Connect with us
DNV Decarbonization Insight Series August 2026 - What maritime professionals should know about AI Training

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2025)

Availability tightens in Zhoushan; prompt VLSFO supply tight across several Japanese ports; availability good in Sri Lankan ports.

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:

  • Availability tightens in Zhoushan
  • Prompt VLSFO supply tight across several Japanese ports
  • Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO deliveries now require 8–11 days, slightly up from 7–10 days a week ago. HSFO availability remains stable with lead times of 7–11 days, showing little change week-on-week. LSMGO supply has tightened, with lead times stretching to 4–9 days from 4–5 days previously.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is readily accessible, while HSFO supply remains constrained.

East Asia

Bunker supply has tightened in Zhoushan as several suppliers struggle with low inventories and delayed replenishment. Lead times for VLSFO have risen to 7–10 days from 5–7 days last week. HSFO and LSMGO lead times have also increased to 7–10 days from 5–7 days earlier.

Fuel availability across northern China is uneven. Dalian and Qingdao are well stocked with VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO supply is still tight in Qingdao. Bunker supply is tight across all three grades in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability is under pressure, while LSMGO supply is relatively stable.

Further south, conditions vary: VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in Fuzhou, VLSFO availability is good in Xiamen, but LSMGO is tight. Delivery options for both grades remain limited at Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times are steady at about seven days for all fuel types, unchanged from recent weeks.

Taiwan continues to offer stable supply, with lead times of around two days for VLSFO and LSMGO at Taichung, Hualien and Keelung, and about three days at Kaohsiung.

In South Korea, bunker demand has held steady from last week, with lead times ranging between 4–8 days across all grades, compared to 3–8 days previously. However, heavy rainfall forecast in the coming days could disrupt supply at several ports, a source said.

Japan continues to face tight prompt VLSFO availability at major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya and Yokkaichi. LSMGO supply is generally adequate nationwide, though prompt deliveries in Mizushima may still face delays.

Availability of B24-VLSFO in Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama remains subject to enquiry.

HSFO stocks are stable across most ports, but Oita is currently facing shortages across all grades—VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle and Port Kembla, with most suppliers quoting lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, LSMGO supply remains steady in Sydney, but securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be challenging.

Victoria’s ports of Melbourne and Geelong are well supplied with VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO availability is still limited, especially for immediate demand. Further north in Queensland, both Brisbane and Gladstone have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with average lead times of about seven days. However, HSFO supply is still tight in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, VLSFO supply is stable at Tauranga and Auckland, ensuring consistent coverage at both ports.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight at several Indian ports — including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin and Paradip — continuing a trend seen in recent weeks. LSMGO availability is also limited across most ports, with deliveries arranged mainly on an enquiry basis.

In Tuticorin and Haldia, one supplier has nearly exhausted stocks of both grades.

In contrast, Sri Lanka is well supplied: a supplier covering Colombo and Hambantota can offer all fuel grades with short lead times of about four days.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight across all grades in Fujairah, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days. Similar conditions persist in the nearby Khor Fakkan port.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available, though HSFO supply remains limited. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah continues to face restricted supply of VLSFO and LSMGO grades.

Egypt’s Port Suez is facing severe shortages, with VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO stocks nearly depleted. Suppliers in Qatar’s Ras Laffan are also struggling with tight supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO.

Suppliers in Djibouti are experiencing acute scarcity, with VLSFO and HSFO almost exhausted and LSMGO in short supply.

By contrast, Oman’s ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm, maintain stable LSMGO supply.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2025

Continue Reading

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (4 Aug 2026)

Availability tight across all grades in Singapore; several East Asian ports brace for Typhoon Dolphin; bunker demand low across several South Korean ports.

Admin

Published

on

By

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
  • Several East Asian ports brace for Typhoon Dolphin
  • Bunker demand low across several South Korean ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight, with suppliers recommending lead times of 12-24 days, compared with 16-20 days last week. Supply continues to be under pressure as the port’s fuel oil inventories have yet to recover to pre-conflict levels, while cargo inflows remain affected by renewed US-Iran hostilities that have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Enterprise Singapore data shows that fuel oil inventories declined from more than 23 million bbls in March to below 18 million bbls in June. Although stocks edged higher in July, they remained below 19 million bbls.

