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:

• HSFO supply tightens in the ARA
• Severe backlog in Gibraltar
• LSMGO still dry in Durban

Northwest Europe

Prompt HSFO availability is tight in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub. Lead times for HSFO have stretched to 8-10 days from 5-7 days last week due to barge loading delays, a trader said. VLSFO is comparatively better, but remains tight for very prompt delivery dates, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. LSMGO supply is ample, with lead times of 3-5 days as advised. 

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 9% so far this month compared to February, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 157,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, down from 298,000 b/d of fuel oil in February, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.  

The United Kingdom (28% of the total) has become the region’s biggest fuel oil import source, followed by Mexico (20%), Germany (16%), Poland (15%), the Bahamas (14%) and Nigeria (7%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 9% lower so far this month. The ARA hub has imported 220,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel so far this month, registering a decline from 277,000 b/d imported in February, according to Vortexa data.

Prompt bunker supply in Germany’s Hamburg is well stocked, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-5 days for all three grades. 

Mediterranean

Lead times remain consistent with last week in Gibraltar, a trader said, recommending 5-7 days for optimal coverage from suppliers. Severe congestion was reported in Gibraltar port on Tuesday due to a backlog of 24 vessels triggered by rough weather conditions in the port area, according to port agent MH Bland. Congestion has persisted on Wednesday, but the backlog has reduced slightly to 16 vessels today, MH Bland said. 

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, prompt supply is still tight, a trader said. Lead times have remained unchanged over the last few weeks with suppliers able to offer within 5-7 days.

Meanwhile, in the other Mediterranean bunker hubs like Istanbul, Piraeus and Malta Offshore, supply is ample, a trader said. 

In Turkey’s Istanbul, bunkers are well stocked and recommended lead times are 3-5 days. Weather is forecast to remain calm for the rest of the week, conducive to smooth bunkering in the port area. 

The Greek port of Piraeus has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 3-5 days. HSFO is subject to enquiry in the port.  

Off Malta, supply is good, with lead times of 3-5 days advised. Rough weather may hamper bunkering off Malta this week, a source said. Strong easterly wind gusts around 19 knots are forecast off Malta today, said MH Bland. Rough weather is also forecast on Saturday with south-easterly wind gusts of around 27 knots.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for the grade in both ports. LSMGO is still dry in Durban, the trader added. 

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in Angola’s Luanda, a source said. Lead times of up to five days are advised for optimal coverage.  

By Manjula Nair

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

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 17.5% in February 2025, according to the latest data from La Autoridad Maritima de Panama, also known as the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

Total bunker sales at Panama was 415,430 metric tonnes (mt) in February 2025, compared to sales of 353,629 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In February 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 337,620 mt; 217,165 mt of VLSFO, 90,815 mt of RMG 380, 2,187 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 27,453 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 272,618 mt a year before in February; with VLSFO sales at 156,053 mt, RMG 380 sales at 86,515 mt, MGO sales at 8,639 mt, and 21,411 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 77,810 during February 2025; the figure comprised 47,835 mt of VLSFO, 17,138 mt of RMG 380, 4,744 mt of MGO, and 8,093 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 81,011 mt in February a year before; with VLSFO sales of 63,554 mt, RMG 380 sales of 7,636, 4,219 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 5,602 mt.

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 19 March, 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 improves in Zhoushan
• Bunker demand is low in South Korean ports
• Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO lead times in Singapore now range from 2–10 days, narrowing from last week’s 3–12 days. HSFO and LSMGO supply remains stable, with lead times of 2–4 days and 6–9 days, respectively—almost unchanged from last week.

However, adverse weather is forecast at the port from 19–21 March, which could impact bunker deliveries.

According to Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 11% lower so far in March compared to February, dropping below 17 million bbls, despite a 32% increase in net fuel imports this month. Imports rose by 819,000 barrels, while exports declined slightly by 37,000 barrels. In contrast, middle distillate stocks at the port have increased, averaging 10% higher than last month.

Meanwhile, at Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with small-quantity prompt deliveries readily available, but HSFO supply remains limited.

East Asia

VLSFO availability in Zhoushan remains strong, with lead times improving from 4–6 days last week to around 3–5 days now. LSMGO and HSFO lead times have also shortened from 4–6 days to 3–5 days.

In Hong Kong, the advised lead times for all fuel grades remain at around seven days, unchanged from last week.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies in Hualien, Taichung, and Keelung remain stable, with lead times of about two days, the same as last week. In Kaohsiung, deliveries for both VLSFO and LSMGO require lead times of three days.

Availability of all bunker grades has improved across several South Korean ports amid low demand, with lead times shortening to around three days, down from 3–8 days last week.

However, bunker operations in Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu may face intermittent disruptions from 18–24 March due to high waves and strong winds.

In Japan, VLSFO is readily available at several ports, including Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi. However, prompt supply remains tight in Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Mizushima.

LSMGO availability is stable, but securing prompt deliveries can be challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. Similarly, HSFO supply remains constrained across multiple Japanese ports.

In Oita, all fuel grades are subject to availability.

Subic Bay in the Philippines may experience inclement weather from 19–21 March, which could disrupt bunkering operations. Similarly, bunker deliveries in Thailand’s Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports may be affected by adverse weather from 19–20 March.

Oceania

In Western Australia, Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla have good supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney offers ample LSMGO availability, though HSFO may require longer lead times.

In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong have abundant stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, but securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be challenging. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, also with lead times of 7–8 days, though HSFO availability in Brisbane remains limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have adequate VLSFO stocks, with Auckland also offering sufficient LSMGO supplies.

South Asia

At several Indian ports, including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Haldia, VLSFO availability remains tight, consistent with recent weeks. Additionally, a supplier in Paradip is nearing stock depletion. LSMGO supply is also tight across most Indian ports.

Adverse weather at Kandla port may disrupt bunker operations between 19–20 March.

In Sri Lanka, suppliers in Colombo have good stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of around five days. Similarly, in Hambantota, lead times of around five days are required for both grades.

Middle East

In Fujairah, bunker availability remains tight, with lead times for all grades holding steady at 5–7 days, unchanged from last week. Khor Fakkan has similar lead time recommendations.

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, LSMGO supply is sufficient, but VLSFO remains limited. Adverse weather may impact bunkering operations in Jeddah on 22 March, while bunker deliveries in Yanbu could be affected by bad weather on 20–21 March.

In Djibouti, bunker supply is under pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks nearly exhausted, while LSMGO supply is running low.

At Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, LSMGO supply remains ample.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 March, 2025