Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

HSFO and VLSFO availability tight in Singapore; South China ports brace for typhoon Doksuri; LSMGO availability good across Oman.

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

Admin

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:

25 July 2023

HSFO and VLSFO availability tight in Singapore
South China ports brace for typhoon Doksuri
LSMGO availability good across Oman

Singapore

HSFO availability has been tight in Singapore amid strong demand for the grade and some suppliers running low on stocks, a source says. Some suppliers are recommending lead times of almost two weeks for HSFO – virtually unchanged from last week.

Meanwhile, the VLSFO market also remains under pressure due to sluggish bunker demand amid increasing supply. More VLSFO has been imported by suppliers and bunker traders in Singapore, with imports increasing by 43,000 b/d from June to 504,000 b/d in July, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

Despite ample supply of VLSFO, prompt availability remains under pressure and lead times of 9-12 are still recommended for bunker deliveries in the East Asian bunker hub – slightly up from last week.

LSMGO is more readily available, with relatively shorter lead times of 5-8 days.

East Asia and Oceania

Weak demand coupled with recent weather-related disruptions has ensured steady supply for all grades in Zhoushan. But bunker deliveries are still subject to weather conditions, a source says.

Bunker deliveries have been suspended by bad weather since Friday in Zhoushan’s OPL area, a source says. Bunkering at Zhoushan's slightly more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage could be suspended on Wednesday if bad weather persists, the source adds.

Adverse weather conditions are forecast to persist for the remaining days of this month, which could keep bunkering halted. The source asserts that it is “hard to tell” when bunkering will fully resume in the Chinese bunkering hub.

China Meteorological Administration has issued an alert for upcoming typhoon Doksuri, which is predicted to make landfall between the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong provinces on Friday. This might disrupt port operations in the southern part of China.

All bunker fuel grades remain in ample supply in Hong Kong, with unchanged lead times of around seven days.

Meanwhile, the availability of all grades has tightened in South Korean ports. Some suppliers, who were offering all bunker fuel grades at lead times of around 2-6 days, are now offering the grades at longer lead times of 5-8 days.

Bad weather conditions are forecast in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan and Busan between 26-30 July, in Daesan and Taean between 29-30 July, and in Yeosu between 28-30 July, all of which might disrupt bunker operations.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted intermittently in the Philippine port of Subic Bay between 25 July and 1 August, the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang between 27 July and 1 August, the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh between 26 July and 1 August, and the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 25-27 July, which could disrupt bunkering.

Taiwanese and Philippine authorities have also raised typhoon alerts for Doksuri.

South Asia

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

A source says both grades remain relatively tight in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam and deliveries are subject to availability. Meanwhile, supply is subject to enquiry in Tuticorin port located on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast as it has been in recent weeks. A supplier in Paradip on the eastern coast of India is almost out of stock for both grades.

Rough weather is forecast to hit the Indian ports of Kandla, Sikka and Visakhapatnam between 28-29 July, 26-27 July and 26-27 July, respectively, which may hamper bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Prompt availability of VLSFO remains under pressure in Fujairah, with one supplier recommending lead times of 5-8 days – virtually unchanged from last week. Lead times for LSMGO and HSFO have also remained unchanged at 5-7 days in Fujairah. But some suppliers can offer all grades at prompt dates, these deliveries are subject to stem size, a source says.

Suppliers can offer LSMGO in the Omani ports of Muscat, Duqm, Salalah and Sohar, with prompt deliveries in 1-2 days possible.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 26 July, 2023

Up Next

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Don't Miss

Singapore gets ready for its first methanol bunkering this week after one year preparation

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Vanda Marine Services issues notice of dividend

First and final dividend of company is payable from 23 January at Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

51 minutes ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

A notice was published in the Government Gazette on Thursday (22 January) regarding the first and final dividend to creditors of Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd.

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

Manifold Times previously reported several resolutions for Vanda Marine Services, including winding up the company voluntarily, were passed during an extraordinary meeting in March last year.

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 January, 2025

Methanol

China launches first simulation training platform for methanol bunkering operations

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.

Published

55 minutes ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

China launched its first training platform to simulate methanol bunkering operations at Putuo District, Zhoushan on 15 January.

The Methanol Bunkering System Simulation Training Platform V1.0 was created to fill technical gaps in domestic methanol bunkering training and exercises, in light of the growing demand and popularity for methanol in the shipping industry.

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.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 January, 2025

Hydrogen

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Tanker’s power system, which will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will enable it to operate for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

Published

1 hour ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

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.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

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.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

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.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

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