In its latest biannual Bunker Quality Trends Report published today (10 September), Integr8 Fuels says that ‘the January 2025 U.S. sanctions package has reshaped global fuel flows, with Middle Eastern barrels replacing curtailed Russian cargoes’ – and as a consequence the bunker market has seen a ‘surge’ in high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) quality issues.
Integr8 Fuels’ analysis indicates that the U.S. sanctions package has ‘driven a doubling of HSFO quality notifications in Singapore, and, in the Antwerp-Amsterdam-Rotterdam (ARA) region, off-spec results are now at 4% of all tests, up from 2.3% late last year.’
Integr8 Fuels added that: ‘In both regions, elevated ash is the leading culprit, reflecting the growing prevalence of heavier, metal-rich cargoes in HSFO blending.’
Looking at other market trends, Integr8 Fuels noted that the introduction of the Mediterranean Emission Control Area (ECA) in May – which mandates a 0.10% sulphur limit – has seen the ‘bunker fuel mix shift significantly’.
According to Integr8 Fuels’ research, the very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) share of the market has nearly halved, from 60% in December 2024 to 35.6% in June 2025, while low sulphur marine gasoil (LSMGO) demand has more than doubled, from 13% to 30%. Meanwhile, HSFO’s market share climbed slightly to 30.1%, supported by scrubber-fitted ships, while ultra low sulphur fuel oil (ULSFO) ‘surged’, from 0.3% to 4.1%.
Although biofuels are still relatively ‘niche’, Integr8 Fuels said that they are also becoming ‘increasingly attractive’ as a result of the ECA regulations and the European Union’s (EU) FuelEU Maritime (FEUM).
Summarising the trends over the first half of 2025, Chris Turner, Bunker Quality & Claims Manager with Integr8 Fuels, said: ‘Sanctions, new ECAs and alternative fuels are all reshaping the bunker landscape at the same time.Our latest whitepaper shows how these changes are not only affecting fuel availability and compliance but also creating new risks and opportunities in quality and cost. Shipowners need to stay on top of these shifts to avoid exposure and unlock the benefits where they exist.’
