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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook

HSFO supply remains tight in Gibraltar Strait ports; ARA gasoil stocks gain weight while fuel oil is drawn; bunker fuel availability improves in Durban.

Published

4 years ago

June 30, 2022

Admin

Resized Europe Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook image for Manifold Times 1

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

29 June 2022

HSFO supply remains tight in Gibraltar Strait ports
ARA gasoil stocks gain weight while fuel oil is drawn
Bunker fuel availability improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal in ARA ports, while HSFO is tight for prompt deliveries, sources say.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are 3-5 days in ARA, but some suppliers can offer LSMGO on prompt dates, sources say. HSFO requires a longer lead time of 5-7 days

Independently held gasoil stocks in the ARA increased last week and scaled to their bulkiest level so far in June, while fuel stocks declined slightly.

Gasoil stocks increased by 720,000 bbls to 11.33 million bbls in the week to 23 June, and fuel oil inventories decreased by 90,000 bbls to 7.93 million bbls, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks in the ARA have gradually been increasing since a slump in April. The inventory buildup was supported by continuous flows from Russia.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability in Hamburg are normal, but HSFO supply is tight as suppliers have limited stock, sources say.

LSMGO availability is normal in Bremerhaven, but VLSFO and HSFO prompt deliveries are more difficult to find.

Mediterranean

HSFO supply is tight in the Gibraltar Strait ports, while VLSFO and LSMGO are more readily available for prompt deliveries, sources say.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are 3-4 days in Gibraltar and Algeciras, while HSFO stems are mostly subject to enquiries, a source says.

Some suppliers in Gibraltar Strait can offer HSFO in limited quantities.

Congestion in Gibraltar has reportedly increased to seven vessels on Wednesday from just two in the past day, port agent MH Bland says. Two suppliers were running 2-4 hours behind schedule on Wednesday morning.

Strong wind and gusts are forecasted on Friday, which could possibly trigger suspension or delays in Gibraltar.

In Ceuta, all port operations are running normally and no congestion has been reported today, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia. Eight vessels are due to arrive today.

LSMGO and VLSFO availability are normal in Ceuta, and some suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates, sources say.

In Malta, all bunkering areas have been open for supply this week amid conducive weather conditions, Seatrans Shipping agency says.

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO availability have improved in Durban and some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries, sources say. VLSFO has been tight in past few weeks, but with the arrival of replenishment stocks, the pressure has eased a bit.

VLSFO price in Durban has decreased by $51/mt since the start of this week.

Availability of VLSFO is normal in Port of Elizabeth and suppliers can offer prompt deliveries, but LSMGO is tight for prompt dates, a source says.

No congestion has been reported in Port of Elizabeth on Friday, according to Rennies Ships Agency. However, bad weather is forecast on Friday that could trigger suspension or delays until Sunday.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 30 June, 2022

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidators of Da Xin Tankers and Nan Chiau Maritime by 5 August, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

12 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Two notices to declare the intended dividend of Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries to their creditors have been posted on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (22 July).

The subsidiaries are Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd and Nan Chiau Maritime Pte Ltd.

The following are the details of the notices of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Da Xin Tankers (Pte) Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 198400895W
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Name of Company : Nan Chiau Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No.: 200814296Z
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

12 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Decarbonisation

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

Both will explore solutions spanning emissions measurement and verification, a digital Book-and-Claim framework, and a joint maritime-land inset token package.

Published

12 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

PSA International (PSA) on Monday (20 July) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) to jointly accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions across the maritime value chain.

Beyond emissions measurement and verification, the collaboration will focus on a digital Book-and-Claim framework and a joint maritime-land based inset token package.

“This synergy provides cargo stakeholders with a transparent and accountable sea-land pathway to achieve their decarbonisation targets,” PSA said on its website.

Yang Ming launched the green transport service, EcoSea+. This initiative integrates Yang Ming’s low-carbon navigation capabilities to empower customers with a flexible and transparent strategy to effectively reduce their Scope 3 transportation emissions. By joining forces with PSA, Yang Ming is able to expand the impact of these sustainability actions beyond the ocean.

Building on its position as a global port operator, PSA advances its Node to Network strategy through integrated port and supply chain capabilities that enable a green network of terminal and landside operations to reduce end-to-end supply chain emissions.

The agreement was officially signed by Mr Ivan Chiang, Chief Logistics Officer & Senior Vice President of Yang Ming, and Mr Eddy Ng, Group Head of Operations, Technology and Sustainability of PSA International.

Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA International Group CEO, said, “As responsible stewards of tomorrow, PSA is committed to delivering sustainable impact across the global port and supply chain ecosystem.

“Tackling the challenges arising from climate change will require the collective efforts of all players in the maritime supply chain sector. We are excited to partner Yang Ming on the decarbonisation of global supply chains and support the transition towards a more sustainable global economy.”

Photo credit: PSA International
Published: 23 July, 2026