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Bunker sales in Singapore rose above 3 million metric tonnes in July for the first time since April, according to preliminary estimates by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Total sales of marine fuel at the world's leading bunker port by volume rose by 220,500 tonnes to 3,030,900 tonnes last month compared to 2,810,400 tonnes in June. The figure was also 537,400 tonnes higher than in July 2007, showing a significant rise in sales year-on-year.

With higher sales in every month so far compared to 2007, Singapore continues to be on course to surpass the previous annual record of 31,546,000 tonnes set last year. Accumulated sales for the year so far have now already exceeded the 20 million-tonne mark at 20,388,880 tonnes.

Sales of 380-centistoke (cst) - Singapore's largest-selling bunker grade - were the second-highest recorded this year at 2,277,400 tonnes. The figure was 202,200 tonnes higher than sales of 2,075,200 tonnes achieved during the month of June and 467,200 tonnes more than the monthly sales volume recorded in July 2007.

Meanwhile sales of 500-cst - the second-best selling product in Singapore - also increased last month compared to the previous month according to preliminary estimates. During the month of July, 364,500 tonnes of 500-cst were sold, up 9700 tonnes on June 2008 and 16,500 tonnes higher than in July 2007.

Marine gas oil (MGO) sales reached their highest level so far this year at 129,700 tonnes. The figure was 21,300 tonnes higher than last month and 19,700 tonnes more than sales volumes recorded during the same month last year.

The only decrease in sales in July was for 180-cst. Availability of this product has been notably tight over the past few weeks with a number of suppliers running out of stock and being unable to quote. Sales volumes for the month of July were 210,700 tonnes, down from 235,100 tonnes the month before. The figure was still 5,700 tonnes higher than in July 2007.

Below is a table of bunker sales in Singapore for 2008 with accumulated totals in the bottom row.

2008	Total	500cst	380cst	180cst	MGO
Jan	2,802.2	351.6	2,048.8	239.6	127.0
Feb	2,734.0	296.5	2,014.4	263.8	127.2
March	3,045.3	361.4	2,275.7	235.4	137.0
April	3,047.0	355.5	2,286.6	246.6	125.3
May	2,919.0	391.3	2,157.2	207.3	116.2
June	2,810.4	354.8	2,075.2	235.1	108.4
July	3,030.9	364.5	2,277.4	210.7	129.7
Total	20,388.80	2,475.60	15,135.30	1,638.50	870.80