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28-11-2020 02:11 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
this post from 3 yrs ago coming to 4 yrs now. been in bunkering for a year now so share some stuff for those who are still curious.

basically everything mentioned by the poster is true esp with the introduction of MFM.

indeed it is a very competitive industry with only 55 businesses licensed to do bunkering in singapore as of 2019. the bulk of the volume goes to the top 10-15 bunkering companies as they have the infrastructure to actually take on the orders and deliver the product. the market is still there and whilst its not growing, it remains a huge one.

bunkering is a capital intensive industry that involves physical delivery of cargo (bunkers) so small shops will find it really hard to compete. you need barges, storage units, a lot of manpower (crew, engineers, shore staff, physical and paper traders, etc etc). if you are a trader with one of these small shops without an existing network of clients it will be highly challenging for you to eke out a living, simply because the demand for your services is weak although nothing is impossible.

fighting for a slice of the market between companies is very prevalent and even within a company there are significant politics.

one important thing to note; the poster mentioned that on a deal of 50k the margin would be between 1-2k i.e. 2-4% and your comms might be 10% of that 100-200. these figures are not too far from the reality but most bunker deals go into 6-7 figures, easily.

a single bulk carrier, container ship, oil product tanker sailing from singapore to south africa/japan/europe/usa often buys more than 1500MT of fuel. there is a demand for bunkering in singapore because we have one of the lowest prices in asia for fuel, owing to our refining capabilities and other industry efficiencies.

only certain ports e.g. fajuirah, osaka, seattle and a few russian + middle eastern ports have prices that beat ours.

to illustrate, 1000MT of IF0380 at today's prices of 320/MT (which are near a 6-month low) would be a 320 000 USD deal. 2% of that is 6400, giving you a comms of 640 USD. in a large bunkering company with a reputation of being able to fulfill orders promptly, you will be doing multiples of this quantity, per day. if you as a trader as responsible for just one of these deals, averaging 10 a month, you will be earning a commission of close to 6.4K USD/mth on top of your basic allowance.

its doable but there are better alternatives out there for degree wielding millenials. besides, you need connections to enter this industry and the most lucrative roles will often be given to family.
Not sure if OP will read this but I would like to know more about this commission: is this written down in your contract when you sign? I recently accepted a job offer but it’s basic+bonus base. I was a trader before and I am well aware of a certain type of “commission”.
28-11-2020 02:06 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
this post from 3 yrs ago coming to 4 yrs now. been in bunkering for a year now so share some stuff for those who are still curious.

basically everything mentioned by the poster is true esp with the introduction of MFM.

indeed it is a very competitive industry with only 55 businesses licensed to do bunkering in singapore as of 2019. the bulk of the volume goes to the top 10-15 bunkering companies as they have the infrastructure to actually take on the orders and deliver the product. the market is still there and whilst its not growing, it remains a huge one.

bunkering is a capital intensive industry that involves physical delivery of cargo (bunkers) so small shops will find it really hard to compete. you need barges, storage units, a lot of manpower (crew, engineers, shore staff, physical and paper traders, etc etc). if you are a trader with one of these small shops without an existing network of clients it will be highly challenging for you to eke out a living, simply because the demand for your services is weak although nothing is impossible.

fighting for a slice of the market between companies is very prevalent and even within a company there are significant politics.

one important thing to note; the poster mentioned that on a deal of 50k the margin would be between 1-2k i.e. 2-4% and your comms might be 10% of that 100-200. these figures are not too far from the reality but most bunker deals go into 6-7 figures, easily.

a single bulk carrier, container ship, oil product tanker sailing from singapore to south africa/japan/europe/usa often buys more than 1500MT of fuel. there is a demand for bunkering in singapore because we have one of the lowest prices in asia for fuel, owing to our refining capabilities and other industry efficiencies.

only certain ports e.g. fajuirah, osaka, seattle and a few russian + middle eastern ports have prices that beat ours.

