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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (21 August 2024)

HSFO is tight in the ARA; supply is tight in Las Palmas; low LSMGO demand in Nacala.

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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 is tight in the ARA
  • Supply is tight in Las Palmas
  • Low LSMGO demand in Nacala

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. HSFO availability is slightly tight, a trader said. Despite this, lead times remain largely unchanged, with a trader recommending 3–5 days for all grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower so far this month than compared to July, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 251,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, down from 296,000 b/d imported in July, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 55/45 ratio so far this month, indicating a slight tilt towards LSFO compared to July, when the ratio was 50/50.

The US has replaced Germany as the ARA’s biggest fuel import source, accounting for 22% of the total imports this month. Estonia has ranked second with 19% of the total imports, and France stands in third place at 13%, followed by Poland (11%), the Bahamas (10%) and Germany (9%).

The ARA hub has exported 294,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, a significant increase from the 224,000 b/d exported in July. Fuel oil cargoes have departed for Greece (22%), Spain (13%), Senegal and Denmark (5% each), Vortexa data shows.

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased slightly by 1% so far this month. The region has imported 368,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, up from 303,000 b/d of gasoil in July, according to Vortexa data.

Bunkering is proceeding smoothly in Germany’s Hamburg port, where availability is good across all grades, according to a trader. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, tightness in prompt supply has stretched into its third consecutive week. Lead times of 4–6 days are still recommended for all grades. Minimal congestion was reported in the port on Wednesday, with bunkering proceeding smoothly amid calm weather conditions.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, lead times have increased slightly as some suppliers have a tight delivery schedule until 28 August. Lead times have stretched to 5–7 days as a result. Las Palmas has been witnessing high demand over the past few weeks. Bunkering disruptions may occur due to bad weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday, according to a source.

Demand has picked up this week in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader said. Bunker fuel availability is tight in Piraeus till the end of this month, with the earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO stretching out to 27 August. Bunkering may be disrupted between Wednesday and Saturday due to adverse weather forecasts in the port area, a source said.

Securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult off Malta due to the grade’s tight availability, according to a trader. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is relatively better. However, bunker demand is said to be weak off Malta. Rough weather-induced bunkering disruptions may occur on Wednesday and Thursday off Malta, according to a source.

Prompt availability of bunker fuels is tight in Turkey’s Istanbul port. Bunker supply is said to be fine for delivery dates after 24 August. Bad weather is forecast in Istanbul between Wednesday and Saturday and may hamper bunkering in the port area.

Africa

The South African port of Durban continues to grapple with tightness for LSMGO prompt delivery. A trader advises lead times of up to two weeks for the grade. Strong wind gusts of up to 38 knots have been forecast in Durban on Wednesday. Rough weather will continue till Saturday, with strong wind gusts ranging between 19-36 knots.

VLSFO is also running tight, but lead times are comparatively shorter and recommended at 7–10 days in Durban and Richards Bay.

In Mozambique’s Nacala, all three bunker grades have good availability, a source said. While demand is robust for HSFO and VLSFO, LSMGO demand has been low.

Similarly, LSMGO demand is low in Mozambique’s Maputo despite the good availability of the grade. VLSFO availability is good, and so is demand, the source added.

Meanwhile, in Angola’s Luanda, a state-run bunker supplier has halted VLSFO supply temporarily in the port, a source said. There has been no update on when supply is likely to resume. LSMGO availability is normal and is supplied by a barge at anchorage, the source added. Bunkering is expected to proceed smoothly amid calm weather forecasts in the port for the rest of the week, a source said.

Bunker supply pressures have eased slightly in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times have come down from over two weeks in the last couple of weeks to around ten days now. Bunkering may be affected by bad weather forecasts from Wednesday till Sunday in the port, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 August, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (22 July 2026)

Availability tight across all grades in Singapore; bad weather keeps bunkering halted in Zhoushan’s outer anchorages; availability good across several Sri Lankan ports.

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RESIZED ENGINE East of Suez

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:

  • Availability tight across all grades in Singapore
  • Bad weather keeps bunkering halted in Zhoushan’s outer anchorages
  • Availability good across several Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight, with recommended lead times at 14-19 days, largely unchanged from last week. Tightness persists because Singapore’s fuel oil inventories have yet to recover to pre-conflict levels, while cargo arrivals remain constrained due to renewed US-Iran hostilities disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the latest Enterprise Singapore data, fuel oil stocks dropped below 18 million bbls in June from more than 23 million bbls in March. Inventories have also remained below 20 million bbls so far this month.

