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 HSFO is tight in the ARA
• Bunker supply tightens off Malta
• LSMGO supply resumes in Durban

Northwestern Europe

Prompt HSFO and VLSFO availability remains tight in Rotterdam and across the wider ARA hub, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for HSFO and 5-7 days for VLSFO. LSMGO is available in the ARA hub with a shorter lead time of 3-5 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have dipped by 2% so far this month compared to October, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 237,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, down from 262,000 b/d imported in October, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 27/73 ratio in November so far, compared to a 45/55 ratio in October.

Kuwait (27% of the total) has emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source this month. France (19%) has come in second place, while the UK (18%) has ranked third. Other import sources include Saudi Arabia (13%) and Poland (10%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have decreased by 2% so far this month. The stocks have declined despite higher imports. The region has imported 472,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, registering a slight increase from 411,000 b/d of gasoil imported in October, according to Vortexa data.

In Germany’s Hamburg port, prompt bunker availability is normal for all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for three grades in the port, the trader added.

Mediterranean

HSFO and LSMGO availability in Gibraltar is a bit tight for very prompt delivery dates. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for both grades. VLSFO availability is relatively better with most suppliers able to supply within 3-5 days, a trader said.

HSFO tightness persists at the Canary Islands' Port of Las Palmas. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the high-sulphur grade. LSMGO supply is relatively more stable, with shorter lead times of 5-7 days. VLSFO availability is ample, with most suppliers offering delivery within 3-5 days. Adverse weather conditions expected from Wednesday could disrupt bunkering at the port until Saturday, a source said.

Securing very prompt delivery stems in Spain’s Barcelona may be difficult, a trader said. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for all three grades in the port.

Bunker demand is still subdued in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

The Greek port of Piraeus has normal availability across all three grades with suppliers able to offer prompt delivery dates, a source said. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended for all three grades. The weather is expected to be conducive to bunkering for the rest of the week.

Prompt availability has tightened off Malta, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 are recommended for all three grades off Malta. Bunker availability typically tightens towards the end of the year in Malta Offshore, the trader added. Bunkering disruptions are likely to affect bunkering on Friday and Saturday, a source said.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, availability is normal with lead times of 3-4 days advised for full coverage from suppliers. Weather-induced bunkering disruptions may occur in Istanbul on Saturday, a source said.

Africa

LSMGO availability has resumed in South Africa’s Durban, but prompt availability of the grade is tight, a source told ENGINE. The grade was briefly unavailable last week. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for LSMGO in Durban. Rough weather is forecast from Wednesday to Friday, with wind gusts expected—ranging from 21 to 31 knots on Wednesday and Thursday, and 19 to 22 knots on Friday, the source added.

Availability of VLSFO is also tight in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, a trader said. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for both grades in both ports.

Prompt availability is good for all three grades in Mauritius' Port Louis. VLSFO and LSMGO are witnessing robust demand, a trader said.

VLSFO and LSMGO are well stocked in Namibia’s Walvis Bay, according to a trader. But HSFO prompt availability is comparatively tighter. Lead times of around five days are recommended for HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO is available for lead times of 3 days.

The South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) new bunkering protocols will be implemented from 30 November, a shipping agent told ENGINE.

SARS' latest move paves the way for bunkering to resume off Algoa Bay, which has been shut for more than a year now. Yet, concerns and uncertainty remain in the market over how soon bunkering could restart in Algoa Bay.

"At this stage, there has been no confirmation of re-opening, nor have we witnessed any movements of bunker barges back into Algoa Bay," the shipping agent stated, adding that there are currently no bunker barges present in Algoa Bay.

Bunkering off Algoa Bay has been at a standstill since September 2023, when SARS suspended offshore bunkering after detaining five bunker barges over import duty disputes. The vessels were diverted to other nearby bunker ports, such as Durban and Richards Bay.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 28 November, 2024 

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 27 November, 2024

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 is low in Singapore
• LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports
• VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Oceanic ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker demand in Singapore has been quiet so far this week, according to a source. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of about 10 days for VLSFO, although some can accommodate deliveries in as little as two days, typically at a higher price than those with longer lead times.

