Costly feedstock lifts Rotterdam bio-bunker prices despite conventional VLSFO drop

Rotterdam biofuel bunker prices rose again last week as costly feedstock pushed assessed values higher, even as conventional marine fuel softened, according to a report published by reports on 30 August 2026.

The Dutch ARA B30-VLSFO blend known as POMEME saw an assessed increase of $27 per tonne over the seven days to the report date, while conventional VLSFO in the same Dutch port declined by $21 per tonne.

Prima Markets' weekly assessment, cited in the reports item, put ARA POMEME barge prices up $55 per tonne week on week to $1,880/mt. Prima Markets assessed UCOME barge prices in ARA at $1,810/mt, also a $55/mt increase for the week.

Biofuel rises contrasted with conventional fuel falls

The simultaneous rise in assessed biofuel barge values and fall in conventional VLSFO prices created a divergence between the two markets in Rotterdam during the reporting week. The reports summary noted that higher biofuel feedstock costs may have helped counter downward pressure emanating from the conventional fuel market.

Assessments and the role of feedstock costs

Prima Markets' figures supplied the numerical basis for the report: POMEME at $1,880/mt and UCOME at $1,810/mt, each up $55/mt on the prior week, and a separate $27/mt increase cited for the ARA B30-VLSFO POMEME product. Those moves contrast with a $21/mt slide in the Dutch port's conventional VLSFO assessment over the same period.

Market participants tracking bunker procurement and freight costs will note the differing directions of movement; the report confined itself to the assessed price movements and the likely influence of feedstock costs on biofuel pricing. No additional trading details, volumes or supplier statements were included in the published summary.

The reports item framed the developments as a short-term snapshot of assessed bunker values in the ARA complex and in Rotterdam specifically, dated 30 August 2026, and relying on Prima Markets' assessments for the reported numbers.

Operators and charterers monitoring fuel procurement in northwest Europe will expect assessed biofuel values to remain sensitive to feedstock dynamics, while conventional fuel assessments can move independently in response to refining, demand and shipping-market conditions. The figures published for the week provide a clear numerical record of that divergence for Rotterdam and the ARA bunker complex.