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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (31 July 2024)

LSMGO supply improves in the ARA; HSFO is tight off Malta, Piraeus and Istanbul; LSMGO supply is tight 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:

  •   LSMGO supply improves in the ARA
  •   HSFO is tight off Malta, Piraeus and Istanbul
  •   LSMGO supply is tight in Durban

Northwest Europe

Securing prompt HSFO and VLSFO stems can be difficult in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub, two sources said. A trader recommends lead times of 5–7 days for HSFO and 4–6 days for VLSFO. LSMGO availability is relatively better, and the grade can be secured with a shorter lead time of 3-5 days, down from 4-6 days seen last week.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 8% lower so far in July than across June, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 272,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, up from 235,000 b/d of fuel oil imported in June, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The UK has retained its position as the ARA’s top fuel oil import source, accounting for 16% of the region’s total imports this month. Mexico has been the second major fuel oil import source, accounting for 14% of the total imports. Other import sources include Denmark (13%), Lithuania (9%) and Germany (8%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have decreased by 5% so far this month. The region has imported 312,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, down from 356,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data.

In Germany’s Hamburg, prompt availability continues to be good across all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for all three grades.

Mediterranean

All three bunker grades are good for prompt availability in Gibraltar. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for all three grades, unchanged from last week, a trader said.

Bunker operations were proceeding smoothly in Gibraltar on Wednesday. But wind gusts of up to 21 knots are forecast for Friday, which could impact bunkering in the port.

Meanwhile, dredging operations, which caused intermittent delays in bunkering in nearby Ceuta over the past few weeks, have now ended, shipping agent Jose Salama & Co. told ENGINE. The dredging work was aimed at increasing vessel draft limits in certain areas of the port and resulted in bunkering delays for a supplier. Bunker fuel availability is said to be normal in Ceuta.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, prompt availability is good across all three bunker grades. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers. Rough weather is forecast in the port area starting Saturday and may trigger bunkering disruptions in the area intermittently till Wednesday next week.

Bunker demand remains low in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader told ENGINE.

HSFO is out of stock in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader told ENGINE. One of the refineries is running low on HSFO, which has triggered the tightness in the grade. Supply of the high-sulphur grade is likely to improve in the coming week, the trader added. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the port, with suppliers offering prompt supply. Both grades require lead times of 3–4 days.

Adverse weather is forecast in Piraeus on Wednesday and Thursday, which may hamper bunkering, a source said.

Turkey’s Istanbul port has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 3-4 days still recommended in the port. But HSFO has tightened, causing lead times to stretch from last week’s 3–4 days to 5–7 days now. Istanbul is likely to face bunkering disruptions between Wednesday and Friday due to bad weather conditions, a source said.

Availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO off Malta, with consistent lead times of 3–4 days. HSFO availability is running tight, with only one supplier offering the grade off Malta, a trader said. As a result, lead times have stretched from last week’s 3–4 days to 5-7 days. Rough weather conditions on Friday and over the weekend may impact bunkering in the area.

Africa

LSMGO remains tight for prompt supply in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay. Lead times of up to two weeks are recommended for LSMGO in Durban, sources said.

VLSFO supply in Durban and Richards Bay is relatively better, with lead times of 7–10 days recommended to secure the grade in both locations.

Algoa Bay’s offshore bunkering suspension is set to enter its eleventh month in August. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) enforced the suspension after it detained bunker barges due to import duty disputes in September last year.

Since then, only one supplier has been offering in-port deliveries by trucks in nearby Port Elizabeth.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 1 August 2024

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Mass Flowmeter

Hong Kong backs MFM adoption with voluntary scheme to boost bunkering competitiveness

Hong Kong’s Marine Department launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems on their bunker vessels.
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RESIZED EH dual mfm setup

Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) on Wednesday (3 June) launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements. 

Details of the bunker vessels successfully included in the List will be published on a dedicated page on the MD’s website for reference by shipping companies and relevant stakeholders.

Participation in the Scheme is voluntary. In addition to receiving recognition from the MD, participating bunker operators will benefit from enhanced corporate image and competitiveness through the adoption of MFM systems, thereby boosting customers’ confidence and helping to create new business opportunities.

