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Singapore recorded both a year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM) drop in bunker sales in October, according to data released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Sales of marine fuel at the world's leading bunker port fell MoM by 335,700 tonnes, or 7.7 percent, to 4,005,300 tonnes. In a YoY comparison, bunker volumes dipped 3,500 tonnes, or 0.1 percent.

Rolling 12-month sales (November 2016 to October 2017) remained above 50 million tonnes for the second month in succession after reaching the landmark sales figure for the first time between October 2016 and September 2017. Six-month rolling sales, meanwhile, were above 25 million tonnes for the third month in a row, having only reached the tally once before prior to the last three months - for the March-August 2016 period.

Accumulated sales for the first 10 months of 2017 were 42,024,300 tonnes - a YoY increase of 1,457,400 tonnes, or 3.6 percent.

380 centistoke (cSt) sales in October dropped to their lowest level in four months, falling MoM by 149,000 tonnes, or 4.6 percent, to 3,067,100 tonnes. In a YoY comparison, the figure was up 79,100 tonnes, or 2.6 percent, to 3,067,100 tonnes.

Sales of 500 cSt, meanwhile, plummeted to their lowest level in 20 months - since February 2016. At 696,700 tonnes, the tally represents a decrease of 182,400 tonnes, or 20.7 percent compared to September. In a YoY comparison, the drop was 97,200 tonnes, or 12.2 percent.

Low-sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) recorded its lowest sales figure of the year so far at 97,300 tonnes, whilst standard MGO sales of 64,500 tonnes were the best since March.

The MoM drop for LSMGO was 12,500 tonnes, or 11.4 percent; YoY, the decline was 6,000 tonnes, or 5.8 percent.

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 October was 3,322 - a fall of 185, or 5.3 percent, compared to last year.

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

In comparison with the previous month, the number of bunker calls was up by 23, or 0.7 percent. It is the first MoM increase since July.

The total number of vessels greater than 75 gt arriving in Singapore increased YoY by 620, or 5.2 percent, to 12,548 in October. MoM, vessel arrivals were up 931, or 8.0 percent.