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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore; availability good in weather-exposed Zhoushan; VLSFO availability improves in South Korean ports.

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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:

18 July 2023

  • VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore
  • Availability good in weather-exposed Zhoushan
  • VLSFO availability improves in South Korean ports

 

Singapore

Singapore has been seeing average demand so far this week, a source says. Securing HSFO stems can be difficult in the East Asian bunker hub, with recommended lead times going up marginally, from 9-13 days last week to 11-14 days now. Strong bunker demand last week coupled with a shrinking HSFO net import surplus could have contributed to put pressure on the grade.

Availability of VLSFO has been tightening as well, with several suppliers advising lead times of 7-11 days – up from 6-9 days last week. Availability of LSMGO remains good, with short lead times of 4-7 days recommended.

Singapore’s total residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% lower so far this month than in June, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore’s net fuel oil imports have surged by two-thirds and are at their highest level in more than a year. Both fuel oil imports and exports have risen in July. The port’s fuel oil imports have risen by a massive 75%, and its fuel oil exports have doubled.

Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have averaged 3% lower this month than in June.

 

East Asia and Oceania

Zhoushan has ample bunker availability amid sluggish demand and weather-related disruptions, a source says. All grades remain readily available in Zhoushan, with short lead times of 2-5 days – virtually unchanged from last week. However, bunker deliveries are still subject to weather conditions.

Bunkering has been suspended by bad weather at the port’s outer Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages since 9 July. Bunker operations are likely to resume at these anchorages later today, when calmer weather is forecast, the source adds.

Terminal operations across ports in the Guangdong and Hainan province in China were suspended as Typhoon Talim made landfall in the city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong province late last night.

Typhoon Talim is forecast to bring rough weather to Hong Kong and possibly disrupt bunker deliveries. Availability remains good across all bunker fuel grades in the port. Some suppliers are offering all grades with lead times of around seven days – almost unchanged from last week.

Meanwhile, availability of VLSFO has improved in South Korean ports, with lead times of 2-6 days recommended now. The grade was subject to enquiry last week.

Some suppliers, who were offering LSMGO and HSFO at lead times of 6-10 days last week, are now providing both grades at shorter lead times of 2-6 days and 3-4 days, respectively.

Adverse weather conditions are predicted intermittently in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu between Tuesday and Sunday, which may impact bunker deliveries.

Bad weather is forecast in the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang, in the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh between 18-25 July, and in the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 21-22 July. All ports face potential delays to bunker operations.

 

South Asia

Several Indian ports, including Kandla on the northwest coast, and Cochin and Chennai on the southern coast, have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with short lead times of around 2-3 days.

However, supply of both grades remains subject to availability in the Indian ports of Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Paradip as it has been recent weeks. Meanwhile, a source says that both grades remain subject to enquiry in Tuticorin port on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast.

Rough weather is forecast in the Indian ports of Kandla and Sikka on 22 July, and Kochi and Visakhapatnam between 18-19 July, which could affect bunker operations.

Strong wind gusts of 21-27 knots and waves of more than two metres are predicted to hit the Sri Lankan port of Colombo between Tuesday and Thursday, which could hamper bunker deliveries. A source says VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good in the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Trincomalee, with prompt dates available.

 

Middle East

Good bunker demand has put pressure on prompt availability for all bunker fuel grades in Fujairah, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days – unchanged from last week. Some suppliers can offer all grades for spot dates, but these deliveries are subject to stem sizes, a source says.

Availability remains good in the other UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with unchanged lead times of 5-7 days recommended.

LSMGO remains readily available in the Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat, with prompt dates possible.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 July, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first SIMOPS LNG bunkering op

LNG bunker vessel “MT Paolina Cosulich” refuelled LNG dual-fuel container ship “Bangkok Express”, operated by Hapag-Lloyd AG at the port.

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Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first SIMOPS LNG bunkering op

Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) on Sunday (16 February) said it successfully conducted its first Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering.

This significant achievement involved the LNG dual-fuel container ship Bangkok Express, operated by Hapag-Lloyd AG, and the LNG bunker vessel MT Paolina Cosulich.

“This milestone underscores PTP's dedication to enhancing our competitive edge in the global market by facilitating clean and efficient maritime operations,” the port said in a social media post.

