Geneva, Switzerland – 23 July 2025 – In a landmark development poised to revolutionize the global marine fuels industry, a coalition of leading bunkering and shipping companies today announced the launch of a pioneering Bunkering Services Initiative. This collaborative effort is specifically designed to tackle the pervasive and widely reported challenges of fuel quantity shortages and fuel quality opacity across the marine fuel supply chain. By directly addressing these critical market distortions, the Initiative aims to empower marine fuel buyers to make optimal procurement decisions and ensure a level playing field for all bunker suppliers.
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Open Participation and Industry-Wide Collaboration
The Initiative operates on a voluntary basis, extending an open invitation to all marine fuel buyers and suppliers who are committed to adopting and complying with its rigorous standards and governance framework. This open-participation model is designed to foster a broad industry-wide embrace of best practices, promoting transparency and fairness throughout the sector.
Immediate Impact at Scale in the ARA Region
From its very outset, the Initiative is focused on the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, the world’s second-largest bunkering hub. This strategic focus immediately grants the Initiative significant impact, representing an impressive 20% of the total ARA market volume, encompassing several thousand deliveries annually. The founding participants represent a formidable force within the industry, including some of the most prominent names globally: Cargill, Frontline, Hafnia, Hapag-Lloyd, Mercuria, Minerva Bunkering, Oldendorff, Trafigura, TFG Marine, Unifeeder, and Vitol. These industry titans are joined by other key players in the energy and shipping sectors, underscoring the broad-based commitment to this transformative endeavor.
A Self-Regulating Model Driven by Data and Technology
What sets this Initiative apart is its uniquely designed self-regulating concept. By leveraging powerful data-driven insights, the Initiative will meticulously monitor participant behavior and adherence to its established standards. This innovative approach effectively advances the objectives of regulatory authorities without requiring their direct administration, streamlining the process of ensuring compliance and accountability.
Establishing the Gold Standard in Bunkering Operations
The Bunkering Services Initiative is set to establish a new gold standard for technology-enabled bunkering operations. This comprehensive standard encompasses:
- Seamless Integration of Mass Flow Meters (MFMs): Ensuring precise and accurate measurement of fuel quantities during transfers.
- Digitalized Workflows over Blockchain: Providing an immutable and transparent record of all transactions and processes, enhancing trust and traceability.
- Traceable Fuel Quality Measurements: Implementing robust systems for monitoring and verifying fuel quality throughout the entire supply chain, from production to delivery.
- Full Accounting of Quantity Balances: Offering complete visibility into fuel inventory and consumption, eliminating discrepancies.
- Real-Time Reporting to Participants: Providing timely and actionable data to all stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making.
Ensuring Rigorous Accountability and Integrity
To guarantee the integrity and efficacy of the Initiative’s objectives and operational standards, two highly respected independent entities have been appointed:
- Lloyd’s Register (lr.org) has been designated as the System Auditor. In this crucial role, Lloyd’s Register will be responsible for qualifying participating bunker barges, conducting unannounced physical barge inspections, and rigorously verifying compliance with Initiative standards and data integrity. Their independent oversight will be paramount in upholding the Initiative’s credibility.
- ADP Clear Pte Ltd (adpclear.io) has been appointed as the Initiative’s Technology Provider. ADP Clear will facilitate multi-party workflows, enable real-time reporting, and provide verifiable performance metrics for all stakeholders, ensuring a robust and transparent technological backbone for the Initiative.
Join the Movement for a Transparent and Fair Marine Fuel Market
The Bunkering Services Initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing long-standing challenges within the marine fuels industry. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and committing to rigorous accountability, this coalition aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and equitable market for all participants.
Any marine fuel buyers and suppliers currently engaged in the ARA market who are interested in participating in this groundbreaking Initiative are encouraged to direct their inquiries to initiative@adpclear.io.
About the Founding Participants of the Bunkering Services Initiative:
The Bunkering Services Initiative brings together a formidable alliance of global leaders in shipping, energy, and marine fuels, each contributing their extensive expertise and commitment to driving positive change in the industry.
