Sales of marine bunker fuel in Singapore dipped slightly in the first half of 2025, official data showed on Monday, as shipping uncertainties in the wake of global tariffs capped demand, particularly in the first quarter.
Total sales at the world's largest refuelling hub for ships stood at 26.98 million tonnes in January to June this year, dipping one per cent from 27.19 million tonnes in the same period last year, data from Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority showed.
Conventional fuel sales, including residual fuel oils and marine gasoils, totalled 25.96 million tonnes in the first half, down 2.7 per cent from last year.
"The threat of enduring tariffs will continue to add undue shipping uncertainties, raising volatility seen in both rates and supply chain management," said Emril Jamil, a senior analyst at LSEG Oil Research. "Global bunker demand will not be spared and is expected to remain volatile as markets react to adjust," he said.
Meanwhile, alternative fuel sales, which include liquefied natural gas and bio-blended marine fuels, more than doubled to over one million tonnes in just half a year, the data showed.
Bunker volumes fell 5.8 per cent from May, to 4.6 million tonnes in June, though sales were up by 7.5 per cent from the same month last year. Monthly sales of marine biofuel blends and LNG bunkers both reached record highs, hitting 156,200 tonnes and 55,400 tonnes in June, respectively.
As for conventional fuels, residual-based sales dropped month-on-month for both high-sulphur and low-sulphur grades, though marine gasoil-based fuel volumes climbed to their highest level year-to-date.
Container throughput dropped 3.1 per cent to 3.7 million TEU in June, while vessel calls for bunkering retreated 6.5 per cent to 3,402 calls.
(Reporting by Jeslyn Lerh; Editing by Rachna Uppal)