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:

• Bunker demand is low in Singapore
• LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports
• VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Oceanic ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker demand in Singapore has been quiet so far this week, according to a source. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of about 10 days for VLSFO, although some can accommodate deliveries in as little as two days, typically at a higher price than those with longer lead times.

HSFO supply remains tight, with lead times of 8-13 days, unchanged from last week. LSMGO supply has improved, with lead times dropping from 4-9 days last week to 2-6 days now.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have remained roughly steady compared to October levels, according to Enterprise Singapore. However, Singapore’s fuel oil stocks have fallen below 18 million bbls, following a sharp 60% drop in the port’s net fuel oil imports this month. Both imports and exports have decreased, with imports falling by 3.98 million bbls—almost double the 1.76-million-bbl drop in exports. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have increased, averaging 3% higher so far this month.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with some suppliers offering prompt delivery for smaller volumes, although HSFO availability remains tight.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, fuel availability remains steady, with several suppliers advising lead times of 5-7 days for VLSFO and 4-6 days for LSMGO and HSFO, similar to the previous week.

In Northern China, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant at Dalian and Qingdao ports, although HSFO availability is limited in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing tight supply across all fuel grades.

In Shanghai, LSMGO is readily available, but VLSFO and HSFO are in short supply. Fuzhou has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, while Xiamen sees good VLSFO supply but restricted LSMGO availability. In both Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt availability of both grades remains limited.

In Hong Kong, recommended lead times remain consistent at seven days for all bunker grades. However, adverse weather conditions are expected from 26-28 November, which could disrupt bunker deliveries at the port.

In Taiwan’s ports—Hualien, Kaohsiung, and Keelung—VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, with lead times remaining steady at two days, consistent with last week. In Taichung, lead times for both grades are slightly longer, at around 3-4 days.

Bunker demand in South Korean ports remains subdued due to higher bunker prices. On Tuesday, Busan’s VLSFO grade was priced $34/mt higher than Singapore’s and $23/mt higher than Hong Kong’s VLSFO.

Availability remains steady across South Korean ports, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 6-8 days for all grades. However, rough weather is forecasted from 26 November-1 December, which could potentially affect bunkering at ports including Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong across major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. VLSFO supply is generally stable, while prompt deliveries are limited in Oita. Prompt HSFO availability is tight at Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita, according to a source.

The Philippine port of Subic Bay is anticipating inclement weather from 27-30 November, which may disrupt bunkering operations. Similarly, adverse weather is expected to impact bunkering at the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang during the same period.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are available at the ports of Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, with lead times typically ranging from 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has adequate LSMGO supplies, but HSFO may require longer lead times.

In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong have plentiful stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO deliveries may be challenging. Queensland’s Brisbane and Gladstone ports report sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland both have good supplies of VLSFO, with Auckland also having ample LSMGO stocks.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO remain in limited supply at several Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, and Cochin, as it has been in recent weeks. Supply of both grades are subject to availability in Visakhapatnam and Haldia, while a supplier in Paradip is nearly out of stock.

Intermittent adverse weather conditions are forecasted for 27-30 November in the port of Visakhapatnam, which could disrupt bunker operations there.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and East Equatorial Indian Ocean within 24 hours, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to Chennai and Puducherry from 25-27 November. Wind speeds may reach 40 mph between 25-26 November.

Kakinada Port Authority has advised that vessel operations could be suspended from 26-29 November if wind speeds exceed 25 knots. Vessels are advised to keep engines ready for operations, monitor weather updates, and adhere to all safety guidelines, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Hambantota availability is good for VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, with lead times of around seven days.

Adverse weather is forecast for the Sri Lankan port of Colombo from 26-27 November, which may affect bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Prompt availability in Fujairah remains tight, with lead times for all grades around 5-7 days, consistent with last week. Similarly, suppliers in Khor Fakkan are recommending lead times of 5-7 days for all grades.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah port has sufficient supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Djibouti continues to experience VLSFO shortages, while LSMGO is more readily available. Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm have ample LSMGO supplies with prompt delivery options.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 27 November 2024