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 bunker supply remains tight in the ARA
• Good prompt availability off Malta
• HSFO and VLSFO supply good in Durban

Northwest Europe

Prompt bunker availability is currently tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, a source said. Lead times of 7-8 days are advised for all grades in the region.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in May than across April, according to Insights Global data. At 7.22 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks have started to recover after hitting an 18-month low in April. However, they remain below their five-year average for this time of year.

The region has imported 181,000 b/d of fuel oil in May so far, down compared to April’s 198,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. 

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the region’s topmost import source, with 26% of the total share. Other import sources include the UAE (21%), Poland (16%) and Denmark (12%).

The ARA’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 1% lower in April. The ARA hub has imported a total of 319,000 b/d so far this month, a significant increase from last month’s 202,000 b/d, according to Vortexa data.

Prompt bunker supply is good in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader said. All bunker grades require lead times of 3-5 days.

Mediterranean

Securing prompt bunker deliveries can be difficult in Gibraltar Strait ports due to tight supply, a trader said. Lead times of 8-9 days are recommended for all fuel grades.

Gibraltar continues to face some congestion, according to port agent MH Bland.

On Wednesday, Gibraltar had six vessels awaiting bunkers due to limited bunker barge availability and a lack of space available for vessels, the port agent said.

There are also some bunker delays in Algeciras, where suppliers are running 2-16 hours behind schedule. One supplier in Algeciras is fully booked until early next month, a trader said.

Meanwhile, bunkering is progressing normally in Ceuta and Malta Offshore. Two vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Ceuta on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

Supply of all conventional fuel grades is normal off Malta and lead times of up to five days are recommended for VLSFO and HSFO. LSMGO requires 3-4 days, a trader said.

Supply of LSMGO and HSFO is good in Ceuta. Prompt deliveries within 2-3 days are possible.

Availability of all fuel grades has improved in the Greek port of Piraeus this week, with prompt deliveries available, a trader said.

Suppliers in the Turkish port of Istanbul can offer prompt LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries, while HSFO and VLSFO supplies remain very tight.

Africa

Availability of HSFO and VLSFO is good in the South African port of Durban. Deliveries of both grades require lead times of 2-4 days, a trader said. However, LSMGO supply is still dry in Durban.

Supply of VLSFO is normal in Richards Bay. Lead times of 7-10 days are typically advised for deliveries.

In Mozambique’s Nacala port, bunker supply is good, with prompt deliveries available for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO grades, a source said. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Maputo as well.

Supply of all grades is normal in Lome, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended. Bunker availability is normal off Walvis Bay, requiring lead times of 3-6 days.

Securing prompt deliveries of HSFO and VLSFO grades can be challenging in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times of 7-10 are recommended. LSMGO is more readily available there, with lead times of 3-5 days.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 May, 2025

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 good in Zhoushan
• Bunker demand low in South Korean ports
• Prompt HSFO supply tight across several Japanese ports

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO lead times have increased from 6–13 days last week to 9–14 days now. LSMGO lead times have also risen from 3–7 days to 5–9 days, while HSFO lead times remain steady at around 5–9 days.

According to Enterprise Singapore, the port’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 13% lower so far in May compared to April. Fuel oil inventories have fallen below 20 million bbls, driven by a sharp 68% drop in net fuel imports this month. Imports have declined by 1.80 million bbls so far this month, while exports have risen by 1.61 million bbls. In contrast, middle distillate stocks in Singapore have increased, averaging 3% higher than last month.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller quantities. However, HSFO supply continues to be tight.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO lead times remain steady at around 4–7 days amid weak demand. LSMGO lead times have shortened from roughly seven days last week to 3–5 days now. HSFO lead times have also improved, reducing from around seven days to 3–5 days.

In northern China, both Dalian and Qingdao have healthy supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO. However, HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to face tight availability of both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO supply is stable there.

In Shanghai, supply of both VLSFO and HSFO is under pressure, but LSMGO is readily available. Further south, Fuzhou has ample availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has good VLSFO supply, though LSMGO is tight there.

Securing prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO remain difficult in both Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain consistent with previous weeks, at approximately seven days.

In Taiwan’s Taichung, recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are around three days. Hualien, Kaohsiung and Keelung continue to maintain stable supplies of both grades, with lead times steady at around two days.

Fuel availability has improved across all grades in several South Korean ports amid subdued demand. Lead times of around 2–3 days are recommended now, significantly lower than 4–11 days advised last week.

