The Bunking Sector
Bunkering is the process of supplying fuel (also known as bunker) to a ship. Bunkering operations are performed in the port of Singapore where bunker tankers or barges would go alongside ships at the anchorages or berth.

Singapore’s origins as a bunkering port started in the 19th century when steam vessels arrived at its doorsteps and needed to refuel their bunker with coal to continue on their next journey.

From refuelling ships with coal to bunkering vessels with marine fuels, the Singapore port has managed to become the world’s top bunkering hub with the presence of more than 70 accredited bunker suppliers, hitting record sales of 31.5 million²⁰ tonnes of bunker in 2007.

Singapore’s success as a bunkering hub is due largely to the comprehensive bunkering regulatory regime in place that covers the entire bunker supply chain to safeguard bunker buyers and sellers in terms of bunker quality and quantity. All bunker suppliers have to adhere to a tough accreditation scheme, and this tough stance further assures ship owners of the reliability of the quality and quantity of bunkers supplied in Singapore.

Useful links
- For a list of Bunker Supply companies in Singapore, please see: http://www.singaporemaritimeportal.com/smp/jsp/SMP_secCoList.jsp?sec_c=14&group_c=1
- For a list of Bunker Craft operators in Singapore, please see: http://www.singaporemaritimeportal.com/smp/jsp/SMP_secCoList.jsp?sec_c=15&group_c=1

²⁰ Source: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore