Bunker Fuel

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2025)

Daily bonded bunker sales grew in February, as negative impact made by US sanctions on some vessels weakened and shipping was gradually returning to normal after Chinese New Year public holidays.

Published

1 month ago

March 11, 2025

Admin

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

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s daily bonded bunker fuel sales increase in February

China’s daily bonded bunker sales grew in February, as the negative impact made by US sanctions on some vessels weakened and shipping was gradually returning to normal after the public holiday for the Chinese New Year.

The country sold 1.52 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in February, with the daily sales at 54,354 mt, rising by 2.85% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Bonded bunker fuel sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) settled at 400,000 mt, 520,000 mt, 50,000 mt and 25,000 mt in the month, while suppliers with regional bunkering licenses sold 526,900 mt.

The growth was capped by the Chinese New Year holiday in early February.

Despite the rise, demand was not strong in February.

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports edge down in 2024

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports edged down in 2024, as domestic refiners cut their production in view of quota tightness.

The country exported 19.63 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the year, a modest cut of 0.24% year on year, JLC calculated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Among the shipments, heavy bunker fuel exports settled at 18.33 million mt, accounting for 93.38%, while light bunker fuel exports settled at 1.30 million mt, accounting for 6.62%.

In December alone, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports were roughly 1.44 million mt, dropping by 20.90% month on month and 9.47% year on year, JLC calculated, with reference to the GACC data. In breakdown, heavy bunker fuel exports settled at 1.35 million mt, occupying 93.54%, while light bunker fuel exports came in at 93,000 mt, making up 6.46%.

(Note: The GACC has not released export and import data for January 2025 yet, and JLC will follow up.)

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Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand weakens in February

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand weakened in February, as most participants were cautious about purchases amid bearish sentiment. Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand came in at 370,000 mt in the month, a loss of 20,000 mt or 5.13% month on month, JLC’s data shows. February has three fewer days than January.

By contrast, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand climbed to 140,000 mt, a gain of 10,000 mt or 7.69% month on month. Light bunker fuel demand began to recover after the Spring Festival as inland water transportation accelerated, though the demand recovery was still relatively slow.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports surge in 2024

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports surged in 2024, which could mainly be ascribed to tight domestic supply.

China imported a total of 6.04 million mt of bonded bunker fuel last year, soaring by 45.92% year on year, JLC calculated, with reference to data from the GACC.

Only a few bonded distributors imported low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) in the first half of 2024, while others prioritized imported high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO). However, in the second half, domestic LSFO supply tightened significantly amid insufficient quotas, forcing bonded distributors to import more LSFO to fill the gap. Meanwhile, demand for imported HSFO continued to improve, as more ships were equipped with scrubbers and the import arbitrage window opened.

In December alone, China’s bonded bunker fuel imports exceeded 1 million mt and hit a 4-year high, as domestic LSFO output fell off a cliff amid persistent quota tightness. The imports amounted to 1.09 million mt in the month, jumping by 19.58% month on month and 247.21% year on year.

Singapore topped all suppliers by shipping 550,700 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China in the month, which accounted for 50.32% of the latter’s total imports. Malaysia slipped to the second place with 351,200 mt, accounting for 32.09%. Iraq and South Korea ranked third and fourth with 182,500 mt and 10,000 mt, accounting for 16.68% and 0.91%, respectively.

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Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply continues to tighten

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply continued to tighten in February, as the availability of low-sulfur residual oil decreased and blenders’ blending margins narrowed.

Blenders supplied about 370,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, down by 30,000 mt or 7.50% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Blenders’ enthusiasm for bunker fuel blending was limited, as low-sulfur residual oil supply declined and inflating blendstock costs squeezed their blending margins. In addition, downstream buyers showed relatively low buying interest as they prioritized consuming their stockpiles, which also capped blenders’ bunker fuel supply.

In the meantime, domestic-trade light bunker fuel supply stood at 150,000 mt, without change from the prior month, the data indicates. Refineries maintained relatively stable operating rates.