HSFO supply remains tight, with recommended lead times widening to 10-24 days, from 12-15 days a week earlier. Meanwhile, LSMGO requires lead times of 2-11 days, compared with 5-8 days last week.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, bunker fuel supply remains constrained. Prompt VLSFO availability is tight, LSMGO supply is limited, and HSFO continues to face supply pressure.

East Asia

VLSFO availability in Zhoushan remains under pressure despite muted bunker demand. Suppliers are now advising lead times of around 12 days, up from roughly nine days previously. Lead times for both, LSMGO and HSFO, have also lengthened to about 10 days, compared with around seven days earlier.

Weather could add further strain to the port. Bunker operations across Zhoushan’s anchorages may be suspended as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, according to a source. China’s Meteorological Administration expects the typhoon to track westward and remain away from the country’s coastal waters until Thursday.

Across northern China, bunker fuel supply conditions continue to differ by port. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO availability, although HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Supply of all three major bunker grades is constrained in Tianjin, while Shanghai continues to face limited VLSFO and HSFO availability. LSMGO supply in Shanghai remains relatively steady.

Supply pressures persist across southern China as well. Fuzhou continues to see tight availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO supply, but prompt LSMGO stems remain harder to secure. Both VLSFO and LSMGO availability are also constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

Hong Kong’s bunker market remains largely unchanged, with suppliers continuing to recommend lead times of around seven days for all major fuel grades.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied within about two days in Hualien and Taichung, while deliveries in Kaohsiung require around 3-4 days. Keelung has seen a marked improvement, with lead times easing to around two days from 4-5 days last week.

Lead times in Keelung had lengthened after one bunker barge suffered a major technical failure while another was undergoing dry dock maintenance. A bunker barge from Taichung has since been deployed temporarily to support operations, helping reduce waiting times. The damaged barge is expected to return to service on Friday, a Taiwan-based trader said.

The trader also warned that Typhoon Dolphin could disrupt bunkering operations at Taiwanese ports from Thursday onward.

South Korea’s southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang, have seen bunker availability improve amid subdued demand. Recommended lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO have shortened to 3-7 days, from 6-8 days last week, reflecting looser supply conditions.

The same pattern is evident at the country’s western ports—Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean—where lead times for all three fuel grades have also narrowed to 3-7 days, from 6-8 days a week ago.

Demand has been dampened by weather disruptions linked to Typhoon Dolphin, and most suppliers are only confirming stems subject to weather conditions, the source added. Weather-related delays are forecast at Busan, Ulsan and Yeosu between 7-12 August, and at Daesan from 8-13 August.

Bunker fuel supply has tightened sharply across Japan following the renewed US-Iran conflict. A refiner has imposed ex-wharf restrictions on VLSFO and HSFO until 15-20 August, triggering a nationwide supply squeeze. Suppliers in the Tokyo Bay region—Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama—are now quoting the earliest delivery dates around 20-22 August. Earlier deliveries are available only at premiums of $20-30/mt, according to a Japan-based trader.

Tight supply conditions continue across Japan’s major bunkering hubs, including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima and Oita, where only a limited number of suppliers are offering VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO. Kashima is also experiencing constrained availability of VLSFO and HSFO.

Oceania

VLSFO availability remains stable across Western Australia, with suppliers in Kwinana and Fremantle continuing to recommend lead times of around seven days. Both ports depend on a single supplier, and all bunker deliveries are carried out by barge.

Supply conditions are more mixed along Australia’s east coast. In Port Kembla, VLSFO can be supplied by either truck or pipeline, while suppliers in Sydney maintain adequate stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO availability is relatively tighter in Sydney, with suppliers generally advising lead times of about seven days.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available in Brisbane and Gladstone, where lead times continue to hover around one week.

Further south, Melbourne and Geelong also have comfortable VLSFO inventories. However, both ports rely on a single bunker barge, keeping recommended lead times at approximately seven days. HSFO supply has tightened further in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, one supplier is offering all major bunker grades in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with lead times of roughly five days.

In Western Australia, pipeline-based bunker deliveries to Dampier Cargo Wharf (DCW) remain suspended until around the end of September due to ongoing repair work. Limited truck-based deliveries are still possible, subject to vessel size. During the disruption, the supplier has designated the Toll Supply Base (TSB) in Dampier as the preferred location for bunker operations, according to a source.

