

“This means that TotalEnergies Marine Fuels can continue sourcing and supplying marine biofuels in accordance with EU renewable energy regulations ensuring the highest sustainability standards,” she said in a social media. 

“It's the third year in a row that we have successfully renewed this certification, after a deep and comprehensive audit which showed zero non-conformity.”

She added marine biofuels have grown in demand among shipping companies that want to cut greenhouse gas emissions immediately. 

“TotalEnergies Marine Fuels offers marine biofuels commercially in Singapore and we are starting in Europe. This certification enables us to accompany our customers in their decarbonisation journey with the best standard solutions available today.”

Photo credit: TotalEnergies Marine Fuels
Published: 29 September, 2023

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