The shipping industry has spent years debating whether digitalisation will replace traditional roles. The rise of AI has only intensified the conversation.
- Will bunker buyers become obsolete?
- Will AI fully automate procurement?
The short answer = NO. But the long answer is far more interesting.
AI is not here to replace bunker buyers. It is here to make them more effective. Those who embrace it will gain a serious competitive edge. Those who ignore it risk being left behind.
Bunker buying is still a slow, inefficient process
For all the talk of digitalisation, bunker buying remains one of the least automated processes in shipping. Prices fluctuate rapidly, yet many decisions are still made using outdated methods—emails, phone calls, and gut instinct.
Most bunker buyers still rely on fragmented market information. They negotiate based on limited visibility into real-time price movements, supply availability, or emissions costs. And that’s before factoring in financing terms, fuel quality concerns, and delivery reliability.
With so many moving parts, inefficiencies pile up. Deals take too long to finalise, opportunities are missed and costs spiral.
AI is not about removing humans from the equation. It is about giving them better tools to make smarter, faster, and more accurate decisions.
What AI is already doing in bunker trading?
AI is already transforming bunker trading in three major ways:
- Real-time pricing insights
AI can track global fuel prices, historical trends, and supply-demand fluctuations instantly—something no human can do at scale. Buyers no longer need to rely on outdated price reports or second-hand market intelligence.
- Predictive analytics
Instead of reacting to price spikes, AI can forecast trends before they happen. By analysing global refinery output, port congestion, and geopolitical risks, AI models can predict fuel price movements with far greater accuracy than traditional methods.
- Automated risk assessment
Credit risk is a major factor in bunker deals, yet many buyers lack the tools to properly evaluate supplier reliability. AI can assess financial health, past payment history, and even fraud risks in seconds—reducing exposure to bad deals.
These capabilities are already reshaping bunker procurement. The real question is what comes next.
Where AI is headed in bunker trading?
AI will not replace bunker buyers, but it will fundamentally change their role. Instead of spending hours chasing quotes, verifying market intelligence, and managing disputes, buyers will shift to strategy and optimisation.
Here is what the future of bunker buying looks like with AI:
- Buyers will spend less time on price negotiation and more time optimising fuel strategies based on emissions costs, financing options, and long-term contract structures.
- AI-powered platforms will provide real-time visibility across multiple ports, showing not just prices but availability, supplier performance, and emissions impact.
- Smart contracts will automate transactions, reducing disputes and speeding up deal execution.
The bunker buyer of the future will not be replaced—but they will be operating at a whole new level.
Adapting to an AI-driven bunker market
Change in shipping has always been slow, but AI is already making an impact. The real question is whether bunker buyers will embrace the shift or resist it.
The companies that leverage AI to make faster, more data-driven decisions will have a serious advantage in an industry where every dollar and every ton of fuel matters. Those that stick to traditional methods may find themselves struggling to keep up.
The bunker market is moving towards automation, transparency, and AI-driven decision-making. The smartest buyers will not fight this change. They will use it to their advantage.
Would love to hear thoughts on this—how do you see AI changing the bunker industry?
