Key Port Facts
Zhoushan Municipal Port Authority; bonded bunker operations under Zhejiang Free Trade Zone
Fuel Grades Available at Zhoushan
Seven Ocean procures the following marine fuel grades at Zhoushan. Click any grade for full technical specifications.
Delivery Methods
- Barge at anchorage (primary)
Primary Anchorages
Multiple designated anchorages within Ningbo-Zhoushan port complex
Port Detail
Bonded fuel and policy tailwinds
Until the mid-2010s, international bunkering in China was constrained by tax treatment. The free trade zone regime made bonded fuel commercially viable at Zhoushan, and state-backed suppliers — notably China Marine Bunker (Chimbusco) — built scale rapidly. In 2024, Chimbusco became the world's largest marine fuel supplier by volume.
Integration with Ningbo-Zhoushan
The combined Ningbo-Zhoushan port is the world's largest by cargo tonnage. Bunker operations are distributed across the archipelago, with dedicated anchorages at strategic points. Vessels calling container terminals at Ningbo-Zhoushan can efficiently bundle bunkering with cargo operations.
Fuels available
VLSFO and HSFO are standard; LSMGO for ECA and auxiliary use is widely supplied. China has designated Domestic Emission Control Areas (DECAs) that impose a 0.10% sulphur cap within 12 nautical miles of shore — LSMGO demand inside DECAs is accordingly high. LNG infrastructure is expanding; biofuel trials have commenced.
What to expect operationally
Documentation is in Chinese and English; commercial dealings with international suppliers are straightforward. Winter weather (November-March) can bring short weather delays from northerly winds. Typical nomination lead time is 3-5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Zhoushan different from Shanghai for bunkering?
Both are inside the Yangtze River Delta complex, but Zhoushan specialises in bonded international bunkering under the free trade zone regime, with dedicated anchorages optimised for barge-to-ship delivery. Shanghai handles significant volumes but is more orientated toward domestic and terminal-linked supply.
Can foreign-flag vessels take bonded bunkers at Zhoushan?
Yes — the free trade zone regime is specifically designed to enable duty-free marine fuel sales to international vessels. This is the primary commercial model for foreign-flag calls.
How competitive is Zhoushan pricing versus Singapore?
Zhoushan has built its market share partly through competitive pricing, often trading a few dollars per tonne below Singapore for equivalent grades. Whether that saving survives voyage economics depends on the vessel's itinerary.
Is LNG bunkering available at Zhoushan?
LNG capability is growing; dedicated LNG bunkering vessels have been commissioned. Availability and lead times are still less mature than at Singapore or Rotterdam but improving quickly as Chinese carriers take delivery of LNG dual-fuel tonnage.