The port of Zhoushan, China, has overtaken both Antwerp-Bruges and Fujairah to become the third-largest bunker port in the world in terms of sales volume.

On 12 February, Antwerp-Bruges posted annual marine fuel sales for 2025 of 7.855 million metric tonnes, excluding marine lubricants, representing a year-on-year (YoY) rise of 297,357 tonnes, or 3.9%.

A notable increase was the 166,802-tonne YoY jump in liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales to 234,580 tonnes. Also, biofuel posted a fourfold volume rise from 35,223 tonnes to 150,597 tonnes.

However, despite the uptick in total sales, the Belgian refuelling hub was relegated to fourth place by Zhoushan, which, as previously reported, saw volumes grow 10.6% to 8.03 million tonnes, up from 7.26 million tonnes.

The UAE port of Fujairah was also overtaken by Zhoushan in 2025 as annual bunker sales declined by 2.8% to 7.4 million cubic metres (approximately 7.25 million metric tonnes).

Improvements in Zhoushan

As regards improvements, Zhoushan Municipal People's Government mentioned in January that steps had been taken at the port to improve fuelling efficiency at anchorages, including adding priority berths and extending night-time bunkering services.

Zhoushan has also opened a bonded warehouse for LNG, begun building its first methanol bunkering vessel, and brought its first liquid-ammonia fuelling company into operation.

Top two ports

Meanwhile, the world's two leading bunkering locations, Singapore and Rotterdam, both posted improved marine fuel sales figures in 2025. For the Asian city-state, the increase was 3.4% to 56.775 million tonnes, whilst Europe's largest port saw a modest rise of 3,374 tonnes, or 0.03%, to 9.823 million tonnes.