Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (17 Oct 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO supply remains tight in Singapore; bunker demand is low in Zhoushan; LSMGO availability is good in Omani ports.

Published

7 months ago

October 16, 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 remains tight in Singapore
Bunker demand is low in Zhoushan
LSMGO availability is good in Omani ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight amid strong bunker demand, with recommended lead times of 10-13 days, consistent with last week. Prompt HSFO supply is also strained, with lead times of 10-12 days advised.

In contrast, LSMGO is more readily available, with stable lead times of 2-5 days.

Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 2% higher this month compared to September, according to Enterprise Singapore. Despite this slight rise, fuel oil inventories are still below the January peak of 22.49 million bbls. Fuel oil imports have increased by 1% month-on-month, while exports have surged by 15%.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with some suppliers able to offer prompt deliveries for smaller volumes. However, HSFO availability remains limited.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remain normal amid low demand. Some suppliers have revised their delivery lead times for both grades from 3-5 days last week to 4-7 days now.

HSFO supply has tightened in Zhoushan due to stock shortages among several suppliers, pushing lead times from 3-5 days last week to 7-10 days.

In Northern China, the ports of Dalian and Qingdao have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though HSFO is limited in Qingdao. In Tianjin, both HSFO and LSMGO remain in short supply, but VLSFO availability is solid. Shanghai has strong LSMGO availability, but VLSFO and HSFO are scarce. Fuzhou has good supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while Xiamen has restrictions on LSMGO availability, though VLSFO supply is good. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, the prompt availability of both grades remains limited.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain steady at around seven days, unchanged from last week.

In Taiwanese ports like Hualien, Taichung, and Keelung, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are stable, with prompt lead times of 2-3 days, the same as last week. In Kaohsiung, supply has improved across all grades, with lead times shortening from 4-5 days last week to 2-3 days.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies have improved slightly, with lead times decreasing from around 11 days last week to 3-8 days now. However, HSFO supply remains tight, with lead times extending to about 11 days.

In western ports, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times have dropped significantly from 10-14 days last week to as little as four days. HSFO lead times remain steady at around 10 days.

High winds and waves are forecast to intermittently disrupt bunker operations at Ulsan, Onsan, and Busan between 16-20 October, and at Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu between 18-20 October.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong at major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. VLSFO is widely available, but prompt supply is tight in Oita.

HSFO is somewhat limited for prompt deliveries in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Oita. In the Tokyo Bay area ports of Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama, HSFO supply has tightened due to technical issues at refineries. One refinery has halted HSFO production until 15 October, and two others are experiencing cargo loading delays, according to a source.

Oceania

A bunker barge at Fremantle and Kwinana is in dry dock until mid-November, making VLSFO unavailable by barge, though LSMGO is still available at berth. The port of Kembla remains unaffected, as bunkering is done by truck and ex-pipe.

In New South Wales, Sydney has sufficient LSMGO, but HSFO may require longer lead times. In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong have ample VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO deliveries may be challenging.

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with 7-8 day lead times, but HSFO is limited in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have good VLSFO supplies, with Auckland also having strong LSMGO availability.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies at Indian ports, including Mumbai, Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, and Chennai, remain limited, consistent with recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Hambantota have good availability of all fuel grades, with short lead times of around three days.

Middle East

Availability of all grades in Fujairah is still “super tight,” with suppliers suggesting lead times of 7-10 days, consistent with last week. Khor Fakkan faces a similar situation, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days for all grades.

Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has an abundant supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, while VLSFO is tight in nearby Djibouti, though LSMGO is more readily available there.

Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, have ample LSMGO supplies with prompt deliveries.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 October, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (14 May 2025)

Prompt supplies tight in the ARA; Gibraltar Strait congestion persists; ULSFO now available by truck in Piraeus.

