General News

Rotterdam bunker sales rose in Q3 on higher HSFO demand

October 23, 2024

Higher HSFO sales contributed to lift Rotterdam's total conventional bunker fuel sales by 8% in Q3 2024, according to bunker sales figures released by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Total sales of marine distillates, which include marine gasoil (MGO) and marine diesel oil (MDO), declined by 9% in Q3 2024 to 335,000 mt. MGO sales dropped by 12%, while MDO sales registered a slight 2% decrease from the previous quarter.

Total sales of marine fuel oil, including VLSFO, HSFO, and ULSFO, surged by 12% compared to Q2 2024, driven by a significant 22% increase in ULSFO sales. Marine fuel oil sales in Q3 2024 also rose by 9%, compared to the 1.7 million mt sold during the same period last year.

VLSFO sales logged a 12% increase, reaching 838,000 mt in the third quarter of this year. This marked the highest quarterly VLSFO sales since Q2 2023, when 906,000 mt was sold.

HSFO continues to be the most in-demand fuel grade in Rotterdam for the third consecutive quarter, with sales reaching 906,000 mt in Q3 2024, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous quarter. HSFO sales have increased for the third consecutive quarter and were the highest since IMO's 0.5% sulphur cap came into force in 2020.

ULSFO sales in Q3 2024 soared by 22% to 208,000 mt compared to the previous quarter. ULSFO sales were the highest since Q2 2023, when 221,000 mt was sold.