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Bunker Prices, Profits

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Editor
Yvette Luo
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Sales (Beijing)
Tony Tang
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Sales (Singapore)
Ginny Teo
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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.

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: 11 March, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

TMD Energy becomes first Malaysian bunker supplier to list on NYSE American

Straits Energy Resources’ subsidiary announces that its shares have been listed on 21 April, becoming the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange.

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Admin

TMD Energy Limited (TMD Energy), a Malaysia and Singapore-based provider of integrated marine bunkering services and a Straits Energy Resources Berhad (SER) subsidiary, on Tuesday (22 April) announced that its shares have been listed on 21 April and began trading on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “TMDE”.

Dato’ Sri Ron Ho Kam Choy, Chairman, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer of TMD Energy, said: “We are proud to become the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange, reinforcing our position as one of the industry’s leading players.

“Leveraging Malaysia’s strategic location along major shipping routes including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, as well as resilient demand for bunker fuel in the region and globally, we are well positioned for further expansion. On top of that, TMD Energy is also the first Malaysian company to list on the NYSE American.

“Our listing in NYSE American will help us to enhance our international profile, expand our reach, capture new markets, and deliver sustainable, higher returns to our shareholders.”

TMD Energy’s share price opened at USD 3.26 on Monday, rising to an all-time high of USD 4.12 on its market debut before closing at USD 3.63, which was 11.69% higher than its initial public offering (IPO) price of USD 3.25 per share. This gave the company a market capitalisation of USD 83.85 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 367.2 million) on its first day as a publicly listed company.

TMD Energy’s IPO was priced at USD 3.25 per share, and total gross proceeds (excluding the over-allotments) before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses were approximately USD 10.08 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 44.13 million).

Proceeds from the IPO will be used for the purchase of cargo oil; defraying listing expenses; and working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 465,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments at the IPO price, If the underwriter exercises their option to purchase the additional shares in full, the total gross proceeds before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses from the offering are expected to be approximately USD 11.59 million.

Dato’ David Yoong Leong Yan, Executive Director of TMD Energy, said: “Our debut on the NYSE American is a key milestone in our journey of growth. While continuing to drive strong organic growth, as part of our strategic growth initiatives, we remain focused on identifying and pursuing strategic mergers and acquisition opportunities that align with our long- term vision and strengthen our regional presence.”

Manifold Times previously reported SER announcing its proposal to list its oil bunkering segment via the listing and quotation of the ordinary shares in its 76.68%-owned subsidiary, TMD Energy, on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSE American).

TMD Energy and its subsidiaries (TMD Energy Group) are mainly involved in marine fuel bunkering services specialising in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil to various types of ships and vessels at sea. In addition, the company provides vessel chartering services and vessel management services.

TMD Energy Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia, with a fleet of 15 well-maintained bunkering vessels with capacities ranging from 540 dwt to 7,820 dwt, of which nine are double-bottom and double-hull vessels with an average cargo-carrying capacity of 4,200 dwt each. Its customers include ship owners and operators, shipping lines, logistics and freight companies, as well as oil and gas traders or brokers.

TMD Energy’s growth strategy includes expanding its market presence across Southeast Asia, growing its bunkering fleet, providing ship management services to external customers and diversifying its fuel offering to include eco-friendly alternative fuels such as biodiesel.

TMD Energy is part of SER, a Fortune Southeast Asia 500 company listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities.

Photo credit: TMD Energy
Published: 22 April, 2025

LNG Bunkering

New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to “Verde Heraldo” through shore-to-ship bunkering at Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Admin

New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding.

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025

Business

ENGINE: Adverse weather keeps bunker operations suspended in Zhoushan’s OPL area

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended due to rough weather; some suppliers expect to fully resume operations in OPL area by 22 April.

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Admin

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended since Saturday due to rough weather, according to a source on Monday (21 April).

However, bunker operations have resumed this morning at Zhoushan’s more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and the inner anchorage of Mazhi.

The port is currently experiencing strong wind gusts of 24–27 knots and swells approaching one meter.

Several suppliers expect to fully resume bunkering operations in the OPL area by tomorrow (22 April), the source said.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 April, 2025