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 supplies remain tight in the ARA
• Availability tight in Las Palmas
• Piraeus lead times improve

Northwest Europe

Supplies remain tight for prompt dates in the ARA bunkering hub, with buyers advised to book around 5-7 days ahead to get offers from a wider selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks dropped by 5% in October to 5.89 million bbls, their lowest monthly average of the year, according to Insights Global data. The region imported 103,000 b/d of fuel oil in October, sharply down from the 250,000 b/d imported in September, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Cargo volumes mainly came from Lithuania (20%), France (17%) and the UK (13%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – increased by 3% in October compared to September, according to the Insights Global data. The ARA imported 248,000 b/d of gasoil in October, increasing from the 209,000 b/d imported in September, according to Vortexa data. India emerged as the region’s top supplier of gasoil in October, accounting for around 47% of shipments, followed by the US (14%) and France (13%).

Availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, with around 3-5 days of notice sufficient to secure deliveries, a trader said.

In Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, the earliest delivery dates for all fuel grades are at least 10 days out, a trader told ENGINE.

On 17 November, strong winds of more than 40 knots and waves higher than 2 metres are forecast in the evening hours in both locations, which could suspend supplies and cause backlogs.

Mediterranean

Prompt supplies remain tight in Gibraltar Strait ports, with a week of notice required for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries. HSFO availability is tighter, with buyers recommended a lead time of more than two weeks, a trader told ENGINE.

A total of 50 vessels were expected to call for bunkers in the port of Gibraltar between 6-13 November, shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons said.

Most suppliers in Gibraltar continue to face around 4-8 hours of delays, while in neighbouring Algeciras, some suppliers are operating almost a day behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said.

Easterly wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of over 2 metres are forecast in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta on 12 November, which may suspend traffic and cause further bunkering delays.

Las Palmas’ supplies remain very tight, with one supplier requiring around 14 days of lead time for all fuel grades. Some suppliers can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO with a shorter 5-7-day notice, a trader said.

High swells of more than 1.5 metres are forecast in Las Palmas intermittently between 13-20 November, which may suspend operations at the outer anchorage. During such disruptions, stems can still be delivered at the inner anchorage or at berth, but potentially with delays due to limited space.  

All deliveries in Spain’s Barcelona need around 5-7 days of notice, a trader said.

Deliveries are proceeding normally off Malta, with 2-4-day lead times enough for supply of all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.  

In Greece’s Piraeus, fuel supply has improved, but buyers are advised to give a lead time of around 3-4 days for deliveries of all fuel grades to avoid paying a higher premium, a trader said.

In Istanbul, ULSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are stable, with a lead time of 1-5 days advised for all fuel grades, while HSFO deliveries are very tight due to low demand, a local supplier confirmed.

Africa

HSFO availability remains very tight in the Togolese port of Lome. VLSFO and LSMGO are tight for prompt dates, with a lead time of 5-7 days required for both fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, fuel availability is tight for all fuel grades, and a long lead time of around 10-14 days is required to arrange supplies, a local supplier said.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, demand has been low over the week, while inconsistent weather continues to keep most supplies limited to anchorage areas. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies can require up to a week of lead time, while HSFO can require a longer notice, a trader said.

HSFO availability can be a bit tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, with buyers advised a lead time of around 5-7 days to get competitive offers. VLSFO supplies are possible with a short notice of two days, a trader told ENGINE.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, HSFO supplies still require a lead time of more than two weeks, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied with a lead time of around a week, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 6 November, 2025