Across the Tasman, bunker fuel availability in New Zealand is broadly unchanged. VLSFO remains readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, with suppliers recommending lead times of about four days. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered directly to vessels via pipeline.

Weather continues to pose the biggest operational risk in New Zealand. Bunker deliveries in Wellington and ports across the South Island remain particularly susceptible to delays during periods of adverse weather.

South Asia

Monsoon weather is set to disrupt bunker operations at several Indian ports over the coming days, with weather-related delays expected to affect bunker deliveries. Kandla and Sikka are forecast to experience operational disruptions between 5-8 August, while rough sea conditions could hamper bunkering in Mumbai, Cochin and Visakhapatnam from 4-8 August.

In Sri Lanka, bunker availability has become tighter at both Colombo and Hambantota, with at least one supplier advising lead times of around 10 days.

Weather conditions are also expected to intermittently disrupt bunker operations in Colombo and Trincomalee between 4-8 August, increasing the risk of delays to bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Renewed tensions between the US and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz have continued to strain bunker fuel supply in Fujairah. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight, largely unchanged from last week, with only a limited number of suppliers able to offer LSMGO. HSFO supply, however, has shown some improvement.

Supply conditions are more comfortable at the nearby UAE hub of Khor Fakkan, where both VLSFO and HSFO remain readily available. Demand for bunkers has nevertheless picked up at both Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, following the latest regional escalation, a Middle East-based source said.

Elsewhere in the UAE, operations continue without disruption at Jebel Ali, Hamriyah, Dibba and Sharjah, while ports in Ras Al Khaimah remain fully operational. RAK Ports has, however, kept its marine risk surcharge in place for vessels calling at its ports, harbours and anchorages since March. Ship-to-ship (STS) transfers have also resumed at Dubai waters anchorage with tug assistance, although each operation will be evaluated individually, according to Inchcape Shipping.

Saudi Arabian ports are operating normally, with no alerts currently issued by local port authorities. In Jeddah, VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains steady, despite stronger demand. However, rough weather could interrupt bunker operations in Jeddah on 6 and 8 August, and in Yanbu on 6–7 August.

Port operations in Kuwait’s Shuaiba and Shuwaikh continue without any reported disruption.

All Qatari ports are also functioning normally, although bunker availability remains constrained at Ras Laffan, where both VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are still limited.

“While the region experiences occasional challenges from time to time, operations across Middle Eastern ports continue as normal,” an Oman-based trader said.

Across Oman’s key ports—including Salalah, Muscat, Duqm and Sohar—LSMGO availability remains stable, with recommended lead times of 2–3 days depending on the port and nomination. High waves forecast in Salalah between 4–8 August could, however, temporarily disrupt bunkering operations, according to a source.

Egyptian ports remain fully operational, but bunker inventories at Port Suez are critically low across all three conventional fuel grades.

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

Meanwhile, port and bunker operations are continuing normally across Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus and Pakistan, according to Inchcape Shipping.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 5 August, 2026

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

Rotterdam B100 premium over VLSFO narrows; Dutch ZRE A price climbs by €25/mtCO2e; B100 flips to discount to LSMGO in Singapore.

Admin

Published

on

By

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

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:

3 August 2026

  • Rotterdam B100 premium over VLSFO narrows
  • Dutch ZRE A price climbs by €25/mtCO2e
  • B100 flips to discount to LSMGO in Singapore

Rotterdam’s B100 has remained at a premium over VLSFO for another week, although the spread has narrowed by $69/mt to $41/mt over the past week. Its discount to LSMGO has widened by $77/mt to $417/mt.

Singapore’s B100 has slipped to a $6/mt discount to LSMGO, from a $2/mt premium a week earlier.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam
ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) in Rotterdam has regained its price advantage over VLSFO for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. The benchmark has shifted from a $25/mt premium a week ago to a $68/mt discount.

For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, Rotterdam’s LBM discount to VLSFO has widened by $93/mt to $242/mt.

In Singapore, LNG’s premium over LSMGO for Otto MS engines has narrowed by $11/mt to just $4/mt over the past week.

For vessels with diesel SS engines, Singapore LNG is priced at a $79/mt discount to LSMGO.

Liquid fuels

Rotterdam’s VLSFO and LSMGO prices have climbed by $26-34/mt over the past week.

The gains have come despite a $6.89/bbl ($51/mt) slump in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $83.92/bbl ($615/mt), and a $1.85/mtCO2e decline in Dec26 EUA prices to $93.34/mtCO2e.

