The Hong Kong government recently announced it would ban new crew replacement for vessels without cargo operations. The government had exempted COVID-19 medical inspections for port workers since June to prioritize economic activities. However, not only the number of infected people had increased in Hong Kong, but there had also been many infection cases reported from vessels which were calling for Hong Kong port since July 11.
Targets included crews who worked for supplying operations such as bunker fuel oil delivery, bunkering, repairs, docking, and researching. As a result, it would be impossible to supply bunker fuel oil without cargo operations in Hong Kong. Market participants addressed that two-third of monthly demand would be lost due to the regulation. It was likely that bunker supply/demand balance in Asia would change, with a major impact on the bunker industry in Hong Kong aiming for economic recovery.