Business

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2021)

In February, China’s bonded bunker fuel sales edged down to 1.33 million mt due to CNY holidays and harsh weather at certain ports in North China.

Published

4 years ago

May 18, 2021

Admin

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

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2021)

Highlights

Bunker Fuel Demand

Bonded bunker fuel sales dip in February

In February, China’s bonded bunker fuel sales edged down to 1.33 million mt, JLC data showed. Sales in February slipped due to the Chinese New Year holiday and harsh weather at certain ports in North China. But the fall was limited as some term contracts switched from January to February and sales were high at some ports in the southern region. Chimbusco and Sinopec sold about 579,600 mt and 512,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel, respectively. Bonded bunker fuel sales were about 70,200 mt for SinoBunker and 23,800 mt for China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec). New enterprises in the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone sold 144,600 mt.

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales jumped to 2.61 million mt in December, up by 94.36% month on month, according to GAC data. In December, bonded bunker fuel suppliers ramped up sales to meet annual sales targets. Besides, a large quantity of bonded bunker fuel oil produced by Sinopec refineries was loaded into bonded warehouses in the month. Specifically, bonded bunker fuel sales were 1.25 million mt for Sinopec, 1.02 million mt for Chimbusco, 85,000 mt for SinoBunker, 50,300 mt for China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) and 205,000 mt for new enterprises in the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone. China’s bonded bunker fuel sales in 2020 surged by 4.76 million mt or 39.79% year on year to 16.72 million mt, GAC data shows.

Note: There is no update on import and export data for January, as the General Administration of Customs of the PRC is expected to combine January and February data instead of providing data for a single month. The combined data for January-February are expected to be released at the end of March, and we will update the data in the March version report.

China bunker exports in Feb

China Major bunker fuel suppliers sales in Feb

Domestic bunker fuel demand drops in February

Domestic bunker fuel demand declined in February. End users' consumption of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel was about 340,000 mt in the month, down by 30,000 mt from the previous month. The demand for light bunker fuel was 120,000 mt in February, down by 10,000 mt from January. Demand dropped in February mainly due to the Chinese New Year holiday and fewer weekdays in the month. Earlier in the month, traders held caution and trades with high value were few. But later in the month, trades improved as some downstream users began stock replenishments amid low inventories and rising prices.

Bunker Fuel Supply

Bonded bunker fuel imports drop 2.85% in December

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports were 1.10 million mt in December, a drop of 2.85% month on month and a fall of 46% year on year, GAC data showed. Demand was still high in December. As domestic production fell behind demand, despite a rally in production, bonded bunker fuel distributors still had to import bunker fuel to meet demand.

Specifically, the largest import source for China was still Malaysia with 641,000 mt of bunker fuel. Imports from Singapore, South Korea and the UAE were 172,000 mt, 99,000 mt and 84,000 mt respectively. The imports were 68,000 mt and 34,000 mt respectively from Russia and Thailand.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports were 12.24 million mt in 2020, a drop of 14.2% year on year, GAC data showed.

Bonded bunkr fuel imports in Feb

Domestic blended bunker fuel supply reduces in February

Chinese blending producers supplied a total of around 350,000 mt of heavy bunker fuel in February, down by 30,000 mt from January, JLC data showed. In February, supply fell as many blenders halted operation during the Chinese New Year holiday. Low-sulfur residue oil supply remained tight after the holiday. Besides, as some refineries started overhauls, supply reduced and low-sulfur residue oil was mainly for captive use. Supply of light coal tar and coal-based diesel also tightened when producers kept their inventories low. Blenders lowered their supply amid tight availability of blendstocks and high blendstock costs. Light bunker fuel supply was about 130,000 mt, down by 10,000 mt from the previous month amid impacts of the holiday.

Fuel oil cargo imports in Feb

China Main oil blending feedstocks in Feb

China Domestic Trading 180 cSt

China Bunker blending profit by region in Feb

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognised as the leading information provider in China. We specialised in providing the transparent, high-value, authoritative market intelligence and professional analysis in commodity markets. Our expertise covers oil, gas, coal, chemical, plastic, rubber, fertiliser 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.

