Bunker Prices Pull Back From Last Week’s Spike, but MGO Remains a Major Cost Risk
Global bunker prices entered Friday morning below last week’s elevated levels after a volatile sequence of geopolitical selling, renewed military escalation and partial recovery in crude markets. As of July 31, the MABUX global VLSFO index stood at $785.55 per metric ton, down about 4.2% from July 24, while the global HSFO index had fallen roughly 6.4% to $624.75 per metric ton. Marine gasoil followed a different pattern, with the global MGO index still approximately 1.3% higher than last Friday at $1,345.16 per metric ton as refinery disruptions and tight diesel supply continued to support distillate pricing. Among the four benchmark bunkering hubs, current VLSFO indications ranged from $676 per metric ton in Rotterdam to $817 in Singapore, while Fujairah remained elevated at $792 and Houston stood at $720.
Operator Impact Snapshot
Residual bunker prices have retreated from last Friday’s spike, but the market remains divided. VLSFO and HSFO are lower across the major hubs, while marine gasoil continues to reflect tight refinery capacity, reduced diesel exports and elevated product-market risk.
Down $34.12, or approximately 4.2%, from the July 24 global benchmark.
HSFO posted the largest percentage decline among the three global conventional bunker indexes.
Global MGO remains roughly 1.3% higher as refinery outages and diesel-market tightness support distillates.
Singapore remains the most expensive VLSFO location among the four benchmark hubs in this watch.
Crude recovered after Monday’s 8.7% plunge but remained vulnerable to new shipping and military headlines.
Bunker Price Dashboard and Weekly Outlook
Current market indications show lower residual-fuel prices in all four benchmark hubs, but the distillate picture is less consistent. Rotterdam and Houston MGO are slightly above last Friday’s reference levels, while Singapore and Fujairah have posted larger declines from exceptionally elevated prices.
| Hub | VLSFO | HSFO | MGO | Weekly Movement | Current Market Position | Near-Term Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam | $676 per metric ton | $537 per metric ton | $1,275 per metric ton |
VLSFO: -$34 HSFO: -$48 MGO: +$10 |
LOWEST VLSFO Rotterdam offers the lowest VLSFO indication in the four-port group, but its MGO remains supported by the tight European distillate market. |
Residual fuels may soften further with crude, while refinery constraints limit the downside for MGO. |
| Singapore | $817 per metric ton | $577 per metric ton | $1,210 per metric ton |
VLSFO: -$56 HSFO: -$53 MGO: -$48 |
ASIA PREMIUM Singapore remains the most expensive VLSFO hub in the group and trades at a premium to its digital bunker benchmark. |
Prices can fall with crude, but Asian supply replacement costs and redirected demand may keep the port above Rotterdam and Houston. |
| Fujairah | $792 per metric ton | $610 per metric ton | $1,345 per metric ton |
VLSFO: -$53 HSFO: -$30 MGO: -$98 |
REGIONAL RISK PREMIUM Fujairah’s VLSFO remains $116/mt above Rotterdam and its MGO is the highest among the four hubs. |
The port remains highly sensitive to Hormuz security, cargo arrivals, barge inventories and supplier willingness to quote. |
| Houston | $720 per metric ton | $490 per metric ton | $1,230 per metric ton |
VLSFO: -$40 HSFO: -$80 MGO: +$5 |
LOWEST HSFO Houston posted the largest HSFO decline and offers the widest apparent residual-fuel discount in the benchmark group. |
Gulf Coast refinery economics support supply, but tropical weather and tight global diesel balances remain variables. |
Bunker Stem Cost and Port Comparison Analyzer
Compare current fuel prices across Rotterdam, Singapore, Fujairah and Houston, calculate the cost of a bunker stem, measure the dollar effect of this week’s price movement and model a next-week price scenario. The tool also estimates voyage fuel cost and the potential economic value of the HSFO–VLSFO spread for scrubber-equipped ships.
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