Antwerp-Bruges bio-bunker sales dip in last quarter of 2025

Around 11,000 mt of bio-bunker sales were sold at the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Compared to the year's peak in the third quarter of 2025, which recorded sales of 56,000 mt of biofuels, the fourth quarter recorded an 80% dip in biofuels sold. The quarter also recorded a 37% year-on-year decrease in biofuel bunker sales.

However, the port's biofuel sales in the second half of 2025 was up 90% compared to the same period previous year, made up of a total of 67,000 mt biofuels.

Suppliers in Antwerp-Bruges sold 151,000 mt of bio-bunkers in 2025, the data said. Biofuel sales made up around 2% of all bunker fuel sales, according to the port's data.

Comparatively, Rotterdam reported biofuel sales of around 649,000 mt in 2025, port authority said earlier this month.  

2025 was the first year that the FuelEU Maritime regulation was applied in full, requiring ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above calling at EU ports to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the fuel consumed.

A more phased-in application of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to maritime transport also continued in 2025, with shipping companies required to surrender allowances for 70% of their verified 2025 emissions, rising toward full coverage in 2026.

These measures were widely expected to support demand for lower-carbon marine fuels such as biofuel blends.

Antwerp’s biofuel volumes continue to trail Rotterdam’s, as the Netherlands’ HBE subsidy scheme previously made Rotterdam a more attractive port for ships seeking to bunker biofuels. The scheme was replaced in January 2026 by the new ZRE ticket system.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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