United States Bunker Fuel Market Overview, 2030

The United States bunker fuel market operates as a crucial pillar within the maritime infrastructure, acting as a key enabler of the country’s seaborne commerce and international shipping logistics. Due to its expansive geographic layout, with a diverse mix of coastal regions, inland waterways, and major shipping lanes, the country serves as both a high-demand consumer and an influential supplier of marine fuels. Ports such as Long Beach, Savannah, Seattle, and Miami not only handle substantial cargo volumes but also act as central distribution zones for various types of bunker fuels used by container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise liners. The consumption patterns of marine fuels across the U.S. are constantly shifting based on a complex web of variables, including port activity levels, global freight movements, vessel traffic frequency, and seasonal export demands. Additionally, environmental policy developments, particularly those from regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are playing a significant role in directing how bunker fuel is refined, blended, and distributed across the maritime sector. With the IMO 2020 regulation in force, a major pivot has occurred from high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) to very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gasoil (MGO), requiring refineries and storage facilities to adapt operations and improve their refining outputs to meet new compliance standards. This transition has not only altered the logistical framework of bunker fuel supply chains but also introduced a more volatile pricing environment, where costs now reflect both environmental compliance and supply-demand imbalances.

According to the research report United States Bunker fuel Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the United States Bunker fuel market was valued at more than USD 13.58 Billion in 2024. In recent years, the U.S. bunker fuel market has also been undergoing a deeper transformation aligned with the global movement toward greener shipping and carbon footprint reduction. There is increasing momentum around adopting alternative bunker fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), biodiesel blends, synthetic fuels, and even methanol, all of which are being evaluated for their ability to reduce harmful emissions without compromising energy efficiency or performance standards. Coastal states like California are setting the pace by implementing stricter marine fuel quality mandates and incentivizing the development of refueling infrastructure for cleaner energy sources. These policy shifts are motivating shipping companies and fuel providers to reconfigure their operations, often requiring advanced logistics planning, capital investments, and technical collaborations to make alternative fuels more commercially viable. Moreover, as ship-owners become more conscious of their environmental impact, they are leveraging digital tools such as automated fuel management systems, real-time monitoring software, and advanced analytics to optimize bunker consumption and enhance transparency. This digital integration is not only improving operational efficiency but also enabling better adherence to environmental standards through traceability and reporting. Volatility in crude oil benchmarks, rising inflation in marine logistics costs, and ongoing global supply chain disruptions further contribute to the fluidity of the bunker fuel ecosystem in the United States, making it a dynamic and constantly evolving segment within the broader energy and maritime industries.

The bunker fuel market in the United States is shaped by a diverse mix of fuel types, each serving different needs within the maritime industry. High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) is one of the more traditional bunker fuels, primarily utilized by ships equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as scrubbers. These systems enable ships to continue using fuel with sulfur content above the 0.5% limit set by global maritime regulations. The continued use of HSFO, despite environmental concerns, remains significant, especially for older vessels that are not fitted with the latest emission-reduction technologies. In contrast, Marine Gas Oil (MGO) has become a more popular choice due to its relatively low sulfur content, making it compliant with modern emission standards without requiring scrubbers. This cleaner fuel option is commonly used by a wide variety of ships, including those in the coastal trade or operating in environmentally sensitive areas. Another fuel gaining traction in the U.S. maritime industry is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is cooled to extremely low temperatures to become a liquid, providing a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuels. LNG is particularly favored by newer vessels or fleets that prioritize reducing sulfur and particulate emissions, in alignment with increasingly stringent international environmental regulations. Beyond these conventional fuels, the exploration of alternative fuels such as biofuels, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen is gaining momentum in the U.S. market. These fuels are considered potential solutions for the long-term decarbonization of the shipping industry.

Container ships are among the largest consumers of bunker fuel, as these vessels are designed to carry large quantities of containerized cargo across vast distances. The sheer size and cargo capacity of container ships necessitate a significant amount of fuel to power their engines, especially given their long voyages, which are often transoceanic in nature. In a similar vein, bulk carriers, which transport unpackaged bulk goods like coal, iron ore, grains, and other raw materials, also contribute substantially to bunker fuel demand. These vessels operate on lengthy routes, often involving international trade, and are crucial to global supply chains, particularly in transporting critical commodities. Oil tankers, another key segment of the maritime industry, depend heavily on bunker fuel for their operations. These ships transport large volumes of crude oil and petroleum products between refineries, often crossing vast stretches of ocean. The sheer scale of oil tankers and their need for consistent, long-duration fuel consumption make them significant players in the bunker fuel market. Similarly, chemical tankers, specialized vessels designed to carry liquid chemicals in bulk, require specialized fuel to ensure safe and efficient operation. The precise handling of hazardous materials in these vessels further dictates the fuel types and quantities they consume. General cargo ships, which are smaller and more versatile than container ships, also contribute to the demand for bunker fuel, as they carry various types of cargo that do not fit into standardized containers. The broader category of others, which includes vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, research ships, and offshore support vessels, also adds a layer of complexity to the market. These vessels, while not always as large as container ships or oil tankers, have their own distinct fuel requirements based on the nature of their operations, the specific routes they take, and the cargo or passengers they carry.

Major multinational oil companies, often referred to as oil majors, are central to this market, with companies like Shell, BP, and ExxonMobil playing a dominant role. These oil majors control the entire bunker fuel supply chain, from refining the crude oil to distributing the final product to shipping vessels at major ports. Their global reach allows them to offer a seamless supply of fuel at ports across the U.S., ensuring that vessels, regardless of their origin or destination, have access to consistent and reliable fuel. These companies benefit from their integration within the global oil industry, which provides them with the infrastructure and logistical capabilities to meet the high demand for bunker fuel. In addition to the oil majors, large independent distributors such as Bunker Holding and World Fuel Services have a substantial presence in the U.S. market. While they do not operate refineries, these companies manage extensive networks of supply chains across various ports, ensuring that shipping vessels in need of bunker fuel are serviced efficiently. Their large-scale operations enable them to cater to a wide range of clients, from large international shipping companies to regional operators. Smaller independent distributors also contribute to the market, primarily focusing on specific ports or geographic regions. These smaller suppliers may not have the extensive infrastructure of larger players, but they play an important role in providing more localized, flexible fueling solutions. They often build strong relationships with smaller, regional shipping companies or vessels that require personalized services or more tailored fuel offerings.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Bunker Fuel Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO)
• Marine Gas Oil (MGO)
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Other Fuel Types

By Application
• Container Ships
• Bulk Carriers
• Oil Tankers
• Chemical Tankers
• General Cargo Ships
• Others

By Distribution Channel
• Oil Majors
• Large Independent Distributors
• Small Independent Distributors

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.