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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (25 Oct 2023)

HSFO supply tight in the ARA amid loading delays; Rotterdam’s bunker fuel sales near thee-year lows in Q3; offshore bunkering in Algoa Bay remains suspended.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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:

  • HSFO supply tight in the ARA amid loading delays
  • Rotterdam’s bunker fuel sales near thee-year lows in Q3
  • Offshore bunkering in Algoa Bay remains suspended

Northwest Europe

HSFO availability remains very tight for prompt delivery dates in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. Availability of the high-sulphur grade has tightened because of loading delays and congestion at oil terminals. Some barges have been waiting for nearly 10 days to load the product, a trader claims.

Lead times of 5-7 days are generally recommended for full coverage from suppliers.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is relatively better in the ARA hub. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended for VLSFO, and 2-4 days for LSMGO, a source says. One trader says VLSFO supply crunch has eased a bit in the ARA hub.

Rotterdam sold a total of 2.17 million mt of conventional bunker fuels in the third quarter of this year, down from 2.38 million mt sold in the previous quarter. The port’s conventional bunker fuel sales dropped for the third consecutive quarter and were at their lowest level since the second quarter of 2020.

On the other hand, Rotterdam’s LNG bunker sales surged by 15% in the third quarter. LNG bunker sales touched 204,000 cbm (83,000 mt) in the third quarter of this year, up from 180,000 cbm (73,000 mt) sold in the previous quarter. LNG sales increased for the third consecutive quarter, and recorded their highest sales level since the third quarter of 2021.

Bio-blended sales in the port fell from 186,000 mt in the second quarter of this year, to 183,000 mt in the third quarter. About 78% of biofuel blends sold in the third quarter were bio-VLSFO, followed by bio-HSFO (9%), bio-MGO (8%), bio-ULSFO (4%) and bio-MDO (1%).

About 250 mt of methanol was sold in the third quarter in Rotterdam.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in the Dutch port of Flushing. One supplier is fully booked for the remaining days of this month, and can supply both grades from 6 November onwards. Another supplier has held back offers because of tight barge availability, while one supplier can supply for prompt dates.

All three grades remain in good availability in the German port of Hamburg. Lead times of up to five days are recommended there. HSFO supply has improved there, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal for delivery off Skaw, a source says. Recommended lead times for both grades are around 7-10 days. Unlike Hamburg, availability of HSFO is tight off Skaw.

Mediterranean

HSFO availability has improved in Gibraltar over the past two weeks. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended for full coverage from suppliers. Some suppliers can even supply the high-sulphur grade, with a shorter lead time of two days, a source says. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Gibraltar.

With a stable supply of HSFO, the port’s Hi5 spread has widened significantly in recent weeks. Gibraltar’s Hi5 spread was pegged at $67/mt on Wednesday, up from $18/mt at the beginning of this month.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is a bit tight in Algeciras. One supplier is unable to offer the grades for prompt dates because it is fully booked for the remaining days of this month.

Congestion was reported at the inner anchorage in Algeciras on Wednesday. Two suppliers experienced delays of 2-4 hours there, and one supplier was 24-32 hours behind schedule on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland.

Bunker operations were progressing normally in Ceuta on Wednesday. Seven vessels were due to arrive for bunkers throughout the day, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

In the nearby port of Las Palmas, VLSFO availability has been good. Lead times of up to five days are recommended for the grade.

Other bunker delivery locations in the Mediterranean such as off Malta, Piraeus and Istanbul have tight availability of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Africa

Offshore bunkering in Algoa Bay has remained suspended for over a month now. The deliveries came to a standstill after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges over import duty disputes in September. Some buyers have stemmed bunkers for deliveries in early November, a port agent told ENGINE.

Talks between bunker suppliers and authorities to resolve Algoa Bay offshore bunkering have reached an advanced stage. However, there is no clarity on how soon bunkering could resume in the bay, two port agents said.

Meanwhile, bunker supply is available in Port Elizabeth, and other South African ports including Cape Town, Ngqura and Durban, one of the port agents said.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Durban. Lead times of up to seven days are recommended in the port. LSMGO grade is almost out of stock in Richards Bay, a source says.

HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Mozambique’s Nacala port, a source says. VLSFO supply is very tight in the port. On the other hand, LSMGO availability is normal in Maputo, but barge availability has tightened there. VLSFO is tight in Maputo, where a supplier can offer the earliest delivery on 9 November.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 26 October, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

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Baltic Exchange logo

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)
Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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:

  • Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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