The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• Bunker demand strong in Houston
• LSMGO avails dry up in Santos
• Bunkering suspended in Zona Comun

North America

Bunker demand in the US Gulf port of Houston is strong, and prompt availability of all three conventional fuel grades is tight. HSFO and LSMGO require notice of 6-8 days, while VLSFO needs around five days, a source said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), conditions are forecast to remain manageable, with wind gusts of up to 18 knots and waves below 1m between 24-27 September. Deliveries are currently ongoing on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather.

Prompt availability is tight at the anchorage, where HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of at least five days. LSMGO can be delivered within three days, by at least two suppliers.

The sea fog threat across US Gulf Coast ports is forecast to stay “low” through most of the coming week, before rising to “moderate” at Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, Port Arthur, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans, Venice, Pascagoula and Mobile Bay on 30 September.

Venice and Mobile Bay could see moderate fog from 29 September, while Brownsville faces a moderate threat on 24-25 September. Lake Charles faces a high fog threat early on 30 September.

On the East Coast, bunker demand at the port of New York has ticked up, a source said. Availability of all three conventional grades is normal. LSMGO requires lead times of 3-6 days, and premiums for the grade are currently high, a trader said. VLSFO and HSFO require lead times between 5-7 days this week.

High wind gusts could disrupt bunker operations at New York between 24-27 September, with gusts forecast to peak at around 30 knots on 26 September, alongside rain.

Suppliers may require standby tugs during high winds, and operations could be suspended, a source tells ENGINE.

On the US West Coast, availability of all three conventional grades is normal at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where suppliers are recommending lead times of 5-7 days.

Bunker demand has picked up at Canada’s Vancouver, a trader said. Availability is decent at the port, where VLSFO and LSMGO require lead times of 4-7 days and HSFO needs 5-6 days, a source said.

The hurricane season is currently ongoing. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued advisories on Tropical Storm Fay in the Atlantic, Hurricanes Odalys and Polo in the Eastern Pacific, and Tropical Storm Nolo in the Central Pacific, with marine warnings in effect for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker demand at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal has been moderate, with VLSFO drawing more interest than HSFO and LSMGO this week.

Availability of all three conventional grades is good, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliverable within 3-4 days and HSFO requiring 5-7 days of lead time, a source said.

In the Bahamas, cruise ships are given priority for bunker deliveries at Freeport, and gusts of up to 16 knots and light rain are forecast on 25 September.

At St. Eustatius, deliveries are done at anchorage, and cruise ships take priority. Winds are forecast to stay moderate, with gusts of up to 14 knots.

Off Trinidad, deliveries are done while vessels are underway. Gusts of up to 22 knots and waves of up to 1.2m are forecast, but no major disruption is expected.

Bunker fuel availability is good at Colombia’s key ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla, where VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within 3-4 days.

HSFO availability is limited across the country’s ports, though the grade can sometimes be booked at the larger ports, with the earliest deliveries possible in around four days, a trader said.

In Brazil, VLSFO availability is okay at Santos, with lead times of 4-7 days, though the port remains congested. LSMGO is not available at the port at the moment, a trader said.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is very tight in Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua and Rio Grande, where both grades are offered under prior consultation and require lead times of over a week to 10 days.

Earlier this week, Petrobras halted bunker deliveries at Rio Grande earlier this week after a tropical storm knocked out power at the terminal. Operations resumed earlier today, a trader tells ENGINE.

Belem and Vila do Conde have okay availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 4-7 days.

Bunker operations at Zona Comun are currently suspended, and prolonged delays are expected due to winds above 20 knots. High wind gusts of up to 29 knots are forecast between 25-27 September.

Availability at the anchorage is very tight, with both grades of VLSFO and LSMGO available only under prior consultation, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 25 September, 2026

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 availability tight in ARA ports
• Busy summer cruise season increases lead times in Piraeus
• Increase in demand tightens availability in South African ports

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability in the ARA is tight for prompt delivery dates, and buyers are recommended lead times of 5-7 days to secure supplies at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 17% higher in September so far compared with August’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 297,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from around 342,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa cargo flows data.

Most shipments have arrived from Mexico (24%), Benin (19%) and France (15%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have risen by 2% in September so far, compared to August, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 141,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, down from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (28%), Germany (13%) and the UK (11%).

