Bunkering is the process of supplying a ship with fuel. It’s an integral part of maritime commerce and a big business. In 2019, the global bunker market was worth an estimated $27 billion. There are many factors to consider when deciding which port to bunker at. Some ports are cheaper than others. Some have better infrastructure, and some have more suppliers to choose from.
According to the latest global energy consultancy, Wood Mackenzie report, Singapore will be among the top 10 bunkering ports in the world in 2022. The Republic currently sits in eighth place but will rise to sixth by 2022 as demand for bunker fuel grows. In particular, Singapore’s strong position in the East Asian market will help it maintain its ranking.
“Singapore has a well-developed bunkering infrastructure and is strategically located at the heart of Asia’s shipping lanes,” said Wood Mackenzie senior analyst Collin Meeks. “These factors, coupled with increasing demand for bunker fuel, will see the port maintain its ranking as one of the world’s top bunkering ports.”
The increase in bunkering demand is driven by increased lending and support from banks and rising bunker prices, which are expected to reach 71 USD per metric ton by 2022, a 9% rise compared to 2017.
In addition to Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading bunkering ports, the country is also a significant producer and trader of bunker fuel. This prominent role has helped the country establish itself as a critical player in the global shipping market and will continue to do so in the future. With its strong position in both bunkering and shipping, it is clear that Singapore is an excellent choice for companies looking to expand their reach in the global energy industry.
Now, we’ll look at the ten best bunkering ports in the world. We’ll discuss why they’re great for bunkering and what sets them apart from other ports. So whether you’re a ship captain looking for an excellent place to refuel or a maritime business owner considering where to expand your operations, this list is for you.
#10 – Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Fujairah is one of the world’s leading bunkering ports. It’s located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Fujairah is popular with ship captains because it’s one of the few places in the world where vessels can bunker 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are also no restrictions on vessel size, which means that even the most giant tankers can refuel there without any problems.
#9 – Houston, Texas, USA
Houston is another major bunkering port. It’s located on the Gulf Coast of the United States and is home to over 50 different oil and gas companies. This makes it easy to find competitive prices on fuel supplies. Additionally, Houston has excellent infrastructure and can accommodate any vessel.
#8 – Singapore, Singapore
Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world and is well-known for its efficiency. The city-state has over 100 bunkering companies operating within its confines, so ship captains have plenty of options to choose from when finding a supplier. Additionally, Singapore has some of the highest quality fuel in the world due to its stringent quality control measures.
#7 – Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp is Europe’s largest bunkering port on the River Scheldt in Belgium. The port has excellent infrastructure and can accommodate any vessel. Additionally, Antwerp is home to many major oil companies, so ship captains can easily find competitive prices on fuel supplies.
#6 – Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam is another large European bunkering port. It’s located on the River Maas in the Netherlands and is one of the busiest ports in Europe. Rotterdam has excellent infrastructure and can accommodate any vessel. Additionally, many bunkering companies operate within Rotterdam, so ship captains have plenty of options to choose from when finding a supplier.
#5 – Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is one of Asia’s leading bunkering ports. It’s located on China’s south coast and is home to over 50 oil companies. This makes it easy to find competitive prices on fuel supplies. Also, Hong Kong has excellent infrastructure and can accommodate any vessel.
#4 – Jebel Ali Port & Free Zone (JAFZA), United Arab Emirates
Jebel Ali Port & Free Zone (JAFZA) is another leading bunkering port in the United Arab Emirates.
#3 – Shanghai, China
Shanghai is China’s largest city and one of its leading bunkering ports.
#2 – Fujian Province, China
Fujian Province is located on China’s southeast coast and is home to many oil companies.
#1 – Zuoying District, Taiwan
Zuoying District is located on Taiwan’s southwest coast and is home to over 50 oil companies. This makes it easy to find competitive prices on fuel supplies. Additionally, Zuoying District has excellent infrastructure and can accommodate any vessel.
Conclusion
These are ten great places to bunker your vessel if you’re looking for quality fuel at competitive prices. If you’re looking for a place that can accommodate any size vessel or has excellent infrastructure, you can’t go wrong with any of these ten options.
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