Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for November 2023 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:
Bunker Fuel Demand
China sees a rally in its daily bonded bunker fuel sales in November
China saw a rally in its daily bonded bunker fuel sales in November, due to multiple factors.
The country sold about 1.63 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, with daily sales at 54,167 mt, climbing by 3.33% from October, JLC’s data shows.
The sales by Sinopec Zhoushan and SinoBunker rose to 600,000 mt and 75,000 mt in the month respectively, while those by Chimbusco slipped to 480,000 mt. Low-sulfur fuel oil supply in Zhoushan was relatively abundant, while that in South and North China tightened further.
The sales by China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) still stabilized at 35,000 mt. Suppliers with regional bunkering licenses tallied 435,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in the month, up from 420,000 mt in the previous month.
China’s bonded bunker fuel exports drop in October
China’s bonded bunker fuel exports dropped in October, mainly as a result of tightening domestic supply.
The country tallied about 1.46 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports in the month, a decline of 8.02% month on month, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).
Chinese refineries slashed their low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) output in October, as their production enthusiasm was dented by bad margins and export quota tightness. Meanwhile, China’s bonded bunker fuel lacked price advantages as tighter supply pushed up the country’s bonded 0.5% sulfur bunker fuel prices. In addition, bonded distributors reduced purchases as freight rates at some Chinese ports increased amid a decline in the barging capacity.
China exported about 1.39 million mt of heavy bunker fuel and 67,500 mt of light bunker fuel in October, which accounted for 95.37% and 4.63% of the country’s total exports respectively. Suppliers with national bunkering licenses recorded 1.03 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports, accounting for 70.96%, with Sinopec Fuel Oil and Chimbusco taking 64.11%. Meanwhile, enterprises with regional licenses exported 423,300 mt of bonded bunker fuel, occupying 29.04%.
On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports jumped by 18.14% in October. The surge was mainly ascribed to a low base a year earlier when global shipping demand was hit hard by virus resurgences.
In the first ten months of this year, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports totaled about 16.70 million mt, inching up by 0.74% from the corresponding months of 2022. Among these exports were 15.83 million mt of heavy bunker fuel and 870,100 mt of marine gasoil (MGO), accounting for 94.79% and 5.21% respectively.
Regarding the exports by supplier, enterprises with national licenses exported roughly 13.18 million mt, accounting for 78.93%, while those with regional licenses exported 3.52 million mt, making up 21.07%.
Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand grows further in November
Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand grew further in November, as some shipowners showed higher buying interest amid a rise in freight rates and a pick-up in terminal shipping demand. Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand increased to 450,000 mt in the month, up by 50,000 mt or 12.5% month on month, JLC’s data shows.
Conversely, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand decreased in November, as diesel consumption shrank amid colder weather. Domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) demand settled at 160,000 mt in the month, sliding by 5,000 mt or 3.03% from October.
Bunker Fuel Supply
China boosts its bonded bunker imports in October
China slightly boosted its bonded bunker fuel imports on month in October, as domestic supply tightened further.
The country imported about 404,600 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, rising by 3.80% from September, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).
Singapore became the largest supplier by shipping 140,300 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, accounting for 34.69% of the latter’s total imports. Japan came second with 77,500 mt, accounting for 19.17%, while Russia ranked third with 64,700 mt, occupying 15.98%. Malaysia slipped to the fourth place with 62,800 mt, accounting for 15.53%, while South Korea slid to the fifth place with 56,800 mt, accounting for 14.04%. In addition, there were about 2,413 mt of bonded bunker fuel coming from Hong Kong, China, accounting for 0.60%.
Chinese refineries decelerated their LSFO production because of tighter export quotas, leading to a further decline in domestic supply. In this case, bonded distributors imported more LSFO to fill the demand gap. However, high-sulfur fuel oil imports decreased amid stricter inspections, while marine gasoil (MGO) imports held largely stable.
On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunged by 19.71% in October.
Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increases further in November
Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increased modestly in November, while light bunker fuel supply tightened.
Chinese blenders supplied about 460,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, rising by 10,000 mt or 2.22% month on month, JLC’s data indicates. Blenders increased their production when downstream demand climbed, also because of relatively ample supply of low-sulfur residual oil.
By contrast, domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) supply settled at 160,000 mt in the month, descending by 20,000 mt or 11.11% from a month earlier. Refineries lowered their light bunker fuel output amid lower margins.
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.
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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.
Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025
4.59 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA.
Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 7.5% on year in June 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.
In total, 4.59 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,594,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt (4,274,900 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.
Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+8.6% from 1.56 million mt), 2.31 million mt (-7.2% from 2.33 million mt), 1,900 mt (from zero), 4,500 mt (-88% from 8,000 mt) and zero (from zero).
Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 38,800 mt (+671.7% from 2,500 mt), 114,300 mt (+97.9% from 45,400 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,000 mt of deliveries in June.
LNG and methanol sales were respectively 55,400 mt (-7.8% from 51,700) and zero (from zero mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.
ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project
Company contracted Sasaki Shipbuilding to build the 5,000 m3 vessel and Izumi Steel Works to construct an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel, which is expected to be delivered in 2027.
ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Monday (14 July) announced that it recently signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding.
