Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker supply slightly tight in Gibraltar but suppliers can offer LSMGO for prompt dates; ARA fuel oil, gasoil stocks add more weight; bunkering resumes in Algoa Bay.

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2022

Admin

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:

24 August 2022

Bunker supply slightly tight in Gibraltar
ARA fuel oil, gasoil stocks add more weight
Bunkering resumes in Algoa Bay

Northwest Europe

Securing prompt supply of VLSFO and HSFO can be slightly difficult in the ARA hub this week, while LSMGO is more readily available, sources say. The recommended lead time for LSMGO delivery in Rotterdam is three days. HSFO and VLSFO deliveries require longer lead times of around five days.

Independently held gasoil stocks in the ARA have steadily grown since they hit a multi-year low in June this year. The stocks increased by 140,000 bbls to 11.35 million bbls in the week ending 18 August, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks in the region also increased by 20,000 bbls to 7.69 million bbls last week, Insights Global data shows.

Meanwhile, there are concerns that vessel congestion may increase in the ARA this week amid strike action at Britain’s Port of Felixstowe. Around 2,000 dockworkers in Felixstowe have started an eight-day strike from Sunday after negotiations over pay hikes failed.

Besides, dockworkers in another British port, Liverpool, are planning a similar strike action.

“With such large strikes carriers are likely to have to offload UK-bound cargo in major hubs such as Antwerp and Rotterdam and as a consequence further worsen existing congestion problems on the continent as well,” liner consultancy firm Vespucci Maritime’s chief executive Lars Jensen said recently.

HSFO can be slightly tight for prompt delivery off Skaw, while some suppliers can offer LSMGO for early dates, a source says. Recommended lead times for the two grades are 7-10 days.

Bunker supply is normal in Hamburg. Recommended lead times for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO are around five days, a source says.

LSMGO availability is normal in Bremerhaven, while VLSFO and HSFO deliveries remain subject to enquiries.

Mediterranean

Prompt supply of HSFO and VLSFO can be hard to find in Gibraltar, but suppliers can offer LSMGO for prompt dates, sources say. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are around seven days, while LSMGO has a shorter lead time of 4-5 days.

More congestion has been reported in Gibraltar this week. There were six vessels waiting to bunker in Gibraltar on Wednesday morning, up from five on Tuesday and around two last week, port agent MH Bland says.

No backlog has been reported in Ceuta this week, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia. Bunker availability is said to be normal in Ceuta, a source says.

Concerns over smooth bunker deliveries have eased in Las Palmas amid calmer weather conditions. Waves have reduced to a more moderate level of 1.6 metres on Wednesday, allowing more suppliers to offer deliveries at weather-exposed outer anchorage, MH Bland says.

Last week, some suppliers were forced to offer deliveries only at Las Palmas’ more sheltered inner anchorage due to harsh weather, a source says. Bunker supply is said to be normal in Las Palmas. The recommended lead time for LSMGO delivery is 3-4 days, a source says.

All ports in Malta and offshore bunkering areas are open for supply, with no backlogs reported, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. Nine vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday.

Africa

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday after remaining suspended for the past five days due to rough weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency.

Waves have come down to a moderate level of 2 metres on Wednesday, from 4.6 metres on Tuesday, and around 7 metres last week. Bad weather and suspended bunkering has created a backlog of vessels in Algoa Bay. Suppliers are now working to clear this backlog, Rennies says.

Three vessels were waiting to bunker at anchorage on Wednesday. 14 more vessels are scheduled to arrive throughout the rest of the days this week. Waves are forecast to rise again on Thursday, which could further disrupt bunker deliveries.

Meanwhile, bunker supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay and Durban, sources say. Recommended lead times for the two grades are 7-10 days.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 25 August, 2022

Legal

Shell Singapore charged over Pulau Bukom oil leaks, reporting delays

Shell faces four charges under Singapore’s Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act over two 2024 oil discharge incidents at its Pulau Bukom facility.

Published

22 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

2 MPA craft (left) supporting Shell craft in the clean up operations of the oil sheens taken on 28 Dec 9am

Shell Singapore has been charged over two incidents in 2024 involving oily mixtures discharged into Singapore waters from its facilities at Pulau Bukom, according to media reports on Tuesday (22 September).

The company faces four charges under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, including allegations that it failed to report the discharges to the port master immediately.

The first incident occurred on 20 October 2024, when approximately 40 metric tonnes (mt) of oily mixture was discharged through a hole in a pipeline at the Shell Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park at about 8am.

Shell is accused of reporting the incident to the port master at about 12.55pm, several hours after the discharge occurred.

The second incident took place between 26 and 28 December 2024. An estimated 485kg to 956kg of oil mixture was discharged into Singapore waters from the same facility.

Shell is accused of failing to report the incident immediately, with notification to the port master made at about 11.50am on 26 December 2024, according to the charges.

Singapore’s pollution-prevention regulations require occupiers of such facilities to report oil or oily-mixture discharges into Singapore waters “without delay and to the fullest extent possible”.

Shell’s representative requested an eight-week adjournment at the 22 September hearing, citing the need to obtain internal instructions, appoint counsel and locate historical records. The company said the business associated with the incidents had been divested in 2025.

The case was adjourned to October. Shell is also facing prosecution by Singapore’s National Environment Agency over the same incidents.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 September, 2026

Incident

MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Published

22 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said.

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment.

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Mass Flowmeter

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Bunker barge “Kingston Trader” is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

Published

22 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Thursday (24 September) said its bunker barge Kingston Trader is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

The company said the latest installation brings the proportion of TFG Marine’s fleet equipped with MFMs to approximately 88%, marking another step in the continued rollout of this technology across its global bunkering operations.

“The barge will operate in Jamaica through our local partnership with Scott Petroleum, becoming the first bunkering vessel in the region equipped with this technology and bringing greater accuracy, transparency and assurance to fuel measurement for customers across the Caribbean,” TFG Marine said in a social media post.

“Together with Scott Petroleum, we look forward to working collaboratively with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, the The Port Authority of Jamaica, Petrojam Limited and other stakeholders to share our experience of MFM technology, explore its wider benefits and support the continued development of bunkering standards across the region.”

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine continuing to expand MFM technology across its US Gulf Coast bunker fleet with Buffalo B414 and Buffalo B304 being fitted with the equipment.

Last year, TFG Marine announced it reached a key milestone in its global digitalisation programme with the installation of an ISO 22192-compliant MFM on the Buffalo 404, a barge on time charter from American bunker barge company Buffalo Marine Service Inc.

The installation was part of TFG Marine’s wider strategy to equip close to 90% of its global bunkering fleet with MFMs by 2026 as a commitment towards improving data integrity, streamlining operations and strengthening trust in marine fuel transactions.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 25 September, 2026