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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt VLSFO supply tight in the ARA; bunker barge availability tight off Skaw; HSFO supply limited in Las Palmas.

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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:

31 May, 2023

  • Prompt VLSFO supply tight in the ARA
  • Bunker barge availability tight off Skaw
  • HSFO supply limited in Las Palmas

 

Northwest Europe

VLSFO supply is said to be tight for prompt dates in the ARA ports. Lead times of at least five days are generally recommended to ensure full coverage from suppliers. Product loading delays at some terminals have largely contributed to VLSFO tightness in the region, a source says. Bunker barges are taking more time than usual to load products.

LSMGO prompt supply is relatively better in Antwerp and Rotterdam, however, securing prompt deliveries can be hard in Amsterdam, sources say. Two suppliers are unable to supply the grade due to a lack of product availability in Amsterdam. One supplier can supply LSMGO only for delivery dates in the second week of June, a source says.

Recommended lead times for HSFO in the ARA hub are around 5-7 days.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA have risen to near two-year high levels in May. The stocks have averaged 12% higher so far this month than across April, according to Insights Global data.

Meanwhile, the ARA’s gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have managed to remain above 17 million bbls since February, partly due to higher imports from Saudi Arabia and India.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal for delivery off Skaw. But prompt supply is mostly subject to enquiry due to tight barge availability, a source says. HSFO availability is relatively tighter there. Recommended lead times for all grades range between 7-10 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the German port of Hamburg, with recommended lead times of five days. HSFO supply dates are subject to enquiry.

 

Mediterranean

Securing VLSFO for very prompt dates (0-2 days) can be difficult in Gibraltar Strait ports. Lead times of 4-5 days are recommended for the grade. LSMGO supply is relatively better, with some suppliers able to offer prompt deliveries.

One supplier in Gibraltar experienced delays of 8-12 hours on Wednesday due to non-availability of a bunker barge, according to port agent MH Bland.

Slight congestion was reported in Gibraltar on Wednesday, with seven vessels waiting for bunkers, MH Bland says. Meanwhile, minimal congestion was reported in Algeciras and Ceuta.

HSFO availability is tight for prompt dates in Las Palmas, primarily due to fewer suppliers supplying the product there, a source says.

Bunker fuel supply across all grades is said to be normal in Malta. Some suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates off Malta, but these deliveries are subject to firm enquiries, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the Greek port of Piraeus. Lead times of around 5-6 days are generally recommended.

LSMGO availability is normal in Turkey’s Istanbul port, where a supplier can offer stems for prompt dates.

 

Africa

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Durban and Algoa Bay. But recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO can stretch up to seven days for both locations, a source says.

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday after being suspended since Monday due to bad weather, according to Rennies Ships Agency. However, strong wind gusts are forecast to hit the bay again on Saturday, which could trigger another suspension.

Availability is normal across all grades in Mozambique’s Nacala port, a source says. However, prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Maputo, requiring lead times of at least eight days.

By Nithin Chandran

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 1 June, 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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