Connect with us

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (27 August 2024)

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Chinese ports; several Japanese ports brace for Typhoon Shanshan impact; prompt availability is tight in Fujairah.

Admin

Published

on

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:

  • VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Chinese ports
  • Several Japanese ports brace for Typhoon Shanshan impact
  • Prompt availability is tight in Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore has become more constrained, with several suppliers now recommending lead times of up to two weeks. Some suppliers can accommodate stems in as little as six days, but these stems are usually priced higher, a source said.

HSFO supply is also under pressure, with lead times advised at 11-14 days. Lead times for LSMGO vary considerably, ranging from 5-10 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% lower so far this month compared to July, according to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore. The port’s fuel oil stocks have dropped below 20 million bbls, driven by a notable 36% decrease in net fuel oil imports this month. Fuel oil imports have fallen by 585,000 bbls, while fuel oil exports have increased by 822,000 bbls, contributing to the stock draw. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have averaged 12% higher than last month.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are robust, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries for smaller quantities, but HSFO availability remains limited.

East Asia

Suppliers in Zhoushan are recommending lead time of around 5-7 days for all grades, almost consistent with last week.

In Northern China, ports of Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though HSFO is limited in Qingdao and Tianjin. Shanghai also has strong VLSFO and LSMGO availability, but HSFO is scarce. Fuzhou and Xiamen have good VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, while Guangzhou and Yangpu face some restrictions on prompt availability of both grades.

In the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain stable, with prompt lead times of around 2-3 days, consistent with the previous week.

In Hong Kong, all types of bunker fuel are readily available, with lead times of around seven days from several suppliers, which is consistent with last week.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has tightened, with lead times now at 7-11 days, up from 3-7 days last week. HSFO remains constrained with lead times around 11 days. In contrast, all fuel grades in western South Korean ports require slightly shorter lead times of about seven days.

Additionally, rough weather is expected to intermittently affect the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu throughout the week, which could impact bunker operations.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong across major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. While HSFO availability is generally good across most Japanese ports, prompt supply is limited in Oita.

Prompt VLSFO availability has improved in most ports but remains tight in Oita.

Additionally, bunker deliveries at several Japanese ports may be disrupted from Wednesday onwards due to Typhoon Shanshan. The typhoon was located about 130 km east of Amami City on Tuesday and was moving towards west-northwest. It is expected to affect bunker operations in Kitakyushu and Mizushima on Wednesday and Thursday, and in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo on Friday and Saturday, a source says.

Adverse weather is forecasted for the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang on August 29-30, and for the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh on August 29-31, which may pose challenges for bunker deliveries.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO can be obtained in Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla with an approximate lead time of seven days. In New South Wales, Sydney offers sufficient LSMGO, although prompt availability of HSFO may be subject to firm inquiries.

Victoria boasts ample VLSFO and LSMGO stocks in Melbourne and Geelong, but prompt HSFO deliveries might be challenging. Queensland’s Brisbane and Gladstone ports have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, with lead times of around 7-8 days. However, HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland offer a decent supply of VLSFO, with Auckland also providing a good supply of LSMGO. Rough weather is expected in Tauranga throughout the week, potentially affecting bunker operations.

South Asia

In the Indian ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, and Chennai, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain limited. Both grades are subject to availability in Visakhapatnam, and a supplier in Paradip and Haldia is nearly out of both grades.

Adverse weather is expected intermittently between Tuesday and Friday at Sikka, Kandla, and Mumbai ports, potentially affecting bunker operations.

Additionally, the All-India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation has announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Wednesday at several major ports. Negotiations between the trade union and the India Ports Association are ongoing, and it is unclear if the strike will occur.

Some sources indicate that if the strike does happen, its impact on bunkering operations might be minimal.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Trincomalee have good availability of all grades, with lead times of about four days recommended in Colombo. The port of Hambantota has good LSMGO availability, but VLSFO supply remains tight.

Middle East

In the UAE port of Fujairah, prompt availability of all fuel grades is limited. Most suppliers require a lead time of 5-7 days, although some can still accommodate prompt stems. Overall, bunker demand in Fujairah has been relatively low.

The situation in Khor Fakkan, UAE, is similar, with suppliers advising lead times of 5-7 days.

In contrast, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has ample supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Djibouti faces constraints in VLSFO supply, while LSMGO is more readily available.

Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, offer a good supply of LSMGO.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 28 August, 2024

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending