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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (1 Oct 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO supply is tight in Zhoushan; typhoon Krathon suspends bunkering across Taiwanese ports; VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in several Oceanic ports.

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Published

2 years ago

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RESIZED ENGINE East of Suez

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 and HSFO supply is tight in Zhoushan
  • Typhoon Krathon suspends bunkering across Taiwanese ports
  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in several Oceanic ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Despite normal bunker demand, prompt VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight as some suppliers struggle with low stock levels and terminal loading delays. Several suppliers now recommend lead times of nearly two weeks for the grade. Some can accommodate stems with shorter lead times of around eight days, though these are typically priced higher, according to a source.

HSFO supply is also strained, with lead times extending beyond two weeks. In contrast, LSMGO availability is relatively better, with lead times ranging from 2-8 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 7% lower so far this month compared to August, according to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore. Despite a 30% rise in Singapore’s net fuel oil imports this month, stocks have fallen below 18 million bbls, the lowest level since November 2018. Both imports and exports of fuel oil have dropped, with imports down by 391,000 bbls and exports down by a massive 1.13 million bbls. The port’s middle distillate stocks have also declined, averaging 8% lower this month.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are strong, with some suppliers able to offer prompt deliveries for smaller quantities. However, HSFO availability remains limited in the port.

East Asia

VLSFO and HSFO availability in Zhoushan has become tighter, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 7-10 days due to low stock levels. In contrast, LSMGO is more readily available, with shorter lead times of 3-5 days. Bunkering activity in Zhoushan remains subdued due to the Golden Week holidays in the country.

In Northern China, the ports of Dalian and Qingdao have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though HSFO is limited in Qingdao. All three fuel grades remain in short supply in Tianjin. Shanghai has strong LSMGO availability, but VLSFO and HSFO are scarce. Fuzhou has good supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while Guangzhou and Yangpu face restrictions on the prompt availability of both grades. In Xiamen, VLSFO availability is good, but LSMGO is tight.

In Hong Kong, lead times of around seven days are recommended for all fuel grades, almost unchanged from last week. Weather forecasts predict intermittent wind gusts of 19-31 knots and swells exceeding one metre from 1-5 October, which could affect bunker deliveries at the port.

Meanwhile, bunker deliveries across Taiwanese ports, including Kaohsiung, Hualien, Suao, and Mailiao, were suspended Tuesday morning due to the effects of Typhoon Krathon, according to a source.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that the typhoon is expected to make landfall near Kaohsiung early Wednesday afternoon. Bunker operations at Taichung and Keelung ports are also expected to be suspended by Tuesday evening.

Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung have increased from 2-3 days last week to around 3-5 days.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain stable, with lead times of 5-9 days recommended by several suppliers. However, HSFO availability is tight, with lead times of more than 15 days recommended.

In western South Korean ports, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO have increased to 9-15 days, up from 7-11 days last week. HSFO now also requires lead times of 9-15 days, a significant jump from around four days last week.

Additionally, rough weather is forecast to intermittently impact bunker operations at the ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu throughout this week. A source reported that bad weather has been disrupting barge deliveries in several South Korean ports since yesterday.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong at key ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. HSFO availability is generally good, though prompt supply is limited in Oita. VLSFO is available at most ports, but prompt supply is tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Oita.

Although HSFO availability is currently stable in Tokyo Bay, it is expected to tighten soon due to technical issues at refineries. One refinery has halted HSFO production until 10 October, and two others are experiencing cargo loading delays, according to a source.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that Typhoon Krathon will approach the southwestern Okinawa Prefecture in the coming days. Severe Tropical Storm Jebi was tracking northward across the North Pacific on Tuesday, approaching the Kanto region, including Tokyo. These storms may disrupt bunker operations at Japanese ports.

Oceania

A bunker barge serving Fremantle and Kwinana ports is in dry dock until mid-November, leaving VLSFO unavailable by barge during this time. However, LSMGO can still be supplied at berth. The Western Australian port of Kembla remains unaffected, as bunker deliveries are made exclusively by truck and ex-pipe.

Adverse weather is forecast in Fremantle between 2-3 October, and the port authority has issued a notice outlining the necessary precautions for vessels operating in the Port of Fremantle to protect port infrastructure and vessels.

In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though securing prompt HSFO deliveries may be difficult. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone ports have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability is limited in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have a good supply of VLSFO, with Auckland also having strong LSMGO availability. However, intermittent rough weather in Tauranga this week may affect bunker operations.

South Asia

In the Indian ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, and Chennai, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain limited. Both grades are available in Visakhapatnam, while a supplier in Paradip and Haldia is nearly out of both.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Hambantota have ample supplies of all grades, with prompt deliveries also possible.

Middle East

Availability of all grades remains tight in Fujairah, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 7-10 days, similar to last week. But some suppliers can still offer grades for prompt deliveries, according to a source. A similar situation exists in Khor Fakkan, where lead times of 7-10 days are advised for all grades.

In Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah port, VLSFO and LSMGO are in abundant supply. VLSFO supply is limited in nearby Djibouti, 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: 2 October, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.
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Published

3 days ago

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September 4, 2026

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Baltic Exchange logo

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

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026) Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

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

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.
Admin

Published

3 days ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

RESIZED ENGINE Americas

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:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.
Admin

Published

4 days ago

on

September 3, 2026

By

RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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 fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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