Singapore bunker or ship fuel prices climbed on Monday with overall strong crude gains but high bunker prices over $190 a tonne kept most buyers sidelined, with enquiries falling below average.

Prices for 380-centistoke (cst) bunker fuel oil were quoted at $190/$195 a tonne, up from $187/$188 on Friday.

"Enquiries are as thin as 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes. Most buyers are not coming out because prices are too high," said one trader, who said some deals were done at $194 a tonne.

Traders pegged 180-cst bunker fuel oil at $199/$202 a tonne, while marine gas oil was quoted at $367/$368 a tonne.

Copyright Reuters, 2004