to illustrate, 1000MT of IF0380 at today's prices of 320/MT (which are near a 6-month low) would be a 320 000 USD deal. 2% of that is 6400, giving you a comms of 640 USD. in a large bunkering company with a reputation of being able to fulfill orders promptly, you will be doing multiples of this quantity, per day. if you as a trader as responsible for just one of these deals, averaging 10 a month, you will be earning a commission of close to 6.4K USD/mth on top of your basic allowance.

its doable but there are better alternatives out there for degree wielding millenials. besides, you need connections to enter this industry and the most lucrative roles will often be given to family.
Not sure if OP will read this, but I would like more info with regards to commission: is this actually written down on your contract? I recently accepted a role as a bunker trader but compensation is basic + bonus, nothing was mentioned about commission. I’ve worked as a trader before for other commodities and I am well aware of certain types of “commission”.
24-04-2020 11:38 PM
Unregistered
Queries in regards to being a bunker trader

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
Hin leong ggxx. And the oil price like that? Got hope in future?
I believe working in a Maritime Industry, it is all about going big or going home. Its either you gain alot of profit or losses alot, hence I do still see a future in the bunker industry. Over the years, oil price has been fluctuating alot; hence it's kind of like depending on the situation happening around.
23-04-2020 06:55 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
Hi, I am a student currently studying maritime business and would be graduating soon. I am interested in bunker trading industry and would like to know, how can I join the industry without any related job experience?

Thank you.
Hin leong ggxx. And the oil price like that? Got hope in future?
22-04-2020 09:26 AM
Unregistered
Queries in regards to being a bunker trader

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
Waaaa.... Do let me know what industry your hubby joined pls. Also a bunker trader looking to change industry. (:

If any one has any question feel free to ask me.

To get into the trade, you must know "someone" who recommends you to get in.
Hi, I am a student currently studying maritime business and would be graduating soon. I am interested in bunker trading industry and would like to know, how can I join the industry without any related job experience?

Thank you.
08-12-2019 02:51 AM
Unregistered
insider

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
I'll create some good karma for myself by sharing. My husband was a bunker trader for about close to 2 years and recently left the industry. He shares with me what goes on at work daily so I have a very good idea what the job entails. In short, it's a very bad time to join the industry now. I'll list the points down:

1. Shipping industry is doing badly so the requirement for bunker (marine fuel) has also dropped in correlation.
2. With the implementation of the mass flow meter, suppliers aren't able to quote low prices by short changing the ships anymore. The margin has dropped by a lot.
3. It's a very competitive industry with many small and medium bunker trading companies fighting for the same pie. I quote an example, for a trade of about USD 50k for a small vessel the profit margin is only about USD1-2k. Even if u get a 10% cut out of the 1-2k it's only usd 100-200. They expect u to make profits enough to cover your base pay before u get any bonus sharing. Only the few big boys are able to trade with the big shipping companies as they have huge volumes and thus are able to negotiate for much better prices with suppliers compared to the small and medium fry bunker trading companies.
4. Within the trading companies competition between traders is very stiff. For the past 1 year after the fall of OW bunkers ( u can google for yourself to find out what happened) , the traders from OW flooded the markets and they join existing bunker creating a very very negative infighting environment. They fight for the same customers with each other.
5. My husband has been getting quite a few calls from recruiters asking if he's keen to join etc bunker trading companies but no thanks. He has found a much better industry where the environment is healthier and more stable. Recruiters told him a lot of bunker traders have exited the industry and they can't find experienced ppl to join. It must be bad enough for the experienced ones to switch.
6. Basic pay if u look around in indeed.sg or jobstreet, could be anyway from 2.5k to 3+k. Not going to reveal my husband's pay here. A lot of the companies want u to have existing customers before they hire u, they don't have time to wait for u to build up your customer base or learn from scratch, they basically want to see the $$ now so fresh grads have almost naught chance of entering.
7. If you don't hit your target u will be asked to go, they only give u 6 months to perform, after that u can FO if they don't see the $$$. Happened to my husband's colleagues. Heard the common target is $20k profit, not revenue mind you.