The lower inventory levels have tightened VLSFO supply, lending support to the benchmark price.

HSFO availability also remains tight, with recommended lead times of 9-13 days, compared with 10-12 days a week ago. LSMGO supply has tightened further, with lead times widening to 9-11 days from 6-9 days last week.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, bunker fuel availability remains tight. VLSFO supply is constrained for prompt stems, while LSMGO availability also remains limited. HSFO continues to face supply pressure.

East Asia

Despite softer demand, VLSFO availability in Zhoushan has tightened, with recommended lead times extending to around 12 days, up from about eight days previously. A source attributed the longer waiting times to limited refinery supply.

Lead times for both LSMGO and HSFO have also lengthened to around seven days, compared with about five days last week.

Meanwhile, bunkering operations at Zhoushan’s outer Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages have remained suspended since 7 July due to adverse weather. Most suppliers are still uncertain about when normal bunker operations across the port will fully resume, the source added.

Bunker fuel availability across northern China remains mixed. Suppliers in Dalian and Qingdao have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO availability in Qingdao remains limited. In Tianjin, all major bunker grades continue to face supply constraints, while VLSFO and HSFO remain tight in Shanghai. LSMGO availability in Shanghai, however, is relatively stable.

Supply constraints also persist across several southern Chinese ports. Both VLSFO and LSMGO remain tight in Fuzhou. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO availability but tighter LSMGO supply, while both grades remain constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

Hong Kong’s bunker market remains steady, with recommended lead times for all major bunker grades holding at around seven days, broadly unchanged from recent weeks.

In Taiwan, state-owned bunker supplier CPC Corporation (CPC) has temporarily stopped accepting new LSMGO nominations for deliveries at Kaohsiung due to a tight barge schedule.

According to a source, LSMGO deliveries have been suspended since last Friday and will remain on hold until CPC clears its backlog of pending orders.

The disruption has also affected VLSFO supply in Kaohsiung, with recommended lead times increasing to 4-5 days from around three days last week.

Elsewhere in Taiwan, bunker availability remains stable. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are around two days in Hualien, while Keelung and Taichung continue to record lead times of about three days, broadly unchanged from the previous week.

Bunker fuel availability has tightened across South Korea’s southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO have increased to 9-16 days, from 4-12 days last week. HSFO has also tightened, with lead times extending to 9-16 days from 4-12 days a week earlier.

In South Korea’s western ports—including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean—recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain at 9-16 days, largely unchanged from last week. HSFO availability has tightened, with lead times rising to 9-16 days from 4-12 days previously.

Weather-related disruptions are expected to affect bunker operations in Daesan on 21 and 23 July.

Supply remains constrained at major Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Kashima, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima and Oita. VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be offered by only a limited number of suppliers, while HSFO is relatively more accessible, with recommended lead times of around 7-10 days.

In contrast, Indonesia’s bunker market remains comfortably supplied. VLSFO availability is stable across Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Cigading, where suppliers are generally recommending lead times of around 2-3 days.

Oceania

VLSFO availability remains stable in Western Australia, with suppliers in Kwinana and Fremantle generally recommending lead times of around seven days. Bunkering at both ports is handled by a single supplier, with all deliveries carried out by barge.

Supply conditions are more mixed along Australia’s east coast. In Port Kembla, VLSFO can be supplied via truck or pipeline, while suppliers in Sydney maintain adequate stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO remains comparatively tighter in Sydney, where suppliers typically require around seven days of advance notice.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good in Brisbane and Gladstone, with recommended lead times also holding at around seven days.

Further south, suppliers continue to maintain healthy VLSFO inventories in Melbourne and Geelong. However, bunker deliveries at both ports depend on a single barge, keeping lead times at about one week. HSFO supply has tightened further in both Melbourne and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, one supplier is offering all major bunker grades in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with lead times of around five days. In Dampier, bunker deliveries continue to be conducted through truck-assisted pipeline operations, making advance planning and berth confirmation particularly important, according to a market source.

Across the Tasman Sea, bunker fuel availability remains broadly unchanged in New Zealand. VLSFO is readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, where suppliers recommend lead times of around four days. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied directly to vessels through pipeline infrastructure.

Weather continues to present operational risks across New Zealand. Bunker deliveries remain particularly susceptible to disruption in Wellington and ports across the South Island, where adverse weather can periodically interrupt supply operations.

