MABUX: Bunker Prices Skyrocketing in International Shipping News 06/03/2026 Global bunker indices (MABUX) recorded a sharp increase in Week 10, driven primarily by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which significantly impacted energy markets. The 380 HSFO index surged by USD 112.58, rising from USD 452.64/MT last week to USD 565.22/MT, comfortably exceeding the USD 500.00 threshold. The VLSFO index also posted a substantial gain of USD 108.59, increasing from USD 548.34/MT to USD 656.93/MT. The most pronounced growth was observed in the MGO LS segment, where the index climbed by USD 205.02, from USD 815.19/MT to USD 1,020.21/MT. This marks the first time the MGO LS index has surpassed the USD 1,000.00 level since October 16, 2023. At the time of writing, however, the global bunker market has begun to show signs of a corrective downward trend following the sharp upward movement. The MABUX Global Scrubber Spread (SS)—the price differential between 380 HSFO and VLSFO—narrowed slightly by USD 3.99, declining from USD 97.70 last week to USD 91.71. Despite this reduction, the spread remained close to the psychological USD 100.00 breakeven threshold for scrubber economics, while the weekly average of the index increased by USD 4.14. In Rotterdam, the SS Spread remained largely stable, decreasing marginally by USD 1.00 to USD 51.00 compared to USD 52.00 in the previous week, while the weekly average in the port also declined by USD 1.00. In Singapore, by contrast, the 380 HSFO/VLSFO spread continued to widen, rising by USD 21.00 from USD 74.00 last week to USD 95.00, approaching the USD 100.00 level. The weekly average spread in Singapore also increased significantly, gaining USD 19.00. Overall, the SS Spread ended the week with mixed dynamics across major bunkering hubs, reflecting heightened volatility in the global bunker market. Nevertheless, the spread remained below the USD 100.00 threshold, indicating that VLSFO continues to retain stronger economic competitiveness compared to the 380 HSFO + scrubber combination. Given the ongoing escalation of the Middle East conflict and its potential impact on energy supply expectations, the SS Spread may continue to demonstrate divergent movements across regional markets in the coming week. More detailed information is available in the “Differentials” section on mabux.com. The Istanbul ECA Spread (ES) ended the week with a sharp increase, rising by USD 125.00 from USD 100.00 last week to USD 225.00, while the weekly average advanced by USD 42.50. In Venice, the ECA Spread showed only marginal changes. The index edged down slightly by USD 2.00, from USD 92.00 to USD 90.00, while the weekly average recorded a modest increase of USD 1.33. The sharp rise in the Istanbul ES index primarily reflects a surge in diesel prices across the regional bunker market amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East, which have intensified volatility and tightened supply expectations in the distillate segment. Given the current geopolitical environment and the sensitivity of diesel prices to regional supply disruptions, the ECA Spread may retain potential for further gains in the coming week. More detailed information is available in the “Differentials” section on mabux.com. QatarEnergy, Qatar’s state-owned energy major, has suspended all liquefied natural gas (LNG) production following Iranian drone strikes on key facilities, effectively removing approximately 20% of global LNG supply from the marke