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JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2023)

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales dropped further in January, as shipping demand stayed relatively soft and shipowners remained cautious when global economy was still slow to recover.

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

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales drop further in Jan

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales dropped further in January, as shipping demand stayed relatively soft and shipowners remained cautious when the global economy was still slow to recover. Meanwhile, some bunkering business at Chinese ports was halted during the Chinese New Year holiday, and the supply of bonded resources continued to tighten in northern regions.

The country tallied about 1.49 million mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in the month, a fall of 2.35% month on month, JLC’s data shows. The sales by Chimbusco rose to 560,000 mt, while those by China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) and Sinopec Zhoushan dropped to 35,000 mt and 580,000 mt respectively. Meanwhile, SinoBunker sold 50,000 mt, stable month on month, and suppliers with regional licenses sold about 269,000 mt, down from 300,000 mt in December 2022.

China exported 1.20 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the last month of 2022, a decline of 7.21% month on month and 13.42% year on year, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Among these, heavy bunker fuel exports were 1.13 million mt, accounting for 94.19%, while MGO exports were 69,800 mt, making up 5.81%.

The exports by suppliers with national licenses were 910,300 mt, accounting for 75.78% of the total exports, with Sinopec Fuel Oil, Chimbusco, SinoBunker and China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) taking 404,000 mt, 444,900 mt, 49,800 mt and 11,600 mt respectively. At the same time, companies with regional licenses exported about 291,000 mt, making up 24.22%.

Chinese refiners cut their bonded bunker fuel exports, as demand in the shipping market remained weak when the negative impact of the epidemic lingered. Meanwhile, most refineries cut their LSFO production when they found fewer margins amid a fall in China’s bonded bunker fuel prices.

Given an outlook of recovering demand, China is expected to expand its bonded bunker fuel exports in 2023. Also, the country is likely to hike its LSFO production this year, making efforts to expand its bonded bunker fuel market.

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Domestic bunker fuel demand continues to shrink in Jan

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand continued to shrink in the first month of this year, mainly because of the public holiday for the Chinese New Year. The shipping capacity was not fully back online yet in late January, after the holiday.

Domestic demand for heavy bunker fuel shrank by 30,000 mt or 8.82% to 310,000 mt in January, and that for light bunker fuel decreased by 10,000 mt or 8.30% to 110,000 mt. Purchases for MGO were still based on rigid demand.

Meanwhile, domestic blenders kept their inventories low.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunge in Dec 2022

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunged on month in December 2022, due to a decrease in Chinese buyers’ import interest coupled with a relatively high base in the previous month.

China tallied 414,300 mt of bonded bunker fuel imports in the month, tumbling by 34.24% month on month, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC 

(GACC).

Malaysia still led all suppliers in December, exporting 288,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, accounting for 70% of China’s total imports. Meanwhile, South Korea and Singapore ranked second and third with 80,690 mt and 39,000 mt, occupying 21% and 9% respectively.

Domestic buyers sharply reduced their bonded bunker fuel imports, amid relatively steep international bunker fuel prices and high freight rates. Prices of China’s bonded bunker fuel with the maximum sulfur content at 0.5% averaged $605/mt in the month, a drop of 11.68% from a month earlier, more significant than a fall of 9.20% in Singapore’s prices. Domestic bunker fuel prices were still relatively competitive than imported ones.

Also underlying the plunge in the imports was a relatively high level in November. Chinese buyers had hiked their bonded bunker fuel imports to a 12-month high in November, and they lacked enthusiasm to further expand imports in December, with the year-end drawing near.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, the imports gained 2.02% in December.

The country imported an accumulation of 5.11 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in 2022, plummeting by 38.88% year on year, accelerating from a slump of 30.91% in 2021. The plunge was mainly due to booming domestic LSFO production. China produced about 15.90 million mt of LSFO last year, soaring 41.90% year on year, JLC’s data indicates.

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Domestic-trade blended bunker fuel supply extends drops in Jan

Domestic supply of blended heavy bunker fuel extended drops in January, as blendstock supply tightened and cargo transportation was not so smooth amid the Chinese New Year holiday. Chinese blenders supplied about 320,000 mt of heavy bunker fuel in the month, a contraction of 50,000 mt or 13.51% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

The supply of blended marine gas oil (MGO) showed a similar trend. Less diesel flowed into the bunker fuel market, because domestic bunker fuel demand was relatively soft. Blenders supplied about 140,000 mt of MGO in the month, diving by 30,000 mt or 17.65% from a month earlier.

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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 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 (December 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (November 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (October 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (September 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (August 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (July 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (June 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (May 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (March 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2022)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2022)

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: 14 February, 2023

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Biofuel

China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers completes first biofuel bunkering op of passenger ship in Dalian

Firm successfully refuelled passenger ship “Chang Shan Dao” owned by Cosco Shipping Ferry with B24 bio bunker fuel on 29 November at Dalian Cruise Port.

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China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers completes first biofuel bunkering op of passenger ship in Dalian

China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers Co., Ltd. on Wednesday (29 November) successfully refuelled passenger ship "Chang Shan Dao" owned by Cosco Shipping Ferry Co., Ltd. with B24 bio bunker fuel at the Dalian Cruise Port. 

The occasion marked the first biofuel bunkering operation for passenger ships in China. 

The B24 biofuel oil used was blended with 24% biofuel and 76% conventional low-sulphur fuel oil.

Sinopec China Shipping Fuel Supply, which is responsible for the bunkering operation, is a bunker supply firm jointly established by Sinopec Group and COSCO Shipping Group.

According to Li Zhi, Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers Co., Ltd., the biofuel bunkering business is another step in the company's active business of the group's development strategy. 

