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Bunker Fuel Availability

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2024)

Country recorded about 1.82 million mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in January, with the daily sales up by 17.54% month on month to 58,548 mt, JLC’s data shows.

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Zhoushan bunker sales Jan 2024

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for January 2024 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales surge in January

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales spiked in January, mainly because of healthy demand from the shipping sector, as well as increasing supply following the release of LSFO export quotas.

The country recorded about 1.82 million mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in January, with the daily sales up by 17.54% month on month to 58,548 mt, JLC’s data shows.

The sales by Chimbusco and Sinopec (Zhoushan) respectively rose to 580,000 mt and 670,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses climbed to 495,000 mt, up from 424,100 mt in December. By contrast, the sales by SinoBunker slid to 40,000 mt in the month, down from 50,000 mt in the previous month. At the same time, China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) sold about 30,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel, unchanged month on month.

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports rally in December 2023

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports rallied in December 2023, because of a relatively low base a month earlier.

The country recorded about 1.59 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports in the month, jumping by 16.18% month on month, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Heavy bunker fuel exports amounted to 1.51 million mt in the month, accounting for 94.85% of the total, while light bunker fuel exports settled at 81,900 mt, accounting for 5.15%.

Suppliers with national bunkering licenses exported roughly 1.17 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, accounting for 73.32%, with Sinopec Fuel Oil and Chimbusco taking 67.63%. In the meantime, enterprises with regional licenses exported about 424,100 mt, occupying 26.68%.

The month-on-month increase in the exports was mainly ascribed to a relatively low base in November when Chinese refiners cut their bonded bunker fuel exports to a ten-month low.

However, tighter export quotas and low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) supply limited the growth in December’s bonded bunker fuel exports.

On a year-on-year comparison, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports surged by 32.32% in December.

China exported a total of 19.66 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in 2023, growing by 3.06% from the previous year, accelerating from a rise of 1.09% in January-November.

China bunker blending profit by region 2023

China major blending producers Dec 2023

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand largely stable in Jan

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand was basically stable in January, when most shipowners based purchase on rigid demand amid overpriced bunker fuel. Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand was estimated at 430,000 mt in the month, largely stable from the previous month, JLC’s data shows.

However, domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) demand dwindled to 120,000 mt in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 7.69% month on month, the data also shows. Domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand weakened, as the inland shipping market sagged and downstream restocking shrank with the approach of the Spring Festival.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports tumble in December

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports stood at 315,200 mt in December, a slump of 41.29% month on month and 23.92% year on year, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Though domestic LSFO output declined further, most distributors continued to cut their imports in the month amid high import costs.

South Korea topped all suppliers by shipping 95,400 mt to China in December, accounting for 30.26% of the latter’s total imports, while Malaysia climbed to the second place with 88,600 mt, accounting for 28.11%. Iraq and Japan ranked third and fourth with 86,600 mt and 30,700 mt, making up 27.46% and 9.73% respectively.

Russia slipped to the fifth place with 13,000 mt, occupying 4.12%, while Singapore fell to the sixth place with only 1,000 mt, accounting for 0.32%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports are expected to move lower in January 2024 because domestic LSFO production will return to normal after the release of the first batch of LSFO export quotas for this year.

Bonded bunker fuel imports by source Nov 2023

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increases in January

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increased slightly in January, as blenders showed higher production interest amid considerable blending margins. Meanwhile, downstream buyers increased purchases for pre-holiday replenishment, which also prompted blenders to accelerate production. Chinese blenders supplied about 440,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, up by 10,000 mt or 2.33% from a month earlier, JLC’s data indicates.

On the contrary, domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) supply came in at 140,000 mt in the month, a monthly decline of 10,000 mt or 6.67%, the data shows. Refineries’ production enthusiasm was relatively low when MGO prices dropped in tandem with falling diesel prices.

Arrival of imported FO cargoes Jan 2024

Bunker Prices, Profits

China main oil blending feedstock prices

China domestic trading 180 cSt bunker fuel price 2020 2023

China bunker blending profit by region 2023

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Yvette Luo
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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 2023)
RelatedJLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (November 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (October 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (September 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (August 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (July 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (June 2023)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2023)
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)

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: 9 February 2024

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (22 July 2026)

Availability tight across all grades in Singapore; bad weather keeps bunkering halted in Zhoushan’s outer anchorages; availability good across several Sri Lankan ports.

