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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Fujairah bunkering inches closer to normal operation; bunker demand sluggish in China’s bunker hub – Zhoushan; Singapore’s Hi5 spread narrows further.

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The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlook for the East of Suez region has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

16 August 2022

  • Fujairah bunkering inches closer to normal operation
  • Bunker demand sluggish in China’s bunker hub – Zhoushan
  • Singapore’s Hi5 spread narrows further

 

Singapore

VLSFO and HSFO supply remains “super tight” for prompt dates in Singapore. Recommended lead times are around 9-12 days.

Bunker demand has been normal in Singapore so far this week. A series of VLSFO and LSMGO stems were fixed at the beginning of the week, while HSFO fixtures have been fewer. 

Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have been drawn for five consecutive weeks amid lower imports and have averaged 12% lower so far this month than in July, while its middle distillate stocks are up by 3% on the month, according to Enterprise Singapore.

Tightening HSFO availability prospects and a steep decline in Singapore’s VLSFO price in recent weeks have contributed to narrow the port’s Hi5 spread to $220/mt, which is less than half its peak above $570/mt around mid-July.

LSMGO remains more readily available, and its lead times remain steady at 4-6 days.

 

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in China’s Zhoushan and Shanghai. Prices of the two grades in Zhoushan have come under pressure in recent weeks due to ample stocks in the port and weak demand, sources say.

Securing HSFO for prompt dates in Zhoushan and Shanghai is slightly difficult as fewer suppliers offer the grade, sources say.

Suppliers in Zhoushan struggled to deliver stems outside of the port’s outer limit (OPL) and Tiaozhoumen anchorage on Tuesday due to rough weather conditions, sources say.

Availability is normal across HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO grades in Hong Kong as suppliers have ample stocks. Recommended lead times are around 4-5 days.

Bunker fuel availability is normal across all grades in South Korea’s Busan. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO is around five days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates in Vietnamese ports. A supplier can offer VLSFO for prompt dates but on cash in advance basis, sources say.

LSMGO availability is normal in Philippines’ Manila. A supplier can offer deliveries for prompt dates.

 

South Asia

Availability of LSMGO and VLSFO remains normal in India’s Mumbai. Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in Mundra on India’s northwest coast and requires around six days of lead time, while HSFO has a shorter lead time of 3-4 days.

VLSFO supply is almost out of stock in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada on India’s east coast, where a supplier expects to receive replenishment stock by next week. LSMGO is more readily available.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Colombo and Trincomalee, and some suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates, sources say. HSFO availability is normal, but typically requires at least 4-5 days of lead time as the grade is supplied by a smaller number of suppliers.

 

Middle East

Bunker operations in Fujairah have nearly normalised after the port’s terminals were hit with heavy flooding in late July. Barge loading delays and congestion have come down in Fujairah as more terminals have resumed normal operations, sources say

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Fujairah for prompt dates. Some suppliers can offer VLSFO for prompt dates, but these are typically priced higher. Prompt stems have typically been priced $50-55/mt higher than for dates further out, while in some cases premiums can go even higher, a source says.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are around six days. HSFO availability is normal, and some suppliers can offer limited quantities for prompt dates. 

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Oman’s Sohar. Some suppliers resumed VLSFO offers from last week after Sohar’s sole barge was able to load the fuel from Fujairah, sources say.  

VLSFO availability is normal in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah, while LSMGO is said to be tight, according to sources.

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 August, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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