Rotterdam’s HSFO price has bucked the trend, falling by $45/mt.

Fuel availability remains tight for prompt deliveries in the ARA, with suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days to secure stems, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has dropped by $43/mt over the past week.

Prima Markets-assessed Dutch ZRE A ticket prices have climbed by €25/mtCO2e to €130/mtCO2e, adding downward pressure on Rotterdam’s B100 benchmark.

“Market sources had explained the strong gains by pointing out that not enough renewable fuels are blended to meet the Dutch maritime mandate this year,” Prima said.

Singapore’s VLSFO price has risen by $16/mt over the past week, while LSMGO has edged down by $4/mt.

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains very tight, with suppliers recommending lead times of 16-20 days. LSMGO availability has improved, with lead times easing to 5-8 days from 9-11 days a week earlier.

Singapore’s B100 price has fallen by $11/mt over the past week.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have fallen by $67/mt over the past week, while LBM prices have retreated by $67-68/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have remained broadly unchanged, widening slightly by $1/mt to $290-298/mt.

In Singapore, LNG prices have eased by $15/mt over the past week.

By Konica Bhatt

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 August, 2026

Continue Reading

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (30 July 2026)

Bunker demand is strong in Houston; fuel availability is good in Panama; tight avails in Paranagua, Rio Grande.

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:

  • Bunker demand is strong in Houston
  • Fuel availability is good in Panama
  • Tight avails in Paranagua, Rio Grande

North America

Bunker fuel demand at the Port of Houston has been strong over the past week. Availability is decent at the port, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days for HSFO and VLSFO.

LSMGO availability is better at the port and can be delivered within 3-4 days, a trader said.

In the US Gulf, bunkering operations are currently underway at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). At the anchorage, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in around 5-7 days this week.

Weather conditions have been rough over the past week, causing a few delays at the anchorage.

Disruptions were forecast between 28-30 July due to swells, with another period of potential disruption expected between 1-2 August, as strong winds are expected, a source said.

Fog-related disruptions to remain limited across most US Gulf Coast ports through 5 August, with low visibility risks prevailing.

Moderate fog is forecast between 2-4 August across parts of the central Gulf Coast, including Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans, Venice, Pascagoula and Mobile Bay, mainly overnight and during the early morning.

Tampa faces the highest fog risk, while Texas ports are expected to see mostly low visibility risks, with only isolated periods of moderate fog.

On the US East Coast, fuel demand in New York has been steady, and HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal. Suppliers have recommended lead times of 3-7 days for the two grades this week. VLSFO availability at the port is expected to tighten and currently requires at least five days of lead time with most suppliers, a source said.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has slumped, and prompt availability of all three conventional fuel grades is tight. Recommended lead times for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are 6-8 days. A few suppliers may be able to make faster deliveries, depending on their availability, a trader said.

In Canada’s Vancouver, marine fuel demand is good, and availability is good across all three fuel grades of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.

Suppliers have recommended lead times between 5-8 days this week.

Post-Tropical Cyclone Fausto is generating large swells and dangerous surf along east-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands as it passes north of the islands.

Large waves and strong currents are expected to persist, creating hazardous coastal conditions.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Panama has good availability across all three conventional fuel grades, a source said.

At the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, HSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 3-4 days. VLSFO requires slightly longer lead times but can be delivered in under five days.

In Colombia, bunker demand has been strong for VLSFO and LSMGO at the ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO are 3-4 days.

HSFO is not regularly available at these ports but can be supplied at times, a trader said.

At Callao, availability of all three conventional bunker grades is normal. Suppliers recommend lead times of 4-5 days for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO deliveries.

In Chile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers recommending lead times of 4-5 days. HSFO is not available at the country’s ports.

In Brazil, traders said Santos is experiencing congestion, but bunker availability remains normal. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are 5-8 days.

In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO availability is normal with lead times of 4-7 days, while LSMGO is available only on a case-by-case basis, a source told ENGINE.

Paranaguá and Rio Grande continue to face tight availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times extending to a week or more. Belém and Vila do Conde continue to have good availability of both grades, with recommended lead times of 4-7 days.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunkering operations are underway through barges. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers typically making deliveries within 6-7 days, a source said.

High wind gusts could disrupt bunker operations between 30-31 July. Delays are possible when wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 31 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending