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Singapore Bunker Sales at 16‑Month Peak in May on Shipping Recovery
Singapore, June 16, 2025 – Singapore, the world’s leading bunkering hub, recorded bunker fuel sales of 4.88 million tonnes in May, representing a 10.8 percent increase from April and a marginal year‑on‑year gain of 1.1 percent. These figures mark the highest monthly bunkering volume in the city‑state since early 2024.
The rebound in bunker sales is attributed to increased vessel calls for both cargo operations and refuelling. Container throughput reached 3.83 million TEUs in May, up 5.5 percent from April, and bunker‑related vessel calls rose by 3.8 percent to a total of 3,637. Industry analysts noted that renewed port activity, particularly after the “tariff pause” announced in mid‑May, encouraged operators to front‑load shipments and bunker in Singapore.
Fuel mix data reveals that low‑sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) sales rose by 9.7 percent to 2.45 million tonnes, while high‑sulphur fuel oil volumes gained 11.3 percent at 1.89 million tonnes. Marine gasoil deliveries increased by 9.3 percent to 344,100 tonnes.
May also saw a notable rise in alternative‑fuel bunkering. Sales of bio‑fuel blends surged by 26.8 percent year‑on‑year to 140,800 tonnes. Meanwhile, liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering climbed 7.2 percent to 45,000 tonnes. These figures align with Singapore’s strategy to expand its low‑carbon fuel offerings and mark steady progress toward its decarbonisation goals.
Singapore has also been preparing for the introduction of mandatory digital bunker delivery notes (e‑BDNs), set to begin on April 1, 2025. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) forecasts that this initiative will save approximately 40,000 man‑days annually and improve the transparency and efficiency of the bunkering process.
Following a subdued start to 2025, with January bunker volumes at 4.46 million tonnes, down 9.1 percent year‑on‑year, the sharp uptick in May highlights operational recovery and growing demand. The combined rise in conventional and alternative fuel sales underscores a transitional phase in shipping, balancing economic pressures and evolving emissions regulations.
In conclusion, Singapore’s May bunkering performance reflects broader supply‑chain recovery trends, stable fuel pricing, and accelerating green‑fuel adoption. As the global maritime industry adjusts to cost, regulatory, and environmental pressures, Singapore continues to strengthen its role as a strategic, sustainable, and digitally enabled bunkering hub.
