Singapore sets new 12-month bunker sales record as November volumes rise

Nov sales up 4.2% YoY and 7.7% MoM. Port sold 50.245m tonnes between Dec and Nov.

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Updated on 13 Dec 2017 09:51 GMT

Singapore has set a new record for sales over a 12-month period, according to data released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Between December 2016 and November 2017, Singapore sold 50,244,800 tonnes - beating the previous 12-month record of 50,074,900 tonnes, sold between October 2016 and September 2017. It is the third month in a row that the world's leading bunker port has achieved rolling 12-month sales of more than 50 million tonnes, after surpassing the landmark figure for the first time in September. With accumulated sales for the first 11 months of 2017 at 46,339,900 tonnes (representing a year-on-year increase of 1,639,800 tonnes, or 3.6 percent), Singapore looks well on course to also sell more than 50 million tonnes during a calendar year for the first time in its history - needing just over 3.6 million tonnes in December to achieve the feat. The last time the Asian port sold less than this was almost two years ago, in February 2016. In terms of monthly figures, sales in November rose year-on-year (YoY) by 173,400 tonnes, or 4.2 percent, to 4,315,600 tonnes. In a month-on-month (MoM) comparison, volumes were up 310,300 tonnes, or 7.7 percent. 380 centistoke (cSt) sales increased YoY by 78,900 tonnes, or 2.6 percent, to 3,146,600 tonnes. Similarly, MoM, Singapore's best-selling fuel grade also recorded a 2.6 percent rise. For 500 cSt, sales increased YoY by 40,200 tonnes, or 4.7 percent, to 899,000 tonnes, whilst compared to the previous month, volumes jumped 202,300 tonnes, or 29.0 percent. Sales of low-sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) in November rose YoY by 11,000 tonnes, or 11.4 percent, to 107,600 tonnes. In comparison with October, the increase was 10,300 tonnes, or 10.6 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 November was 3,303 - a fall of 318, or 9.0 percent, compared to the corresponding period in 2016. So far in 2017, every month has recorded a YoY decline in the number of bunker calls. In comparison with the previous month, the number of bunker calls was lower by 119, or 3.6 percent. The total number of vessels greater than 75 gt arriving in Singapore increased YoY by 627, or 5.4 percent, to 12,340 in November. MoM, vessel arrivals were down 208, or 1.7 percent.