Fuel availability in Hamburg is steady, with five days’ notice recommended to secure any grade in the German port, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunker availability remains tight off Skaw and in Gothenburg, and buyers are asked to give around 10-14 days for delivery of any grade in the Scandinavian hubs, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Prompt fuel availability at ports in the Gibraltar Strait is tight, with lead times of 10-12 days recommended for reliable coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Gibraltar is seeing slight congestion, with around eight vessels currently awaiting bunkers, port agent MH Bland said. Bunkering delays of around 4-8 hours can be expected in the port. Some suppliers in Algeciras can be delayed by around 18-24 hours, the port agent added.

In the Spanish port of Ceuta, barge and ex-pipe deliveries are running on schedule now, after slight delays seen last week, the port agent said.

Fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, and buyers are recommended lead times of around 10-12 days to secure deliveries, a trader noted.

LSMGO is seeing high demand off Malta. Fuel availability is comparatively stable compared to last week, and lead times have reduced to 3-4 days for LSMGO, VLSFO and ULSFO, compared to 5-7 days last week, a trader said.

Fuel availability in Greece’s Piraeus is tight for HSFO, VLSFO and ULSFO, and buyers are recommended lead times of around 5-7 days for those grades, a trader said. LSMGO deliveries are more prompt, with a notice of three days sufficient, according to the trader.

The port is seeing a busy summer cruise season, and barge availability is an issue in Piraeus, especially for HSFO, the trader added.

Istanbul fuel availability is stable, with every grade obtainable on 1-4 days of notice, a trader said.

Africa

In Senegal’s Dakar, fuel availability is stable and stems can be delivered promptly by at least one supplier.

In the Togolese port of Lome, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is a bit tight due to high demand, and buyers are recommended to book with lead times of at least a week, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, VLSFO fuel supplies are tight with buyers recommended at least nine days’ notice for deliveries, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, prompt fuel availability is tight, and buyers have been advised to book with lead times between 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Increasing demand has tightened fuel availability in South African hubs like Durban, Algoa Bay, Richards Bay and Cape Town, a trader said. Some suppliers in these ports need at least 10-15 days of lead time to arrange deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, the trader added.

Fuel availability remains very tight in Port Louis, with buyers recommended to book around 10-14 days ahead to get deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said. HSFO availability is very limited in the port.

VLSFO availability remains tight for prompt supplies at the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, where notice of seven days is recommended, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 24 September, 2026

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:

• VLSFO availability tight in Singapore
• VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Taiwanese ports
• Availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

Singapore’s bunker market remains tight, with recommended lead times for VLSFO at 13-17 days, almost unchanged from 13-16 days a week earlier. Most suppliers are holding low stock levels, while delays in cargo arrivals linked to the conflict in the Middle East have added further pressure to availability, according to a Singapore-based source.

HSFO availability has improved slightly, with advised lead times easing to 9-12 days from 10-19 days last week. LSMGO supply has also strengthened, with lead times narrowing to 5-7 days from 6-8 days previously.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 7% higher so far this month compared with August, according to the latest Enterprise Singapore data. Stocks have climbed above 20 million bbls, supported by an 18% increase in net fuel oil imports so far in September. Both imports and exports have declined during the period, with imports falling by 167,000 bbls and exports decreasing more sharply by 643,000 bbls.

Middle distillate inventories have also risen by 3% this month to 8.46 million bbls.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, bunker supply remains constrained. Prompt VLSFO availability is particularly tight, while LSMGO supply remains limited and HSFO availability continues to face pressure.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO lead times remain at around 10 days, unchanged from last week, as several suppliers are running low on stocks and delays in replenishment cargoes are limiting availability, according to a source. LSMGO and HSFO supply has improved, with lead times falling to around seven days from 10 days previously.

Supply conditions remain mixed across other Chinese ports. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, although HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing shortages across all three major grades, while Shanghai has limited availability of VLSFO and HSFO but relatively stable LSMGO supply.

Pressure is also evident in southern China. Suppliers in Fuzhou and Xiamen are short of VLSFO and LSMGO, while supplies of both grades remain constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

Bunkering activity is expected to remain muted at several Chinese ports during the Mid-Autumn Festival from 25-27 September. Deliveries against existing orders will continue as usual during the holiday period, while 22 September is the final day for placing stem orders at most ports for delivery during the holidays, according to a China-based source.

In Hong Kong, the bunker market is broadly unchanged, with suppliers maintaining lead times of around seven days for the major grades.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times remain at around two days at Keelung, Taichung, Hualien and Kaohsiung, showing little change from last week.

In South Korea, lead times for all major grades at southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang, have settled at around nine days, compared with 6-10 days a week earlier. Western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, are seeing a similar trend, with VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO lead times also at around nine days, versus 6-10 days previously.

