Stolthaven Terminals, through its joint venture Tianjin Stolthaven Lingang Terminal (Stolthaven Lingang), on Thursday (12 June) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Itochu Corporation to collaborate on storage and logistics solutions for green methanol.

This strategic partnership will focus on supporting the growing demand for low-carbon fuels through the development of a methanol bunkering system and enhancing methanol export capabilities.

Stolthaven Lingang has world-class terminal infrastructure and a strategic location in the Tianjin Lingang Industrial Zone in China. Through this MoU with Itochu, Stolthaven Lingang will seek to strengthen the supply chain infrastructure needed for alternative fuels.

Methanol is emerging as a viable marine fuel due to its lower carbon intensity and existing ease of handling, and the development of methanol bunkering services is expected to serve the increasing demand from the shipping sector.

Selenna Xu, general manager, Tianjin Stolthaven Lingang Terminal says: “This strategic partnership represents a pivotal step in building a green energy storage and transportation ecosystem in Northern China. By combining our terminal network and service innovation with Itochu’s global expertise, we aim to drive forward the development of a green energy hub for the region, with export capabilities beyond China.”

Satoshi Tojo, general manager at Itochu Corporation comments: “Itochu Corporation is committed to advancing the green methanol value chain through strategic partnerships and innovation. By leveraging our extensive global network and expertise in the energy and chemicals sectors, we are well-positioned to significantly contribute to the transition towards cleaner fuels.”

Photo credit: Stolthaven Terminals
Published: 13 June 2025

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Thursday (12 June) claim UK-based bunker operator John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Limited’s bunker tanker Whitchampion has become the first in the industry to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.

The development occurred after LR issued a chemical certification to allow Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorised within UK coastal waters under a Tri-Partite Agreement between the Isle of Man Flag and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKMCA).

A second Whitaker tanker, Whitchallenger, will be undergoing a similar approval process and is expected to be certified later this year.

At present, bunker tankers certified under MARPOL Annex I are limited to carrying blends no more than 30% FAME under IMO regulations. Oil Fuels with higher bio-content fall under International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) and MARPOL Annex II, typically requiring full chemical tanker status. That regulation has, in effect, frozen out a significant portion of the conventional bunker tanker fleet from supporting mid-to-high-range biofuel blending.

Whitaker’s Whitchampion is the first LR-classed vessel to bridge that gap. Through comprehensive Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment against the IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II requirements, LR developed an approach which involved mitigation of the assessed risks. This led to obtaining waivers/exemptions from the Flag Administration allowing this Annex I bunker tanker to gain chemical certification to carry FAME as cargo, without needing to convert to full chemical tanker status.

The successful delivery of dedicated onboard training on the safe handling of FAME has also led to UKMCA approval and a FAME Restricted endorsement to the existing Oil Tanker Dangerous Cargo Endorsement (DCE) for the crew.

Tim Wilson, Principal Specialist Fuels and Emissions, LR, said: “This certification demonstrates a credible and commercially viable route for existing bunker tankers to participate in the energy transition. It sets a clear blueprint for others to follow, enabling owners to consider the possibility of adapting existing bunker tankers for sustainable fuel delivery without resorting to prohibitively expensive conversions or replacement with a chemical tanker.”

Peter Howard, Technical Director at Whitaker Tankers, added: “This certification is the result of focused determination from all involved and underlines Whitaker’s commitment to providing clients with the flexibility they need to meet their decarbonisation goals. We’re proud to lead the way in this space with Whitchampion and look forward to progressing a similar certification with LR for her sister ship Whitchallenger later this year.”

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 13 June 2025

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for May 2025 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s daily bonded bunker fuel sales decrease in May

China’s daily bonded bunker fuel sales decreased last month, due to a cut in domestic low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) production.

The country sold about 1.79 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in May, with daily sales at 57,761 mt, slipping by 1.69% from a month earlier, JLC’s data shows.

