Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, data released by China’s General Administration of Customs showed that China’s fuel oil imports dramatically increased by 15.9 percent in January and February, right before the war in the region.
In the first two months of this year, China imported a total of 4.45 million tons of fuel oil, equivalent to approximately 478,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, China’s fuel oil exports, mostly used for bunkering low-sulfur marine fuel, fell 8.4% in January and February, to 2.75 million tons.
Industry insiders previously stated that, to ensure domestic fuel reserves, the Chinese government in March ordered major refineries to immediately suspend refined oil exports. However, the ban did not include aviation fuel refueling for international flights, aviation kerosene and marine fuel oil stored in bonded warehouses, or fuel supplies to Hong Kong and Macau.
With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz restricting crude oil exports from the Middle East, refineries are actively seeking alternative feedstocks. China’s fuel oil imports, particularly high-sulfur fuel oil from Russia, are expected to remain strong in March.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, March 20, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260320-8766349