Japan's bunker fuel demand has softened following a peak in August, when buyers turned to Japanese supplies after a spate of fuel contamination issues in the Singapore bunker market.

Compatibility issues with bunker fuels can be expected to continue after the majority of the shipping industry shifts to burning lower-sulfur marine fuels in 2020, according to fuel testing company Bureau Veritas.

"With the backwardation there are some empty tanks," a fuel oil trader said

The tool shows how the price difference between MGO and LNG, plus the higher energy content of LNG, may justify the extra costs of the LNG system.

Due to the low water levels, only a few double-hull barges are able to navigate the upper Rhine to supply southern Germany and Switzerland.

The Dover on November 9 transferred a part of its two-million barrels parcel of condensate on tothe CCPC Vanguard.