Supply Pressures Build Up at Global Popular Bunkering Ports: Key Developments Deserve Ship-owners’ Attention 全球热门加油港供应承压，主要加油港变化值得船东关注

Bunker supply shifts have drawn wide industry attention recently. According to industry intelligence, supply conditions at several core bunkering ports east of Suez have shown divergent trends. Traditional bunkering hubs including Singapore and Fujairah are subject to supply cycles, inventory swings and fluctuating demand. For this reason, ship-owners are advised to pay closer attention to delivery timelines and voyage alignment when arranging bunker uplifts.

In the past, bunkering port selection was largely driven by price advantages, routing convenience and port coverage. Nevertheless, adjustments to global trade lanes, rising geopolitical risks and changes in vessel operational ranges are reshaping the bunker supply chain. Decision-making is gradually shifting from “bunkering wherever offers the lowest price” toward “ bunkering wherever supply is stable and voyage execution can be guaranteed”. Should inventory constraints or supply delays emerge at popular bunkering hubs, they may not only push up bunker procurement costs but also disrupt vessel berthing schedules, cargo handling windows and subsequent voyage arrangements.

近期，船燃市场供应变化受到行业关注。根据行业资讯，苏伊士以东部分核心加油港供应情况出现分化，其中新加坡、富查伊拉等传统燃油补给中心受到供应周期、库存变化以及需求波动影响，船东在安排加油时需要更加关注交付时间和航次衔接。

过去，咱们选择加油港的时候更多考虑价格优势、航线便利以及港口覆盖能力。不过近年来，全球贸易路线调整、地缘风险增加、船舶运营距离变化，这些情况让船燃供应链正在从“哪里价格低、哪里加油”逐渐转向“哪里供应稳定、哪里能够保障航次”。部分热门加油港一旦出现库存压力或供应延迟，不仅影响燃油采购成本，也可能进一步影响船舶靠港计划、装卸窗口以及下一航次安排。

Global Bunker Supply Chain Undergoes Regional Rebalancing

The global bunker supply system is supported by regional refineries, refined-product trade flows and major bunkering hubs. Ports such as Singapore, Fujairah, Rotterdam, Houston and Zhoushan have long served as major marine fuel supply centers. In recent years, however, the underlying supply environment has been changing.

In recent years, changes in international shipping routes have also reshaped the distribution of bunker demand. Red Sea diversions and shifts in regional trade patterns have lengthened voyages for some vessels, increasing demand for bunkering along affected routes. At the same time, changes in refinery supply, refined-product trade flows and growing demand for lower-emission marine fuels are contributing to a broader redistribution of bunker demand.

For ship-owners, bunker planning is therefore no longer simply a matter of procurement cost. The timing and location of bunkering also need to be assessed in terms of their impact on overall voyage efficiency and vessel operations..

全球船燃供应链面临区域再平衡

全球船燃供应体系主要由区域炼厂、成品油贸易流以及大型加油枢纽共同支撑。新加坡、富查伊拉、鹿特丹、休斯敦、舟山等港口长期承担全球主要船舶燃油补给功能，但近年来供应链环境正在发生变化。

近年来，国际航线调整正在改变燃油需求分布。例如红海绕航、区域贸易路线变化增加部分船舶航程，提高了沿线补油需求。同时，炼厂供应结构调整、成品油贸易流变化以及环保燃料需求增长，也在推动船燃市场重新分配。

对于船东而言，除了考虑采购成本，还要多关注燃油加注对于航程来说会不会影响船舶整体运营效率。

Recent Supply Conditions at Major Bunkering Ports

Several core ports east of Suez are experiencing supply constraints. VLSFO availability in Singapore has tightened, prompting suppliers to recommend advance delivery scheduling. Middle-East hubs including Fujairah are impacted by shifting demand patterns, hence ship-owners need to monitor bunkering windows and supply reliability.

• Singapore:Tight VLSFO supply remains the market’s primary concern. Some suppliers advise ship-owners to place bunker orders 12-21 days in advance, reducing flexibility for ad-hoc bunkering operations. For vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, substantial ETA deviations may lead to undelivered bunker orders and extended waiting periods.
• Fujairah: Demand volatility has been notable recently. As a key MiddleEast bunkering centre, the port continues to be affected by rerouted shipping lanes and fluctuating vessel refuelling demand. Although bunker inventories have recovered to some extent, market participants keep tracking the pace of supply restoration and knockon effects from regional trade movements.
• Zhoushan: This emerging Asian bunker hub maintains generally stable supply, though operational windows require ongoing monitoring. Bunkering arrangements at anchorage may be subject to adjustments on certain occasions due to adverse weather, clustered refuelling activities and shifting regional demand.
• European & American Ports:The overall supply infrastructure is relatively mature. European hubs including Rotterdam and Antwerp are adapting to rising demand for green marine fuels, with ongoing reconfiguration between conventional bunker supply and alternative-fuel infrastructure. Energy ports such as Houston in the United States are largely influenced by regional refinery run-rates and petroleum product trade dynamics.

