FUEL CHINA'S FLEET.

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil is the standard residual marine fuel for vessels operating outside Emission Control Areas following IMO 2020. Maximum sulphur content is 0.50% m/m. Every vessel without a scrubber system is required to burn VLSFO (or a distillate like MGO) when outside an ECA. Read the full VLSFO spec and availability guide →

Both are distillate marine fuels (ISO 8217 DMA grade), but LSMGO has a tighter sulphur ceiling of 0.10% m/m, making it the only distillate permitted inside Emission Control Areas. Standard MGO can be up to 1.00% sulphur and is used outside ECAs where economics favour distillate over residual. LSMGO typically trades at a $20–50/MT premium to standard MGO.

The most competitive pricing sits at the high-volume hubs: Singapore (world's deepest market), Rotterdam (European ARA benchmark), and Fujairah (Middle East). Indian ports like Kandla and Mumbai have become increasingly competitive in 2024–25 as refinery supply strengthened and vessels rerouted around the Strait of Hormuz. Pricing at each port tracks regional benchmarks (MOPS for Singapore, Platts CIF NWE for Rotterdam, Platts Arab Gulf for Fujairah).

Typical timing: nomination-to-delivery is 2–7 days depending on port, grade and quantity. Delivery itself — once the barge is alongside or the vessel is at anchor — runs 4–12 hours for 500–2,000 MT stems at standard flow rates of 150–300 MT/hour. Large VLCC-scale stems (3,000–5,000 MT) can take 12–20 hours. Our complete bunkering procedure guide walks through every operational step.

Yes. Bio-VLSFO blends (typically B24 or B30 — 24% or 30% FAME/HVO biocomponent by volume) remain fully ISO 8217 compliant and meet IMO 2020's 0.50% sulphur cap. Under EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, the bio-fraction is counted at zero well-to-wake CO₂ emissions, directly reducing allowance surrender obligations. Certified Proof of Sustainability (PoS) documentation is required and is provided with every Bio-VLSFO stem Seven Ocean supplies.

ISO 8217 is the international standard defining marine fuel quality specifications — viscosity, density, sulphur, flash point, cat fines, stability, and other parameters. Compliance with ISO 8217 is the single most important quality control mechanism in bunker procurement. Off-spec fuel can cause engine damage, operational breakdowns, and Port State Control detentions. Read our full ISO 8217 reference guide →

Fastest route: call us at +91 97797 74551 or +91 97797 78493, message us on WhatsApp at +91 97797 74551, or email business@sevenoceanbunkers.com with vessel name/IMO, port, ETA, fuel grade and quantity. We return a competitive quote sourced from verified physical suppliers within 4 business hours, often faster. WhatsApp typically gets the fastest response for time-critical nominations.

Complete coverage of the top 20 global bunkering hubs (see all global ports) plus dedicated coverage of all ten major Indian ports: Paradip, Kandla, JNPT, Vizag, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Ennore, Tuticorin, and Kochi. For ports outside this primary list, we source through partner networks covering 350+ ports globally.

Standard terms for established accounts are 30 days net from BDN date, supported by Letter of Credit or corporate credit line. New accounts typically start on shorter terms (7–15 days) with progression to standard terms after payment history builds. Pre-payment terms also available, typically with a $2–4/MT price benefit. For India supply specifically, 5% GST applies per BDN documentation — we handle customs paperwork for Indian-flag vessels claiming Merchant Shipping Act exemption.

Seven Ocean operates an independent bunker procurement model. Our fee structure is transparent: either a per-MT procurement fee agreed in advance, or an all-in delivered price where our margin is disclosed in the quote. We are not tied to any single physical supplier, which means our recommendations reflect your best price-quality-availability outcome, not a supplier kickback. Read our bunker supplier selection guide →