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JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (November 2022)

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales fell further in November, as downstream consumption kept shrinking amid COVID-19 virus and related restrictions, JLC data showed.

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

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales fall further in Nov

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales fell further in November, as downstream consumption kept shrinking amid the virus and related restrictions, despite a drop in domestic bunker fuel prices. The sales at most Chinese ports except for Ningbo Zhoushan port were stable to lower month on month. 

The country sold about 1.54 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in November, a monthly dip of 3.46%, JLC’s data shows. Specifically, the sales by Chimbusco went up to 570,000 mt, while those by Sinopec Zhoushan, SinoBunker and China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) slid to 580,000 mt, 60,000 mt and 45,000 mt respectively. In addition, suppliers with local licenses sold 280,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month. 

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports plunged to a 31-month low in October, as demand in the shipping market was dampened by the epidemic and China lost price advantages of bonded low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). China recorded roughly 1.23 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports in October 2022, a collapse of 38.60%month on month and 20.25% year on year, setting a new low since March 2020, according to the data from the GeneralAdministration of Customs of PRC (GACC). Among the exports were about 1.17 million mt of heavy bunker fuel and 65,600 mt of light marine gas oil (MGO), accounting for 94.68% and 5.32% of the total respectively. 

Enterprises with national licenses exported approximately 994,200 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, making up 80.59%, while those with local licenses exported 239,400 mt, accounting for 19.41%, GACC data  indicates. 

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports saw a dramatic slump as bunker fuel consumption in the shipping market was hit hard by the lingering negative impact of the virus. Meanwhile, some ship owners reduced purchases as bunker fuel prices at certain ports rose on relatively tight supply, adding to the downward pressure on the exports. 

On the other hand, China’s LSFO output rallied in the month, with some refiners moderately boosting LSFO production on the strength of a new batch of export quotas. The country’s LSFO output (of Chinese refiners with export quotas) totaled about 1.33 million mt in October, gaining 6.23% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

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Domestic bunker fuel demand contracts in Nov

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand continued to contract last month, as more downstream buyers stood onthe fence amid a bland outlook of the domestic bunker fuel market. The demand for heavy bunker fuel dwindled to 360,000 mt in November, down by 30,000 mt or 7.69%fromOctober, JLC’s data indicates. Downstream buyers showed resistance to relatively high bunker fuel prices when the negative effects of the epidemic persisted. Likewise, light bunker fuel demand remained on a downswing with ship owners’ costs still relatively steep, though marine gas oil (MGO) prices observed a modest withdrawal. Domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand settled at 130,000 mt in the month, a decline of 15,000 mt or 10.34% month on month, the data shows. Purchases were still based on rigid demand and overall trading was quite thin. 

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports extend gains in October

China expanded its bonded bunker fuel imports further in October as domestic supply was still relatively tight despite a slight rise in low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) output. 

China tallied about 503,900 mt of bonded bunker fuel imports in October, growing by 17.76%month on month and nearly doubling year on year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC). 

Domestic bonded bunker fuel supply remained relatively tight as less profitable production dampenedChinese refiners’ enthusiasm. Although certain refiners boosted their LSFO production moderately amid newexport quotas, most still prioritized diesel production and export of which margins were more considerable. The country’s LSFO output (of Chinese refiners with export quotas) totaled about 1.33 million mt in October, gaining 6.23% month on month, with the daily output climbing by 3.80% to 42,903 mt, JLC’s data shows.

In addition, some Chinese ports lost price advantage with domestic bonded 0.5% sulfur bunker fuel oil prices inflating, leading some market participants to increase imports of bonded bunker resources. 

The UAE still led all suppliers by exporting 149,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, despite a month-on-month slump of 46.22%, accounting for 29% of the total. Meanwhile, the imports fromSouth Korea and Russia rose to 111,600 mt and 105,300 mt, making up 22% and 21% respectively. Malaysia remained in fourth with imports from the country amounting to 69,600 mt and occupying 14%. There were also some imports coming from Singapore and Japan, which accounted for 8% and 6% respectively. China imported an accumulation of roughly 4.07 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the first ten months of 2022, a tremendous plunge of 42.39% year on year, GACC data shows. 

