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:

• Loading delays double lead times in the ARA
• Prompt supplies tight in the Gibraltar Strait
• 10 days of lead time advised off Walvis Bay

Northwest Europe

Suppliers are experiencing loading long delays at terminals in the ARA hub, a trader said. This has almost doubled lead times in the ARA to 10 days, from 4-5 days last week, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 13% lower so far in May than in April, according to Insights Global data. The fuel oil stocks have fallen to their lowest level in 11 years.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 7% lower this month than in April. Gasoil inventories have fallen to their lowest in nearly two years.

In Germany’s Hamburg, buyers are advised to book stems around five days in advance, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, buyers are recommended around 10 days of lead time for delivery of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Availability of bunker fuel is tight for prompt delivery dates in the Gibraltar Strait ports, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are advised to book at least 7-10 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

Some suppliers in Gibraltar are running around 4-6 hours late on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. In neighbouring Algeciras, certain suppliers are running around a day behind schedule, the port agent added.

Bunker availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers advised to enquire about stems with a lead time of around 7-10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

In Spain’s Huelva, bunker fuels are available with a lead time of around 5-7 days, according to a trader.

In Valencia, buyers are recommended a notice of around 5-7 days for delivery of HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO grades, a trader said.

Off Malta, suppliers are facing some loading delays, which could result in longer lead times, a trader told ENGINE. Demand for all fuel grades has come down this week, the trader added.

In Greece’s Piraeus, availability is tight for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is normal in Türkiye’s Istanbul, with buyers able to secure deliveries promptly, a trader told ENGINE.

In the Romanian Black Sea ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia, LSMGO availability is stable and supplies can be carried out with a notice of around 1-2 days, a local supplier said.

Africa

In Senegal’s Dakar, one supplier said it will be offering VLSFO from the end of the month.

In Togo’s Lome, buyers are recommended to give a lead time of around 10 days to arrange supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, a supplier can deliver VLSFO with a notice of five days, a local supplier said.

In Angola’s Luanda, a supplier said it expects VLSFO replenishments in June, while LSMGO supplies are available with a lead time of around 3-4 days.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, suppliers are recommended lead times of around 10 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

In South Africa’s Durban, bunker supply is tight for prompt supplies, with a lead time of around 5-7 days advised for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

In the Mozambican port of Nacala, buyers are recommended around 7-10 days of lead time for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, demand remains high and availability is tight. Buyers are recommended lead times of around 10-15 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 May, 2026