Dalian Bitumen Export Terminal
Last updated: 2026-10-06
Dalian Bitumen Export Terminal: China's Strategic Gateway for Asian and Global Bitumen Trade
The China Dalian bitumen export terminal handles approximately 4.5 million metric tons of bitumen annually, making it one of Northeast Asia's largest dedicated petroleum asphalt export hubs. Located at the Dalian Port complex (Daliangang) in Liaoning Province, the terminal ships penetration-grade (PG 60/70, PG 80/100) and viscosity-grade (VG 30, VG 40) bitumen to over 35 countries, with an average vessel loading time of 36–48 hours for a 30,000 DWT cargo. Dalian's strategic position on the Bohai Sea gives it direct access to refineries in Liaoning, Shandong, and Hebei, supplying up to 18% of China's total bitumen export volume as of 2024.
Why Dalian Is China's Leading Bitumen Export Terminal
Dalian Port (including the Dayaowan and Changxing Island port areas) has become the default export point for China Dalian bitumen shipments because of three structural advantages:
- Proximity to refining capacity: Within a 400 km radius sit major bitumen producers including PetroChina Dalian Petrochemical, Liaoning Panjin Northern Asphalt, and Shandong-based independents. This cluster produces over 6 million tons/year of export-grade bitumen.
- Deep-water berths: Dayaowan handles vessels up to 150,000 DWT, allowing Panamax and Aframax parcel sizes that smaller Chinese ports cannot accommodate.
- Bonded warehousing: More than 800,000 m³ of heated tank storage is available in the port zone, enabling blending, certification, and re-export without customs friction.
The terminal operates year-round, though ice-class escort is occasionally required between December and February when Bohai Sea temperatures drop below 0°C. Modern heated tankers and shore-side steam infrastructure keep discharge temperatures above 130°C, preserving bitumen spec compliance throughout winter shipments.
| Parameter | Dalian Terminal | Rizhao Port | Singapore (Jurong) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual bitumen throughput | 4.5M tons | 2.8M tons | 3.2M tons |
| Max vessel size | 150,000 DWT | 80,000 DWT | 120,000 DWT |
| Avg. loading time (30k DWT) | 36–48 hrs | 48–60 hrs | 30–40 hrs |
| Bonded storage capacity | 800,000 m³ | 350,000 m³ | 1.1M m³ |
| Rail connection | Yes (Harbin–Dalian line) | Yes | No |
| Ice risk (Dec–Feb) | Moderate | Low | None |
Sources: port authority disclosures, industry estimates, 2023–2024.
Export Volumes, Destinations, and Pricing Data
Dalian's export mix has shifted markedly since 2020. Southeast Asia now absorbs the largest share of China Dalian bitumen, driven by road construction programs in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Africa and the Middle East are the fastest-growing destinations.
| Destination | Volume (tons) | Share | Primary Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 980,000 | 21.8% | PG 60/70, VG 30 |
| Indonesia | 720,000 | 16.0% | PG 60/70, PG 80/100 |
| Philippines | 430,000 | 9.6% | PG 60/70 |
| Malaysia | 360,000 | 8.0% | VG 30, VG 40 |
| Nigeria / West Africa | 310,000 | 6.9% | PG 60/70, VG 30 |
| Australia / NZ | 280,000 | 6.2% | VG 30, C320 |
| Middle East (UAE, Saudi) | 240,000 | 5.3% | PG 80/100 |
| Other | 1,180,000 | 26.2% | Mixed |
| Total | 4,500,000 | 100% | — |
| Grade | FOB Dalian | FOB Rizhao | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 60/70 (penetration) | $430–460 | $425–455 | +$5 |
| PG 80/100 | $420–450 | $415–445 | +$5 |
| VG 30 (viscosity) | $445–475 | $440–470 | +$5 |
| VG 40 | $460–490 | $455–485 | +$5 |
| Modified bitumen (SBS) | $590–650 | $580–640 | +$10 |
Prices vary with crude benchmarks (Brent, Dubai), freight rates, and seasonal demand. Bitumen typically trades at a $40–70/MT premium over HSFO 380 cSt, a spread that widened to nearly $110/MT during the 2022 crude spike.
- Typical parcel sizes: 3,000–5,000 MT (small), 20,000–30,000 MT (Bremer/Handysize–Panamax), 50,000+ MT (Aframax on request).
- Freight, Dalian → Ho Chi Minh City: $28–38/MT for 20,000 MT cargo.
- Freight, Dalian → Lagos: $65–85/MT for 30,000 MT cargo.
- Customs clearance: 24–72 hours for standard export documentation.
Logistics Infrastructure: Rail, Road, and Vessel Handling
The Dalian terminal integrates rail, road, and marine logistics in a way few Asian bitumen ports can match. The Harbin–Dalian Railway, China's original trunk line, feeds directly into the port's bulk liquid handling zone, allowing heated rail tank cars from inland refineries to discharge without intermediate trucking.
Key infrastructure assets:
- 6 dedicated bitumen berths with combined capacity of 12 million tons/year.
- Heated pipelines (steam-traced, 150°C rated) connecting shore tanks to berths, eliminating truck-to-vessel transfers.
- ISO tank and flexitank loading facilities for smaller consignments and containerized exports.
- On-site SGS, Intertek, and CCIC laboratories for quality certification at loadport.
