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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

HSFO tight in major European bunker hubs; VLSFO supply improves in Ceuta; VLSFO availability tight in Nacala.

Published

3 years ago

July 13, 2023

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:

12 July 2023

HSFO tight in major European bunker hubs
VLSFO supply improves in Ceuta
VLSFO availability tight in Nacala

Northwest Europe

Securing HSFO prompt stems in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub remains difficult, sources say. Some suppliers are hesitant to supply HSFO stems in large quantities.

VLSFO availability is said to be normal there, with some suppliers able to supply for prompt delivery dates, a trader says. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for HSFO and VLSFO.

LSMGO availability is normal for prompt delivery dates in Rotterdam, with lead times of 2-3 days recommended for the grade, a source says. But another trader says that LSMGO can be slightly difficult to secure for very prompt dates (0-2 days) in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub.

The ARA’s independent gasoil stocks have averaged 11% lower so far this month than across June, according to Insights Global data. The gasoil inventories have declined for a fourth consecutive week and are sharply down from recent peak levels of 18.59 million bbls seen in February, to 14.66 million bbls in the latest week.

ICE gasoil premiums have also narrowed sharply in recent months. Typical front-month ICE gasoil price premiums over Rotterdam’s delivered LSMGO grade have been erased, and ICE gasoil currently stands at a $6/mt discount. Its premium topped at $58/mt in March, but has since declined.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains normal for delivery off Skaw, a source says. Recommended lead times for both grades remain unchanged at 7-10 days. HSFO supply is relatively tighter there.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in the German ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven, with lead times of five days.

Mediterranean

HSFO supply remains tight in Gibraltar Strait ports. A lead time of 5-7 days is generally recommended to ensure full coverage from suppliers in the region. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal across Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, with lead times of 3-5 days recommended.

VLSFO has become more available in Ceuta after two suppliers received replenishment cargoes. On Tuesday, a total of 33,000 mt of VLSFO was discharged in the port, with 25,000 mt going to one supplier and 8,000 mt to another, according to the Port of Ceuta.

Minimum congestion was reported in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta on Wednesday, port agent MH Bland says. One supplier in Gibraltar and three in Algeciras were behind schedule.

Global bunker supplier Peninsula has started biofuel supply in Gibraltar Strait. It delivered a B24 stem to a chemical tanker in Gibraltar on 19 June. The B24 marine biofuel – is a blend of 24% used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) and 76% VLSFO. The biofuel was delivered using its recently acquired bunker delivery vessel Hercules Sky.

HSFO is very tight in Las Palmas and in the nearby port of Tenerife, a source says. Meanwhile, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are in more ample supply in both locations.

VLSFO and LSMGO remain in steady supply in the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines, a source says. Availability is also good for prompt supply off Malta, and in the Greek port of Piraeus.

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal in the South African ports of Durban and Cape Town, and at the Algoa Bay anchorage by Port Elizabeth, where lead times of up to seven days are recommended, a source says.

VLSFO availability is tight in Mozambique’s Nacala port, with limited product availability until 28 July, a source says. Meanwhile, HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Nacala.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Mozambique’s Maputo port.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 13 July, 2023

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Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

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Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

12 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

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Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026