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RESIZED ENGINE East of Suez

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:

  • Availability tight across all grades in Singapore
  • Bad weather keeps bunkering halted in Zhoushan’s outer anchorages
  • Availability good across several Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight, with recommended lead times at 14-19 days, largely unchanged from last week. Tightness persists because Singapore’s fuel oil inventories have yet to recover to pre-conflict levels, while cargo arrivals remain constrained due to renewed US-Iran hostilities disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the latest Enterprise Singapore data, fuel oil stocks dropped below 18 million bbls in June from more than 23 million bbls in March. Inventories have also remained below 20 million bbls so far this month.

The lower inventory levels have tightened VLSFO supply, lending support to the benchmark price.

HSFO availability also remains tight, with recommended lead times of 9-13 days, compared with 10-12 days a week ago. LSMGO supply has tightened further, with lead times widening to 9-11 days from 6-9 days last week.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, bunker fuel availability remains tight. VLSFO supply is constrained for prompt stems, while LSMGO availability also remains limited. HSFO continues to face supply pressure.

East Asia

Despite softer demand, VLSFO availability in Zhoushan has tightened, with recommended lead times extending to around 12 days, up from about eight days previously. A source attributed the longer waiting times to limited refinery supply.

Lead times for both LSMGO and HSFO have also lengthened to around seven days, compared with about five days last week.

Meanwhile, bunkering operations at Zhoushan’s outer Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages have remained suspended since 7 July due to adverse weather. Most suppliers are still uncertain about when normal bunker operations across the port will fully resume, the source added.

Bunker fuel availability across northern China remains mixed. Suppliers in Dalian and Qingdao have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO availability in Qingdao remains limited. In Tianjin, all major bunker grades continue to face supply constraints, while VLSFO and HSFO remain tight in Shanghai. LSMGO availability in Shanghai, however, is relatively stable.

Supply constraints also persist across several southern Chinese ports. Both VLSFO and LSMGO remain tight in Fuzhou. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO availability but tighter LSMGO supply, while both grades remain constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

Hong Kong’s bunker market remains steady, with recommended lead times for all major bunker grades holding at around seven days, broadly unchanged from recent weeks.

In Taiwan, state-owned bunker supplier CPC Corporation (CPC) has temporarily stopped accepting new LSMGO nominations for deliveries at Kaohsiung due to a tight barge schedule.

According to a source, LSMGO deliveries have been suspended since last Friday and will remain on hold until CPC clears its backlog of pending orders.

The disruption has also affected VLSFO supply in Kaohsiung, with recommended lead times increasing to 4-5 days from around three days last week.

Elsewhere in Taiwan, bunker availability remains stable. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are around two days in Hualien, while Keelung and Taichung continue to record lead times of about three days, broadly unchanged from the previous week.

Bunker fuel availability has tightened across South Korea’s southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO have increased to 9-16 days, from 4-12 days last week. HSFO has also tightened, with lead times extending to 9-16 days from 4-12 days a week earlier.

In South Korea’s western ports—including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean—recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain at 9-16 days, largely unchanged from last week. HSFO availability has tightened, with lead times rising to 9-16 days from 4-12 days previously.

Weather-related disruptions are expected to affect bunker operations in Daesan on 21 and 23 July.

Supply remains constrained at major Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Kashima, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima and Oita. VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be offered by only a limited number of suppliers, while HSFO is relatively more accessible, with recommended lead times of around 7-10 days.

In contrast, Indonesia’s bunker market remains comfortably supplied. VLSFO availability is stable across Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Cigading, where suppliers are generally recommending lead times of around 2-3 days.

Oceania

VLSFO availability remains stable in Western Australia, with suppliers in Kwinana and Fremantle generally recommending lead times of around seven days. Bunkering at both ports is handled by a single supplier, with all deliveries carried out by barge.

Supply conditions are more mixed along Australia’s east coast. In Port Kembla, VLSFO can be supplied via truck or pipeline, while suppliers in Sydney maintain adequate stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO remains comparatively tighter in Sydney, where suppliers typically require around seven days of advance notice.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good in Brisbane and Gladstone, with recommended lead times also holding at around seven days.

Further south, suppliers continue to maintain healthy VLSFO inventories in Melbourne and Geelong. However, bunker deliveries at both ports depend on a single barge, keeping lead times at about one week. HSFO supply has tightened further in both Melbourne and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, one supplier is offering all major bunker grades in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with lead times of around five days. In Dampier, bunker deliveries continue to be conducted through truck-assisted pipeline operations, making advance planning and berth confirmation particularly important, according to a market source.

Across the Tasman Sea, bunker fuel availability remains broadly unchanged in New Zealand. VLSFO is readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, where suppliers recommend lead times of around four days. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied directly to vessels through pipeline infrastructure.

