Marine bunker fuel isn't one product — it's a family of fuels, each with different properties, prices, and regulatory implications. Choosing the wrong grade means compliance risk, engine damage, or overpaying by thousands of dollars per stem. This guide breaks down the three main fuel types you'll encounter when bunkering in 2026.
VLSFO — Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil
Since the IMO 2020 sulphur cap took effect, VLSFO has become the default fuel for most ocean-going vessels. With a maximum sulphur content of 0.50% mass/mass, it meets the global sulphur limit without requiring exhaust gas cleaning systems.
VLSFO is a blended fuel — refineries mix residual and distillate components to hit the 0.50% sulphur target. This means quality can vary significantly between ports and suppliers. Stability and compatibility testing is essential when switching between VLSFO batches from different sources.
Typical pricing: VLSFO generally trades at $480–560/MT in major hubs like Singapore, Rotterdam, and Fujairah. Check current VLSFO prices for live rates.
When to use: Main engine fuel for vessels without scrubbers operating outside Emission Control Areas.
MGO — Marine Gas Oil
MGO is a distillate fuel with sulphur content of 0.10% or less — the cleanest conventional marine fuel available. It's required in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) including the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North American coastline.
MGO burns cleaner, produces less particulate matter, and requires no pre-heating (unlike residual fuels). The trade-off is price: MGO typically commands a $150–250/MT premium over VLSFO.
Many vessels carry both VLSFO and MGO, switching to MGO when entering ECAs and reverting to VLSFO in open waters. This fuel switching requires careful tank management and changeover procedures.
Typical pricing: $650–750/MT in major ports. See live MGO prices across all ports.
When to use: Required in ECAs, commonly used for auxiliary engines and generators, and preferred for smaller vessels and coastal operations.
IFO380 — Heavy Fuel Oil
IFO380 (Intermediate Fuel Oil, 380 centistokes) is the traditional workhorse of ocean shipping. It's the cheapest bunker fuel available, but with sulphur content of 1.0–3.5%, it can only be used by vessels equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) under IMO 2020 rules.
The economics are straightforward: IFO380 typically trades $50–150/MT cheaper than VLSFO. This price gap — the Hi-5 spread — is what makes scrubber investment worthwhile for high-consumption vessels. A large container ship burning 150 MT/day can save $7,500–22,500 daily by running IFO380 through a scrubber versus burning VLSFO.
Typical pricing: $380–480/MT. Check current IFO380 prices for the latest rates.
When to use: Main engine fuel for scrubber-fitted vessels operating outside ECAs.
How to Choose the Right Fuel
The decision comes down to three factors:
- Vessel equipment — Does the ship have a scrubber? If yes, IFO380 is almost always the most economical choice.
- Trading area — Will the vessel enter ECAs? If yes, you need MGO regardless.
- Price spreads — The VLSFO-IFO380 spread determines scrubber payback; the MGO-VLSFO spread affects ECA fuel planning.
Quick Comparison
| Property | VLSFO | MGO | IFO380 | |----------|-------|-----|--------| | Sulphur | ≤0.50% | ≤0.10% | 1.0–3.5% | | Viscosity | 20–80 cSt | 2–6 cSt | ≤380 cSt | | Pre-heating | Sometimes | No | Yes | | Scrubber needed | No | No | Yes | | Relative cost | Medium | High | Low | | IMO 2020 compliant | Yes | Yes | With scrubber |
Get Live Prices
Bulugo tracks bunker fuel prices across 306 ports worldwide, updated every 2 hours. Whether you need VLSFO in Singapore, MGO in Rotterdam, or IFO380 in Fujairah, you can compare live rates and get quotes from verified suppliers in under 60 seconds.