India’s bunker fuel demand rises in May amid improved supply, competitive prices in International Shipping News 06/06/2026 India’s bunker fuel demand strengthened in May, supported by improved product availability and competitive pricing that stimulated buying interest, market participants told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, on June 3. Traders and suppliers said demand increased after May 15 at West Coast ports such as Kochi, Kandla, and Mumbai. Demand firmed in Kochi and shifted away from Colombo due to rough weather and high pricing premiums. “Bunker nominations remained volatile, with demand fluctuating from week to week. Nevertheless, we reported a strong sales performance in May and estimated total bunker sales across its Indian ports at around 165,000 mt,” a source close to a major Indian refinery said. An India-based supplier said, “We noticed a significant increase in demand after the first half of the month, which was marked by underperformance. Following the 15th, demand rose considerably. However, the demand for high-sulfur fuel oil in Mumbai remained below average, with our supply reaching nearly 5,000 metric tons.” A Gujarat-based trader said he had seen strong demand in Kandla for containers and tankers in May, resulting in significant vessel line-ups for supplies. “It is essential to book the barge at least 10 days in advance. Despite these challenges, it has been a solid month for us, marked by good volumes and numerous inquiries. Currently, we are offering 7 to 15 days of credit on a cash-on-delivery basis due to ongoing issues,” the trader added. Platts assessed marine fuel oil 0.5% delivered to Mumbai at $920/mt on June 2, down $20/mt month over month. Marine fuel oil 0.5% delivered to Kandla was assessed at $948/mt, up $28/mt over the same period. Kochi sees strong demand in May Refining operations have increasingly been oriented towards meeting domestic demand for petrol and LPG, a source at a major Indian refinery said, adding that at p