HSFO supply remains tight, with lead times of 8-13 days, unchanged from last week. LSMGO supply has improved, with lead times dropping from 4-9 days last week to 2-6 days now.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have remained roughly steady compared to October levels, according to Enterprise Singapore. However, Singapore's fuel oil stocks have fallen below 18 million bbls, following a sharp 60% drop in the port's net fuel oil imports this month. Both imports and exports have decreased, with imports falling by 3.98 million bbls—almost double the 1.76-million-bbl drop in exports. In contrast, Singapore's middle distillate stocks have increased, averaging 3% higher so far this month.

At Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with some suppliers offering prompt delivery for smaller volumes, although HSFO availability remains tight.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, fuel availability remains steady, with several suppliers advising lead times of 5-7 days for VLSFO and 4-6 days for LSMGO and HSFO, similar to the previous week.

In Northern China, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant at Dalian and Qingdao ports, although HSFO availability is limited in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing tight supply across all fuel grades.

In Shanghai, LSMGO is readily available, but VLSFO and HSFO are in short supply. Fuzhou has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, while Xiamen sees good VLSFO supply but restricted LSMGO availability. In both Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt availability of both grades remains limited.

In Hong Kong, recommended lead times remain consistent at seven days for all bunker grades. However, adverse weather conditions are expected from 26-28 November, which could disrupt bunker deliveries at the port.

In Taiwan’s ports—Hualien, Kaohsiung, and Keelung—VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, with lead times remaining steady at two days, consistent with last week. In Taichung, lead times for both grades are slightly longer, at around 3-4 days.

Bunker demand in South Korean ports remains subdued due to higher bunker prices. On Tuesday, Busan's VLSFO grade was priced $34/mt higher than Singapore's and $23/mt higher than Hong Kong’s VLSFO.

Availability remains steady across South Korean ports, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 6-8 days for all grades. However, rough weather is forecasted from 26 November-1 December, which could potentially affect bunkering at ports including Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong across major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. VLSFO supply is generally stable, while prompt deliveries are limited in Oita. Prompt HSFO availability is tight at Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita, according to a source.

The Philippine port of Subic Bay is anticipating inclement weather from 27-30 November, which may disrupt bunkering operations. Similarly, adverse weather is expected to impact bunkering at the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang during the same period.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are available at the ports of Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, with lead times typically ranging from 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has adequate LSMGO supplies, but HSFO may require longer lead times.

In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong have plentiful stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO deliveries may be challenging. Queensland’s Brisbane and Gladstone ports report sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland both have good supplies of VLSFO, with Auckland also having ample LSMGO stocks.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO remain in limited supply at several Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, and Cochin, as it has been in recent weeks. Supply of both grades are subject to availability in Visakhapatnam and Haldia, while a supplier in Paradip is nearly out of stock.

Intermittent adverse weather conditions are forecasted for 27-30 November in the port of Visakhapatnam, which could disrupt bunker operations there.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and East Equatorial Indian Ocean within 24 hours, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to Chennai and Puducherry from 25-27 November. Wind speeds may reach 40 mph between 25-26 November.

Kakinada Port Authority has advised that vessel operations could be suspended from 26-29 November if wind speeds exceed 25 knots. Vessels are advised to keep engines ready for operations, monitor weather updates, and adhere to all safety guidelines, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Hambantota availability is good for VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, with lead times of around seven days.

Adverse weather is forecast for the Sri Lankan port of Colombo from 26-27 November, which may affect bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Prompt availability in Fujairah remains tight, with lead times for all grades around 5-7 days, consistent with last week. Similarly, suppliers in Khor Fakkan are recommending lead times of 5-7 days for all grades.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia's Jeddah port has sufficient supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Djibouti continues to experience VLSFO shortages, while LSMGO is more readily available. Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm have ample LSMGO supplies with prompt delivery options.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 27 November 2024