The bunkering operation after the firm completed the first bonded biofuel bunkering operation of a domestic ship on 7 September. 

Disclaimer: The above article published by Manifold Times was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. While considerable efforts have been taken to verify its accuracy through a professional translator and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty is made regarding the accuracy, completeness and reliability of any information.

Photo credit: China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers
Published: 8 December, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore, Tianjin to pilot and trial alternative bunker fuels following shipping corridor MoU

Singapore – Tianjin Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will serve as a valuable testbed for both countries to pilot and trial digital solutions, alternative fuels and technologies, amongst others.

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Singapore, Tianjin to pilot and trial alternative bunker fuels following shipping corridor MoU

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the People’s Republic of China’s Tianjin Municipal Transportation Commission on Wednesday (6 December) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Singapore – Tianjin Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, and Mr Wang Zhinan, Director General, Tianjin Municipal Transportation Commission, signed this MoU.

The MoU marked the first Green and Digital Shipping Corridor established between Singapore and China to support the decarbonisation, digitalisation and growth of the maritime industry between Singapore and the Bohai Region. 

The Singapore – Tianjin Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will serve as a valuable testbed for both countries to pilot and trial digital solutions, alternative bunker fuels and technologies, and facilitate talent development to support the decarbonisation and digitalisation of shipping. 

Singapore and Tianjin will work with the research community, the  institutes of higher learning, and industry stakeholders such as shipping lines, port operators, shipbuilders, classification societies, and bunker suppliers to enable more efficient port clearance through digital exchanges, encourage the offtake of zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels and adoption of new fuel technologies, spur innovation and support the growth of the maritime startups community, and facilitate manpower training and professional development.

The establishment of the Singapore – Tianjin Green and Digital Shipping Corridor reaffirms the strong commitment by Singapore and Tianjin to accelerate maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation. Singapore will also be exploring the establishment of similar collaboration with other maritime and port ecosystems within China.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 8 December, 2023

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Decarbonisation

Report highlights routes-based action plan methodology to accelerate uptake of clean bunker fuels

NextGEN Connect-GreenVoyage2050 collaboration, which includes Singapore, emphasises the important role of regional energy hubs in enabling the inclusive adoption of clean marine fuels.

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Report highlights routes-based action plan methodology to accelerate uptake of clean bunker fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (7 December) said the NextGEN Connect-Green Voyage2050 Project identified a key role for regional hubs to help connect large demand clusters and remote locations, with regional fuel supply sources, in order to enable a more inclusive and effective transition to a low-carbon maritime future. 

The project is a collaboration between Singapore, Norway and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

These findings were unveiled in the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LR MDH) report titled Routes-based Action Plans: A Toolkit launched at the Voyage to Net-Zero Forum, which was organised by MPA, at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28/CMP8/CMA5) yesterday.  

The report was developed following a workshop discussion that was held from 5 to 6 October 2023 in Singapore, with the participation of 40 stakeholders representing ports and National Administrations across Asia, based on the concept of the LR MDH’s First Movers Framework for green corridors. The workshop simulated the process steps of the routes-based action plan methodology, addressing the limitations in its application in the wider Asian context. Additional engagements with stakeholders from the Pacific are envisaged to further refine the methodology. 

“One of the key findings in our report highlighted the varying pace of decarbonisation efforts across the Asian region and the need for regional coordination among governments to establish energy clusters that will serve both as demand centres and energy producing hubs” said Charles Haskell, Director at LR MDH. 

The creation of energy producing hubs includes defining a strategy that brings together demand from different countries at different developmental stages across the region to build up investment cases for implementing energy infrastructure at scale, all the while taking into consideration the economic and social benefits for local communities. 

The report also emphasised that routes-based action plans should be steered by national governments to give confidence to the industry’s infrastructure investment decisions, with development banks and regional funds needing to play a part to help tailor financing solutions to support infrastructure development. 

“If we truly want to achieve a net-zero future where no one is left behind, we cannot focus only on existing first mover initiatives. We must also study locations where the energy infrastructure is still in its infancy”, added Charles Haskell. 

Essential to driving the implementation of routes-based action plans, as highlighted in the report, is the pooling of resources and capacity building to develop the business case for building the necessary infrastructure for regional hubs that include Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This will require regional coordination and collaboration involving governments and all stakeholders across the maritime supply chain.

Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “As we steer toward a sustainable maritime future, fostering a collective and inclusive approach is imperative in the development of green corridors and the energy transition to decarbonise international shipping.”

“The NextGEN Connect-GreenVoyage2050 collaboration emphasises the important role of regional energy hubs in enabling the inclusive adoption of clean marine fuels, particularly for LDCs and SIDSs. MPA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with IMO, Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway and LR MDH to pilot solutions to reduce GHG emissions from ships and drive innovative transformations in the maritime industry.”

Sveinung Oftedal, Chief Negotiator of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, said: “Separate routes for emission-free ferries and ships can play an essential role in stimulating early action to adopt zero or near-zero emission technologies and fuels, and hence are an important step towards decarbonising shipping. There is currently a significant volume of maritime traffic between Asian countries, and our workshop was a great forum to discuss opportunities the decarbonisation of maritime shipping can bring and how efforts can be linked to countries’ wider energy transition.”

Jose Matheickal, IMO Director of Partnerships and Projects, said: “Supporting developing countries, including SIDS and LDCs, in their efforts to implement the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships is imperative to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. IMO is pleased to provide, through this collaboration, practical support around the development and subsequent implementation of National Action Plans and route-based actions in line with IMO’s MEPC RESOLUTION.366(79) that encourages Member States to undertake these voluntary actions to facilitate the achievement of greener shipping and reduced emissions.” 

Note: ‘Routes-based action Plans: a toolkit’ can be found here

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 8 December, 2023

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