Business

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (July 2022)

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales rebounded in July when domestic supply tightness eased and more bonded bunker suppliers launched business, JLC data showed.

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2022

Admin

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for July 2022 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

Bonded bunker fuel sales rebound in July

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales rebounded in July when domestic supply tightness eased and more bonded bunker suppliers launched business.

The country’s bonded bunker fuel sales settled at around 1.68 mln mt in the month, a rally of 8.38% from June, JLC’s data shows.

Domestic supply increased as Chinese refineries’ production of LSFO surged in July. In addition, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Sales (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. started to supply bonded bunker fuel oil in July.

Chimbusco and Sinopec Zhoushan sold about 620,000 mt and 680,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel in July, JLC’s data indicates. Bonded bunker fuel sales for SinoBunker and China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) were about 90,000 mt and 40,000 mt, respectively. Around 250,000 mt of of sales were made by suppliers who held local licenses, with PetroChina accounting for roughly 79,000 mt.

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports moved higher in June as the country further raised its LSFO production. The country exported about 1.51 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June 2022, rising 2.37% from a month earlier, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Among these exports were roughly 1.41 million mt of heavy bunker fuel and 103,800 mt of light marine gas oil (MGO), accounting for 93.14% and 6.86% respectively.

Bonded bunker fuel exports by state-owned enterprises amounted to approximately 1.32 million mt in the month, accounting for 86.95%, while those by independent enterprises were 197,400 mt, accounting for 13.05%, the data indicates.

On a year-on-year comparison, the bonded bunker fuel exports fell by 14.10%, GACC data indicates.

Domestic bunker fuel demand grows moderately in July

Domestic bunker fuel demand grew modestly in July when high temperatures at coastal regions caused more power consumption and fuel shipment.

The demand for domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel was around 400,000 mt in the month, growing by 80,000 mt or 25% month on month. Meanwhile, demand for light bunker fuel stabilized at roughly 150,000 mt, depressed by high prices.

Bunker Fuel Supply

Bonded bunker fuel imports hit 7-month high

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports leaped sharply and hit a 7-month high in June as domestic supply remained tight and Chinese suppliers’ stockpile was still low despite an increase in LSFO production.

China imported about 517,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel in June 2022, jumping 46.07% month on month, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Though China ramped up its LSFO production in the month, the aggregate supply stayed relatively tight and failed to meet domestic demand. Most traders maintained low inventories amid insufficient supply and relatively abundant demand. Additionally, certain dealers who were optimistic about LSFO prices boosted their procurement of imported low-sulfur resources in the month with an expectation of rising bunker fuel prices in the short term.

In terms of the supplier, Malaysia overtook the UAE and ranked in the top position by exporting 277,800 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, taking up 54% of China’s total bonded bunker fuel imports. The UAE slipped to second place with 180,600 mt, accounting for 35%. The followings were South Korea and Russia, with 41,000 mt from South Korea and 18,000 mt from Russia, accounting for 8% and 3% respectively. There was no imported bonded bunker fuel from Singapore during the month as the country’s LSFO supply continued to tighten and the supply of high-sulfur bunker fuel oil was affected by the contamination issue.

Despite a monthly surge in June, however, the bonded bunker fuel imports saw a drawdown from a year earlier, mainly as a result of softer demand amid the epidemic outbreaks. On a year-on-year comparison, the bonded bunker fuel imports dropped 16.28% in the month, GACC data indicates.

China tallied an accumulation of 2.45 million mt of imported bonded bunker fuel in the first half of this year, shrinking by more than a half from the first six months of 2021, GACC data also shows.

Domestic blended bunker fuel supply extends gains in July

Chinese blenders supplied around 450,000 mt of heavy bunker fuel in total in July 2022, a rise of 70,000 mt or 18.4% from the previous month, JLC’s data shows.

In detail, the supply of low-sulfur asphalt, an important blendstock for heavy bunker fuel, increased in July when refineries’ operating rates climbed. Meanwhile, demand for coal-based diesel grew because of lower prices, and the supply of and demand for shale oil and light coal tar were largely balanced.

In contrast to the rise in heavy bunker fuel supply, the domestic marine gas oil (MGO) supply slipped to around 160,000 mt in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 5.88% from June.

Despite lower feedstock cost, blending margins were still low in July and blenders based their blending on rigid demand.

Bunker Prices, Profits

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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.

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: 25 August, 2022

Mass Flowmeter

Hong Kong backs MFM adoption with voluntary scheme to boost bunkering competitiveness

Hong Kong’s Marine Department launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems on their bunker vessels.

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) on Wednesday (3 June) launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements.

Details of the bunker vessels successfully included in the List will be published on a dedicated page on the MD’s website for reference by shipping companies and relevant stakeholders.

