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The port of Singapore recorded its lowest bunker sales figure in nine months during the month of June, according to preliminary estimates released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The Southeast Asian port sold 3,836,300 tonnes in June, representing a drop of 250,100 tonnes, or 6.1 percent, compared to last year's figure of 4,086,400 tonnes.

It is the second year-on-year (YoY) decline in a row - the first time this has happened since September last year.

In comparison with the previous month's result of 4,180,600 tonnes, total sales at the world's leading bunker port fell by 344,300 tonnes, or 8.2 percent.

Despite the decrease, however, overall bunker sales between January and June were 24,920,700 tonnes, which represents an increase of 536,600 tonnes, or 2.2 percent, compared to the same period in 2016 (20,297,700 tonnes). It is the highest figure ever recorded for the first half of the year.

So far this year, Singapore has averaged 4,153,450 tonnes per month. If it were to average just under 4,180 tonnes during the next six months, then Singapore would reach 50 million tonnes during a calendar year for the first time.

Sales of 380 centistoke (cSt) - the port's best-selling bunker grade - dipped 197,600 tonnes, or 6.6 percent year-on-year to 2,784,500 tonnes, whilst the month-on-month decrease was 338,500 tonnes, or 10.8 percent.

Deliveries of 500 cSt fell by 12,700 tonnes, or 1.4 percent year-on-year to 882,000 tonnes. However, the figure was the second-highest in 10 months as sales rose 25,400 tonnes, or 3.0 percent, month-on-month.

Low-sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) recorded a year-on-year increase in June with sales of 99,400 tonnes - a rise of 13,800 tonnes, or 16.1 percent. But the figure was also the lowest of the year so far and 3,200 tonnes, or 3.1 percent, less than in May.

Vessel arrivals and bunker calls

According to the MPA, the number of ships greater than 75 gross tonnes (gt) calling at Singapore for bunkers in June was 3,378 - a fall of 138, or 3.9 percent, compared to last year.

Interestingly, so far in 2017, every month has recorded a decline in the number of bunker calls compared to last year.

In a comparison with last month, the number of bunker calls was also down - by 135.

The total number of vessels greater than 75 gt arriving in Singapore increased by 819, or 7.2 percent, to 12,273 in June, year-on-year. Month-on-month, vessel arrivals declined by 382, or 3.0 percent.