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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (18 Feb 2025)

VLSFO availability improves in Singapore; bunker demand low in Zhoushan; VLSFO availability tight in several Indian 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:

  • VLSFO availability improves in Singapore
  • Bunker demand low in Zhoushan
  • VLSFO availability tight in several Indian ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker demand has been slow in Singapore over the past two weeks, according to a source.

VLSFO availability has improved, with most Singapore suppliers now recommending lead times of 2-5 days, down from 5–9 days last week. HSFO lead times are at 2-8 days, nearly unchanged from the previous week, while LSMGO lead times are steady at 3–5 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have remained stable with January levels so far this month, according to Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil stocks have stayed above 20 million bbls, supported by a 15% rise in net fuel oil imports this month. Both imports and exports have declined, but imports have dropped by 485,000 bbls, which is significantly less than the 1.06-million-bbl decrease in exports.

Meanwhile, middle distillate stocks in Singapore have risen to average 14% higher so far this month.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with prompt small-quantity deliveries readily available. However, HSFO supply remains limited.

East Asia

Recommended lead times have come down for bunker deliveries in Zhoushan amid a slowdown in demand. VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries now require about three days of lead time, down from four days last week. HSFO supply has improved, with lead times dropping from around 10 days last week to just three days now.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao suppliers have ample volumes of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is scarce in Qingdao. Tianjin is experiencing tight availability of both HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO supply remains stable.

In Shanghai, LSMGO supply is ample, but VLSFO and HSFO availability is under pressure. Fuzhou has good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while in Xiamen, VLSFO supply is ample, but LSMGO is limited.

At Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO remain constrained.

At several Taiwanese ports, including Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung and Hualien, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require lead times of about 2-3 days, which is nearly unchanged from last week.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain steady at around seven days, consistent with recent weeks. However, bunker deliveries could be disrupted by adverse weather conditions expected from 19-23 February.

All fuel grades remain readily available at South Korean ports, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 4-6 days. However, strong winds and high waves forecast from 21-24 February could disrupt bunkering operations at Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu.

In Japan, VLSFO is widely available in major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya and Yokkaichi, though prompt supply is limited in Mizushima.

LSMGO supplies remain stable, but securing prompt deliveries can be challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. Similarly, prompt HSFO availability is tight across several Japanese ports.

Meanwhile, in Oita, all fuel grades are subject to availability.

Subic Bay in the Philippines may experience inclement weather from 19-24 February, which could disrupt bunkering operations. Similarly, adverse weather on 24 February may impact bunkering in Thailand’s Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports, while Vietnam’s Hai Phong could be affected on 22 February.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are ample at Kwinana, Fremantle and Kembla ports, with standard lead times of 7–8 days.

In New South Wales, LSMGO availability in Sydney remains stable, though HSFO may require longer lead times.

In Victoria, suppliers in Melbourne and Geelong have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, but securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be challenging.

In Queensland, suppliers in Brisbane and Gladstone have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, with recommended lead times of 7–8 days. However, HSFO availability in Brisbane remains limited.

Ports along the Pilbara coast reopened over the weekend following Tropical Cyclone Zelia. Barrow Island, Port Walcott and Onslow are now open with caution, while Ashburton, Broome, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island have been declared clear, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have good VLSFO stocks, while Auckland also has ample LSMGO availability. However, rough weather conditions are forecast in Tauranga between 21-22 February, which could disrupt bunker operations.

South Asia

Fuel oil exports to Sri Lanka and rising domestic bunker demand have tightened VLSFO supply across several Indian ports, according to a source.

Sri Lanka imported approximately 374,000 b/d of fuel oil from India in December, a sharp rise from 4,000 b/d across November and October. In January, imports surged by 33% to 497,000 b/d, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

Increasing demand for fuel oil has further strained bunker supply at several Indian ports. VLSFO is subject to enquiry in multiple locations, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Cochin. A supplier in Paradip and Haldia is nearly out of stock.

Meanwhile, adverse weather conditions in Sikka port may disrupt bunker operations on 19 February.

In Sri Lanka’s Colombo, lead times for all fuel grades remain around seven days, unchanged from last week. In Hambantota, lead times have decreased from nine days last week to about six days.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt availability remains tight despite weak demand, with lead times for all grades holding steady at 5-7 days, unchanged from last week. Similarly, suppliers in Khor Fakkan are recommending 5-7-day lead times for all fuel grades.

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

Bunker deliveries in Yanbu may be affected by bad weather on 20 February, while Egypt’s Port Said could face weather-related disruptions between 21-22 February.

In Djibouti, VLSFO supply is under pressure, whereas LSMGO is more readily available.

At Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm, LSMGO supplies are ample, with prompt deliveries available.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 February, 2025

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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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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (15 July 2026)

Notice of 5-7 days required in ARA; congestion remains high in Gibraltar and Algeciras; lead time of around 4-5 days recommended in Luanda.

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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:

  • Notice of 5-7 days required in ARA
  • Congestion remains high in Gibraltar and Algeciras
  • Lead time of around 4-5 days recommended in Luanda

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt supplies, with buyers advised to book stems around 5-7 days in advance to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

In Antwerp’s Deurganck Dock, hydrofluoric acid spilled from a container on a cargo ship, leading to traffic getting suspended in the affected area. Operations have resumed in all terminals, except the MPET terminal.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% higher so far in July, compared to June’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported only 175,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, down from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data.Most import cargoes have come from Colombia (33%), the Caribbean Netherlands (28%) and France (24%).

The region has imported 84,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down from 188,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data. Most of these shipments have come from Canada (24%), the US (20%) and Finland (15%).

Availability of all marine fuel types is stable in Germany’s Hamburg, and all fuel grades can be delivered within five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, fuel buyers are advised booking deliveries around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Ships calling at Gibraltar are seeing heavy congestion due to a lack of space, with around 21 vessels awaiting bunkers as of Wednesday morning, port agent MH Bland said. Some suppliers may be late by anywhere between 24-48 hours on deliveries, the port agent added.

In neighbouring Algeciras, some suppliers are delayed by 12-18 hours on supplies, port agent MH Bland said.

Consequently, fuel buyers looking to bunker in Gibraltar and Algeciras are recommended to book stems around 15 days ahead, a trader said. The congestion in Gibraltar and Algeciras is caused mostly due to overbooking by suppliers, the trader added.

In Spain’s Barcelona, buyers are advised to book with a lead time of a week, a trader said.

Fuel availability is stable in Portugal’s Lisbon, a supplier said.

In Las Palmas, buyers are requested to book with a lead time of around 7-10 days for delivery of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel buyers off Malta should enquire around 5-7 days prior to their expected time of arrival, a trader said.

Although there is a slight shortage of LSMGO, the market is expected to bounce back by next week, a supplier told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is stable in Turkey’s Istanbul, with notice of 1-3 days sufficient to get any fuel grade, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Romania’s Constanta, Mangalia and Midia, fuel availability is normal, but prices are high, a local supplier said.

Africa

HSFO availability remains limited across almost all ports in Africa, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, and buyers are recommended lead times of seven days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO supplies in the Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage come with a lead time of 5-7 days, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Angola’s Luanda, buyers are advised to book with a notice of 4-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a supplier said.

Bunker availability is tight for prompt deliveries in South Africa’s Durban and off Algoa Bay, with buyers advised at least 5-7-day notice for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

Fuel availability remains tight in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo, as suppliers are recommending lead times of around 5-7 days for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability is tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, where buyers are advised to book seven days ahead for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 July, 2026

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