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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore; demand weak in rough weather-exposed Zhoushan; several East Asian ports face possible weather disruptions.

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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:

1 August 2023

  • VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore
  • Demand weak in rough weather-exposed Zhoushan
  • Several East Asian ports face possible weather disruptions

 

Singapore

Overall demand has been “muted” in Singapore so far this week, a source says. Availability of HSFO remains tight in Singapore as it has been in recent weeks, with several suppliers recommending lead times of almost two weeks – virtually unchanged from last week.

Meanwhile, increasing supply and weak demand have kept the VLSFO market under pressure in the East Asian bunkering hub. Some suppliers, who were offering the grade at lead times of 7-11 days last week, are now advising lead times of 11-13 days.

LSMGO remains more readily available with shorter lead times of 4-7 days recommended.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks averaged 3% lower in July than across June, according to Enterprise Singapore. The port’s fuel oil stocks decreased despite an increase in net fuel oil imports. Both fuel oil exports and imports were up in July. Fuel oil imports rose by 18%, and to their highest level since last June. Fuel oil exports also surged 21% in July.

In the same time frame, the port’s middle distillate stocks also declined by 5%.

 

East Asia and Oceania

Weak bunker demand along with intermittent weather-related disruptions have ensured a steady bunker supply in Zhoushan. Most suppliers recommend prompt lead times, however, these deliveries are still subject to weather conditions. Several “supplier barges are available for prompt delivery”, a source says.

Bunker operations have been suspended by rough weather across all anchorages in Zhoushan again. Adverse weather conditions have been triggered by Typhoon Khanun, which is moving in the west-northwestward direction in the Philippine Sea, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Bunkering is likely to resume fully across all of these anchorages from 8-9 August, a second source adds.

China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) has issued typhoon alerts for strong winds as typhoon Khanun approaches east China. Authorities in China have cautioned all ports, ships and personnel operating in the region, especially the coastal province of Zhejiang.

Khanun follows Typhoon Doksuri which made landfall last week in the southeastern coastal province of Fujian in China after lashing the northern Philippines and parts of Taiwan. The influence of Doksuri has not waned as it continues to bring heavy rainfall to northern China.

Japanese authorities have also issued typhoon alerts for the island of Okinawa due to typhoon Khanun.

Rough weather is also forecast in Hong Kong on 4 August, which could impact bunker operations.

Availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good in Hong Kong, with most suppliers advising lead times of around seven days – virtually unchanged from last week.

Meanwhile, availability has improved across all grades in South Korean ports, with lead times coming down slightly from 5-8 days last week to around six days now.

Rough weather conditions are predicted in the South Korean ports of Ulsan and Onsan between 4-8 August, in Busan between 4-6 August, in Daesan and Taean between 4-5 August, and in Yeosu between 1-6 August, all of which could disrupt bunker deliveries.

Adverse weather conditions are also forecast in the Philippine port of Subic Bay between 2-8 August, in the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang between 2-8 August, in the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh between 2-8 August, and in the Kiwi port of Tauranga 2-4 August, which might disrupt bunker deliveries.

 

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.

But both grades remain subject to availability in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, as it has been in recent weeks. Meanwhile, supply is subject to enquiry in Tuticorin port located on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast, a source says.

Bad weather is forecast to hit the Indian ports of Kandla and Sikka between 1-3 August, and in Visakhapatnam on 2 August, which may hamper bunker operations.

The Sri Lankan port of Colombo is predicted to witness spells of bad weather on 1-2 August, and 7 August, which could impact bunker deliveries.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi authorities have issued alerts across the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra due to monsoon depression over the northeast Bay of Bengal, according to GAC Hot Port News.

 

Middle East

A source says that prompt availability of all grades remains “super tight” in Fujairah amid good demand. Several suppliers are recommending lead times of 5-7 days – almost unchanged from last week. However, some can supply prompt dates, but these deliveries depend on stem sizes.

The other UAE port of Khor Fakkan also has unchanged lead times of 5-7 days across all grades.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 August, 2023

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Digital platform

Ofiniti eBDN solution chosen by FincoEnergies for marine biofuel ops in ARA region

Development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

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FincoEnergies MT

Rotterdam-based FincoEnergies, an independent, leading supplier of (bio)fuels and decarbonisation services for the transport sector, will be adopting Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN technology, with operational support from VT Group.

The development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

“Schedules are becoming increasingly tighter as demand for sustainable biofuels grows,” explains Leon Arets, Trading & Operations Director at FincoEnergies.

“We’re adopting a platform that enhances structure and responsiveness. This digital leap allows us to not only scale efficiently but also deliver greater transparency and operational excellence to our clients.”

A spin-off from global assurance and risk management leader DNV, Ofiniti brings together deep industry know-how with cutting-edge technology. Its flagship platform, FuelBoss, is designed to replace cumbersome manual processes with streamlined digital workflows that boost efficiency and data reliability.

“Our work with LNG suppliers laid the groundwork,” notes Oliver Brix Sparsø, Global Director of Sales at Ofiniti. “But this collaboration with FincoEnergies and VT Group marks the first large-scale commitment to digital delivery workflows for biofuels. It’s a turning point for the region.”

FincoEnergies’ mission, Decarbonising the transport industry together, is grounded in collaboration and innovation. The partnership with Ofiniti and VT Group exemplifies this spirit, combining technological leadership with operational expertise.

“As operators, we continuously look for ways to improve life on board and support our partners,” adds Wouter van Reenen, Business Development Manager at VT Group. “FuelBoss is a strong fit for our operations and those of our chartering clients.”

Related: Ofiniti to digitalise Azane ammonia bunkering operations across Scandinavia
Related: Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore
Related: Global Fuel Supply to adopt FuelBoss by Ofiniti for e-BDN in West Africa
Related: Ofiniti appoints Oliver Brix Sparsø as new Global Director of Sales
Related: Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
Related: Singapore: FuelBoss by Ofiniti becomes sixth whitelisted e-BDN solution
Related: Digital bunkering platform Ofiniti successfully spun out from DNV
Related: FuelBoss to continue under new DNV company Ofiniti

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 17 June 2025

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Business

China: Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port to promote bunker fuel blending business

Development will help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry, noted the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office.

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Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port meeting

A meeting between representatives of Shanghai Zhongran, Shanghai Port Energy, PetroChina Shanghai Port, and Hongkou Customs took place at the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office on Thursday (12 June).

According to Shanghai Zhongran, the meeting’s objective was to discuss the implementation of a high-sulfur and low-sulfur fuel blending business at Shanghai.

During the meeting, a member of the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office stated it will take the opportunity of PetroChina Shanghai Port to carry out this business to promote the development of enterprises in Hongkou District.

The development will improve the utilisation rate of Shanghai Zhongran bonded storage tanks, improve storage functions, and help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry.

After the meeting, PetroChina Shanghai Port submitted a formal application to Hongkou Customs.

Moving forward, Hongkou Customs will formulate a reconciliation plan, open a special account book, and promote the implementation of this business.

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Zhongran
Published: 17 June 2025

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Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

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Green Future MT

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

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