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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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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

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

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The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)
Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.

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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:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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