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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Longer lead times for VLSFO are recommended in Singapore this week, and a severe tropical storm could disrupt Zhoushan’s bunker supply, according to update.

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The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlooks for East of Suez ports with special attention to availability in Singapore has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

21 July, 2021

Longer lead times for VLSFO are recommended in Singapore this week, and a severe tropical storm could disrupt Zhoushan’s bunker supply.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have edged up last week despite a drop in net imports, Enterprise Singapore data showed. But since peaking at over 25 million bbls in May, Singapore’s fuel oil inventories have been drawn down. The port’s stocks have averaged 22.95 million bbls so far in July – their lowest monthly average since March. Bunker fuel oils remain tight for prompt delivery dates in Singapore, with lead times for VLSFO stems up from seven days last week to nine days now.

Similarly, LSMGO supply has tightened slightly, requiring 5-6 days ahead this week. HSFO380 stems still need 10 days of lead time. Last week’s Singapore’s VLSFO premium over Zhoushan has now flipped to a $1-2/mt discount. The two ports have been pricing the grade at competitive levels to one another in recent days.

Zhoushan continues to be well supplied with all three fuel grades. Supply has improved in northern Chinese ports after supply shortages in recent weeks. Zhoushan could be struck by tropical cyclone In-Fa later this week, which has now been upgraded to a “severe tropical storm”. 

Bunker supply and operations are expected to be disrupted, unless In-Fa changes track. The cyclone is expected to hit Taiwan’s east coast on Thursday and Friday. At the same time, bunker loading schedules in Hong Kong were disrupted by a different tropical cyclone that made landfall in the city state on Tuesday.

Hong Kong’s state weather forecaster Hong Kong Observatory issued a Signal 1 warning on Sunday night as tropical storm Cempaka moved in on the city. The storm warning was then upgraded to a Signal 3 warning on Tuesday, and bunker fuel loadings from Hong Kong’s oil terminals were suspended as the storm pummeled the port with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h and rainfall of more than 70 mm.

Loadings resumed later on Tuesday and all warnings were cancelled as the storm pushed away from Hong Kong. Bunker demand has increased in Hong Kong after bunker-only calls became possible again in the port last month, when local authorities lifted quarantine restrictions for ship crew that have been in place for the past 11 months.

Lead times are steady at 3-4 days in southern South Korean ports for VLSFO stems on the week, down by one day since last month. Fujairah’s lead times are also steady this week, with low sulphur fuel stems requiring 3-4 days ahead. Longer lead times may be required for HSFO380 stems in the port to ensure enough availability of the product.

 

Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2021

 

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China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

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The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展(海南)有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

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Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

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Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.

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The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

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