Participation in the Scheme is voluntary. In addition to receiving recognition from the MD, participating bunker operators will benefit from enhanced corporate image and competitiveness through the adoption of MFM systems, thereby boosting customers’ confidence and helping to create new business opportunities.

A spokesman for the MD, said: “As an international maritime centre supported by our country, Hong Kong has a strategic location adjacent to major international fairways. Coupled with years of development in marine fuel bunkering, Hong Kong possesses rich experience and talent in the field. For many years, Hong Kong has consistently ranked as the seventh-largest bunkering port globally, the second-largest in our country, and the largest in the Greater Bay Area, providing reliable and competitive fuel bunkering services to ocean-going vessels from around the world.

“As the international shipping industry has an increasing demand for accuracy and transparency in bunkering services, service quality and measurement precision in bunkering operations have become important indicators of a bunkering port’s competitiveness. The Scheme will enhance bunkering accuracy and transparency, further enhancing the quality of Hong Kong’s bunkering services.

The spokesman added that comprehensive port services are one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international maritime centre.

“We will also mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year to ensure that Hong Kong continues to provide high-quality bunkering services in the era of green maritime fuels.”

Note: The application form for the Scheme can be found on the MD’s website. Interested bunker operators can download the application form from the website or contact the MD’s Green Maritime Fuel Team via email ([email protected]) for details.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency.

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 June) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development.

The MoU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC.

The MoU underscores the shared commitment of MPA and MSC to foster a sustainable, digital, and future-ready maritime sector, while enhancing MSC’s operational and business activities in Singapore. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of MSC establishing its Asia Regional Office and local office in Singapore.

Under the MoU, MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency and operational performance.

MPA and MSC will also collaborate on maritime digitalisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, including streamlining vessel arrivals and port operations.

On manpower development, MSC will support internship and scholarship opportunities through Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Maritime Outreach Network (MaritimeONE) platform, an industry-led tripartite partnership comprising industry, government and institutes of higher learning that aims to raise awareness of the maritime industry and attract quality talent into the maritime sector.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between MPA and MSC in driving sustainability and digitalisation in the maritime sector. By working together on decarbonisation, operational efficiency and talent development, we aim to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready global maritime hub.”

Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC, said: “Singapore is a strategically important hub for MSC and a key gateway to the broader Asia region. As we mark 30 years in Singapore, this MOU reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening our presence here. MSC and Singapore are closely aligned on the priorities shaping the future of global shipping, and we look forward to deepening this partnership to drive the continued growth and resilience of the maritime industry.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 June, 2026

Emissions reporting

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS requirements.

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Weather intelligence and decision support solutions provider StormGeo and Hamburg-based technology platform OceanScore on Wednesday (3 June) said they have deepened their ongoing cooperation through the signing of a collaboration agreement during Posidonia 2026 in Athens on 2 June.

The cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements.

Together, the companies aim to help shipping companies seamlessly navigate increasing regulatory complexity more efficiently — from emissions reporting and data validation to compliance exposure management, pooling and financial settlement.

As emissions regulation becomes an increasingly important part of commercial shipping operations, the need for reliable operational data and streamlined compliance processes continues to grow. The cooperation between StormGeo and OceanScore is designed to support shipping companies with more connected, transparent and actionable processes across operational and commercial teams.

“From the outside, companies like StormGeo and OceanScore may sometimes be perceived as competitors because both operate around emissions and compliance workflows,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director at OceanScore.

“But in reality, the industry increasingly needs both perspectives working together: trusted operational emissions data on one side and commercial compliance execution on the other. Our cooperation reflects that shipping companies are no longer looking for isolated solutions — they need connected processes, automated across different systems and reliable decision-making throughout the full compliance chain.”

By connecting validated operational emissions data with commercial compliance management, the cooperation supports workflows across:

emissions reporting and validation
compliance management across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements
exposure visibility and cost transparency
pooling, settlement and financial processes

The cooperation also aims to improve commercial transparency and coordination across operational and commercial stakeholders.

“StormGeo plays a central role in helping shipping companies turn operational vessel and emissions data into trusted, decision-ready insights,” said Espen Martinsen, Chief Commercial Officer at StormGeo.

“As emissions regulations become more complex, this data is essential for transparent and efficient compliance management. By working with OceanScore, we can help customers connect StormGeo’s validated operational data with commercial compliance processes, creating a more integrated and practical approach to emissions management.”

The signing ceremony took place at the StormGeo booth during Posidonia 2026 in Athens and was attended by representatives from both companies.

Both companies expect the cooperation to continue evolving alongside upcoming regulatory developments, including FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, the upcoming UK ETS and future emissions-related frameworks affecting global shipping.

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 4 June, 2026