Fuel News

New MARPOL Sampling Rules Heighten Compliance Pressure

  • IMO increases fuel sample volume from 400ml to 600ml under revised MARPOL and SOLAS guidelines.
  • Stricter rules now apply to sample handling, labelling, and onboard storage.
  • Non-compliance risks include test rejections, delays, fines, and legal disputes.
  • Responsibility for sample storage shifts from ship’s master to shipowner or manager.

Shipowners and operators are being urged to review their fuel and lubricating oil sampling practices following the entry into force of revised IMO guidelines,...

https://mfame.guru/new-marpol-sampling-rules-heighten-compliance-pressure/

ClassNK Report Details Evolving Trends and Challenges in Marine Alternative Fuels

ClassNK has just released the latest version of its comprehensive report, “ClassNK Alternative Fuels Insight (Version 3.0)”. This updated publication provides crucial new information, particularly regarding cost simulations that now factor in the IMO’s mid-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures, which were officially approved at the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) held in April 2025.

Evolving Trends

The landscape of alternative marine fuels continues to...

https://mfame.guru/classnk-report-details-evolving-trends-and-challenges-in-marine-alternative-fuels/

JLC China Bunker Market Report (April 2025)

  • China’s bonded bunker fuel sales showed a significant increase in April, growing by 7.8% month-on-month, driven by improved shipping demand.
  • LSFO output continued to decline due to refinery maintenance and poor production margins, while HSFO sales increased due to price spreads.
  • Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand and supply saw strong growth in April, with heavier bunker fuel demand increasing by 5.56%, and domestic supply rising due to increased shale oil availability.

China’s bonded bunker...

https://mfame.guru/jlc-china-bunker-market-report-april-2025/

Bunker Sales Rise 21.7% y-o-y in Panama

The 459,126 metric tonnes (mt) of marine fuel that were sold in Panama last month marked a 21.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase on the 377,180 mt sold in April 2024, reports Bunkerspot.

Last month’s total was, however, down on the 498,814 mt that was sold in March, data published by the Panama Maritime Authority shows.

Panama March bunker volumes jump to 3-month high

For the second time this year, sales of very low sulphur fuel oil (273,571 mt) fell below the 300,000 mt mark.

April was another...

https://mfame.guru/bunker-sales-rise-21-7-y-o-y-in-panama/

Fifth straight drop in benchmark diesel comes as futures prices rise sharply

The fifth consecutive decline in the benchmark diesel price used for most fuel surcharges is likely the end of the road for this particular downward cycle.

The Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration average weekly retail diesel price dropped 2.1 cents a gallon to $3.476 effective Monday, announced on Tuesday. The five-week decline from $3.639 a gallon on April 7 marks a drop of 16.3 cents a gallon during that time.

But for the declines to continue, they would need to fight back...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fifth-straight-drop-in-benchmark-diesel-comes-as-futures-prices-rise-sharply

Benchmark diesel price falls fourth straight week amid price war fears

The benchmark diesel price used as the basis for most fuel surcharges fell Monday for the fourth consecutive week, as global oil markets are eyeing the possibility of a market share war that could overwhelm buyers with supplies looking for a home. 

The Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration price of $3.497 a gallon, down 1.7 cents, is at its lowest level since just before Christmas 2024. Four weeks of declines have dropped the price by 14.2 cents during that period. 

The DOE/EIA...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/benchmark-diesel-price-falls-fourth-straight-week-amid-price-war-fears

Benchmark diesel price sees third straight decline, now at 2025 low

The benchmark price used as the basis for most fuel surcharges has fallen to its lowest level in 2025, but diesel futures markets are starting to show some sign of upward movement.

The weekly price published by the Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration rose 2 cents a gallon, effective Monday, to $3.514. The last time it was less than that was Dec. 30, when the price closed out 2024 at $3.503 a gallon.

The latest price was the third straight decline in the benchmark. It has fallen...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/benchmark-diesel-price-sees-third-straight-decline-now-at-2025-low

Saudi Fuel Oil Imports from Fujairah Hit 15-Month High

  • Total oil product stocks at the Port of Fujairah fell by 0.4% to 22.023 million barrels in the week ending April 21, hitting a four-week low.
  • Heavy and middle distillates dropped by 3.4% and 6% respectively, while light distillates rose 5.3% to a two-week high of 8.911 million barrels.
  • Saudi Arabia’s imports of fuel oil from Fujairah hit 30,000 barrels per day in April—the highest since January—with all cargoes discharged at Jeddah.

Oil product inventories at the UAE’s Port of Fujairah...

https://mfame.guru/saudi-fuel-oil-imports-from-fujairah-hit-15-month-high/

Benchmark diesel price down a second straight week on slide in futures

The Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration average retail diesel price fell 4.5 cents a gallon to $3.534, with the price released Tuesday morning but with an effective date Monday. It’s the second consecutive decline, coming after three weeks of gains that added 9 cents a gallon to the DOE/EIA price. The two latest declines then sliced 10.5 cents off the price.  

For most of April, the futures price of ultra low sulfur diesel on the CME commodity exchange has been extremely...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/benchmark-diesel-price-down-a-second-straight-week-on-slide-in-futures

Bunker Fuel Demand Softens at Indian and Sri Lankan Ports

  • March Sees Tepid Bunker Activity in South Asia as Traders Cite Slow Fixtures.
  • Fuel Availability Up, But Demand Weak at Indian and Sri Lankan Ports.
  • Regional Bunker Markets Struggle Amid Supply Gains and Monsoon Fears.

Indian and Sri Lankan port bunker fuel markets were under pressure in March, as demand trailed improved availability. Slow fixture activity, logistics issues, and regional market uncertainty were highlighted as major concerns by traders. While Indian port calls rose overall, fuel...

https://mfame.guru/bunker-fuel-demand-softens-at-indian-and-sri-lankan-ports/

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