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Onshore fuel oil stocks in Singapore fell for the first time in four weeks, according to data released by government trade monitor International Enterprise.

Stock levels of fuel oil declined by around 7 percent to a 2-week low of 19.8 million barrels, data showed on Thursday. The result follows three consecutive weeks of inventory level increases.

Sales of marine fuel - fuel oil's largest outlet - have remained firm at the world's leading bunker port by volume, thanks mainly to improved shipping activity and competitive rates compared to nearby ports.

Total sales of marine fuel at the world's leading bunker port rose to 3,072,000 tonnes last month from 2,960,700 tonnes in June, an increase of 3.8 percent, according to data released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The figure was also 41,700 tonnes, or 1.4 percent higher than in July 2008, when the monthly total reached 3,030,900 tonnes.

Inventory data from Chemoil's Helios Terminal was recently added to inventory data compiled by International Enterprise on Thursday 6th August.

Stock levels jumped 37 percent to 19.32 million barrels when Helios figures were included for the first time.

The Helios Terminal has a total storage capacity of around 482,000 cubic metres.