South Asia

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at India’s west coast ports of Kandla, Sikka, Pipavav, Dahej and Hazira remain at 3–4 days, according to a source.

The monsoon is expected to disrupt bunker operations at several Indian ports over the coming days, with weather-related delays likely to affect delivery schedules. Bunkering is forecast to face disruptions at Kandla and Sikka between 20–24 July, while rough sea conditions could hamper operations in Mumbai, Cochin and Visakhapatnam during the same period.

In Sri Lanka, bunker market conditions remain stable, with adequate stocks of all major bunker fuel grades in Colombo and Hambantota. One supplier is recommending lead times of around seven days, almost unchanged from last week.

Adverse weather could also intermittently disrupt bunker operations in Colombo between 20–24 July and in Trincomalee between 20–23 July, potentially delaying bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Despite escalating US-Iran hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, bunker fuel availability has improved in Fujairah. VLSFO and LSMGO supply has eased, with several suppliers now able to accommodate prompt delivery requests. HSFO availability, however, has tightened and is largely being offered only on a firm enquiry basis.

Similar supply conditions are being reported at the neighbouring UAE bunker hub of Khor Fakkan.

In Jeddah, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains relatively stable.

In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, VLSFO and LSMGO supply continues to be constrained.

At Port Suez in Egypt, HSFO inventories remain tight, while VLSFO stocks are close to depletion.

Further south, the availability of all major bunker fuel grades remains limited in Djibouti.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

  • B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
  • Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
  • Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (16 July 2026)

Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf; Panama bunker supply steady; tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande.

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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:

  • Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf
  • Panama bunker supply steady
  • Tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande

North America

In Houston, bunker availability is normal across all three conventional fuel grades. Recommended lead times are about 5-7 days for VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO has typically taken 4-5 days over the past week, a trader tells ENGINE.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), deliveries are continuing on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

Currently, no major operational disruptions have been reported at the anchorage.

Sea fog is not expected to cause widespread bunker disruptions across the US Gulf Coast, with most major ports forecast to maintain good visibility.

Moderate sea fog could affect Pascagoula and Mobile early next week, while Tampa faces the highest risk of reduced visibility between 20-22 July.

Brief visibility restrictions are also forecast at Venice, Louisiana, while conditions are expected to remain favourable at Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Port Fourchon and New Orleans.

The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Elida in the Eastern Pacific. Marine warnings are also in effect across parts of the Caribbean, southwest Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

Bunker demand on the US East Coast at the port of New York is good, with healthy availability of HSFO and VLSFO.

Most suppliers can deliver both grades within 5 days, and LSMGO requires 2-4 days.

In New York, periods of high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July.

While no backlog congestion has been reported, suppliers may require standby tugs under poor weather conditions, which could slow bunker barge movements, a source said.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has remained normal in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where suppliers recommend lead times between 8-10 days across all conventional grades.

In Vancouver, recommended lead times are 5-7 days for HSFO and 6-8 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is stable in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal ports. Recommended lead times are 3-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, and HSFO requires around 7 days, a source said.

No major congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported at the ports.

At Balboa, deliveries are being made on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions, with priority given to vessels holding confirmed Panama Canal transit schedules.

Weather conditions could temporarily affect operations at several Caribbean bunkering locations.

In Freeport, Bahamas, bunker operations continue normally. Cruise vessels are given priority at the port, and no significant congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported.

Further east, high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July and could delay bunker operations at St. Eustatius, where deliveries are conducted at anchorage.

Offshore bunkering in Trinidad may also experience delays during the same period because of high winds and rough seas.

Brazil continues to present a mixed supply of bunker fuels.

Santos this week offers normal availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, although port congestion persists, a trader tells ENGINE. Recommended lead times are 5-8 days at the port.

Rio de Janeiro also has normal VLSFO availability and requires lead times between 4 days to one week. LSMGO is available only upon prior consultation at the port.

Availability is tighter at southern Brazilian ports. Paranaguá and Rio Grande have both reported tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability, and operators are advised to plan bunker stems well in advance.

Belém and Vila do Conde continue to offer normal availability of both grades, with lead times between 4-7 days, a source said.

In Argentina’s Zona Común, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good, with suppliers typically taking between 5-7 days of lead time to deliver via barges, a source said.

Weather conditions could become less favourable between 19-20 July, when high wind gusts are forecast. Deliveries will continue on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 July, 2026

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