Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market is projected to experience substantial growth, expanding from USD 60.35 Billion in 2025 to USD 185.86 Billion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate of 20.62%. Defined by a sulphur mass content limit of 0.50 percent, this specialized marine bunker fuel is engineered to adhere to strict international environmental standards. The market's expansion is chiefly driven by the International Maritime Organization's stringent emission regulations, which compel the shipping sector to lower airborne pollutants. Additionally, the fuel remains a preferred choice for main engine operations due to its cost-effectiveness relative to pricier marine gas oil distillates and the existence of a robust supply infrastructure at key global maritime hubs.

However, the market faces significant headwinds from the increasing installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, which allow vessels to legally burn cheaper high-sulphur fuel options. This price gap creates persistent competitive pressure on the sales volume of compliant fuels at major ports. Data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore highlights this trend, revealing that sales of very low sulphur fuel oil amounted to 29.58 million tonnes in 2024. This figure marks a year-on-year decline of roughly 4 percent, underscoring the measurable impact that alternative compliance strategies are having on the demand for this specific fuel type.

Market Drivers

The rigorous enforcement of the IMO 2020 Global Sulphur Cap Mandates acts as the central catalyst for the market, effectively cementing very low sulphur fuel oil as the indispensable energy source for most of the global merchant fleet. With regulatory bodies strictly policing the 0.50 percent sulphur limit, shipowners lacking exhaust gas cleaning systems are compelled to rely on compliant blends to ensure uninterrupted operations. This regulatory necessity secures a steady baseline of demand at major refueling centers, balancing the competition from high-sulphur alternatives utilized by scrubber-equipped ships. For instance, the Port of Rotterdam Authority reported in January 2025 that sales of very low sulphur fuel oil reached 3.08 million tonnes in 2024, maintaining a dominant 34 percent share of the port's total fossil fuel sales.

The continued growth of international seaborne trade further boosts market prospects, as increased cargo throughput leads directly to higher fuel consumption along primary shipping routes. As global supply chains stabilize and expand, the heightened transport of containerized goods and bulk commodities drives the need for greater bunker intake to support longer voyages and frequent port visits. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development noted in its 'Review of Maritime Transport 2024' that global maritime trade volume grew by 2.4 percent in 2023, signaling a strong recovery that underpins fuel demand. This positive trajectory is reflected in key transit hubs; for example, the Panama Maritime Authority reported in February 2025 that total sales of very low sulphur fuel oil in Panama totaled approximately 3.37 million metric tons for the full year of 2024, highlighting the fuel's vital role in global commerce.

Market Challenges

The primary obstacle impeding the expansion of the Global Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market is the rising deployment of exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers. These devices permit vessels to utilize high-sulphur fuel oil by capturing sulphur emissions, thereby achieving regulatory compliance without the need for costlier very low sulphur blends. The significant price difference between high-sulphur alternatives and compliant fuels offers a strong economic incentive for shipowners to invest in scrubber technology, which effectively decreases their dependence on the very low sulphur fuel oil market.

This trend is actively eroding demand for compliant fuels at major maritime hubs. As more ships undergo retrofitting to secure operational cost savings, the requirement for very low sulphur fuel oil diminishes. Statistics from the Port of Rotterdam Authority indicate that in 2024, the proportion of high sulphur fuel oil within total conventional bunker demand increased to 34 percent, up from 31 percent the previous year. This growth in high-sulphur fuel usage confirms that alternative compliance methods are successfully displacing market share previously held by the very low sulphur fuel oil sector.

Market Trends

The rapid adoption of bio-VLSFO hybrid blends is emerging as a key strategy for shipowners aiming to meet Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) standards without incurring the costs of major retrofits. By blending traditional very low sulphur fuel oil with renewable components such as fatty acid methyl esters, operators can substantially lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions while utilizing existing onboard machinery and bunkering infrastructure. This transition toward low-carbon drop-in fuels is resulting in significant market volumes, especially in regions promoting green corridors. For example, the Port of Rotterdam Authority reported in January 2025 that sales of bio-blended very low sulphur fuel oil totaled 439,227 tonnes in 2024, confirming a material shift toward these sustainable hybrid formulations.

Concurrently, the integration of digital bunkering and procurement platforms is transforming operational standards to enhance transparency and efficiency in transactions. The implementation of electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN) and real-time data monitoring systems addresses persistent industry issues regarding quantity disputes and documentation fraud, thereby building trust between suppliers and buyers. This modernization is largely driven by regulatory mandates in leading hubs that are enforcing digital protocols for large-scale fuel transfers. Illustrating the scale of this change, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore noted in January 2025 that total bunker sales hit a record 54.92 million tonnes in 2024, a volume that will be fully subject to the port's mandatory digital bunkering framework starting in April 2025.

Key Players Profiled in the Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market

• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• Shell International B.V
• Chevron Corporation
• TotalEnergies SE
• BP PLC
• Marathon Petroleum Corporation
• Valero Energy Corporation
• Hess Corporation
• Eni S.p.A
• ConocoPhillips
• China National Petroleum Corporation
• Petroleo Brasileiro S.A

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market, by Type:

• Residual Fuel Oil
• Distillate Fuel Oil
• Utility Ultra-Mobile Devices

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market, by Application:

• Marine Fuel
• Power Generation
• Industrial Use

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market, by End-User:

• Shipping Companies
• Power Plants
• Industrial Sector

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.