Meanwhile, weather-related disruptions are possible in the coming days. Bunkering operations at Busan, Ulsan and Yeosu could remain affected until 23 September due to bad weather, while Daesan may face disruptions from 25-26 September.

In Japan, recent operational issues have been resolved, but the September loading schedule remains fully committed, leaving prompt supply virtually exhausted. Some October availability is beginning to emerge, although suppliers are accepting inquiries strictly on a firm-inquiry basis, subject to confirmation. Early inquiries are therefore advised to secure prompt allocations.

“September prompt spot remains extremely tight with minimal fresh offers. October inquiries are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis as supply schedules normalise,” a Japan-based trader said.

The trader also recommended arranging bunker requirements well in advance, citing the Silver Week holiday from 19-23 September and exceptionally tight market conditions.

Availability of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO has tightened across several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima, Tokuyama and Oita. Supplies of all three grades are virtually unavailable this month, while October and later stems remain subject to inquiry. Kashima continues to face tight availability of VLSFO and HSFO.

By contrast, Indonesia continues to have healthy bunker fuel availability. Suppliers at Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Cigading are generally recommending VLSFO lead times of just 2-3 days.

Oceania

Bunker fuel supply in Western Australia remains stable, with VLSFO readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle. Suppliers at both ports are quoting lead times of around seven days. Each port is served by a single supplier, with all deliveries carried out by barge.

Supply conditions are more mixed along Australia’s east coast. At Port Kembla, VLSFO supply is normal and can be delivered by truck or pipeline, while VLSFO and LSMGO availability in Sydney is adequate. HSFO supply is comparatively tighter in Sydney, with suppliers generally requiring around seven days’ notice.

Further north, Brisbane and Gladstone have ample VLSFO and LSMGO availability, with delivery lead times of roughly one week. Suppliers in Melbourne and Geelong also have comfortable VLSFO stocks, although both ports rely on a single bunker barge, keeping lead times at around seven days. HSFO availability has tightened further in both Melbourne and Brisbane.

Separately, one supplier is offering VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with shorter lead times of approximately five days.

In Western Australia, pipeline bunkering at Dampier Cargo Wharf (DCW) is expected to remain suspended until around the end of September as repair work continues. Limited truck deliveries are available, depending on vessel size. During the disruption, the supplier has designated the Toll Supply Base (TSB) in Dampier as the preferred bunkering point, according to a source.

Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s bunker market remains broadly stable. VLSFO is readily available at Tauranga and Auckland, with suppliers quoting lead times of around four days. At Marsden Point, vessels can receive both VLSFO and LSMGO directly via pipeline.

Weather remains the main operational risk in New Zealand, with Wellington and ports across the South Island particularly susceptible to bunker delivery delays when adverse conditions disrupt marine operations.

South Asia

Bunker lead times of around 3–4 days are recommended for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO at several major Indian ports, including Mumbai, Cochin, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Haldia, Chennai, Tuticorin and New Mangalore. This is broadly unchanged from the previous week, an India-based source said.

Weather conditions could, however, put some pressure on bunker deliveries in the coming days. Rough weather is expected to disrupt operations at Sikka on 25–26 September and Kandla on 24–26 September, while rough waves are forecast off Visakhapatnam from 22–26 September.

In Sri Lanka, adverse weather is also expected at Colombo and Trincomalee from 22–26 September, potentially causing delays to bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Bunker fuel availability in Fujairah remains severely constrained as ongoing US-Iran tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Supply of all major fuel grades is described as “super tight”, while fuel oil imports have fallen sharply amid heightened regional uncertainty.

Similar supply pressure is being reported at nearby Khor Fakkan, where availability of all grades remains limited, according to a Middle East-based source.

In Saudi Arabia, VLSFO and LSMGO availability at Jeddah remains steady. However, adverse weather could intermittently disrupt bunkering operations at Jeddah on 25–26 September and Yanbu on 24–26 September.

At Qatar’s Ras Laffan, supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO remain restricted.

In Oman, “the conflict is still ongoing, and prices have increased significantly. However, from the operations side, supply is continuing as normal with no major challenges so far,” an Oman-based trader said.

LSMGO supply remains stable at key Omani ports, including Salalah, Muscat, Duqm and Sohar, with suppliers recommending lead times of around one day.

In Egypt, bunker inventories at Port Suez have dropped to critically low levels across all three conventional fuel grades. Further south, Djibouti is also experiencing limited availability across major fuel grades.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 September, 2026