Weather continues to present operational risks across New Zealand. Bunker deliveries remain particularly susceptible to disruption in Wellington and ports across the South Island, where adverse weather can periodically interrupt supply operations.

South Asia

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at India’s west coast ports of Kandla, Sikka, Pipavav, Dahej and Hazira remain at 3–4 days, according to a source.

The monsoon is expected to disrupt bunker operations at several Indian ports over the coming days, with weather-related delays likely to affect delivery schedules. Bunkering is forecast to face disruptions at Kandla and Sikka between 20–24 July, while rough sea conditions could hamper operations in Mumbai, Cochin and Visakhapatnam during the same period.

In Sri Lanka, bunker market conditions remain stable, with adequate stocks of all major bunker fuel grades in Colombo and Hambantota. One supplier is recommending lead times of around seven days, almost unchanged from last week.

Adverse weather could also intermittently disrupt bunker operations in Colombo between 20–24 July and in Trincomalee between 20–23 July, potentially delaying bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Despite escalating US-Iran hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, bunker fuel availability has improved in Fujairah. VLSFO and LSMGO supply has eased, with several suppliers now able to accommodate prompt delivery requests. HSFO availability, however, has tightened and is largely being offered only on a firm enquiry basis.

Similar supply conditions are being reported at the neighbouring UAE bunker hub of Khor Fakkan.

In Jeddah, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains relatively stable.

In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, VLSFO and LSMGO supply continues to be constrained.

At Port Suez in Egypt, HSFO inventories remain tight, while VLSFO stocks are close to depletion.

Further south, the availability of all major bunker fuel grades remains limited in Djibouti.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

  • B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
  • Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
  • Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (16 July 2026)

Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf; Panama bunker supply steady; tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf
  • Panama bunker supply steady
  • Tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande

North America

In Houston, bunker availability is normal across all three conventional fuel grades. Recommended lead times are about 5-7 days for VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO has typically taken 4-5 days over the past week, a trader tells ENGINE.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), deliveries are continuing on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

Currently, no major operational disruptions have been reported at the anchorage.

Sea fog is not expected to cause widespread bunker disruptions across the US Gulf Coast, with most major ports forecast to maintain good visibility.

Moderate sea fog could affect Pascagoula and Mobile early next week, while Tampa faces the highest risk of reduced visibility between 20-22 July.

Brief visibility restrictions are also forecast at Venice, Louisiana, while conditions are expected to remain favourable at Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Port Fourchon and New Orleans.

The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Elida in the Eastern Pacific. Marine warnings are also in effect across parts of the Caribbean, southwest Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

Bunker demand on the US East Coast at the port of New York is good, with healthy availability of HSFO and VLSFO.

Most suppliers can deliver both grades within 5 days, and LSMGO requires 2-4 days.

In New York, periods of high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July.

While no backlog congestion has been reported, suppliers may require standby tugs under poor weather conditions, which could slow bunker barge movements, a source said.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has remained normal in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where suppliers recommend lead times between 8-10 days across all conventional grades.

In Vancouver, recommended lead times are 5-7 days for HSFO and 6-8 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is stable in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal ports. Recommended lead times are 3-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, and HSFO requires around 7 days, a source said.

No major congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported at the ports.

At Balboa, deliveries are being made on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions, with priority given to vessels holding confirmed Panama Canal transit schedules.

Weather conditions could temporarily affect operations at several Caribbean bunkering locations.

In Freeport, Bahamas, bunker operations continue normally. Cruise vessels are given priority at the port, and no significant congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported.

Further east, high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July and could delay bunker operations at St. Eustatius, where deliveries are conducted at anchorage.

Offshore bunkering in Trinidad may also experience delays during the same period because of high winds and rough seas.

Brazil continues to present a mixed supply of bunker fuels.

Santos this week offers normal availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, although port congestion persists, a trader tells ENGINE. Recommended lead times are 5-8 days at the port.

Rio de Janeiro also has normal VLSFO availability and requires lead times between 4 days to one week. LSMGO is available only upon prior consultation at the port.

Availability is tighter at southern Brazilian ports. Paranaguá and Rio Grande have both reported tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability, and operators are advised to plan bunker stems well in advance.

Belém and Vila do Conde continue to offer normal availability of both grades, with lead times between 4-7 days, a source said.

In Argentina’s Zona Común, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good, with suppliers typically taking between 5-7 days of lead time to deliver via barges, a source said.

Weather conditions could become less favourable between 19-20 July, when high wind gusts are forecast. Deliveries will continue on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 July, 2026

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