Published

23 hours ago

May 15, 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 supplies tight in the ARA
Gibraltar Strait congestion persists
ULSFO now available by truck in Piraeus

Northwest Europe

Prompt bunker availability of all conventional fuels has tightened in the ARA hub. Lead times of 5-6 days are advised for HSFO, while for VLSFO and LSMGO they are at 7-8 days. Lead times for HSFO and VLSFO remain largely consistent with last week, while that for LSMGO has increased from last week’s 3-5 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% higher so far in May than across April, according to Insights Global data. At 7.40 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks have increased on a monthly average basis for the first time this year.

The ARA has imported 164,000 b/d of fuel oil in May, down compared to April’s 198,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The UAE has emerged as the ARA’s topmost import source, making up 39% of the total share. Other import sources include Turkey (16%) and Poland (15%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 3% lower than in April. The ARA hub has imported a total of 347,000 b/d this month, a slight decrease from 358,000 b/d in April, according to Vortexa data.

In the Swedish port of Gothenburg and off Skaw, bunker supply remains limited, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 10 days are advised for both locations across fuel grades.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar Strait ports, prompt bunker availability remains tight with lead times of 8-9 days for all fuel grades, a trader said.

The ports continue to face some congestion, according to port agent MH Bland.

On Wednesday, Gibraltar had seven vessels awaiting bunkers due to limited bunker barge availability, the port agent said.

Algeciras also has some bunker delays. Its port authority has advised bunker suppliers to only use the Delta anchorage for bunker calls, in an effort to reduce the ongoing congestion there. Ships calling at Algeciras for other services should use the Alpha, Bravo or Charlie anchorages.

Across the Strait in Ceuta, three vessels were waiting to bunker at berths and seven vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

The Portuguese port of Lisbon has good bunker supply and lead times of 3-5 days are recommended, according to a trader.

Lead times of 7-8 days are advised for all grades off Malta.

In Piraeus, prompt supply of conventional fuels remains on the tighter side, with HSFO availability subject to enquiry.

A supplier has started offering ULSFO by truck in Piraeus, as an alternative to LSMGO for vessels sailing in the new 0.10% sulphur-capped Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Mediterranean.

Suppliers in the Turkish port of Istanbul have prompt LSMGO supply, while lead times of 7-8 days are recommended for ULSFO. HSFO and VLSFO supplies remain very tight.

Africa

Availability of all grades is good in Lome, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended.

VLSFO is readily available in Luanda with 3-4 days of notice recommended, while LSMGO supply is still very tight, a trader said.

There is decent prompt availability of all grades off Walvis Bay. Lead times of 3-6 days advised.

The South African port of Durban has good bunker supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised and weak demand, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

Port Louis in Mauritius has normal bunker availability. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for all grades.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 May, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

4.40 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 4% on year in April 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.40 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,404,440 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt (4,235,160 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in April (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+6.3% from 1.60 million mt), 2.24 million mt (-0.4% from 2.25 million mt), zero (from zero), zero (-100% from 9,700 mt) and zero (from zero).

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Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in April (against on year) recorded respectively 33,300 mt (+100% from zero), 75,600 mt (+26.8% from 59,600 mt), 700 mt (+100% from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded 300 mt in April.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 42,000 mt (+18% from 35,600) and zero (from zero). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 May, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Panama bunker fuel sales up by 21.7% on year in April 2025

Total bunker sales at Panama was 459,126 metric tonnes in April 2025, compared to sales of 377,180 mt during the similar period in 2024, according to latest PMA data.

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 21.7% in April 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 459,126 metric tonnes (mt) in April 2025, compared to sales of 377,180 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In April 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 388,111 mt; 224,027 mt of VLSFO, 121,890 mt of RMG 380, 2,485 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 39,709 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 302,766 mt a year before in April; with VLSFO sales at 170,075 mt, RMG 380 sales at 108,242 mt, MGO sales at 4,329 mt, and 20,120 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 71,015 during April 2025; the figure comprised 49,544 mt of VLSFO, 11,442 mt of RMG 380, 1,456 mt of MGO, and 8,573 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 74,414 mt in April a year before; with VLSFO sales of 55,657 mt, RMG 380 sales of 5,851 mt, 3,338 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 9,568 mt.

Photo credit: George Keel
Published: 14 May, 2025