However, bunker operations may face disruptions in Ulsan, Onsan and Busan between 22–26 May due to high waves and strong winds. Yeosu is also likely to see interruptions between 24–26 May.

Prompt VLSFO supply continues to be tight at several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima.

LSMGO is generally available, but arranging prompt deliveries can be difficult in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. HSFO supply is also stable, but prompt deliveries can be difficult in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima.

All fuel grades are available in Oita, subject to enquiry.

Adverse weather conditions may impact bunker deliveries in Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang, Thailand, on 23 May. In Vietnam, similar disruptions are expected in Hai Phong between 20–21 May due to rough weather.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle and Port Kembla, with recommended lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has a strong supply of LSMGO, but prompt HSFO deliveries remain difficult.

In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong ports have robust availability of VLSFO and LSMGO grades, though HSFO is still tight for prompt delivery.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are well-stocked in Brisbane and Gladstone, with lead times of 7–8 days. However, HSFO remains in short supply in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, VLSFO availability is adequate in both Tauranga and Auckland.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight at several Indian ports—including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Cochin—mirroring the trends seen in recent weeks. In Haldia and Paradip, a supplier is close to running out of stock. LSMGO availability across most Indian ports remains subject to enquiry.

Adverse weather is expected to impact bunker operations at multiple Indian ports: Mumbai between 22–26 May, Kandla from 23–25 May, and Sikka from 23–27 May.

In contrast, fuel availability at Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Hambantota ports remains stable across all grades, with recommended lead times of around four days — nearly unchanged from last week.

Middle East

In Fujairah, bunker availability remains tight, with lead times for all fuel grades steady at 5–7 days. Bunker deliveries in Khor Fakkar require similar lead times.

In Egypt, bunker deliveries at Port Said may face disruptions due to adverse weather on 23 May.

In Saudi Arabia, Jeddah has sufficient LSMGO supply but limited VLSFO availability. Adverse weather could impact bunker operations in Jeddah on 23 May, while similar disruptions are expected in Yanbu on 22 May, and again from 23–24 May.

Bunker supply is under pressure in Djibouti, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks nearly depleted and LSMGO running low. The port is forecast to face rough weather conditions on 23–24 May, which could disrupt bunker operations.

Meanwhile, Omani ports—Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm—continue to have strong LSMGO availability.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 May, 2025

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:

19 May 2025

• Rotterdam LNG nearly closes gap with LSMGO
• B100–VLSFO spread narrows further

LNG price premiums over conventional fuels have narrowed in Rotterdam over the past week.

LNG is currently $105/mt more expensive than VLSFO, a $13/mt drop on the week. Its premium over LSMGO now stands at $6/mt, down from $19/mt the week before.

LNG continues to maintain its premiums over LBM, ranging between $148-194/mt depending on the engine type and associated methane slip.

Meanwhile, Rotterdam’s B100 discount to VLSFO has widened by $10/mt, to $152/mt. B100’s discount to LSMGO has also increased, reaching $251/mt from $240/mt last week.

Liquid fuels

Rotterdam’s VLSFO price has gained $14/mt in the past week. Prompt bunker fuel availability of the grade has tightened in the wider ARA region, with lead times now recommended at 7-8 days.

Rotterdam’s B100 benchmark has remained largely stable, with a $4/mt gain. A $7/mt drop Prima Market’s assessed HBE rebate has added some upward pressure on B100. But a $21/mt fall in Prima’s POMEME CIF ARA barge price has offset further upside.

A biofuel bunker supplier has seen demand grow for B100 and B30 lately. Its barge schedules has been filling up with contract and new demand, especially for shipping companies looking to comply with FuelEU Maritime and reduce their EU ETS exposure. While stems could be fixed with only a few days of lead time previously, two weeks of lead time is recommended now.

Singapore’s VLSFO price has increased by $14/mt over the week. Bunker availability has improved in the port amid subdued demand and VLSFO lead times have shortened from 9–17 days last week to 6–13 days.

Biofuel bunker demand has come off a bit in Singapore, where the market is now dominated by a few key players, a local source says.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG bunker price has remained nearly flat, edging up by just $1/mt over the past week amid a stable front-month Dutch TTF Natural Gas contract.

Steady Norwegian gas supplies have put downward pressure on the Dutch TTF, according to the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). This has been offset by market uncertainty around the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

LBM prices in Rotterdam have increased by $1–3/mt, depending on a vessel’s engine type and methane emissions.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmark has gained $18/mt over the same period, mostly due to a 4% increase in the underlying front-month NYMEX Japan/Korea Marker (JKM).

By Konica Bhatt

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 20 May, 2025