The ongoing strike at South Korea’s Yeosu Port by barge operators has resulted in bunker fuel prices at the port to move above those in Busan, in the country’s southeast, said trade sources Wednesday.

The 380 CST grade bunker fuel price for delivery to Yeosu in the south was traded at $625-630/mt, while that for delivery to Busan in the southeast tradee at $615-620/mt Tuesday night, said one trader.

Yeosu spot prices are typically the same as Busan, but they have gone up by as much as $10/mt compared with Busan since the strike started June 5, sources said.

The South Korean 380 CST bunker fuel price was assessed at $619/mt Tuesday, up $2/mt day on day.

Some barge operators went on strike at Yeosu Port last week to protest against government regulations, bunker traders said. Barge operators in Yeosu are opposing the strict regulations imposed following the April 16 ferry disaster in South Korea in which nearly 300 people died.

Currently, only S-Oil can offer spot bunker fuel for delivery to Yeosu as it can transport the fuel from its Onsan refinery in the southeast. The other refiners have suspended offering spot fuel due to uncertainty of barge availability, refiners and traders said.

Bunkering operations in other ports of South Korea remained normal as of Wednesday and there was sufficient stock, the sources added.