Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker demand has been muted in Singapore; availability tight across all grades in Zhoushan; several East Asian ports brace for possible weather-related disruptions.

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 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:

Bunker demand has been muted in Singapore
Availability tight across all grades in Zhoushan
Several East Asian ports brace for possible weather-related disruptions

Singapore

A source says that bunker demand has been “rather muted” so far this week in Singapore. VLSFO availability has come under pressure due to product loading delays at oil terminals.

Lead times for the grade have gone up from 6-10 days last week to 9-13 days now.

Prompt availability of HSFO remains tight in the port, with most suppliers advising lead times of 6-9 days – virtually unchanged from last week. LSMGO, on the other hand, remains readily available, with short lead times of 2-4 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% lower so far in September than across August, according to Enterprise Singapore. The port’s net fuel oil imports have risen 11% so far in September. Both imports and exports are up this month. While fuel oil imports are up by 10%, exports rose by 5%.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian bunker hub’s middle distillate stocks have surged 17% on the month.

China and East Asia

Securing prompt stems in Zhoushan can be difficult now, as several suppliers have extended their delivery lead times due to upcoming holidays in China. The Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays will be observed in the country from 29 September to 8 October.

Suppliers in Zhoushan have cautioned about bunkering delays during the holiday period, recommending lead times of up to two weeks, from 3-5 days last week. Some can still supply during the holiday period, but only for stems booked before Tuesday, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in the northern Chinese port of Dalian. In nearby Tianjin, VLSFO availability remains good, but LSMGO and HSFO supply are under pressure and deliveries are subject to enquiry. Qingdao, another northern Chinese port, has a good supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO supply is subject to enquiry there as well.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is available in Shanghai in southern China, but HSFO supply remains under pressure. The other southern China port of Xiamen has good avails of VLSFO and LSMGO. Meanwhile, prompt availability remains tight for VLSFO and LSMGO in Yangpu.

On the other hand, the supply of both grades remains under pressure in the Chinese ports of Fuzhou and Guangzhou, with deliveries subject to enquiry.

All bunker fuel grades remain in good supply in Hong Kong, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended – virtually unchanged from last week.

Strong wind gusts of 20-21 knots and waves of more than a metre are forecast to hit Hong Kong between 1-2 October, which might disrupt bunker deliveries.

High waves are forecast to hit the southern South Korean ports of Busan, Ulsan, Onsan and Yeosu from Friday, which may impact bunker operations until Sunday. The western South Korean ports of Daesan and Taean also face possible bunker disruptions this week, with high waves and strong wind gusts forecasted on Saturday and Sunday.

Demand has grown in South Korean ports ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Foundation Day holidays between 1-3 October, and the Hangul Proclamation Day on 9 October, a source says.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in South Korean ports, with recommended lead times varying widely between 5-11 days. HSFO requires a shorter lead time of 6-8 days.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted in the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang between 28-29 September, in the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh on 27 September, and in the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 27 September to 2 October, which might disrupt bunkering in these ports.

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.

Both grades remain relatively tight in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, where deliveries are still 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.

A source says that the Sri Lankan port of Colombo has good avails of all three bunker fuel grades. Bad weather is forecast to hit Colombo between 3-4 October, which may hamper bunker operations.

Middle East

A source says good bunker demand has kept prompt availability under pressure in Fujairah, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days – almost unchanged from last week. But some suppliers can still offer prompt dates across all grades depending on stem sizes.

Availability across all bunker fuel grades remains in good supply in the other UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with unchanged lead times of 5-7 days recommended.

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

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 27 September, 2023

Up Next

Burando Maritime Services announces transformation of former waste oil terminal into biofuel terminal

Don't Miss

ENGINE: Russia excludes bunker fuels from export ban

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (20 Mar 2025)

New York bunker supply is steady; fog season across the US Gulf Coast; VLSFO availability in Zona Comun remains volatile.

Published

17 hours ago

March 21, 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:

New York bunker supply is steady
Fog season across the US Gulf Coast
VLSFO availability in Zona Comun remains volatile

North America

Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Houston remains tight through 21 March, with lead times extending beyond seven days.

Weather conditions at the East Coast port are currently stable, but high wind gusts are expected to pick up by the end of the week.

The US Gulf Coast is in the midst of its fog season, leading to reduced visibility across the region. Bunkering operations at ports such as Houston, Galveston, Lake Charles, Pascagoula, Mobile, Port Arthur, Freeport and Corpus Christi could face further delays due to fog, a source said.

Bunker fuel availability in New York and across the East Coast is steady. In New York, suppliers can offer prompt deliveries with expected lead times of 3-4 days.

Strong wind gusts between 20-23 March could lead to possible delays at New York and affect the availability of bunker barges. However, there are no reported backlogs.

On the West Coast, in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, demand has been quiet so far this week, and prompt availability across all fuel grades is good. Suppliers recommend lead times of 6-7 days.

Bunker deliveries in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) are currently in progress and are expected to fully resume this afternoon.

However, operations may face further disruptions until March 20 due to strong wind gusts, a source said.

