Some of China's large enterprises were heard to set foot in China bonded bunker market, attracted by the big potential demand. Some centrally-owned enterprises cast eyes on marine bunkering business in China's coastal areas. Some have started market investigation and application work.
 
More than ten enterprises were applying for the license, I was told, including state-owned Sinochem, CNOOC, and private Andatee China Marine Fuel, Southern Petrochemical, CNPC&TAFO, Shanghai Lonyer Fuel Co.
 
Sinochem is now applying for the license, while Southern Petrochemical's application may have been rejected. CNOOC, the offshore oil giant is now carrying out the investigation work on China bonded bunker market, and it may submit application soon.
 
Although China bonded bunker market promises a bright future, policy factor is still the largest barrier for applicants. Government shows blurry attitude on whether they will issue more licenses, and no more applicants have been authorized so far. "It should be very hard," some fuel oil traders said, "for the authorities even have not release qualification for new applicants."
 
China's bonded bunker market is the most hopeful successor to independent refineries to become the country's major fuel oil consumption market. As a burgeoning and partially-deregulated market, its huge market potential has attracted large enterprises. But now, only four companies have the license, Chimbusco, Shenzhen Brightoil, SinoBunker, China ChangJiang, Bunker (Sinopec) Co, Sinopec Zhoushan.