Bunker costs are typically the single largest voyage operating expense — up to 60% of a vessel’s daily running cost at sea. The prices below track the grades and ports that matter most for operators in this region. The port comparison table lets you spot cross-port arbitrage opportunities on any given day, while the EU carbon section gives shipowners calling European ports the data they need to estimate their ETS exposure before a voyage.
Marine & Bunker Fuels
| Port | VLSFO (USD) | VLSFO (RM) | HFO 380 (USD) | HFO 380 (RM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore SGSIN | $844.50 | RM 3,451 | $635.50 | RM 2,597 |
| Rotterdam NLRTM | $662.50 | RM 2,708 | $534.00 | RM 2,182 |
| Fujairah AEFUJ | $819.50 | RM 3,349 | $620.50 | RM 2,536 |
| Houston USHOU | $716.50 | RM 2,928 | $485.50 | RM 1,984 |
Snapshot, USD/metric ton · RM equivalent at live rate. Source: OilPriceAPI Marine Fuels.
VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil, ≤0.5% sulphur) is the default IMO 2020 compliant bunker grade most ships now run on; HFO 380 (high sulphur, >0.5%) remains cheaper but legally requires an exhaust scrubber. The price gap between the two grades is the practical cost of compliance. Port-to-port spreads above also matter operationally — bunkering at the cheaper port on a given route can be a meaningful voyage cost saving.
MGO 0.5%S — Marine Gas Oil
Marine Gas Oil (MGO) is a distillate-grade bunker fuel — closer in composition to road diesel than the residual-based VLSFO. Ships operating in emission-controlled areas (ECAs), short-sea trades, or with certain engine types may prefer MGO. It is typically more expensive than VLSFO per metric ton but burns cleaner. The MGO-VLSFO price spread is the practical cost premium for running the cleanest available bunker grade.
EU Carbon — EUA Allowance Price
The EUA price shown is the spot allowance price traded on ICE. Shipowners and operators factor this into voyage economics for EU-calling routes alongside bunker costs. A rising carbon price increases the effective operating cost of EU trades — creating indirect demand signals for more fuel-efficient vessels and alternative fuels.