The company also announced an agreement regarding the construction of an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel with Izumi Steel Works.
These agreements were signed by Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd (CABS), a wholly owned Singapore-based specific purpose company of ITOCHU.
In relation to this, CABS has concluded a financing agreement with The Hiroshima Bank for financing a part of purchase price of the vessel.
The agreements were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states).
Going forward, with an eye toward the demonstration of ammonia bunkering in Singapore after building the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunkering vessel, ITOCHU said efforts will be made to facilitate concrete discussions with the maritime stakeholders, including the port authority in Singapore, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the fuel producers, while obtaining support from the Japanese Government.
The vessel is to be flagged under the Singapore Registry and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.
ITOCHU will establish a safe offshore bunkering operation of ammonia as marine fuel by way of ship-to-ship transfer through the development and construction of the vessel and demonstration.
Then, by utilising the vessel, ITOCHU will establish connection between the first movers in clean ammonia production and the first movers in the ammonia-fueled vessels and secure initial demand for ammonia as marine fuel, aiming at the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and expansion of similar business model to major maritime transportation points around the world, including Spain (Strait of Gibraltar), Egypt (Suez Canal) and Japan.
Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation Published: 15 July 2025
S@S Week 2025: Singapore conducts chemical spill exercise to gear up for methanol bunkering
Exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker off Singapore’s southern coast, triggering a multi-agency response which included spill containment.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (15 July) conducted a multi-agency chemical spill exercise to strengthen Singapore’s operational readiness, as part of the International Safety@Sea (S@S) Week.
MPA is organising the 12th edition of the S@S Week, with this year’s event being the international edition, taking place from 15 to 18 July 2025.
Conducted off Singapore’s southern coast, the exercise involved 11 vessels and over 150 personnel from more than 10 government agencies and industry partners. Mr Murali, Mr Dominguez and Secretary-General, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, Mr Francis Zachariae, observed the exercise.
The exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker, triggering a multi-agency response. This included coordinated efforts for spill containment and the evacuation of injured crew. A range of drone-enabled technologies was trialled during the exercise, including 3D imaging to assess vessel damage and a water curtain misting system to limit the spread of chemical plumes. An Uncrewed Surface Vehicle was also deployed to monitor air quality, reducing the need for responders to enter hazardous zones to perform such monitoring. The Maritime Digital Twin and chemical plume modelling tools were used to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making throughout the exercise.
The exercise is part of MPA’s broader preparations for methanol bunkering and provided a valuable opportunity for agencies and industry partners to better understand the safety and operational challenges, and potential solutions, in handling alternative fuels. Following an open call in March 2025, MPA has received 13 applications for methanol bunker supplier licenses, reflecting strong industry interest in supplying methanol on a commercial scale in Singapore. MPA is evaluating the applications and targets to issue the licenses in Q4 2025, which will cover the period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
Themed ‘The Future of Maritime Safety: Navigating the Next Frontier’, the annual event brings together local and international maritime experts, and the maritime community to promote awareness and facilitate discussions on maritime safety.
Speaking at the opening today, Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, said that the maritime sector is facing increasingly complex global challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rapid transformation in digitalisation and decarbonisation. He highlighted that we can tackle these challenges by (i) equipping our workforce for future challenges, (ii) harnessing collective expertise through close collaborations and partnerships, and (iii) drawing upon technology and innovation to augment our capabilities.
In his keynote address, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underscored the need for robust safety frameworks and regulations as the maritime landscape evolves. He cited Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships and new ship designs and systems using sustainable marine fuels as examples of how the maritime sector is transforming and outlined IMO’s priorities in those areas. Mr Dominguez also highlighted the importance of government-industry collaboration and initiatives like the Safety@Sea Singapore Campaign to foster a safety-first culture at sea.
This year’s conference features 19 speakers across three plenaries. Discussions will focus on issues shaping the future of maritime safety, including lessons learned from past incidents, and the human element in ensuring safety as the industry transforms. A new Safety@Sea Community Conversations event will also bring together representatives from shipping companies, regional ferry operators, harbour craft operators and terminal operators to share their experiences and efforts in fostering a safety culture in their organisations.
Over 1,800 participants from more than 40 countries are expected to participate in the week’s sessions. Other highlights include the Responders Plus Programme (RPP) Maritime Workshop jointly organised by MPA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and two safety forums organised by the MPA-Harbour Craft and MPA-Pleasure Craft Safety Work Groups to promote safety awareness and best practices within the local maritime community.
MPA is also enhancing safety across other areas of port operations. In collaboration with Skyports Drone Services, TFG Marine and CBS Ventures, MPA and the partners will complete Singapore’s first shore-to-ship drone trials for delivery and retrieval operations from bunker tankers later this week.
The use of drones reduces reliance on harbour craft for such operations, improving efficiency while reducing pollution and congestion.
It also minimises safety risks by removing the need for crew to handle and transfer heavy items between the ship and shore using harbour craft. Safety considerations, including the management of electrostatic discharge risks during the drone operations, are carefully reviewed in preparation for the trials.
Findings from these trials will inform the development of safety protocols and an operational framework to support the phased implementation of this new maritime service.
Photo credit: Manifold Times Published: 15 July 2025