Cochin Port (Kochi) is Kerala's principal port and a strategic bunkering location on India's southwest coast, with 37.4 MMT handled in FY 2024-25. The port is adjacent to the Kochi refinery — India's largest single-location refinery at 15.5 MTPA — giving Kochi exceptional refinery-adjacent supply for VLSFO and HSFO. Strong demand and ample availability were reported through 2024-25, with Cochin Port handling approximately 45,000 MT of low sulphur fuel in early-2020 reporting periods and demand continuing around 25,000 MT/month since.
Cochin Port Authority operates terminals spanning Willingdon Island and the adjacent International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam. The Kochi refinery provides dominant product supply with pipeline connection to bunker infrastructure. A major Indian oil marketer supplements with coastal supply from Vizag (where the Visakh refinery provides straight-run HSFO). A major Indian oil marketer began Kochi HSFO bunker supply in March 2022, selling close to 3,000 MT in its first month of operations. Cochin's strategic position on the international east-west shipping lane makes it a natural alternative to Colombo for Asia-Europe bunker transit calls.
Seven Ocean procures the following marine fuel grades at Kochi. Click any grade for full technical specifications and supply notes.
Kochi supplies VLSFO, LSMGO, HSFO and HSD through a leading Indian refiner-led refinery-adjacent supply, with a major Indian oil marketer providing supplementary HSFO from Vizag coastal movements. Availability is consistently strong. Platts assessed marine fuel oil 0.5% delivered Kochi at $1,110/mt in early-April 2025 — closely tracking Mumbai and Colombo pricing. Suppliers reported steady March 2025 demand with consistent trader inquiries throughout the month.
Supply landscape: Seven Ocean sources bunker fuel at this location from the full range of available physical suppliers — state-owned oil marketing companies, private-sector bunker operators, and independent regional specialists — selecting for each nomination based on price, quality and availability.
Refinery & product source: the Kochi refinery complex (15.5 MTPA, one of India's largest single-location refineries); supplementary coastal supply from Vizag.
Pipeline bunkering at the a leading Indian refiner Kochi refinery jetty is the fastest method and is the primary option for tanker calls at the petroleum terminal. Barge-to-ship is standard at container terminals and general berths. Truck-to-ship handles LSMGO and HSD for smaller vessels and quick top-ups.
Container (transshipment), tankers, cruise, naval, general cargo. Whatever the vessel class, our procurement approach stays the same: obtain competing quotes from available physical suppliers, confirm barge or pipeline capacity against your schedule, and hand over the delivery with proper documentation.
GST on bunker fuel supplied at Kochi, as at all Indian ports, is 5 percent for both foreign-going and coastal vessels. Indian-flag vessels operating under the Merchant Shipping Act plying cargo between Indian ports can claim customs duty exemption on imported bunker fuels subject to documentary conditions — we handle the paperwork as part of the supply contract. Bunker Delivery Notes are issued MARPOL Annex VI compliant with every stem.
For many Asia-Europe rotations Kochi is now a competitive alternative. Availability and pricing have strengthened through 2024-25 as Indian ports benefitted from improved refinery supply and vessel rerouting. Each specific rotation should be compared on total cost (fuel + time + port cost) rather than fuel price alone.
The port has strong refinery-adjacent supply. HSFO supply at Kochi expanded significantly from March 2022 and sustains strong volumes. A major Indian oil marketing company contributes through its national distribution. Our procurement approach obtains quotes across all three for each nomination to secure the best combination of price and availability.
HSFO availability at Kochi has been reliable since a major Indian oil marketer's 2022 entry into Kochi HSFO supply. Industry HSFO supply averaging 10,000 MT monthly across Mumbai, Kandla, Vizag and Kochi includes a meaningful Kochi share. For scrubber-fitted vessels on Asia-Europe rotation, Kochi HSFO is a proven option.
The southwest monsoon (June-September) brings heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions along the Kerala coast. Bunker operations continue through monsoon but barge-to-ship supply at anchorage can face weather-related delays. Pipeline bunkering at refinery jetty is less affected. Plan a slightly wider delivery window during monsoon months.
Yes. Container vessels calling the International Container Transshipment Terminal can be bunkered by barge during cargo operations or at the adjacent anchorage. VLSFO is routinely supplied. Coordinate timing with the terminal operator and physical supplier 48 hours ahead for alongside bunker during cargo work.
Tell us the vessel, ETA, fuel grade and quantity, and we will return with a competitive stem. Seven Ocean is an independent bunker procurement partner — we source across the major oil marketing companies, a leading Indian refiner, a major private port operator and independent suppliers to secure the best combination of price, quality and availability for each nomination.
Seven Ocean procures marine fuel at all 10 major Indian ports. Tell us the vessel, the port, the grade — we come back with a stem.
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