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.

Published

6 months ago

September 11, 2024

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:

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 Availability

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (13 March 2025)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S and KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

Published

4 days ago

March 14, 2025

Admin

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (14 March 2025)

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

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: 14 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (13 Mar 2025)

Bunker fuel availability in Houston remains steady; fog season continues to impact US Gulf port operations; worker’s strike in Argentina threatens cargo schedules.

Published

4 days ago

March 14, 2025

Admin

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:

Bunker fuel availability in Houston remains steady
Fog season continues to impact US Gulf port operations
Worker's strike in Argentina threatens cargo schedules

North America

Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Houston is steady this week, with lead times recommended at under seven days.

Fog conditions remain a concern across several US Gulf Coast ports, with visibility fluctuating due to moderate to high fog threats in key locations.

Ports such as Galveston, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles are experiencing periods of reduced visibility, particularly in the evenings and early mornings, with some areas seeing high-impact fog. Conditions are expected to improve by 17 March.

Pilot service in the Sabine-Neches Waterway was suspended due to fog last week but resumed on 9 March.

Patchy fog is expected this morning, clearing later in the day, while widespread dense fog is forecast overnight with increasing clouds and gusty south winds.

High wind gusts have caused some delays to bunkering operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA).

Suppliers in New York can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, with lead times of around 5-6 days. HSFO remains in tighter supply and requires longer lead times.

New York could experience possible disruptions from high wind gusts until Monday. There are no reported backlog congestion or bunker barge readiness issues at this time, a source said.

On the West Coast, fuel availability has improved across all grades in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Suppliers recommend lead times of more than seven days for VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Canada’s Montreal, high wind gusts are expected to impact operations from 15-17 March. Barge operations remain restricted to daylight hours, contributing to backlog congestion.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel availability for prompt deliveries has been tight in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal ports, with Cristobal experiencing further constraints due to a limited number of barges.

VLSFO deliveries require lead times of approximately 9-10 days.

In Argentina, the port of Bahía Blanca, which is a major wheat export hub, is gradually resuming operations after the gale that struck on 7 March. Pilots and tugboats are now fully operational, aiding in the recovery of port activities.

Gale-force winds, typically ranging from 34-40 knots, can create rough sea conditions, making it difficult for vessels to navigate and for port activities to continue safely.

A labor strike that began late on 12 March at several grain and oilseed terminals in Argentina’s Upriver port region could disrupt cargo operations and affect bunker demand, as vessels may face extended wait times for grain shipments.

VLSFO availability remains tight at the Zona Comun anchorage, with suppliers recommending lead times of around two weeks. High wind gusts forecasted through the week could further delay bunker deliveries, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability for prompt supply in Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena is good.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 14 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (12 Mar 2025)

Prompt supply good in Hamburg; availability good off Malta; bunker supply good in Mozambique.

Published

5 days ago

March 13, 2025

Admin

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 supply good in Hamburg
Availability good off Malta
Bunker supply good in Mozambique

Northwest Europe

Securing very prompt availability of HSFO and VLSFO remains a challenge in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for both grades in the port, a trader said. Prompt LSMGO availability is comparatively better, with lead times of 3-5 days advised.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 8% so far this month compared to February, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 112,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, down from 298,000 b/d of fuel oil in February, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The United Kingdom (51% of the total) has become the region’s biggest fuel oil import source, followed by the Bahamas (40%) and Poland (9%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 7% lower so far this month. The ARA hub has imported 146,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel so far this month, registering a decline from 277,000 b/d imported in February, according to Vortexa data.

In Germany’s Hamburg, bunker availability is normal, a trader said. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for all three grades in the port.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, bunker availability is tight for prompt delivery. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers, according to a trader. Rough weather conditions in the Gibraltar port area have led to a strong backlog in the last two days, according to port agent M H Bland. Bunkering in the Outer Port Limits (OPL) area is still suspended, M H Bland states.

Bunkering disruptions may also occur in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas due to adverse weather, M H Bland said. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for all three grades in Las Palmas.

In the Spanish port of Barcelona, all grades are tight for prompt availability with lead times of 5-7 days recommended.

Bunker availability is good in the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines, a trader told ENGINE.

Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean, Piraeus, Istanbul, and Malta Offshore have good availability across all three grades, a trader said.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, lead times of 3-5 days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO is checked on the demand stage, a trader said. Turkey’s Istanbul port requires lead times of 3-5 days for all grades. Off Malta, similar lead times of 3-5 days are recommended, the trader added.

Africa

VLSFO availability is tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, a trader said. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for the grade in both ports. LSMGO supply remains dry in Durban. Suppliers have been out of stock since January.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal off Luanda, a source told ENGINE. Lead times of 4-5 days are advised for optimal coverage.

Bunker availability is good at Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports, a source said. Nacala has normal availability across all three bunker grades, while LSMGO and VLSFO are well stocked in Maputo.

Meanwhile, extreme windy weather conditions are forecast in Cape Town until Friday, according to a recent advisory issued by Danish shipping firm A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk). This may trigger bunkering disruptions in the port area. Similarly, disruptions may also occur in Port Elizabeth, adjacent to Algoa Bay, as the advisory states bad weather is forecast in the port area for Thursday and Friday.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 13 March, 2025