Prime Highlights:

• Marine fuel sales at Singapore, the world’s largest bunker hub, reached 5.23 million tons in January, up 16.5% from a year ago, reflecting strong early-year demand.
• Delivered bunker price premiums climbed above $20 per ton, supported by tighter barge schedules and firm spot demand.

Key Facts:

• Sales of 0.5% very low-sulphur fuel oil totaled 2.56 million tons, while high-sulphur fuel oil rose 2% from December levels.
• Vessel calls for bunkering increased 1.5% month-on-month to 3,778, even as container throughput dipped slightly by 0.7% to 3.89 million TEUs.

Background:

Marine fuel sales at Singapore, the world’s largest bunker hub, recorded a strong start to 2026 as demand improved and price premiums rose, according to official port data and trade sources.

Data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore showed that total bunker sales reached 5.23 million metric tons in January. This marked a 16.5% increase compared to the same month last year. However, volumes eased from December’s record high of 5.51 million tons.

Market participants said spot demand remained firm in January, which is usually a strong seasonal month ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays. Vessel calls for bunkering rose 1.5% from the previous month to 3,778 calls, indicating steady activity at the port.

Container throughput slipped slightly by 0.7% month-on-month to 3.89 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Despite the marginal dip in container traffic, bunker demand held steady.

Sales of 0.5% very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), the main marine fuel grade, stood at 2.56 million tons in January. While this was 9.5% lower than December, it remained higher than year-ago levels. High-sulphur fuel oil volumes rose 2.0% from December to 2.16 million tons.

Traders said tighter barge schedules supported bunker price premiums, which had remained flat for several months. Delivered bunker premiums for prompt supplies climbed above $20 per metric ton by the end of January, up from the low $10 range earlier in the month.

Marine gasoil sales fell 2.3% month-on-month to 404,100 tons. Alternative fuel sales showed a sharper decline. Marine biofuel volumes dropped 33.9% to 60,200 tons, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker sales declined 22.0% to 42,600 tons.

Industry sources expect bunker demand to remain stable in the near term, supported by steady shipping activity and firm pricing conditions.

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