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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Availability tight for VLSFO and HSFO in Singapore; bunker demand good in Hong Kong; several East of Suez ports face weather disruptions.

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ENGINE East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

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:

23 May 2023

  • Availability tight for VLSFO and HSFO in Singapore
  • Bunker demand good in Hong Kong
  • Several East of Suez ports face weather disruptions

 

Singapore

A source says that “demand started slow” in Singapore this week but “then picked up.” Availability remains tight for VLSFO and HSFO in the port, with lead times of 8-9 days and 6-10 days recommended, respectively. This is slightly down from 8-12 days last week.

Lead times for LSMGO have also increased marginally from 4-6 days last week to 5-7 days now.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 16% lower so far in May than across April, according to Enterprise Singapore. The port’s residual fuel oil stocks have slumped to their lowest average level since last August, partly due to less fuel oil imports this month. Singapore’s fuel oil imports have declined by a significant 19% so far this month and are at their lowest level in a year.

The port’s middle distillate stocks have fallen by 11% so far this month and have not been drawn further down since last December.

 

East Asia

Availability of VLSFO has improved in Zhoushan, with lead times shortening from 5-7 days last week to 3-5 days this week. LSMGO stems also require 3-5 days – virtually unchanged from last week. But lead times for HSFO have increased slightly from 3-5 days last week to 4-7 days.

Bunker deliveries have resumed at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages this morning after being halted by bad weather since Sunday, a source says. But strong wind gusts of 23-31 knots are forecast between 26-28 May, which could disrupt operations again. The Chinese bunkering hub has been grappling with weather disruptions for quite some time now, which has slowed down bunkering there, a source says.

Prompt availability across all grades is tight in Hong Kong, as barge availability has come under pressure from high demand, a source says. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO grades are 4-7 days, while lead times for HSFO are around seven days.

VLSFO availability has gotten very tight in South Korean ports, with lead times stretching to two weeks out. But one supplier can offer the grade at shorter lead times of around four days, a source says.

Meanwhile, availability of LSMGO and HSFO is normal in South Korean ports, with lead times of 4-5 days recommended.

Bad weather is forecast in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu between 26-28 May, which could hamper operations.

Adverse weather conditions are also anticipated to disrupt bunker deliveries in the Philippine port of Subic Bay and the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh on 30 May, and the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 28-29 May.

 

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time in several Indian ports, including Kandla on the northwest coast and Cochin on the southern coast.

Availability of both grades is also good in Visakhapatnam on the southwestern coast and Chennai on the southern coast, with lead times of around five days advised.

Meanwhile, VLSFO and LSMGO remain subject to availability in Mumbai, Tuticorin and Haldia.

Rough weather between 24-25 May is expected to disrupt bunkering operations in India’s west coast ports of Sikka and Kandla and in the southwestern port of Visakhapatnam.

Middle East

All bunker fuel grades are readily available in Fujairah amid “really low” demand, says a source. While VLSFO and HSFO will need lead times of some three days and six days, respectively, prompt dates are available for LSMGO.

Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended across all grades in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 24 May, 2023

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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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