Fuel oil front-month rose 0.36% to CNY 4,434/t—outperforming broader energy markets. Global VLSFO inventories are at seasonal lows, and prolonged Red Sea rerouting continues to bolster bunker demand from shipping lines.

On Sept 19 fuel oil front-month sits at ¥4,297/t (+0.89%) and bitumen at ¥5,432/t (+1.53%); bitumen's premium over fuel oil reaches ¥1,135/t. Refiners split vacuum residue between bunker fuel (VLSFO/HSFO) and paving bitumen, and the spread tracks where residue flows and how fast infrastructure projects draw.