Singapore's marine fuel sales plunged 8.7% in April 2026 compared to March, falling to approximately 4.35-4.4 million tonnes, marking the lowest monthly volume in over a year [1, 2]. The decline also represents a 1.2% year-on-year drop.
The total gross tonnage of oil tankers arriving in Singapore fell nearly 19.4% month-on-month to 54.25 million gross tonnes, another one-year low [1, 2]. The number of oil tanker arrivals declined 13.3% from March and was down 4.8% compared to April 2025 [1, 2].
All categories of marine fuel sales decreased in April. Low sulfur fuel oil sales dropped 6.3%, high sulfur fuel oil fell 7.6%, marine diesel plummeted 27.3%, bio-blend marine fuel was down 19.4%, and liquefied natural gas marine fuel declined 13.4% [1].
The number of bunkering operations in the port slipped 1.8% to 3,438 in April [1]. Container throughput also fell 3.5% month-on-month to 3.76 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) [1].
Industry observers attribute the sales and vessel arrival decline primarily to the conflict in the Middle East, which has driven crude oil prices higher and created tighter supply conditions. These factors have caused shipping companies to exercise greater caution in their fuel purchases [1, 2]. Despite weaker demand, fuel supplies remain ample, adding pressure on profit margins for bunker fuel sellers [1].
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore published the detailed bunker fuel sales and vessel arrival data on May 14, documenting these April 2026 figures [1, 2].
