Bunker sales at the Port of Rotterdam fell by around 25% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, driven primarily by a steep decline in demand for very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).
The fuel oil segment saw the sharpest contraction, with VLSFO volumes down 44%, HSFO falling 25%, and ULSFO declining 13%. Distillates also recorded losses, with MGO down 7% and MDO slipping 11%.
In contrast, alternative fuels posted modest gains. Combined sales of (bio-)LNG and (bio-)methanol rose by 6.4%, while bioblended fuels increased 2.7%, mainly due to higher uptake of blended distillates. Notably, bioblended LNG exceeded 15,000 m³ for the first time over a single quarter.
The port attributed the decline in part to the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) in the Netherlands, which has increased bunker costs relative to neighbouring ports. Regulatory changes, price volatility, and market uncertainty were also cited as contributing factors, potentially prompting vessels to bunker elsewhere.
The impact of developments in the Strait of Hormuz is not yet reflected in Q1 data, with effects expected to become more visible in Q2 2026.