Current market conditions indicate that the core challenge for major bunkering ports is not outright fuel shortage, but rather the matching of supply timelines, delivery capacity and vessel schedules. Bunkering arrangements are increasingly exerting impacts across full-voyage execution, rather than remaining a standalone procurement activity.

主要加油港近期供应情况：热门节点压力增加

近期，苏伊士以东区域部分核心港口供应仍存在压力，其中新加坡VLSFO供应偏紧，供应商建议提前安排交付；富查伊拉等中东节点则受到需求变化影响，船东需要关注加油窗口和供应确定性。

新加坡方面，VLSFO供应紧张是市场关注重点。目前部分供应商建议船东提前12—21天安排燃油订单，临时加油的灵活性下降。对于频繁经过马六甲海峡的船舶，如果ETA变化较大，可能面临燃油无法按计划交付、等待时间增加等问题。

富查伊拉近期需求变化较为明显。作为中东重要加油中心，该港持续受到区域航线调整和船舶补油需求变化影响。虽然近期燃油库存有所恢复，但市场仍关注供应恢复速度以及后续区域运输变化带来的影响。

舟山作为亚洲新兴船燃供应中心，供应整体保持稳定，但作业窗口仍需关注。受天气、船舶集中补油以及区域需求变化影响，部分时期锚地加油安排可能出现调整。

欧洲和美洲主要加油港整体供应体系相对成熟，但鹿特丹、安特卫普等欧洲港口受到绿色燃料需求增长影响，传统燃油供应与替代燃料布局正在调整；美国休斯敦等能源港则更多受到区域炼厂运行和油品贸易变化影响。

从近期市场情况来看，全球主要加油港的问题并非单纯“有没有油”，而是供应时间、交付能力以及船舶计划之间能否匹配。对于船东来说，加油安排正在从采购环节逐渐影响到整个航次执行。

Alternative Bunkering Nodes & Regional Refuelling Options Worth Considering

As supply pressures build up at core bunkering hubs, ship-owners may consider nearby alternative nodes to lower over-reliance on single ports. Nevertheless, alternative ports cannot serve as simple drop-in replacements for mainstream hubs; selection should be based on a combined assessment of shipping routes, fuel consumption and port operational efficiency.

Asia

• Malaysia (Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas)

Located close to Singapore, these ports provide fallback options when Singapore faces tight supply. While overall capacity lags behind Singapore, they serve as viable supplementary solutions for vessels passing through the Strait of Malacca.

• Zhoushan, Shanghai & Ningbo (China)

Wellpositioned for vessels operating on China-export and Northeast-Asia trade lanes. Supported by growth in China’s bonded bunker sector, Zhoushan has developed into a critical Asian refuelling node.

• Busan (South Korea) & Major Japanese Ports

Offer alternative bunkering capacity for Northeast-Asia routes, particularly for vessels trading between Japan, South Korea and North China. Supply may also tighten intermittently at these locations, so advance confirmation remains necessary.

Middle East & Indian Ocean

• Khor Fakkan (UAE)

Situated along UAE’s eastern coast alongside Fujairah, it functions as an important regional backup node. It can be adopted when Fujairah encounters supply constraints or surging collective bunkering demand.

• Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Positioned on key Asia-Europe shipping lanes. Its value for bunkering and transshipment has increased amid rerouted Asia-Europe services.

Europe

• Gibraltar

A vital refuelling stop linking Mediterranean and Atlantic lanes, suitable for westbound European and trans-Atlantic voyages.

• ARA Range (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp)

One of Europe’s largest port clusters for energy products with substantial supply capacity, and a primary bunkering zone for vessels entering European waters.

Americas

• Port of New York, Houston & Panama Canal Zone Ports (USA & Panama)

Deliver refuelling alternatives for Americas-bound vessels. Ports around the Panama Canal act as key bunkering stops for ocean-going vessels travelling between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

It should be noted that selecting alternative ports does not mean pursuing the lowest price in isolation. Ship-owners need to take bunker prices, route diversion costs, waiting durations and supplier delivery performance into comprehensive consideration.