Anymore questions feel free to ask me. I'm so happy my husband left this industry.
this post from 3 yrs ago coming to 4 yrs now. been in bunkering for a year now so share some stuff for those who are still curious.

basically everything mentioned by the poster is true esp with the introduction of MFM.

indeed it is a very competitive industry with only 55 businesses licensed to do bunkering in singapore as of 2019. the bulk of the volume goes to the top 10-15 bunkering companies as they have the infrastructure to actually take on the orders and deliver the product. the market is still there and whilst its not growing, it remains a huge one.

bunkering is a capital intensive industry that involves physical delivery of cargo (bunkers) so small shops will find it really hard to compete. you need barges, storage units, a lot of manpower (crew, engineers, shore staff, physical and paper traders, etc etc). if you are a trader with one of these small shops without an existing network of clients it will be highly challenging for you to eke out a living, simply because the demand for your services is weak although nothing is impossible.

fighting for a slice of the market between companies is very prevalent and even within a company there are significant politics.

one important thing to note; the poster mentioned that on a deal of 50k the margin would be between 1-2k i.e. 2-4% and your comms might be 10% of that 100-200. these figures are not too far from the reality but most bunker deals go into 6-7 figures, easily.

a single bulk carrier, container ship, oil product tanker sailing from singapore to south africa/japan/europe/usa often buys more than 1500MT of fuel. there is a demand for bunkering in singapore because we have one of the lowest prices in asia for fuel, owing to our refining capabilities and other industry efficiencies.

only certain ports e.g. fajuirah, osaka, seattle and a few russian + middle eastern ports have prices that beat ours.

to illustrate, 1000MT of IF0380 at today's prices of 320/MT (which are near a 6-month low) would be a 320 000 USD deal. 2% of that is 6400, giving you a comms of 640 USD. in a large bunkering company with a reputation of being able to fulfill orders promptly, you will be doing multiples of this quantity, per day. if you as a trader as responsible for just one of these deals, averaging 10 a month, you will be earning a commission of close to 6.4K USD/mth on top of your basic allowance.

its doable but there are better alternatives out there for degree wielding millenials. besides, you need connections to enter this industry and the most lucrative roles will often be given to family.
12-11-2019 01:48 AM
ChrisMenzie
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveCloony View Post
Hey guys does any of you combine trading with gambling? I am playing a lot in casino and want to start trading? What do you think?
I have tried it. I am trading for some years, and I decided that I want something new. I have tried to play poker and wow, it's so interesting. After a couple of months of combining both of them, I decided to focus online on poker deposit pulsa, because it has a bigger profit. I'm not saying that it's easy and all of you should go to poker, but at least for me it's much better.
03-04-2016 08:13 PM
Unregistered the ppl here keep refusing to share yet talk so much
03-04-2016 02:33 AM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by blitzkriegg View Post
Have an upcoming interview for a position as a Junior Bunker Trader and after this thread I think I should politely let the HR know I would like to decline the interview lol.

To this poster, may I ask if you consider this job ''toxic'' in a sense there's a lot of infighting going on amongst traders?
Sorry, busy the past few weeks.

Well done on your interview. I'm looking to get out and u applied to get in.

I guess one man's meat is another man's poison.

I guess the trading houses looking to hire junior bunkee traders now are one too few.

Would think it's GAC ?

"Infighting" happens veryrarely in the company, but mainly between trading houses.

Hope this helps!
03-04-2016 02:27 AM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
May I know if its purely physical? Is there any paper trading involved? Thanks

Sorry was busy the past few weeks.

Nope. Not 100% physical.

Paper trading definitely involved.

For instance, customer looking for forward fixed price contract for Q3/Q4 '16. U will have to hedging.

Unless, you 're a cowboy and can read the market like a book!
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