Singapore, a major global bunkering hub, reported a decrease in its sales of bio-bunkers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for marine fuel during June. Preliminary figures from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) indicate that daily bio-bunker sales fell to approximately 1,200 metric tons per day, down from about 1,500 metric tons per day in May. Specifically, sales of Bio-VLSFO (Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil blended with biofuel) dropped from 36,000 metric tons in May to 31,000 metric tons in June. Bio-HSFO (High Sulphur Fuel Oil blended with biofuel) sales also saw a substantial reduction, decreasing from 12,000 metric tons to 5,000 metric tons over the same period. Furthermore, LNG bunker sales in Singapore declined from 12,000 metric tons in May to 10,000 metric tons in June.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this trend suggests potential fluctuations in the adoption of alternative marine fuels. While Singapore remains a key hub for green bunkering, a dip in sales could reflect changing carrier strategies, fuel price dynamics, or temporary shifts in vessel deployments requiring these specific fuel types. This might influence vessel routing decisions for ships committed to alternative fuels, or impact the availability and pricing of these fuels in the short term. Forwarders should monitor such trends as they can indirectly affect shipping schedules and costs, particularly for clients with sustainability mandates.
