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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar; ARA fuel oil stocks fall 10% amid dwindling Russian inflows; Algoa Bay bunkering resumes after five-day suspension.

Published

4 years ago

September 8, 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:

7 September 2022

Bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar
ARA fuel oil stocks fall 10% amid dwindling Russian inflows
Algoa Bay bunkering resumes after five-day suspension

Northwest Europe

Several suppliers can offer prompt LSMGO deliveries in the ARA hub, sources say. VLSFO and HSFO supplies are in tight availability for prompt dates and require lead times of 5-7 days. The recommended lead time for LSMGO delivery in Rotterdam and other ports in the region is three days.

Independently held fuel oil inventories in the ARA fell by nearly 10% last week after consistently growing for four straight weeks, according to Insights Global data.

The region’s fuel oil stocks decreased by 790,000 bbls to 7.19 million bbls in the week ending 1 September. The region’s fuel oil stocks maintained steady growth through most of August amid lower exports. But signs of dwindling Russian inflows seem to have contributed to draw stocks in the latest week.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, Russian fuel oil imports accounted for about a quarter of ARA’s fuel oil imports in July, but nothing flowed in from Russia in August or so far in September.

Meanwhile, the region’s gasoil stocks have increased by a slight 50,000 bbls to 12.77 million bbls last week, Insights Global data shows. These inventories have grown steadily since they hit a multi-year low in June this year.

Some suppliers can offer limited quantities of LSMGO and HSFO off Skaw. Recommended lead times for the two grades are around seven days, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Italy’s Ravenna and Marghera, a source says.

Mediterranean

Bunker operations have been suspended in Gibraltar since Thursday as local authorities continue to oversee work to pump out fuel from the damaged dry bulk carrier OS 35.

Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) has confirmed that most of the fuel has been extracted from the vessel and the situation is stable now. The port authority might decide to resume normal port operations on Wednesday after reviewing the overall situation, GPA says.

On Tuesday last week, dry bulk carrier OS 35 collided with LNG carrier Adam LNG while it was trying to manoeuvre out of the Bay of Gibraltar. The OS 35 started leaking fuel oil on Thursday last week, and since then work has been underway to clean up the oil spill.

All inbound vessel traffic to Gibraltar’s western anchorage and outside the port limit (OPL) has been halted since last week. Meanwhile, suppliers in Gibraltar have fuel volumes to supply, but deliveries have been held back due to the port closure.

While bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar, bunker calls have been diverted to nearby ports such as Algeciras, Ceuta and Las Palmas, sources say.

There has been good bunker demand in Algeciras, Las Palmas and Malta this week, sources say.

Heavy congestion has been reported at Algeciras’ inner and outer anchorages, port agent MH Bland says. Bunker calls have also increased in Ceuta, where 12 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers Wednesday, up from seven on Tuesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia.

Suppliers in and off Malta are said to be busy for the next two-three days to meet higher bunker demand in the region, a source says. All bunkering areas are open for supply in and off Malta, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. 15 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, up from 12 on Tuesday.

Africa

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday amid calmer weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Strong winds and heavy swells have kept Algoa Bay bunkering suspended since Friday, while it resumed in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Waves have come down to a level of 2 metres on Wednesday from above 6 metres on Monday.

10 vessels are scheduled to arrive to bunker in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, Rennies says.

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay, where suppliers are working to clear bunker backlogs, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Durban, and some suppliers can offer delivery for prompt dates, a source says. Recommended lead times for the two grades in Durban are around seven days.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 September 2022

Bunker Fuel

Huanghua Port expands bunkering capabilities with dedicated fuel oil terminal

Previously, bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays.

Published

14 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Huanghua Port has strengthened its marine fuel supply infrastructure with the commissioning of its first dedicated, all-weather bunker terminal, a move aimed at improving vessel turnaround times and supporting growing shipping activity at the port, according to China-based news outlets on Thursday (11 June).

On 9 June, bunker tanker Heng Feng You 165 completed fuel loading operations at the terminal in the Huanghua Port Comprehensive Port Area before proceeding to an anchorage to provide bunkering services to waiting cargo vessels.

According to local authorities, the new facility addresses a longstanding bottleneck in the port’s marine fuel supply chain.

Yao Meichen, Deputy Director of the Cangzhou Municipal Ocean and Port Administration Bureau said bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports previously, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays for vessels awaiting bunkers.

As cargo throughput and vessel traffic have increased in recent years, the absence of a specialised bunker terminal became a constraint on port efficiency. To address the issue, local authorities invested RMB 266 million (USD 39 million) to develop Huanghua Port’s first dedicated marine fuel oil terminal and actively pursued regulatory approvals for both a domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and a liquid bonded storage facility.

The terminal, which entered service at the end of last year, features a dedicated 5,000-dwt berth and storage tanks with a combined capacity of 66,000 cubic metres. It has a designed annual throughput capacity of 820,000 tonnes and primarily handles marine gasoil as well as 120 CST and 180 CST fuel oils.

Authorities said the facility has been operating smoothly since its launch and is capable of ensuring a stable supply of bunker fuel for vessels calling at the port.

The bunkering infrastructure will be further enhanced following approval from Shijiazhuang Customs for the establishment of both the domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and liquid bonded storage facilities. The additions are expected to strengthen Huanghua Port’s ability to provide bunkering services to international-going vessels.

“The commissioning of the marine fuel oil terminal has completely changed the previous situation of off-site fuel supply and ships queuing for fuel, achieving benefits for both bunkering vessels and cargo ships,” said Dong Xianke, General Manager of Cangzhou Bohai New Area Gangkun Marine Fuel Co., Ltd., the terminal’s operator.

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 16 June, 2026

Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.

Published

15 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

Published

15 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply.

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026