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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore; weak demand in Zhoushan; South Korean ports face possible 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:

6 June 2023

  • VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore
  • Weak demand in Zhoushan
  • South Korean ports face possible weather disruptions

 

Singapore

Demand has been average in Singapore so far this week. Securing VLSFO and HSFO stems in Singapore can be difficult. Lead times for VLSFO are 9-11 days – almost unchanged from last week, while lead times for HSFO have increased from last week’s 8-11 days to 8-14 days now.

LSMGO availability, on the other hand, has improved with lead times shortening from last week’s 6-8 days to 3-5 days.

Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 19% lower in May than in April, data from Enterprise Singapore shows. The port’s net fuel imports plunged 24% lower in May, and to their lowest level since last August. Fuel oil imports and exports also fell by 20% and 14%, respectively, in May.

The port’s middle distillate stocks were also down, declining by 9% in May.

 

East Asia

Zhoushan continues to grapple with weak demand, a source says. Despite less bunkering, VLSFO supply has tightened in the Chinese bunkering hub as some suppliers are running low on stocks. Lead times for the grade have nearly doubled on the week, from 3-5 days to 5-7 days now.

HSFO lead times, on the other hand, have come down from last week’s 4-7 days to 3-5 days. LSMGO lead times remain steady at 3-5 days.

In Hong Kong, VLSFO and HSFO supply has come under pressure amid tight barge availability, a source says. Recommended lead times for both grades remain unchanged on the week at 7-10 days.

LSMGO is more readily available in the port, with a shorter lead time of 3-5 days.

Wind gusts of 19-21 knots and swells of close to a meter are forecast to hit Hong Kong on 12 June, which could disrupt bunkering operations.

Bad weather is also anticipated to disrupt bunker deliveries in the South Korean ports of Ulsan and Onsan between 10-11 June, Busan and Yeosu between 9-11 June, and Daesan and Taean between 8-11 June.

Meanwhile, VLSFO availability remains tight in South Korean ports, with lead times stretching to almost two weeks. LSMGO availability has improved significantly in South Korea. Some suppliers, who were offering the LSMGO with lead times of 10-14 days last week, can now supply for prompt delivery dates. HSFO requires lead times of 3-5 days – similar to last week.

Adverse weather conditions are also forecast in the Philippine port of Subic Bay between 12-13 June, the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang between 11-13 June, and the Kiwi port of Tauranga between Tuesday and Thursday, which might hamper bunker deliveries.

 

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 and Chennai on the southern coast.

Availability of both grades is relatively tight in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Paradip and deliveries are subject to availability. Meanwhile, supply is subject to enquiry in Tuticorin port located on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast.

Bad weather is forecast between Wednesday and Saturday, which could disrupt bunkering in India’s west coast ports of Sikka and Kandla.

Rough weather is also forecast at the Sri Lankan port of Colombo on Wednesday and could disrupt bunkering.

 

Middle East

Bunker fuel supply across all grades is said to be normal in Fujairah, with lead times ranging between 5-7 days for all grades – virtually unchanged from last week. Some suppliers can offer prompt stems of all grades, but their availability depends on the stem size, a source says.

The other UAE port of Khor Fakkan also has unchanged lead times of 5-7 days across all grades.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 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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