What moved the bunker market this week?

Every Friday our market intelligence team analyses the developments influencing bunker prices, fuel availability and global shipping. Read the week’s key stories, understand what’s driving the market and what bunker buyers should be watching next.

Download this week’s market update (PDF) (recommended for mobile) »

Shell expands LNG bunker footprint to Valencia

Bunker supplier Shell has added Spain’s Port of Valencia to its LNG bunker locations following the successful completion of its first LNG stem at the port. Shell carried out the operation just outside the Port of Valencia in July, using the LNG bunker vessel Alice Cosulich to supply an undisclosed amount of LNG to the MSC Sabrina, which was sailing from the Mediterranean to Brazil, according to bunker analytics firm Spotbarge.

In May, the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) granted LNG bunker permits to Shell and Axpo Iberia. The addition of Valencia expands Shell’s LNG bunker network across the Mediterranean. Under the six-year authorisation, the companies will supply LNG to vessels by tanker at the Spanish ports of Valencia, Sagunto and Gandia. Shell operates the world’s largest LNG bunker network, with 16 bunker vessels across 28 locations in 13 countries.

EU greenlights NYK Line’s entry into Avenir LNG

The European Commission has approved Stolt-Nielsen’s sale of a 50% stake in Avenir LNG to Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), clearing the way for a joint venture to expand Avenir’s operations beyond the EU. The Commission said the deal “would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area.” Avenir supplies LNG and mass-balanced liquefied biomethane (LBM) at ports across the Baltic and Adriatic seas. It operates five LNG bunker vessels and offers shipto- ship, ship-to-truck and ship-to-terminal deliveries.

Shanghai hosts China’s first dual bunker operation

Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) Energy has simultaneously bunkered two vessels with different fuels at the Luhuashan anchorage in the Port of Shanghai. Its bunker vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan delivered bio-methanol to CMA CGM’s methanol dual-fuel containership Osmium. The 8,000 mt of fuel was supplied by China’s Shanghai Electric, according to local Chinese media outlets.

At the same time, the bunker tanker Hai Gang Wei Lai delivered an unspecified quantity of LNG to Pacific International Lines’ containership Kota Elan. SIPG said the two operations demonstrated the Port of Shanghai’s capability to supply multiple alternative marine fuels simultaneously and conduct coordinated large-scale bunkering at anchorage.

Corpus Christi advances US nuclear shipping push

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority has signed separate agreements with the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Core Power to assess the potential use of nuclear technology in commercial shipping. Under the MARAD agreement, the Texan port will explore small modular reactor (SMR) technology across port microgrids, shore power infrastructure and vessel propulsion. The agreement follows a similar deal with the Port of Long Beach.

Separately, the port authority has partnered with Core Power to assess the port’s readiness to host floating nuclear power plants and receive nuclear-powered commercial ships. The study will examine potential sites, grid connections, regulatory requirements and environmental approvals for floating nuclear power.

Fratelli to expand methanol capable bunker fleet by 2027

Italian shipping firm Fratelli Cosulich is set to take delivery of its two remaining methanol-capable bunker tankers by May 2027. It has received three of five methanol dual-fuel IMO II chemical bunker tankers on order. The remaining vessels, Carlotta Cosulich and Natalia Cosulich, are due in October 2026 and May 2027, respectively. Fratelli has also invested in two LNG bunker tankers

Lauritzen Bulkers launches second methanol-capable newbuild

Danish dry bulk shipping firm Lauritzen Bulkers has launched its second methanol dual-fuel vessel, Bold Bulker, at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in the Philippines. The 81,000- dwt bulk carrier is due for delivery in January 2027. Lauritzen has not disclosed who will charter the vessel or where it will be deployed. The vessel is the second of three methanol-capable newbuilds ordered from Tsuneishi, with the final vessel due to join the fleet next year.

Singapore’s bio-bunker sales rebounded in July

Singapore’s bio-blended bunker sales rose by 6% in July to 38,000 mt, rebounding after three consecutive months of declines, according to preliminary data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Of the total biofuel sales, around 30,000 mt comprised bio-VLSFO – typically a 24% blend ratio in Singapore – while the remaining 8,000 mt was bio-HSFO.

For January-July, total biofuel bunker sales were only 434,000 mt, less than half the 898,000 mt recorded during the same period last year. B100 (100% biofuel) sales were reported for a fourth consecutive month, with around 1,400 mt sold in July, down from 1,500 mt in June.

LNG bunker sales rose by 7% in July to 59,000 mt, while no methanol bunker sales were reported for a fifth consecutive month. No ammonia bunker sales have been recorded so far this year.

Read the weekly bunker market news from last week here.

We have traders covering every region in the world – let us guide your bunker buying strategy. Contact us here.