The plunge was mainly attributed to larger LSFO production. The country produced a total of 12.61 million mt of LSFO in January-October 2022, a steep jump of 38.96% from the corresponding months in 2021, JLC’s data shows. China has been making great efforts to ramp up LSFO production over the recent years, aiming to reduce its reliance on imported low-sulfur resources.

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Domestic blended bunker fuel supply tightens in Nov

Chinese blenders supplied 390,000 mt of heavy bunker fuel in November, a cutback of 30,000 mt or 7.14%from the previous month, JLC’s data indicates. Domestic blended heavy bunker fuel supply tightened in the month due to a further decrease in blendstock supply. The transportation of light coal tar and coal-based diesel was constrained by the virus-related restrictions coupled with bad weather in northern regions. Meanwhile, cargo delivery in Shandong was also hampered by the epidemic, adding to the downward pressure on domestic supply. As for blended light bunker fuel, the supply of domestic marine gas oil (MGO) fell by 20,000 mt or 11.76% to 150,000 mt in the month, the data shows. Downstream buyers became more cautious about purchases with the domestic diesel market ushering in a seasonal off-season.

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Bunker Prices, Profits

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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 (October 2022)
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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: 13 December, 2022

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Incident

Singapore: Bunker spill leads to checks on all fuel pipes at other Police Coast Guard bases

Police said fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February.

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The recent oil leak incident at Police Coast Guard (PCG) Brani Regional Base has prompted checks on all fuel pipes at PCG’s three other bases for leaks, according to The Straits Times on Monday (10 February). 

Responding to queries from the local news provider, the police said all fuel pipes at Brani Regional Base were inspected on 6 February while fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February. 

The police also said that a preliminary assessment on the cause of the leak might be due to micro cracks in a damaged fuel pipe as a result of repeated twisting of the pipe due to the movement of the pontoons caused by tidal changes.

On 6 February, Singapore authorities confirmed that a diesel oil leak was discovered at the Brani Regional Base on 5 February, at around 11.40am (Singapore Time). 

According to a joint statement by Singapore Police Force, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and National Environment Agency (NEA), about 23 metric tonnes had leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose used to refuel patrol craft at Selat Sengkir. 

The leak was eventually isolated at about 3.40pm and there were no oil slicks observed.

Related: Singapore confirms bunker spill from damaged shore fuel hose at Brani Regional Base

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Biofuel

NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Firm said it has started a biofuel test run on Noshiro Maru, operated by Tohoku Electric Power, marking the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility firm.

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NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Monday (10 February) said it has started a biofuel test run on its coal carrier Noshiro Maru, which is operated by Tohoku Electric Power on 9 February.

This is the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility company. Mitsubishi Corporation Energy in the Keihin area facilitated the supply of biofuel for the vessel.

Biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) of biological origin, such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil, and are considered to produce virtually zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when combusted.

“Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels,” NYK said. 

“Using biofuel to reduce GHG emissions during sea navigation also contributes to reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions generated by transporting customers’ cargo.”

NYK added it will continue to focus on introducing biofuels and other next-generation fuels, and will contribute to reducing GHG emissions in our customers' supply chains while promoting decarbonisation in marine transport.

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Biofuel

IBIA welcomes IMO move to draft guidance change on carriage of bio bunker fuels

IBIA welcomed agreement by IMO’s Sub Committee on PPR 12 to draft Interim Guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships.

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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Monday (10 February) said it submitted a document to IMO on the carriage of biofuels for supply to a ship for use as fuel oil on board that ship in November 2023.

This highlighted that as conventional bunker vessels were limited in carrying fuel oil of no more than 25% biofuel it presented a potential impediment to the global adoption of biofuels as fuel oil for ships and so to the ambition for the decarbonization of international shipping in the short term, as set out in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

“IBIA therefore welcomes the agreement by IMO’s Sub Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12) to draft Interim Guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships,” it said on its website. 

The guidance allows conventional bunker ships certified for carriage of oil fuels under MARPOL Annex I to transport blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel, as long as all residues or tank washings are discharged ashore, unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment (ODME) is approved for the biofuel blend(s) being shipped. 

“The Interim Guidance is expected to be approved by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April,” IBIA added. 

“IBIA’s membership represents stakeholders from across the global marine fuel value chain, and being able to draw on this technically strong and credible resource will, in its role of having consultative status to the IMO, mean that IBIA will continue to bring important matters to the attention of the wider IMO membership for due consideration.”

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 11 February, 2025

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