Bunker Holding Projects Drop in 2026 Marine Fuel Sales
The world's largest marine fuel seller anticipates lower volumes as regional conflicts continue to disrupt global shipping.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Bunker Holding projects that its 2026 total marine fuel sales will fall below the 24 million tonnes recorded in 2025. This decline follows significant disruptions to global shipping traffic caused by the ongoing US-Iran war.
Why it matters
Blockades at critical Middle Eastern waterways have forced shippers to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea. Combined with elevated fuel prices, these logistical changes are driving customers to practice slow steaming and limit their fuel purchases.
Bunker Holding, which owns brands including Dan-Bunkering and KPI OceanConnect, recorded a total marine fuel sales volume of 24 million tonnes in 2025. Sales projections for 2026 now anticipate a decline from that baseline volume.
The players
Bunker Holding
Bunker Holding is the world's largest marine fuel seller by volume and the parent company to several industry brands.
Dan-Bunkering
Dan-Bunkering is a subsidiary of Bunker Holding specializing in the global supply of marine fuels and lubricants.
KPI OceanConnect
KPI OceanConnect is a prominent marine energy solutions provider and a member of the Bunker Holding group.
The details
As shippers avoid the Red Sea, fuel oil exports from the Middle East have dropped and distillate supplies remain tight across parts of Asia. While global traffic faces headwinds, vessel rerouting has led to an uptick in fuel sales throughout Africa.
Timeline
In 2025, total sales volume reached 24 million tonnes.
For 2026, total sales volume is expected to fall below the 24 million tonnes mark.
Over the next decade, bunker demand is projected to grow in Africa.
Market Landscape
The rerouting of global shipping around the Cape of Good Hope follows a pattern set by historical blockades of the Suez Canal. This shift forces major suppliers to adjust their operational strategies as traditional transit routes remain effectively closed.
High bunker fuel prices and shipping constraints may lead to increased costs for goods transported by sea. Customers should anticipate potential supply chain delays as shipping companies continue to favor longer routes to avoid regional blockades.
The takeaway
Shipping companies are increasingly adopting slow steaming techniques to manage fuel costs in an environment of constrained supply. Readers should note that while trade flows are shifting toward Africa, global logistics remain sensitive to instability in Middle Eastern waterways.
Further reading
For broader trends in the energy sector, explore the latest updates in Oil and Gas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Baird Maritime.
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