Connect with us

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (14 Nov 2023)

VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore; prompt availability tight for all grades in Zhoushan; several East Asian ports could face weather disruptions.

Admin

Published

on

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 availability tight in Singapore
  • Prompt availability tight for all grades in Zhoushan
  • Several East Asian ports could face weather disruptions

Singapore

Singapore has seen “quiet” demand so far this week, a trader says. VLSFO has been persistently tight in the Southeast Asian bunker hub as some suppliers are facing tight delivery schedules. A source explains this is because terminal loadings have been jammed as there are several tankers loading and discharging cargoes. Lead times for the grade have gone up from 10-12 days to more than two weeks now.

Similarly, HSFO availability also remains tight at the port, with most suppliers now recommending lead times of more than two weeks – up from 10-12 days last week. LSMGO, on the other hand, remains in ample supply, with short lead times of 3-5 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% lower so far this month compared to October, according to Enterprise Singapore. The Southeast Asian bunker hub’s net fuel oil imports have plunged 68% and are at their lowest level since the beginning of this year. While Singapore’s fuel oil imports have dropped 40% so far this month, its exports have surged 35%.

The port’s middle distillate stocks, on the other hand, have risen 14% on the month.

China, East Asia and Oceania

Weather-induced disruptions and delayed replenishment of cargoes have kept prompt availability of all grades under pressure in Zhoushan. Meanwhile, bunker demand has shown signs of improvement in the Chinese bunkering hub, a trader says. This has contributed to further tighten bunker fuel availability in the port.

Most suppliers in Zhoushan are recommending lead times of 5-7 days for VLSFO and HSFO – almost unchanged from last week. LSMGO lead times have gone up from 3-5 days to 4-7 days now.

Bunker deliveries resumed at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages on Tuesday after being suspended by bad weather last week. Four anchorages in the Chinese bunkering hub are operational now, a source says.

Meanwhile, the northern Chinese port of Dalian has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO. Availability of VLSFO remains good in the nearby port of Tianjin as well, but LSMGO and HSFO remain under pressure, and deliveries are subject to enquiry. HSFO remains subject to enquiry in the other northern Chinese port of Qingdao, and prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight there

Prompt supply of both grades remains tight in the southern Chinese ports of Shanghai and Xiamen. HSFO continues to remain under pressure in Shanghai, with deliveries subject to enquiry.

Guangzhou port has good availability of VLSFO, but LSMGO supply remains under pressure, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days. Availability of both grades remains subject to enquiry in the southeastern port of Fuzhou.

On the other hand, both grades remain in good supply in the Chinese port of Yangpu.

Availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good in Hong Kong as it has been in recent weeks. Most suppliers are advising lead times of 5-7 days for all grades.

Strong wind gusts of 22-34 knots and swells of more than a metre are forecast in Hong Kong between Thursday and Friday, which could hamper bunkering in the port.

Strong winds and high waves are predicted to hit the southern South Korean ports of Busan, Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu from Friday, which may impact bunker operations until Sunday.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has improved in South Korean ports amid “extremely quiet” bunker demand, a trader says. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of 2-4 days for both grades – down from 5-8 days last week. Availability HSFO, on the other hand, continues to remain tight in South Korea, with lead times of 5-13 days advised – virtually unchanged from last week.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted in the Philippine port of Subic Bay between 14-16 November, in the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang between 16-18 November, and the Vietnamese port of Hai Phong on 16 November, which might disrupt bunker deliveries in these ports.

Meanwhile, port operations have resumed fully at the Australian ports of Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne & Sydney on Monday, after being suspended for three days due to a cyber security incident, according to GAC Hot Port News.

South Asia

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains good in Kandla on India’s northwest coast and Cochin on the southern coast, with several suppliers advising short lead times of 2-3 days.

On the other hand, the Indian ports of Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Haldia and Paradip have tight availability of both grades, with deliveries subject to availability. Bunker deliveries remain subject to enquiry in Tuticorin on the southeast coast as it has been in recent weeks.

Bad weather is forecast in the southern Indian port of Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, which might hamper bunker operations.

Middle East

Availability of all grades has tightened in Fujairah amid strong bunker demand, with lead times going up from 5-7 days last week to 7-10 days now.

The Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat have good availability of LSMGO, with prompt supply available.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 November, 2023

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending