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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (9 December 2025)

Bunker demand low in Singapore; VLSFO and HSFO availability tight across several Japanese ports; VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic 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:

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

Singapore and Malaysia

Even with “slow” bunker demand, Singapore’s VLSFO lead times remain erratic at 4–12 days, almost unchanged from last week’s 4–11 days. HSFO now needs 7–10 days of advance notice, up from 3–9 days previously.

LSMGO availability remains healthy, with suppliers advising 5–8 days of lead time, slightly longer than last week’s 3–7 days.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to secure — particularly for smaller prompt orders — while HSFO continues to face limited availability.

East Asia

Zhoushan’s bunker demand remains weak, with suppliers still recommending 4–7 days of lead time for all grades, unchanged from the previous week.

Fuel availability across northern China remains mixed. Dalian and Qingdao can meet VLSFO and LSMGO demand, though HSFO stays tight in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to face shortages across all grades. Shanghai has limited VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO supply remains steady.

Farther south, Fuzhou is short of both VLSFO and LSMGO, and Xiamen offers enough VLSFO but has restricted LSMGO availability. Delivery options for both grades remain limited in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times remain stable at roughly seven days for all grades.Taiwan’s CPC Corporation had temporarily halted VLSFO liftings at Taichung until 4 December due to pipeline work, but bunkering has since resumed and supply conditions have normalised. Across Taiwan’s major ports — Keelung, Taichung, Hualien, and Kaohsiung — VLSFO and LSMGO are generally available within two days, consistent with last week.

Bunker availability has improved across all grades in South Korea as demand stays sluggish, with most suppliers now recommending 2–5 days of lead time — a clear improvement from last week’s 5–9 days.

Weather may complicate operations in the coming days. A trader reports that Busan and Ulsan could face disruptions from 11–16 and again on 18 December; Yeosu from 11–15 and 18 December; and Daesan from 11–15 and 17–18 December.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO remains tight at key ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama and Kawasaki. The 21 November fire at Idemitsu Kosan’s Yokkaichi refinery has reduced output and left inventories severely depleted. As a result, supply is expected to stay strained in Osaka, Kobe and Mizushima through late December.

LSMGO supply is mostly steady, though securing prompt stems in Mizushima is difficult. The grade is also tight in Nagoya and Yokkaichi. B24-VLSFO continues to be available only on request in Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama. HSFO remains scarce across most ports, with Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Tokuyama short of all grades.

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan late Monday, prompting tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate. The alerts were scaled back early Tuesday. Initial reports indicated no major damage or casualties, according to Reuters, citing NHK.

In Indonesia, VLSFO supply remains stable across Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Cigading, where suppliers are generally working with lead times of 2-3 days. LSMGO shows a similar availability trend in Jakarta, Benoa, Surabaya and Batam. HSFO is also well stocked in Jakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan, according to a trader.

Oceania

VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available in Western Australia, with Kwinana and Fremantle operating on roughly seven-day lead times. Most deliveries come by barge from a single supplier, though LSMGO can also be trucked. Strong afternoon winds still cause occasional schedule disruptions.

In New South Wales, Port Kembla can supply VLSFO via both truck and pipeline — pipeline batches start around 70 mt, while smaller volumes go by truck. Sydney has one working barge and can deliver by truck or, at select berths, by pipeline. Schedules are frequently adjusted around naval and cruise ship activity. VLSFO and LSMGO inventories remain healthy, but HSFO is tight, and suppliers generally request about seven days’ notice. Seasonal cruise traffic in Sydney, Cairns and Darwin from December through February may add pressure.

Brisbane and Gladstone continue to provide VLSFO and LSMGO with similar seven-day lead times. HSFO is on-request in Brisbane, while Gladstone still sees occasional weather-related delays. Access constraints at Brisbane’s AAT terminal persist. Two barges are now operating in Brisbane — each run by different suppliers — offering VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO available only on enquiry.

Victoria’s Melbourne and Geelong hold strong VLSFO and LSMGO stocks. HSFO is tight for prompt delivery, though Melbourne currently has enough supply. Both ports rely on a single barge, and Bass Strait conditions can slow operations. Lead times remain around seven days, while LSMGO can be trucked to smaller ports like Portland and Port Welshpool in 2–3 days.

Overall, Australia’s bunker market is steady, with seven-day lead times still the norm. Deliveries within 3–4 days are often achievable, thanks to solid inventories. Even in ports with pipeline infrastructure — such as Darwin and Dampier — suppliers continue using trucks to support distribution.

In New Zealand, supply remains stable. VLSFO is widely available at Tauranga and Auckland, with pipeline access at certain Tauranga berths. Marsden Point can supply both VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline to cargo vessels. Truck availability is limited across South Island ports.

Cyclone season in northern Australia, running from November to April, is expected to bring intermittent disruptions, with 9–11 cyclones forecast this year.

South Asia

Rough weather is forecast in Sri Lanka’s Colombo from 9–13 December, and bunker deliveries at the port may be disrupted during this period.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply in Fujairah remains tight across all grades, with several suppliers facing squeezed delivery schedules. Most are still recommending 5–7 days of lead time, although urgent stems can sometimes be arranged at a premium, a source noted. Conditions in nearby Khor Fakkan mirror this tightness.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, while HSFO continues to be limited. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah has seen an improvement in VLSFO and LSMGO supply, though port congestion is still slowing deliveries.

Egypt’s Port Suez is dealing with the opposite situation: stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO are nearly depleted. Qatar’s Ras Laffan is also tight on VLSFO and LSMGO.

Djibouti is under considerable strain, with VLSFO and HSFO almost exhausted and LSMGO close to running out.

Oman’s ports — Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm — remain stable, consistently offering LSMGO with prompt delivery windows.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 December, 2025

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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July 22, 2026

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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July 22, 2026

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

Alkagesta highlights key insights of Malta bunkering market in 2026

Darren Lee Axisa discusses the key trends influencing Malta’s bunkering market and the factors that will determine Malta’s long-term competitiveness as a regional bunkering hub.
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July 22, 2026

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Alkagesta highlights key insights of Malta bunkering market in 2026

In an article published on Alkagesta Market Insights, Darren Lee Axisa, Malta Country Manager of Alkagesta, on Monday (20 July) discussed the key trends influencing Malta’s bunkering market and the factors that will determine Malta’s long-term competitiveness as a regional bunkering hub: 

Malta’s bunkering and energy market is moving through a period of structural adjustment. The disruptions that defined the first half of 2026 have accelerated shifts in product demand, terminal strategy, and the competitive dynamics of one of the Mediterranean’s most strategically positioned bunkering hubs. For Alkagesta, whose storage footprint on the island approaches 300,000 cubic metres, the period has tested operational flexibility while reinforcing the value of diversified infrastructure access.

A Market Shifting in Two Directions

Malta’s broader economy has remained resilient — GDP growth reached 3.9% in Q1 2026 — but the bunkering market has undergone a significant product mix shift, the roots of which predate the current geopolitical disruption.

The Mediterranean Emission Control Area, which came into force on 1 May 2025, triggered an immediate and measurable realignment in fuel demand across the region. VPS data covering the first six months post-ECA implementation shows that across the top ten Mediterranean bunkering ports, VLSFO volumes fell 23%, MGO more than doubled, ULSFO quadrupled, and biofuels increased fivefold. In Valletta specifically, the shift was even more pronounced: VLSFO dropped 57% from 111,641 mt to 47,732 mt, while MGO volumes more than tripled from 33,299 mt to 103,445 mt, and ULSFO rose from 2,821 mt to 34,535 mt over the same period.

This structural rotation has been further accelerated by the broader regulatory environment. FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS requirements are pushing shipowners toward cleaner, verifiable fuel options at every port call — a direction Alkagesta had already positioned itself ahead of, having been among the first movers in the Mediterranean to support the transition to 0.1% sulphur fuel oil following the ECA’s introduction.

Layered on top of this regulatory shift has been a period of reduced terminal capacity affecting bunkering market availability across the island. Fuel oil volumes dropped roughly 35% year-on-year between January and May 2026, falling from approximately 382,000 mt in 2025 to 247,000 mt. DMA demand moved sharply in the opposite direction, rising from around 150,000 mt in January to April 2025 to 247,000 mt over the same period in 2026 — a trend consistent with both the ECA-driven product mix shift and the disruption to heavier fuel availability during the constrained period.

Note: The full article can be read here. 

 

Photo credit: Alkagesta
Published: 22 July, 2026

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