Bonded bunker fuel sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 480,000 mt, 580,000 mt, 50,000 mt and 28,000 mt in the month, while suppliers with regional bunkering licenses sold 652,600 mt.

Domestic refiners lowered their LSFO output amid more unit maintenance, leading to a decline in China’s daily bonded bunker fuel sales. However, the sales decline was capped to some degree by increasing demand for cargo transportation.

China’s LSFO output continues to fall in May

China’s LSFO output continued to fall in May, due to more refinery turnarounds and bad production margins.

Chinese refiners produced 955,000 mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output at 30,806 mt, down by 11.39% month on month and 28.21% year on year, JLC’s data shows.

Independent refiners brought more units under maintenance, coupled with still bad production margins, weighing down China’s LSFO output.

Specifically, Sinopec’s LSFO production dropped moderately , as Shanghai Petrochemical and Zhenhai Refining and Chemical slashed their output. However, Qingdao Petrochemical boosted its output slightly, and Shengli Oilfield maintained high production. Tianjin Petrochemical and Hunan Petrochemical were still under maintenance, while Jiujiang Petrochemical came back online in mid-May and produced some LSFO.

PetroChina saw relatively stable production in May, as some refineries’ output cuts counteracted some others’ boosts. Jinxi Petrochemical has wrapped up maintenance and is expected to resume LSFO production in June.

CNOOC’s LSFO output fell in May, as Zhoushan Petrochemical, Zhongjie Petrochemical and Taizhou Petrochemical cut their production to various degrees.

ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in May, but the latter exported 25,000 mt of MGO.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand shrinks in May

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand shrank in May, as most shipowners just purchased on rigid demand when bearish sentiment dominated the market.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand settled at 360,000 mt in the month, descending by 20,000 mt or 5.26% month on month, JLC’s data indicates.

In the meantime, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand came in at 150,000 mt, without change month on month, the data shows. Diesel demand from the shipping industry weakened amid the fishing moratorium, while that from the agricultural industry strengthened amid the summer harvest.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports retreat in April

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports retreated in April, as Chinese bonded bunker suppliers reduced their purchases of high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) after relatively large cargo arrivals in March.

Chinese bunker suppliers imported 525,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel in April, a cut of 21.07% month on month, JLC’s calculation shows, with reference to the GACC data.

Meanwhile, Chinese bonded bunker suppliers continued to import LSFO to meet demand when domestic production slipped further amid more refinery maintenance and bad production margins, and they kept the imports largely stable.

Bonded marine gas oil (MGO) imports remained normal in April.

Malaysia exported 139,300 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China in April, becoming the largest supplier to China.

Cargoes from Malaysia accounted for 26.52% of China’s total imports in the month. Brazil ranked second with 108,600 mt, taking 20.66%, while the UAE came in third with 100,800 mt, accounting for 19.18%. Russia climbed to the fourth place with 99,800 mt, accounting for 19.00%, while South Korea slid to the fifth place with 77,000 mt, occupying 14.64%.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel imports surged by 54.1 1% in April, which could be ascribed to growing bunkering demand.

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply tightens in May

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply tightened in May, as the availability of low-sulfur residual oil and shale oil decreased, also because of the suspension of the blending business in north and east China.

Blenders supplied about 370,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 2.63% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Blenders showed lower production interest amid insufficient blendstock supply . Refineries reduced their low-sulfur residual oil supply amid more maintenance, and their shale oil supply also tightened. In addition, the blending business in north and east China was still at a halt amid the negative impact of tax inspections.

At the same time, domestic-trade light bunker fuel supply settled at 160,000 mt, down by 10,000 mt or 5.88% month on month, the data shows. Refineries cut their diesel supply when more units came under maintenance.

Bunker Prices, Profits

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognised as the leading information provider in China. We specialise 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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Related: [Updated 15 May] JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (January 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (December 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (November 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (October 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (September 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (August 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (July 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (March 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (February 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2024)

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: 12 June, 2025