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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (11 Sep 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO supply is tight in Singapore; several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions; prompt availability is tight in Fujairah.

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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 Singapore
  • Several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions
  • Prompt availability is tight in Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore has tightened, with lead times now extending up to 11 days. While prompt deliveries are still possible, they generally come at a higher price compared to those for dates further out.

Some suppliers are facing low VLSFO stock levels and barge loading delays, with some barges experiencing product loading delays of up to three hours at oil terminals.

LSMGO availability remains sufficient due to weak bunker demand, leading to a significant price drop. Most suppliers recommend lead times of around eight days for LSMGO, though some can offer deliveries in as little as two days.

This situation has narrowed the LSMGO-VLSFO price spread in Singapore to an average of around $35/mt this month, a level not seen since November 2021 and down from an average of around $84/mt last month.

HSFO supply in Singapore is also limited, with most suppliers advising lead times of 9-16 days.

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.

East Asia

Prompt VLSFO availability in Zhoushan remains tight, with some suppliers running on low stocks. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for the grade, similar to last week. According to a source, some suppliers expect VLSFO replenishment stocks to arrive by mid-month.

In contrast, HSFO and LSMGO grades are more readily available in Zhoushan, with lead times dropping from 5-7 days last week to 3-5 days now.

In Northern China, the ports of Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin have ample supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO availability is limited in Qingdao and Tianjin. Shanghai also offers strong VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, but HSFO availability is subject to inquiry. Fuzhou and Xiamen have good supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, while prompt deliveries of both grades are under pressure in Guangzhou and Yangpu.

In Hong Kong, lead times of approximately seven days are recommended for all grades, which remains nearly the same as the previous week.

Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO in the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Taichung, and Keelung remain stable, with prompt lead times of about two days, similar to the previous week.

However, at the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung, lead times for both grades have increased from around two days last week to 4-6 days due to a barge undergoing maintenance, according to a source.

In South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight, with many suppliers recommending lead times of up to 10 days, although some can accommodate deliveries in as little as four days. HSFO availability has also tightened, with some suppliers running low on stocks. Lead times for HSFO have increased from approximately 3-6 days last week to 12-13 days now.

High waves are expected to affect the ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, and Yeosu from 13-15 September, which could impact bunker operations at these ports.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains good at the major ports of 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 Japanese ports, but supply is tight in Oita.

The port of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam is expecting inclement weather on Saturday, which could disrupt bunkering operations.

Meanwhile, bunker deliveries at the northern Vietnamese ports of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong were partially suspended on Tuesday due to the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, according to shipping agent Inchcape Shipping Services.

Hai Phong port is scheduled to resume normal operations by Tuesday night, allowing large vessels to dock without delays, while Quang Ninh port will remain closed until further notice.

Oceania

A bunker barge serving the Western Australian ports of Fremantle and Kwinana will be in dry dock from early September to mid-November, rendering VLSFO and LSMGO unavailable by barge at these ports during this time, according to a source. While VLSFO will not be available, LSMGO can still be supplied at berth.

In contrast, the Western Australian port of Kembla will remain unaffected by the barge dry docking, as bunker deliveries there are handled exclusively by truck and ex-pipe.

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

New Zealand’s Tauranga and Auckland have a good supply of VLSFO, with Auckland also offering a strong supply of LSMGO. However, intermittent rough weather is expected in Tauranga throughout the week, which could potentially affect bunker operations.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO supply at Indian ports of Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, and Chennai remain limited, as they have been in recent weeks.

Conversely, the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Hambantota have good availability of all grades.

Middle East

Prompt availability of all fuel grades remains “super tight” in Fujairah, with most suppliers suggesting lead times of about 7-10 days for all grades, similar to last week. However, some suppliers can still offer prompt deliveries, according to a source.

Khor Fakkan is seeing similar conditions, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days. In contrast, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has sufficient supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Djibouti is facing VLSFO shortages, but LSMGO is more readily available.

The Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm have ample LSMGO supplies, with prompt delivery dates available.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 September, 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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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.

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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.

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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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