Market Intelligence
Rotterdam Posts Highest 2026 Quarterly Fossil Bunker Sales in Q3
Conventional marine fuel sales in Rotterdam reached their highest level of the year in the third quarter, offering relief to local suppliers after a weak first half.
Fossil marine fuel sales at the port of Rotterdam totalled 1,793,464 cubic metres during the third quarter, marking the highest three-month volume recorded at the European bunkering hub so far this year.
Despite the quarter-on-quarter recovery, total volumes for the period remained substantially below the levels registered in 2025. The uptick nonetheless provides welcome support for local bunker market participants following sustained weakness in demand earlier in the year.
Declining marine fuel sales across the first six months had previously raised concerns across the bunkering sector. In July, several industry stakeholders published a joint position paper warning of growing risks to Rotterdam's long-term position as a leading international marine fuel hub.
Source attribution
This report was written by the Global Freight editorial desk based on material published by ship.energy. It is an original summary and analysis, not a reproduction of the source text. Figures and claims are limited to those present in the source material.
Rotterdam sees strongest quarter of the year for fossil marine fuel salesGlobal Freight Briefing
The commodity and freight brief, twice weekly
Concise coverage of fuel oil, energy trading and shipping markets for professional readers. No promotional content.
Related coverage
Related blogs
Further reading across commodity trading, energy and oil markets, fuel oil and shipping logistics.
- Market Intelligence
Fujairah Bunker Sales Rise to 236,285 Cbm in September
Marine fuel sales in Fujairah rebounded to 236,285 cubic metres in September, marking the hub's highest monthly volume since late February.
- Market Intelligence
Rotterdam B30-VLSFO Bunker Premium Narrows Against Conventional Fuel
The price spread between B30-VLSFO and conventional bunker fuel in Rotterdam narrowed by $19/mt over the past week amid lower feedstock cost pressure.
- Fuel Oil Trading
SIBCON 2026: Bunker Buyers Pool Demand as Availability Overtakes Price
A fuel market outlook panel in Singapore heard that bunker buying has shifted from price-led to supply-led, with pooled demand and forward supply guarantees emerging as the market's answer to Hormuz disruption.
- Shipping & Ports
AMS Barging Christens 9,000 CBM Methanol-Ready Bunker Tanker in Rotterdam
Dutch inland shipping operator AMS Barging has expanded its fleet with the naming of the 9,000 cbm diesel-electric bunker vessel Felicitas.
- Energy Trading
Alkagesta adds EU ETS allowances to its carbon trading offering
The Malta-based commodity trading group has extended its carbon markets desk to cover EU Emissions Trading System allowances alongside CORSIA-eligible SAF and biofuels.
- Commodity Trading
A Malta Trading House Goes East: Alkagesta and Singapore
Founded in Malta in 2018, Alkagesta opened its Singapore hub in 2025 to test whether a European governance model could travel to Asia.