- Cargill: As a global leader in agriculture, food, financial services, and industrial products, Cargill‘s Ocean Transportation business is one of the largest charterers of vessels in the world. With a vast fleet for dry and wet bulk cargo, Cargill is a significant user of marine fuels and is deeply invested in innovative and sustainable shipping solutions, including advanced technologies for vessel efficiency and decarbonization. Their recent joint venture, Seascale Energy with Hafnia, further underscores their commitment to transparent and efficient marine fuel procurement.
- Frontline: Frontline PLC is a leading global shipping company specializing in the transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Operating a large fleet of VLCC, Suezmax, and Aframax tankers, Frontline is a major consumer of marine fuels and is committed to safe, efficient, and technologically advanced operations across global markets.
- Hafnia: Headquartered in Singapore, Hafnia Limited is a prominent global shipping company focused on the transportation of oil and oil products. As one of the largest owners and operators of product and chemical tankers worldwide, Hafnia manages a modern fleet exceeding 200 vessels. They are deeply involved in bunker procurement, with their “Hafnia Bunker Alliance” being a leading force in large-scale bunker services, and are actively pursuing fleet modernization and sustainability goals, including the launch of Seascale Energy in partnership with Cargill.
- Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd AG is a German international shipping and container transportation company, ranked among the largest in the world by TEU capacity. With a vast global network, Hapag-Lloyd is a key player in maritime logistics and is strongly committed to sustainability, evidenced by initiatives like their “Ship Green” product that offers customers options for reducing carbon emissions through sustainable biofuels. They are actively investing in low-emission technologies and aiming for a net-zero fleet by 2045.
- Mercuria: Established in 2004, Mercuria is one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodity groups. With a global presence across over 50 countries, Mercuria’s core business revolves around trading and asset investments. Their significant involvement in the energy transition and their global network provide robust financial backing and market insights that are crucial to the marine fuel sector. Mercuria is the 100-percent-owned parent company of Minerva Bunkering.
- Minerva Bunkering: A wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Group, Minerva Bunkering is a leading international provider of marine fuel supply and related service solutions. Operating from key hubs globally (including Geneva, Athens, New York, Singapore, Antwerp, and Las Palmas), Minerva Bunkering provides a global perspective with local market insight, delivering quality product and efficient logistics to a vast customer base across all major commercial shipping sectors. Their focus is on bringing stability, reliability, and transparency to the global ship fuel market.
- Oldendorff Carriers: Since its establishment in 1921, Oldendorff Carriers has grown into one of the world’s leading dry bulk owners and operators. Operating a substantial fleet of approximately 700 bulk carriers, they transport vast quantities of dry bulk commodities globally, performing thousands of port calls annually. Oldendorff is committed to sustainable business practices, investing heavily in eco-ships and innovative technologies to reduce GHG emissions and optimize operational efficiency.
- Trafigura: As one of the world’s largest independent commodity trading and logistics companies, Trafigura plays a significant role in global trade. Their shipping division is responsible for over 5,000 shipping and chartering voyages each year, transporting oil, gas, minerals, metals, and bulk commodities. Trafigura is a strong advocate for decarbonizing shipping, actively investing in new fuels, energy-saving technologies, and promoting a global price on carbon. They are a founding member of the First Movers Coalition and a key partner in TFG Marine.
- TFG Marine: A leading international marine fuels supply and procurement joint venture, TFG Marine provides end-to-end bunkering solutions across over 30 strategic global hubs. Backed by major market participants including Trafigura, TFG Marine integrates expertise in commodity trading with marine fuel supply, infrastructure, and logistics. They are dedicated to bringing transparency, efficiency, and trust to the bunkering process, supplying over 10 million metric tonnes of marine fuels annually, including ISCC-certified biofuel blends.
- Unifeeder: Owned by DP World, Unifeeder is a multi-regional feeder and multimodal/NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) service provider. They offer efficient, agile, and sustainable logistics services across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, acting as a vital link for international container shipping lines. Unifeeder emphasizes cost-effectiveness, operational excellence, and sustainable transport solutions, supporting integrated supply chain solutions.
- Vitol: Vitol is a global leader in the energy sector, involved in trading and distributing a wide range of energy products and commodities. As one of the world’s largest independent energy traders, Vitol has a significant presence in the marine fuels market, leveraging its extensive global network, logistical expertise, and infrastructure to provide comprehensive bunkering solutions. The company is known for its physical supply capabilities and market insights across the energy value chain.
Source Bunkering Services Initiative / Minerva Bunkering