SINOPEC Fuel Oil Sales Corporation Limited (SINOPEC Fuel Oil Sales) has recently started supplying bonded bunkers in the port of Rizhao, Shandong province, according to a report by China's C1 Energy.

"Ship owners can refuel their ships at the anchorage ground instead of berths at port now", a source told the service.

Industry observers had expected the move after an 880 metric tonne (mt) sale of 380 cSt product in March 2012 signaled the start of bonded bunker sales at Lanshan port, some 50 km south of Rizhao port.

"the company rented 22,000 cubic meters of bonded oil storage in Lanshan
 The firm, who initially had a single 3,100 dwt bunker barge, has also now expanded to two bunker barges.

In November 2011 the company rented 22,000 cubic meters of bonded oil storage in Lanshan to support the operations at both ports.

SINOPEC Fuel Oil Sales is a subsidiary of Hong Kong [HKG:0386], Shanghai [SHA:600028], and New York [NYSE:SNP] listed China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) who, according to its website, is looking to grow its fuel oil and bonded bunker business by establishing a franchise network covering major domestic ports in China to boost sales volume.