Bunker broker / China

Bunkering in Zhoushan

Zhoushan, part of Ningbo-Zhoushan port on China's east coast, is the country's largest bunkering hub. It sold 8.03 million tonnes of bonded fuel in 2025 and overtook Fujairah. Roadstead arranges stems there through suppliers we have checked.

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A coastal vessel in the waters of Ningbo-Zhoushan port, with the islands behind
Photo: Zeljko (hr.wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.
Bunker sales 2025
8.03 million t bonded, up 10.6%
Where
Island anchorages, by barge
Main grades
VLSFO, HSFO
New fuels
Biofuel blends, LNG, methanol
Sulphur limit
0.50%, China coastal ECA
Licences
Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone

Where bunkering happens

Bunkers are delivered by barge, mostly to ships at anchor among the islands, at anchorages such as Xiazhimen and Tiaozhoumen. Anchorage supply grew 19% to 2.84 million t in 2025 as the port added priority anchorage slots and longer night-time bunkering hours.

Weather can close the outer anchorages for days at a time, so it pays to keep a second option in the voyage plan.

Grades

International ships buy bonded (duty-free) fuel in Zhoushan, mainly VLSFO and HSFO. Biofuel blends reached nearly 120,000 t in 2025. A typical B24 blend is 24% biofuel and 76% conventional fuel oil.

LNG bunkering has grown fast: Ningbo-Zhoushan delivered 106,000 m³ in the first five months of 2025, more than in all of 2024, and a bonded LNG store opened in Zhoushan in 2025. The first licence to supply methanol to international ships was issued in December 2025.

Local rules

  • Bunkering licences are issued by the Zhoushan area of the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
  • Zhoushan lies inside China's coastal emission control area, where the sulphur limit is 0.50%, the same as the global cap.
  • Mass flow meters are being introduced: Zhejiang issued China's first provincial standards for them in 2025.

How we arrange your stem in Zhoushan

  1. Enquiry. Vessel, IMO number, ETA in Zhoushan, grades and quantities.
  2. Firm offer. Price, delivery window, payment terms, valid until a stated time. We negotiate with suppliers for the best credit terms on your behalf.
  3. Nomination. You confirm the stem, we place it with the supplier and send delivery details to the ship and agent.
  4. Delivery and BDN. The supplier delivers alongside and hands over the Bunker Delivery Note.

Roadstead is a bunker broker. We do not run our own barges; the fuel is delivered by a licensed physical supplier at the port.

Questions about bunkering in Zhoushan

How much bunker fuel does Zhoushan sell?

8.03 million tonnes of bonded fuel in 2025, up 10.6% on 2024. That put it ahead of Fujairah.

Can foreign ships buy bonded fuel in Zhoushan?

Yes. Zhoushan reports its sales as bonded bunker fuel for ships on international voyages.

Is LNG or methanol available in Zhoushan?

LNG is delivered at Ningbo-Zhoushan and volumes are rising. Methanol supply to international ships was licensed from December 2025. Ask us for current availability.

Bunkers in Zhoushan?

Vessel, ETA, grades and quantities are enough for us to start. The desk is open 24/7.

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Sources: Ship & Bunker, 2025 sales (China Daily data), Reuters via Baird Maritime, hub ranking, Engine, 2025 review, Ship & Bunker, LNG volumes 2025, Ship & Bunker, methanol licence, Engine, biofuel blends. Updated 8 October 2026.