值得关注的替代节点和区域补给选择

随着部分核心加油港供应压力增加，船东可以关注周边替代节点以降低单一港口依赖。不过，替代港并不是简单替换热门港口，而需要结合船舶航线、燃油消耗和港口作业效率综合判断。

亚洲区域：

马来西亚（Port Klang、Tanjung Pelepas）

靠近新加坡，是部分船舶在新加坡供应紧张时期的替代选择。虽然整体规模与新加坡仍存在差距，但对于经过马六甲海峡的船舶，可以作为补充方案。

中国舟山、上海、宁波区域

对中国出口航线以及东北亚航线船舶具有较强便利性。随着中国保税船燃业务发展，舟山正在成为亚洲重要补油节点。

韩国釜山、日本主要港口

对东北亚航线船舶具有替代价值，尤其适用于日韩、中国北方港口之间运营的船舶。部分时期日本、韩国港口也出现供应趋紧情况，因此仍需提前确认。

中东及印度洋区域：

阿联酋Khor Fakkan

与富查伊拉同处阿联酋东部沿岸，是区域内重要补充节点。在富查伊拉供应紧张或船舶集中需求增加时，可作为备用选择。

斯里兰卡科伦坡（Colombo）

位于印度洋主要航线上，近年来随着亚洲—欧洲航线调整，其补油和转运价值有所提升。

欧洲区域：

直布罗陀（Gibraltar）

是连接地中海、大西洋航线的重要补油点，可作为欧洲西行、跨大西洋航线的重要补充。

阿姆斯特丹—鹿特丹—安特卫普（ARA区域）

欧洲最大的能源港群之一，供应能力较强，也是船东进入欧洲市场的重要补给区域。

美洲区域：

美国纽约港、休斯敦、巴拿马运河区域港口

对美洲航线船舶提供补给选择。其中巴拿马区域由于连接太平洋和大西洋，是部分远洋船舶的重要燃油补充节点。

不过，替代港选择并不意味着简单“哪里便宜去哪里”。船东仍需综合考虑燃油价格、航线偏离成本、等待时间以及供应商履约能力。

Bunkering Planning Suggestions

Without advance planning during periods of tight supply at popular bunkering ports, vessels may face extended waiting times for bunker uplifts, required speed adjustments or disruptions to next-port berthing schedules. For long-haul voyages and high-value cargo shipments, uncertainties around bunkering can amplify overall operational costs.

Driven by shifting global trade patterns, tightening environmental regulations and evolving regional energy markets, bunker supply conditions have become a material factor influencing vessel operational efficiency. Timely awareness of supply changes across major ports and agile bunker planning aligned with voyage requirements help ship-owners mitigate operational uncertainty.

Accordingly, ship-owners and ship management companies are encouraged to adopt more flexible bunker management practices:

• Keep updated on supply status at major ports and lock in bunker plans based on voyage requirements;
• Identify backup bunkering ports to reduce dependency on a single supply node;
• When short-listing suppliers, evaluate delivery capability and execution reliability in addition to pricing.

加油计划

热门加油港供应趋紧时，船舶如果缺少提前规划，可能出现等待加油、调整航速甚至影响下一港靠泊计划的情况。特别是在长航线、高价值货运任务中，一次加油安排的不确定，都可能放大运营成本。

随着全球贸易路线调整、环保法规推进以及区域能源市场变化，船燃供应正在成为影响船舶运营效率的重要因素。能够提前掌握主要港口供应变化，并根据航次情况及时调整燃油安排，将有助于船东降低运营不确定性。

因此，船东和船舶管理公司需要逐步建立更灵活的燃油管理方式：

提前掌握主要港口供应情况，根据航次安排锁定燃油计划；同时设置备用补油港，降低对单一供应节点的依赖；在选择供应商时，除了价格，也需要关注交付能力和执行稳定性。

EPORTS provides full-range professional port-related support for ship-owners. Our services include rational voyage planning and real-time updates on port supply conditions, backed by extensive practical experience in port services and vessel assurance. Should you require further insights on port dynamics, bunker supply, navigation policies, berthing arrangements, crew change & provisioning, cost estimation and other topics, please feel free to contact us:

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References：

ENGINE. East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook. Hellenic Shipping News, 2026.

ENGINE. East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook . Manifold Times, 2026.

Reuters. Asia bunker premiums hit record highs, some ships struggle to refuel. Reuters, 2026.

Reuters. European gasoline heads to Asia as Iran war sparks supply fears. Reuters, 2026.

*Disclaimer: All data, analysis and commentary contained in this article are compiled based on public official releases and industry research reports, provided solely for industry exchange and reference purposes. This content shall not be construed as investment advice or binding operational commitments. Global shipping markets are subject to volatile influencing factors including macroeconomic cycles, geopolitical shifts and meteorological conditions, which introduce inherent uncertainties. All carriers and traders are recommended to formulate operational decisions after cross-referencing their own fleet structure, risk tolerance thresholds and latest real-time market intelligence.

*免责声明：本文所载数据及分析均基于公开信息和行业研究报告，仅供行业交流与参考，不构成任何投资建议或操作承诺。航运市场受宏观经济、地缘政治、天气变化等多重因素影响，存在不确定性。读者在制定具体经营决策时，应结合自身船队结构、风险承受能力及最新市场动态综合判断。