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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

HSFO availability tight in Singapore; several South Asian ports face possible weather disruptions; strong demand in Fujairah.

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2023

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ENGINE East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

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:

11 July 2023

HSFO availability tight in Singapore
Several South Asian ports face possible weather disruptions
Strong demand in Fujairah

Singapore

A source says Singapore has been witnessing “average” demand so far this week. Availability of HSFO remains tight in port, with recommended lead times of 9-13 days – virtually unchanged from last week.

Prompt VLSFO availability also remains tight in the East Asian bunker hub, with some suppliers advising lead times of 6-9 days – almost unchanged from last week. On the other hand, LSMGO remains readily available for prompt delivery dates.

Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 5% higher in June than in May, data from Enterprise Singapore shows. Singapore’s net fuel imports surged massively by 42%, to their highest level in more than a year. While fuel oil imports rose 17% in June, fuel oil exports fell by 24%, reaching their lowest level since last October. This has comfortably tilted the port’s trade balance into net imports in June.

The port’s middle distillate stocks were also up, rising by 5% on the month.

East Asia and Oceania

Weak demand and weather-related disruptions have kept tightness in check in Zhoushan, a source says. Availability remains good across all grades, with short lead times of 2-5 days, however, deliveries are subject to weather conditions.

Bunker operations have been suspended by rough weather at three of Zhoushan’s anchorages since Monday. But some suppliers can still deliver bunker stems via barges but depending on the weather conditions. The queue time for bunkering at Mazhi was around two days on Tuesday, the source adds.

Strong wind gusts of 20-32 knots and waves of almost a metre are forecast to persist in the Chinese bunkering hub until 17 July, which might keep bunkering suspended for a while.

Demand has been low in Hong Kong so far this week. Availability across all grades remains good, with unchanged lead times of around seven days.

Meanwhile, securing VLSFO stems can be difficult in South Korean ports. The grade remains subject to enquiry as it has been for the past week. Most suppliers, that were offering LSMGO and HSFO at lead times of 4-11 days in the past week, are now offering both grades at 6-10 days.

The South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu are forecast to experience adverse weather conditions intermittently between 12-16 July, which could disrupt bunker deliveries.

Adverse weather conditions are also forecast on 16 July in the Philippine port of Subic Bay, between 15-18 July in the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang, between 16-17 July in the Vietnamese of Ho Chi Minh, and between 11-16 July in the Kiwi port of Tauranga, which might hamper bunker operations.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO grades can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time in Kandla on the northwest coast of India, and southern ports of Cochin and Chennai.

A source says that availability of both grades remains tight in the Indian ports of Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Paradip and delivery dates are subject to availability. On the other hand, the supply of both grades remains subject to enquiry in Tuticorin port on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast.

Rough weather is forecast in the Indian west coast port of Sikka between 18-19 July, which could impact bunkering.

Swells of more than a metre are predicted to hit the Sri Lankan port of Colombo between 18-19 July, which might disrupt bunker deliveries.

Middle East

All grades remain tight in Fujairah amid good demand. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended – virtually unchanged from last week. However, some can supply all grades for prompt dates, but these deliveries are subject to stem size.

Some suppliers can offer all grades at lead times of 5-7 days in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan.

The Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat have good availability of LSMGO, with prompt dates available.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 July, 2023

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The following are details of the notice of dividend of the company:

Name of Company : Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)

Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201209660C

Address of Registered Office : 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Amount per centum : 23 per centum of all admitted ordinary claims

First and Final or otherwise : First and Final

When payable : 23 January 2025 onwards

Where payable : c/o Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

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Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

The platform was jointly developed by Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering and Zhejiang Ocean University.

At the press conference , Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering successfully signed its first purchase agreement with Seacon Ships Management (Zhejiang), making Seacon the first customer to purchase the platform service.

Wang Guofeng, chairman of Seacon, said that the platform has great potential in improving crew operating efficiency and safety, and he looks forward to deeper cooperation with Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering in the future.

Professor Lu Jinshu, Vice President of Zhejiang Ocean University, said they will continuously improve the platform to contribute more in the field of green shipping solutions to the industry.

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Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water.

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

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This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

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In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

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Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025