Alternative Fuels

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Low sulphur supply normal in the ARA and Gibraltar Strait; ARA fuel oil stocks recover from multi-month lows; bunker supplies normal in Durban, Algoa Bay.

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 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:

9 November 2022

Low sulphur supply normal in the ARA and Gibraltar Strait
ARA fuel oil stocks recover from multi-month lows
Bunker supplies normal in Durban, Algoa Bay

Northwest Europe

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA hub, sources say. Several suppliers can offer very prompt deliveries of LSMGO in the region. Recommended lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO may require 5-6 days, sources say.

The ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have bounced back after hitting their lowest levels since May, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil stocks increased by 1.21 million bbls to 7.43 million bbls in the week to 3 November. But they are still below their five-year average position.

According to Vortexa data, the ARA’s fuel oil exports have increased coming into this month, while its imports have slowed considerably.

The region’s gasoil stocks decreased by 160,000 bbls to 12.92 million bbls last week. The inventories remain far below their five-year average position.

Meanwhile, Antwerp has been hit by strike action this week. Several workers at the port started a 24-hour strike from 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday morning. There are concerns that the strike could disrupt vessel movements and cargo handling in the port, sources say. Moreover, container shipping firm A.P. Moller – Maersk has cautioned against potential strike action from tugboat workers in Antwerp.

Supply of VLSFO is normal off Skaw, while LSMGO is slightly tight for prompt dates, a source says. Recommended lead times for the two grades are around seven days. HSFO requires a longer lead time of around 10 days.

Prompt supply of LSGMO is good in Bremerhaven, and some suppliers can offer limited quantities of VLSFO.

Prompt supply of bunker fuels across all grades is tight in French ports. Some suppliers can offer limited quantities of LSMGO, but securing deliveries for other grades is difficult, a source says. The situation is expected to improve in the coming days as striking workers are gradually returning to work at refineries in France, the source adds.

According to a Reuters report, strike action at TotalEnergies’ 117,000 b/d Feyzin oil refinery in France is continuing, while the walkout at the company’s 240,000 b/d Gonfreville oil refinery ended last week. Strike action at TotalEnergies’ 230,000 b/d Donges’ refinery in western France ended last month.

Mediterranean

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Gibraltar. Some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO there, while HSFO deliveries remain subject to enquiries. The port’s VLSFO price is at parity with Algeciras and Malta, and at discounts of $12-14/mt to Las Palmas and Ceuta.

Prompt supply of VLSFO is normal in Ceuta, but LSMGO delivery may require longer lead times of around 5-6 days there, a source says.

One supplier in Gibraltar and two in Algeciras are experiencing delays, according to port agent MH Bland. Strong winds are forecast to hit Gibraltar on Thursday evening, which could cause some delays. Bad weather conditions are forecast to prevail until Saturday.

Bunkering is in progress at outer anchorages in Las Palmas. Swells have been reduced to 1.8 meters on Wednesday from 2.2 meters on Tuesday, MH Bland says.

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are normal in Malta. Recommended lead times for both the grades are around four days, a source says.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal. Some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries.

Africa

Bunker fuel supplies are normal in South Africa’s Algoa Bay and Durban. Suppliers can offer prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO in locations. Recommended lead times are around seven days, a source says.

Strong winds are forecast to hit Algoa Bay on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, which could disrupt bunker operations there, a source says.

Bunker supply across all grades is good in Mozambique’s Maputo and Nacala ports, and bunkering is progressing normally in both the locations, a source says. Four vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Nacala this week, and one in Maputo, the source adds.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE

Published: 10 November, 2022

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

9 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

Bunker Fuel

Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales drops 36% on year in Q2 2026, LNG down 13.4%

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt recorded in the same period the year before while port data showed 76,513 mt of LNG being delivered in Q2 2026, down from 88,328 mt.

Published

9 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently published bunker fuel sales data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Total bunker sales at the port was 2.05 million metric tonnes (mt) in Q2 2026, compared to sales of 1.99 million mt (+3%) during the similar period in 2025.

Deliveries of ultra low sulphur fuel oil, very low sulphur fuel oil, high sulphur fuel oil and marine gas oil in Q2 2026 (against on year) recorded respectively 164,987 mt (+43.6% from 114,917 mt), 537,926 mt (+12.8% from 476,746 mt), 659,182 mt (+11.6% from 590,544 mt) and 366,329 (-15.7% from 434,766 mt).

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt (-36%) recorded in the same period the year before.

Port data showed 76,513 mt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being delivered as a marine fuel in Q2 2026, down by 13.4% from 88,328 mt in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, there has been no deliveries of methanol at the port for the year so far.

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Published: 23 July, 2026

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”.

Published

1 day ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

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