In Canada’s Montreal, bunker operations could face disruptions from 20-24 March due to high wind gusts. Barge activity remains limited to daylight hours, contributing to backlog congestion. High winds may also cause delays.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker demand in Panama has been relatively slow this week, a source says.

HSFO availability in Cristobal requires a lead time of at least seven days for prompt deliveries, while in Balboa, lead times are shorter due to a higher number of barges operating on that side of the canal, allowing for quicker deliveries.

For VLSFO and LSMGO, supply is available in both Balboa and Panama within a week.

“It is best to book bunkers only after the vessel's transit slot is confirmed to ensure timely delivery, and secure the most cost-effective refueling option,” the source added.

VLSFO availability at the Zona Comun anchorage remains volatile, with lower prices indicating a drop in demand. Lead times are currently around 10-12 days.

Strong wind gusts exceeding 20 knots are forecast at the anchorage through 23 March, potentially disrupting operations until next Tuesday. These conditions may cause delays in bunker deliveries and could lead to prolonged interruptions.

In Argentina, Bahía Blanca port, a key hub for wheat exports operations, are gradually returning to normal after being severely impacted by a strong gale on 7 March.

The storm caused widespread flooding, power outages, and brought all transport to a halt in the city and port area.

The last berths to resume operations include a grain export facility at Puerto Galván, a key terminal in Bahía Blanca that handles agricultural and industrial cargo, and a urea production facility.

Both suffered significant power supply damage, leading to extended repair work.

Bunker fuel availability in the Brazilian port of Santos was very tight earlier in March, but the situation is getting better now, a source said.

Availability across all grades is good in Santa Marta, Barranquilla, and Cartagena, with recommended lead times of 2-3 days, another source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (19 Mar 2025)

HSFO supply tightens in the ARA; severe backlog in Gibraltar; LSMGO still dry in Durban.

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 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:

HSFO supply tightens in the ARA
Severe backlog in Gibraltar
LSMGO still dry in Durban

Northwest Europe

Prompt HSFO availability is tight in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub. Lead times for HSFO have stretched to 8-10 days from 5-7 days last week due to barge loading delays, a trader said. VLSFO is comparatively better, but remains tight for very prompt delivery dates, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. LSMGO supply is ample, with lead times of 3-5 days as advised.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 9% so far this month compared to February, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 157,000 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 (28% of the total) has become the region’s biggest fuel oil import source, followed by Mexico (20%), Germany (16%), Poland (15%), the Bahamas (14%) and Nigeria (7%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 9% lower so far this month. The ARA hub has imported 220,000 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.

Prompt bunker supply in Germany’s Hamburg is well stocked, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-5 days for all three grades.

Mediterranean

Lead times remain consistent with last week in Gibraltar, a trader said, recommending 5-7 days for optimal coverage from suppliers. Severe congestion was reported in Gibraltar port on Tuesday due to a backlog of 24 vessels triggered by rough weather conditions in the port area, according to port agent MH Bland. Congestion has persisted on Wednesday, but the backlog has reduced slightly to 16 vessels today, MH Bland said.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, prompt supply is still tight, a trader said. Lead times have remained unchanged over the last few weeks with suppliers able to offer within 5-7 days.

Meanwhile, in the other Mediterranean bunker hubs like Istanbul, Piraeus and Malta Offshore, supply is ample, a trader said.

In Turkey’s Istanbul, bunkers are well stocked and recommended lead times are 3-5 days. Weather is forecast to remain calm for the rest of the week, conducive to smooth bunkering in the port area.

The Greek port of Piraeus has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 3-5 days. HSFO is subject to enquiry in the port.

Off Malta, supply is good, with lead times of 3-5 days advised. Rough weather may hamper bunkering off Malta this week, a source said. Strong easterly wind gusts around 19 knots are forecast off Malta today, said MH Bland. Rough weather is also forecast on Saturday with south-easterly wind gusts of around 27 knots.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for the grade in both ports. LSMGO is still dry in Durban, the trader added.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in Angola’s Luanda, a source said. Lead times of up to five days are advised for optimal coverage.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 20 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Panama bunker fuel sales up by 17.5% on year in February 2025

Total bunker sales at Panama was 415,430 metric tonnes in February 2025, compared to sales of 353,629 mt during the similar period in 2024, according to latest PMA data.

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 17.5% in February 2025, according to the latest data from La Autoridad Maritima de Panama, also known as the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

Total bunker sales at Panama was 415,430 metric tonnes (mt) in February 2025, compared to sales of 353,629 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In February 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 337,620 mt; 217,165 mt of VLSFO, 90,815 mt of RMG 380, 2,187 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 27,453 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 272,618 mt a year before in February; with VLSFO sales at 156,053 mt, RMG 380 sales at 86,515 mt, MGO sales at 8,639 mt, and 21,411 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 77,810 during February 2025; the figure comprised 47,835 mt of VLSFO, 17,138 mt of RMG 380, 4,744 mt of MGO, and 8,093 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 81,011 mt in February a year before; with VLSFO sales of 63,554 mt, RMG 380 sales of 7,636, 4,219 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 5,602 mt.

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 19 March, 2025