“We are proud to have partnered with PETCO Trading Labuan Co., Ltd. (PTLCL) and Hapag-Lloyd on this pioneering initiative.”

Manifold Times previously reported the port also achieving its first LNG bunkering operation last year. 

The port completed its first-ever ship-to-containership methanol bunkering operation in November last year. 

Manifold Times previously reported the port achieving its first LNG bunkering operation last year. 

Related: Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first methanol bunkering op
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Related: Port Of Tanjung Pelepas joins G2G decarbonisation scheme between Malaysia and Australia

 

Photo credit: Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Published: 18 February, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Kunlun Energy wraps up first STS offshore LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong

Kunlun Energy, a red-chip controlled by PetroChina, said its bunkering vessel refuelled container ship “Zim Haifa Blue Stone” with 2,200 metric tonnes of LNG bunker fuel in a seven-hour operation.

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Kunlun Energy wraps up first STS offshore LNG bunkering op in Hong Kong

Kunlun Energy, a red-chip controlled by PetroChina, on Monday (17 February) said it completed Hong Kong’s first ship-to-ship (STS) offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation on 14 February. 

Kunlun Energy's 8,300 m3 capacity LNG bunkering vessel refuelled the container ship Zim Haifa Blue Stone with 2,200 metric tonnes (mt) of LNG in a seven-hour operation. 

The bunkering vessel involved in the operation is operated by a Kunlun Energy subsidiary. 

According to a PetroChina official, the receiving vessel Zim Haifa Blue Stone departed from Busan, South Korea, on 3 February and passed through Qingdao, Shanghai, and Ningbo before arriving in Hong Kong on 12 February. 

Its final destination is Istanbul, Turkey. This refuelling operation can meet the ship's fuel needs for the entire journey. 

“The successful implementation of this "ship-to-ship" offshore LNG bunkering operation is another example of Kunlun Energy's efforts to help improve the international shipping hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” Kunlun Energy said. 

“It is expected to attract more green-fuel vessels to pass through Hong Kong, encourage more environmentally friendly companies to conduct business in Hong Kong, accelerate transformation and technological innovation in the shipping industry, and promote the construction of Hong Kong as a green and smart port.”

“This operation holds significant importance for Hong Kong's push toward a green and sustainable shipping industry.”

 

Photo credit: Kunlun Energy
Published: 18 February, 2025

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Biofuel

Wallenius Wilhelmsen successfully completes its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan

“M/V Tamesis” bunkered 400 metric tonnes of B24 VLSFO blended biofuel, supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy at Port of Yokohama.

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Wallenius Wilhelmsen successfully completes its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan

Wallenius Wilhelmsen on Monday (17 February) said it has successfully completed its first biofuel bunkering trial at the Port of Yokohama in Japan.

M/V Tamesis bunkered 400 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 VLSFO blended biofuel, supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy. 

This milestone is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability in shipping.

“As part of our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we have expanded our locations for biofuel supply. Since 2023, the expansion has included key ports in Belgium, Korea and Singapore,” the company said.

“Expanding to Japan enhances our ability to operate more efficiently and sustainably across our global network.”

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has set ambitious emission reduction targets to reach net-zero by 2040. This includes a 40% absolute reduction of well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to our 2022 baseline, as approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Yasuyuki Sakurai, Senior Manager, the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said: “Achieving these targets require a major shift in energy sources from conventional fuels to low and zero-carbon alternatives. Expanding supply locations and securing sufficient biofuels remain a priority, and we are pleased to have conducted our first B24 VLSFO blended biofuel bunkering trial in Yokohama.”

“While our Reduced Carbon Service customers fully support our mass-balance concept, ensuring sufficient biofuel usage across our entire fleet and trade lanes is key to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.”

Mitsuo Ueda, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Energy, said: “In anticipation of growing demand for biofuel in the marine sector, we have begun storing biofuel at our oil terminal in Onahama (Fukushima Prefecture) and supplying B24 in Tokyo Bay using our barges.:

“We deeply admire Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s leadership in the decarbonisation of the shipping industry and remain committed to playing our part in creating a more sustainable future. We will continue striving to meet industry needs through a stable supply of biofuels and contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society.”

This milestone was achieved through close collaboration between Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Energy Sourcing team and the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce, which has worked for the past two years to establish biofuel bunkering capabilities in Japan.

 

Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Published: 18 February, 2025

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