- Rail tank car fleet exceeding 2,000 units dedicated to bitumen service in Liaoning.
| Vessel Class | DWT | Typical Cargo | Loading Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handysize | 10,000–35,000 | 5,000–28,000 MT | 24–40 hrs |
| Handymax | 35,000–50,000 | 30,000–45,000 MT | 40–55 hrs |
| Panamax | 50,000–80,000 | 45,000–70,000 MT | 55–80 hrs |
| Aframax | 80,000–120,000 | 70,000–100,000 MT | 80–120 hrs |
Loading rates average 600–800 MT/hour per berth for viscosity-grade bitumen and slightly lower for polymer-modified grades requiring careful temperature management.
Quality Standards and Certifications
Bitumen exported through Dalian conforms to ASTM D946, AASHTO M20, EN 12591, and JIS K2207 depending on destination market requirements. The most common export specification remains penetration grade 60/70, which accounts for roughly 38% of Dalian's throughput, followed by VG 30 at 24%.
| Property | Test Method | Specification | Typical Dalian Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @ 25°C | ASTM D5 | 60–70 dmm | 64–68 dmm |
| Softening point | ASTM D36 | 49–56°C | 51–54°C |
| Ductility @ 25°C | ASTM D113 | ≥100 cm | 110–130 cm |
| Flash point | ASTM D92 | ≥232°C | 250–270°C |
| Solubility | ASTM D2042 | ≥99.0% | 99.5% |
| Specific gravity @ 25°C | ASTM D70 | 1.01–1.06 | 1.03–1.05 |
| Viscosity @ 135°C | ASTM D4402 | ≤3.0 Pa·s | 1.8–2.4 Pa·s |
Third-party inspection is standard practice. Buyers typically nominate SGS or Intertek for pre-shipment sampling, retained sample sealing, and Certificate of Quality issuance. Dalian's laboratories process an average of 1,200 certificates per month during peak season (March–October).
- Retained samples: Held for 90 days post-shipment at both loadport and buyer's discretion.
- Certificate of Origin: Issued by CCPIT within 3 working days.
- Dangerous goods classification: Bitumen is UN 3257, Class 9, though it is often shipped under "elevated temperature liquid, n.o.s." provisions.
Comparison: Dalian vs. Other Major Asian Bitumen Export Hubs
Choosing an export port is not just about price. Freight economics, vessel availability, grade flexibility, and certification speed all matter. Here's how China Dalian bitumen stacks up against competing hubs.
| Criterion | Dalian (China) | Rizhao (China) | Ulsan (South Korea) | Jurong (Singapore) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual export volume | 4.5M MT | 2.8M MT | 2.1M MT | 3.2M MT |
| Grade range | PG + VG + PMB | PG + VG | PG + VG + PMB | PG + PMB + specialty |
| Price competitiveness | High | Highest | Medium | Low |
| Freight to SE Asia | $28–38/MT | $30–40/MT | $32–42/MT | $18–28/MT |
| Winter disruption risk | Moderate | Low | None | None |
| Lead time (order → load) | 12–18 days | 10–15 days | 15–22 days | 7–12 days |
| Bulk cargo min. | 3,000 MT | 3,000 MT | 5,000 MT | 5,000 MT |
| Container loading available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key takeaway: Dalian wins on grade breadth, price, and vessel size flexibility. Singapore wins on speed and freight to Southeast Asia. Rizhao competes on price but lacks Dalian's deep-water capacity and bonded infrastructure. For buyers seeking 30,000+ MT parcels with competitive FOB pricing, Dalian is almost always the optimal choice.
- You need 20,000–80,000 MT of PG 60/70 or VG 30 at competitive FOB.
- Your destination is Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, or Africa.
- You require blended or modified grades that Shandong suppliers can't always deliver at scale.
- You want bonded storage for re-export or delayed lifting.
FAQ: China Dalian Bitumen
Q1: What is the current FOB price of PG 60/70 bitumen from Dalian?
As of Q1 2025, FOB Dalian PG 60/70 bitumen trades at $430–460 per metric ton, depending on parcel size, payment terms, and crude benchmarks. Prices move with Brent crude and HSFO spreads, typically adjusting by $8–15/MT for every $5/bbl shift in crude.
Q2: How long does it take to load a 30,000 MT bitumen cargo at Dalian?
A typical 30,000 MT Handymax cargo loads in 36–48 hours at Dalian's dedicated bitumen berths, assuming shore tank availability and favorable weather. Winter loading can extend to 60 hours when ice escort and reduced pumping rates apply.
Q3: Which countries import the most bitumen from Dalian?
Vietnam is the largest destination at 980,000 MT/year (21.8% of volume), followed by Indonesia at 720,000 MT and the Philippines at 430,000 MT. West Africa and the Middle East are the fastest-growing markets, up 18% year-on-year in 2024.
Q4: Is there bonded storage available at Dalian for bitumen re-export?
Yes. Dalian Port offers over 800,000 m³ of heated bonded tank storage, allowing buyers to import, blend, store, and re-export bitumen without paying Chinese VAT or customs duty. Storage rates average $4–7/m³/month, with temperature maintenance included.
Q5: How does Dalian bitumen quality compare to Singapore or Korean suppliers?
Dalian bitumen is generally spec-equivalent to Ulsan and Jurong product for PG 60/70, PG 80/100, and VG 30 grades, with consistent ASTM D946 and AASHTO M20 compliance. The main difference is logistical — Dalian offers better pricing and larger parcel flexibility, while Singapore offers faster lead times to Southeast Asia.
Calculate Your Dalian Bitumen Import Cost Instantly
Whether you