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Published: 18 May, 2021

Alternative Fuels

Singapore: MPA issues circular on resolutions adopted at IMO MSC 109

New circular informs shipping community of the resolutions, including on use of ammonia cargo as bunker fuel, and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (17 March) issued Shipping Circular No. 2 of 2025 regarding resolutions adopted by the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which was held from 2 to 6 December 2024:

This circular informs the shipping community of the resolutions adopted by MSC 109 and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

MSC 109 adopted the following mandatory resolutions:

Resolution MSC.566(109) – Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to Chapter 16 of the IGC Code, mainly to allow the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. The amendments will enter into force on 01 July 2026 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

Resolution MSC.567(109) – Amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to IGF Code regarding ship design and arrangements; general pipe design; safety functions of the gas supply system; fire protection; hazardous area zones; and ventilation requirements. The amendments will enter into force on 01 January 2028 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

MSC 109 also adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution MSC.568(109) – Amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70))

This resolution adopts amendments to Part 1- Prototype Test for Life-saving Appliances, for self-righting test requirements of totally enclosed lifeboats, under paragraph 6.14.1.1 of the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)).

Resolution MSC.569(109) – Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital navigational data (NAVDAT) system

This resolution adopts the Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital NAVDAT system.

Resolution MSC.509(105)/REV.1 – Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

This resolution adopts the revised Recommendation on provision of radio services for the GMDSS, the Criteria for use when providing shore-based digital selective calling (DSC) facilities for use in the GMDSS, the Criteria for establishing GMDSS sea areas, the Criteria for use when providing a NAVTEX service and the Criteria for use when providing a NAVDAT service, set out in annexes 1 to 5, respectively, to the resolution. This resolution revokes resolution MSC.509(105).

Resolution MSC.570(109) – Performance standards for a universal shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS)

This resolution adopts the revised Performance standards for a universal shipborne AIS, recognising the need for measures to prevent unauthorised entry or tampering of the ship's identity information in shipborne AIS.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected].

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 18 March, 2025

Business

Singapore-based AET appoints Nick Potter as new President and CEO

Potter, who assumes the CEO role from Zahid Osman, also assumed the role of Vice President, Petroleum & Products at MISC Group, joining the MISC Executive Leadership Team.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based AET appoints Nick Potter as new President and CEO

Singapore-headquartered AET, MISC’s petroleum arm, on Monday (17 March) announced the appointment of Nick Potter as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Potter also assumed the role of Vice President, Petroleum & Products at MISC Group, joining the MISC Executive Leadership Team.

With over 35 years of experience in the maritime and energy sectors, Potter has led commercial, technical, and operational teams across the globe. He previously served as Head of Shipping and Maritime for Asia, Pacific, and the Middle East at Shell, and before that, as Global Head of Maritime at BG Group.

His career began at sea as an Engineering Officer, before progressing through various roles at Shell and BG, giving him deep expertise in maritime logistics and the tanker business.

Beyond his leadership roles, Potter is a strong advocate for energy transition, maritime talent development, and seafarer welfare. He has actively contributed to key industry bodies, including OCIMF, the Singapore Maritime Foundation, and the International Chamber of Shipping's Clean Energy Marine Hubs Task Force.

Outgoing CEO Zahid Osman welcomed Potter in a symbolic leadership handover at AET’s headquarters, marking a new chapter in our journey.

“As Zahid takes on his expanded leadership role as President & Group CEO at MISC, we look forward to continuing our close collaboration as part of MISC Group,” AET added.

Photo credit: AET
Published: 18 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-based AAL Shipping says it held a naming ceremony for “AAL Dubai” – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – at CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-headquartered project heavy lift carrier AAL Shipping (AAL) on Thursday (13 March) said it held a formal naming ceremony for its fifth Super B-Class vessel, AAL Dubai.

The 32,000 dwt AAL Dubai – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – was officially named on March 12 at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

The AAL Dubai is engineered to transport a vast array of cargo, including heavy lift project equipment, breakbulk, and dry bulk, all on a single voyage. With a combined lifting capacity of 700 tonnes, this vessel is designed to offer high efficiency, cargo flexibility, and economies of scale to shippers worldwide.

The vessel will now embark on its maiden voyage, joining sister vessels AAL Limassol, AAL Hamburg, AAL Houston, and AAL Antwerp in serving project cargo customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

“We are now over the halfway mark with our Super B-Class deliveries, and those already in service are exceeding our expectations,” said Liew Teck Liong, Chief Financial Officer at AAL.

“With these vessels, we have achieved both company and industry firsts, and we look forward to redefining what a heavy lift, multipurpose vessel can accomplish as we deploy them for complex cargo challenges.”

Later this year, AAL will take delivery of the AAL Dammam, which will be shortly followed by the AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai that have an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes.

Photo credit: AAL Shipping
Published: 18 March, 2025