 A spokesman for the MD, said: “As an international maritime centre supported by our country, Hong Kong has a strategic location adjacent to major international fairways. Coupled with years of development in marine fuel bunkering, Hong Kong possesses rich experience and talent in the field. For many years, Hong Kong has consistently ranked as the seventh-largest bunkering port globally, the second-largest in our country, and the largest in the Greater Bay Area, providing reliable and competitive fuel bunkering services to ocean-going vessels from around the world. 

“As the international shipping industry has an increasing demand for accuracy and transparency in bunkering services, service quality and measurement precision in bunkering operations have become important indicators of a bunkering port’s competitiveness. The Scheme will enhance bunkering accuracy and transparency, further enhancing the quality of Hong Kong’s bunkering services.

The spokesman added that comprehensive port services are one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international maritime centre.

“We will also mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year to ensure that Hong Kong continues to provide high-quality bunkering services in the era of green maritime fuels.” 

Note: The application form for the Scheme can be found on the MD’s website. Interested bunker operators can download the application form from the website or contact the MD’s Green Maritime Fuel Team via email ([email protected]) for details.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency.
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MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 June) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development. 

The MoU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC.

The MoU underscores the shared commitment of MPA and MSC to foster a sustainable, digital, and future-ready maritime sector, while enhancing MSC’s operational and business activities in Singapore. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of MSC establishing its Asia Regional Office and local office in Singapore.

Under the MoU, MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency and operational performance.

MPA and MSC will also collaborate on maritime digitalisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, including streamlining vessel arrivals and port operations. 

On manpower development, MSC will support internship and scholarship opportunities through Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Maritime Outreach Network (MaritimeONE) platform, an industry-led tripartite partnership comprising industry, government and institutes of higher learning that aims to raise awareness of the maritime industry and attract quality talent into the maritime sector.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between MPA and MSC in driving sustainability and digitalisation in the maritime sector. By working together on decarbonisation, operational efficiency and talent development, we aim to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready global maritime hub.”

Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC, said: “Singapore is a strategically important hub for MSC and a key gateway to the broader Asia region. As we mark 30 years in Singapore, this MOU reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening our presence here. MSC and Singapore are closely aligned on the priorities shaping the future of global shipping, and we look forward to deepening this partnership to drive the continued growth and resilience of the maritime industry.”

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 June, 2026

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Methanol

Seaspan and Hapag-Lloyd complete first of five methanol vessel retrofit

Following “Seaspan Yangtze”, the remaining vessels planned for retrofit under the methanol retrofit programme are “Seaspan Amazon”, “Seaspan Ganges”, “Seaspan Thames”, and “Seaspan Zambezi”.
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Seaspan and Hapag-Lloyd complete first of five methanol vessel retrofit

Seaspan Corporation (Seaspan) and Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday (3 June) announced the successful completion of the first of the five vessel conversions under their methanol retrofit programme with the delivery of Seaspan Yangtze.

From the early SAVER (Seaspan Action for Vessel Energy Reduction) programme to today’s CleanBlue initiative, Seaspan has committed over USD 230 USD million across 86 vessels, executing more than 550 efficiency and retrofit projects.

Following Seaspan Yangtze, the remaining vessels planned for retrofit under the programme are Seaspan Amazon, Seaspan Ganges, Seaspan Thames, and Seaspan Zambezi. Each retrofit is expected to reduce well-to-wake CO₂e emissions by approximately 30,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes per vessel annually when operating on low-carbon methanol, while also extending vessel lifespan and enhancing fuel flexibility.

“Decarbonisation is not just about building the fleet of tomorrow, it is also about unlocking the full potential of the fleet we have today. Retrofitting and upgrades on existing fleets play a practical, immediate, and economical role in accelerating shipping’s decarbonization journey,” said Bing Chen, Chairman, President and CEO of Seaspan. 

“Project SAVER CleanBlue highlights Seaspan’s strong customer partnerships, deep technical expertise, and unique platform integrated with JV partners, such as WattSpan Maritime Technology, in executing complex and large-scale retrofit projects.”

“The successful conversion of the Seaspan Yangtze together with the planned retrofit of its four sister vessels is another important step on our ambitious path towards net-zero fleet operations by 2045,” said Silke Lehmköster, Managing Director, Fleet, Hapag-Lloyd. 

“Together with Seaspan, we are demonstrating that retrofitting existing vessels for low-carbon methanol can be a practical way to reduce emissions in shipping.”

 

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 4 June, 2026

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