Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Oct 2025)

Bunker demand low in Singapore; several South Korean ports brace for Typhoon Halong-induced bad weather; VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports.

Published

10 months ago

October 8, 2025

Admin

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 low in Singapore
Several South Korean ports brace for Typhoon Halong-induced bad weather
VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Despite “slow” bunker demand in Singapore, VLSFO availability has tightened, with lead times increasing from 7–10 days last week, to 8–14 days now. HSFO and LSMGO require lead times of around 6–10 days, compared to last week’s 8–10 days and 4–8 days, respectively.

The port’s residual fuel oil stocks averaged 2% lower in September than in August, though inventories stayed above 24 million bbls, according to Enterprise Singapore. This came despite a 13% drop in net fuel oil imports, with imports falling by 919,000 bbls and exports down by 437,000 bbls. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks rose, averaging 4% higher in September compared with August.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller parcels, while HSFO supply continues to be tight.

East Asia

Bunker demand in Zhoushan remains weak, with recommended lead times of around 10–12 days across all fuel grades.

Although overall fuel availability is reported as normal, demand across Chinese ports is expected to stay subdued this week due to the ongoing Golden Week holidays (1–8 October). Most suppliers are only handling pre-booked stems, and new bookings for delivery before 10 October are currently not being accepted, according to a source.

In Hong Kong, lead times remain steady at about seven days for all fuel types.

Taiwan’s bunker market is stable, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries typically arranged within three days at Keelung, Hualien, Taichung, and Kaohsiung — largely unchanged from last week.

In South Korea, bunker availability has improved amid sluggish demand during the country’s seven-day Golden Holiday (3–9 October).

Lead times of around 3–7 days are currently recommended across all grades, according to a source. Last week, HSFO and LSMGO required 9–10 days for delivery at both western and southern ports, while VLSFO supply remained subject to enquiries.

However, supply schedules remain vulnerable to disruptions from Typhoon Halong, which has brought bad weather across the region. Bunker operations may face interruptions in Busan and Ulsan between 7–11 October, in Yeosu from 9–13 October, and in Daesan on 9 October and again between 12–14 October.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply continues to be tight at key ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally well supplied nationwide, though prompt deliveries in Mizushima may still encounter delays. B24-VLSFO remains available only upon enquiry at Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama. HSFO availability is steady across most ports, but Oita is facing shortages of all grades — VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

Typhoon Halong, currently located over the Pacific south of Japan and moving west-northwest, is expected to strengthen further and approach Japan’s Izu Islands by Thursday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The resulting adverse weather could further disrupt bunker operations at certain Japanese ports.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle, with most suppliers quoting lead times of around seven days. Deliveries are mainly conducted by barge from a single supplier, while LSMGO can also be supplied by truck. Afternoon strong winds can occasionally disrupt bunkering operations, a source said.

In New South Wales, Port Kembla offers VLSFO supply via both truck and pipeline, with a minimum pipeline delivery volume of 70 mt and smaller parcels available by truck. In Sydney, one barge operates alongside truck and pipeline options at select berths, though barge schedules are sometimes affected by naval activity and cruise liner movements. VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well stocked, while HSFO supply can be limited. Lead times of around seven days are preferred across all grades.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good at Brisbane and Gladstone, both maintaining lead times of about seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is only available on request, while Gladstone can face occasional weather-related delays. Berth access at Brisbane’s AAT terminal can also be challenging. The port now operates two barges, each run by separate suppliers, both offering VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO supplied on enquiry.

Victoria’s ports of Melbourne and Geelong maintain good stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO availability is tighter, particularly for prompt deliveries. At present, HSFO is well stocked in Melbourne. A single barge serves both ports, with Bass Strait weather occasionally affecting operations. A seven-day lead time is generally recommended. LSMGO can also be delivered by truck at smaller regional ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool, where typical lead times are 2–3 days.

Overall, Australian ports are maintaining stable bunker supply, with a general recommendation of seven days’ lead time — though most ports can usually deliver within 3–4 days thanks to healthy availability. Ports with pipeline systems, such as Darwin and Dampier, often rely partly on truck support, which can affect consistency of supply.

In New Zealand, bunker operations are stable, with VLSFO readily available at Tauranga and Auckland. Tauranga also provides pipeline access at certain berths, while Marsden Point can supply both VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline at jetties where vessels are engaged in cargo operations.

The cyclone season in northern Australia, running from 1 November to 30 April, is expected to periodically disrupt bunkering activity, the source added.

South Asia

Severe Cyclonic Storm Shakhti, which brought heavy rainfall to western India, is expected to weaken gradually by the end of the day. Sea conditions, however, are forecast to remain rough to very rough along the Gujarat–North Maharashtra coastline. Coastal districts in Gujarat — including Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Surat — may continue to experience heavy rainfall during this period.

Although warning signals have been raised, port operations across the region are reported to be running normally, with no stoppages so far, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In Sri Lanka, bunker supply remains steady in Colombo and Hambantota, with one supplier now quoting lead times of around five days for all grades — slightly longer than the prompt availability seen last week.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight in Fujairah across all grades, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days — a situation also seen at the nearby port of Khor Fakkan. In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, though HSFO supply remains constrained.

Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah continues to face limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while Egypt’s Port Suez is grappling with severe shortages, with stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO nearly depleted. In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, suppliers are also struggling with tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability.

Djibouti is experiencing acute scarcity, with VLSFO and HSFO supplies almost exhausted and LSMGO running low. In contrast, Oman’s ports — including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm — continue to report stable LSMGO availability.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 October, 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.

Published

16 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

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

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.

Published

5 days ago

July 17, 2026

Admin

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

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.

Published

6 days ago

July 16, 2026

Admin

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