- Mumbai bunker demand rebounds: supplier.
- East coast India volumes down amid cyclone: trader.
- Kochi demand rises, MOUs signed for LNG bunkering.
Demand for bunker fuels at India’s west coast ports of Mumbai, Kandla and Kochi increased in October, driven by strong supply availability from domestic refineries. However, east coast ports reported sluggish demand due to Diwali festivities and operational disruptions caused by Cyclone Montha, market participants, including traders, suppliers and barge operators, told Platts.
Mumbai volumes rebound after September drop
Bunker demand in Mumbai rebounded in October as shipowners and charterers renewed interest at the port.
A Mumbai-based supplier told Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, on Nov. 11, “Last month was good, and every company performed well. Inquiries were strong, and orders were closed. We supplied approximately 22,000-23,000 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil, while other participants handled 4,000-4,500 mt.”
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, which holds a significant market share in Mumbai’s VLSFO, has achieved increased operational efficiency by commissioning a new supply point at Old Pir Pau.
“We have opened a supply point at Old Pir Pau, which is directly fed from the refinery. So, if the product is available at the refinery, which is 90% of the time, Old Pir Pau will have the product,” a company source told Platts Nov. 11.
Stable demand at Gulf of Kutch
Kandla saw stable month over month demand, with some suppliers surpassing 2024 volumes, market participants said.
An Ahmedabad-based trader said, “October inquiries were steady, and product availability was good.”
A Kandla-based supplier mentioned steady demand in October, with inquiries surpassing 2024 volumes despite operational challenges. “Our VLSFO volumes reached about 38,000 mt. The market was good last month, and we exceeded previous volumes,” the supplier said. “However, cyclonic disruptions in late October affected operations, preventing loaded barges from supplying vessels.”
Platts assessed marine fuel oil 0.5% delivered to Mumbai at $500/mt on Nov. 10, up $1/mt since the start of the week. In Singapore, Platts marine fuel 0.5% FOB cargoes rose $1.05/mt to close at $450.39/mt on Nov. 10. Marine fuel oil 0.5% delivered to Colombo was assessed at $515/mt, unchanged since the beginning of the week.
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Source: Platts
