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Bunker Fuel Availability

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

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in Port Klang; LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports; LSMGO availability is good in Omani ports.

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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 LSMGO supply is good in Port Klang
  • LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports
  • LSMGO availability is good in Omani ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight, with lead times extending up to 15 days. Some suppliers can still accommodate stems in as little as six days, but these typically come at a higher cost compared to those with longer lead times.

HSFO supply is also strained, with recommended lead times now exceeding two weeks. In contrast, LSMGO availability is relatively better, with lead times ranging from 5-8 days.

According to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore, Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 5% lower so far this month compared to August. Despite a 4% increase in the port’s net fuel oil imports in September, fuel oil stocks have fallen below 18 million bbls, marking their lowest level since November 2018. Both fuel oil imports and exports have decreased this month, with imports down by 1.23 million bbls and exports down by 1.32 million bbls. Additionally, the port’s middle distillate stocks have averaged 3% lower this month.

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

East Asia

Prompt VLSFO availability in Zhoushan is tight, with lead times of 5-7 days, while LSMGO and HSFO have shorter lead times of 3-5 days.

Bunker deliveries resumed at most anchorages in Zhoushan on Tuesday after being suspended since Sunday due to Typhoon Bebinca. However, operations remained halted at the outer Xiazhimen anchorage.

In Shanghai, bunkering resumed briefly on Tuesday, but was suspended again due to the typhoon. Other ports in the Yangtze River Delta, including Lianyungang, Nanjing, Jiaxing, Nantong, and Taicang, have also been impacted by the storm.

In Northern China, the ports of Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though HSFO is limited in Qingdao and Tianjin. Shanghai also has strong VLSFO and LSMGO availability. Fuzhou and Xiamen offer good supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, while prompt deliveries of both two fuel grades are under pressure in Guangzhou and Yangpu.

In Hong Kong, lead times of around seven days are recommended for all grades, unchanged from the previous week. Wind gusts of 18-21 knots and swells of more than one meter are forecast intermittently throughout the week, which may impact operations there.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies in Hualien, Kaohsiung and Keelung ports are stable with lead times of about 2-3 days, similar to last week. Deliveries in Taichung require slightly longer lead times of 3-4 days for both grades.

In South Korean ports, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has improved, with recommended lead times now around 2-5 days, compared to 4-10 days last week. HSFO availability has also improved, with lead times decreasing from last week’s 12-13 days to 2-5 days now.

High winds and waves are expected to affect the ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu from 20-22 September, which could impact bunker operations at these ports.

VLSFO is available at most Japanese ports, but prompt supply is tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Oita. The tightness in Nagoya and Yokkaichi is attributed to technical issues at the Chiba refinery, while the closure of Idemitsu Kosan’s Yamaguchi refinery in March continues to constrain VLSFO supply in Oita.

HSFO availability is generally good across Japan, although prompt supply is under pressure in Oita. LSMGO supply remains strong in major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita.

The Philippine port of Subic Bay and the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh are preparing for inclement weather this week, which is likely to cause intermittent difficulties in bunkering conditions. Similarly, the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang anticipate adverse weather on 23 September, which could affect bunker operations at these ports.

Oceania

A bunker barge serving Fremantle and Kwinana ports is currently in dry dock. It went into dry dock in early September and will remain there until mid-November, making VLSFO unavailable by barge during this period. However, LSMGO will still be supplied at berth.

The Western Australian port of Kembla will not be affected by the barge dry docking, as bunker deliveries there are made exclusively by truck and ex-pipe.

Melbourne and Geelong in Victoria have ample VLSFO and LSMGO, although prompt HSFO deliveries may be difficult to secure. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone ports offer sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of about 7-8 days, but HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have a good supply of VLSFO, and Auckland also has a strong LSMGO supply. However, intermittent rough weather in Tauranga this week could potentially impact bunker operations.

South Asia

In Indian ports including Mumbai, Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, Chennai, and Haldia, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are limited. Both grades are subject to availability in Visakhapatnam, while a supplier in Paradip is nearly out of stock for both.

At the Sri Lankan port of Colombo, the availability of all grades is good, with lead times of around four days.

Middle East

Prompt availability of all fuel grades remains tight in Fujairah, with most suppliers suggesting lead times of about 7-10 days for all grades, similar to last week.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, but both grades are nearly depleted in Qatar’s Ras Laffan.

The port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has an ample supply of LSMGO, though VLSFO availability is limited. In Djibouti, supplies of both VLSFO and HSFO are nearly exhausted, and LSMGO is also constrained. Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, have sufficient LSMGO to meet prompt demand.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 18 September, 2024

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

Rotterdam B100 premium over VLSFO narrows; Dutch ZRE A price climbs by €25/mtCO2e; B100 flips to discount to LSMGO in Singapore.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

3 August 2026

  • Rotterdam B100 premium over VLSFO narrows
  • Dutch ZRE A price climbs by €25/mtCO2e
  • B100 flips to discount to LSMGO in Singapore

Rotterdam’s B100 has remained at a premium over VLSFO for another week, although the spread has narrowed by $69/mt to $41/mt over the past week. Its discount to LSMGO has widened by $77/mt to $417/mt.

Singapore’s B100 has slipped to a $6/mt discount to LSMGO, from a $2/mt premium a week earlier.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam
ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: B100 and LBM prices decline in Rotterdam

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) in Rotterdam has regained its price advantage over VLSFO for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. The benchmark has shifted from a $25/mt premium a week ago to a $68/mt discount.

For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, Rotterdam’s LBM discount to VLSFO has widened by $93/mt to $242/mt.

In Singapore, LNG’s premium over LSMGO for Otto MS engines has narrowed by $11/mt to just $4/mt over the past week.

For vessels with diesel SS engines, Singapore LNG is priced at a $79/mt discount to LSMGO.

Liquid fuels

Rotterdam’s VLSFO and LSMGO prices have climbed by $26-34/mt over the past week.

The gains have come despite a $6.89/bbl ($51/mt) slump in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $83.92/bbl ($615/mt), and a $1.85/mtCO2e decline in Dec26 EUA prices to $93.34/mtCO2e.

Rotterdam’s HSFO price has bucked the trend, falling by $45/mt.

Fuel availability remains tight for prompt deliveries in the ARA, with suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days to secure stems, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has dropped by $43/mt over the past week.

Prima Markets-assessed Dutch ZRE A ticket prices have climbed by €25/mtCO2e to €130/mtCO2e, adding downward pressure on Rotterdam’s B100 benchmark.

“Market sources had explained the strong gains by pointing out that not enough renewable fuels are blended to meet the Dutch maritime mandate this year,” Prima said.

Singapore’s VLSFO price has risen by $16/mt over the past week, while LSMGO has edged down by $4/mt.

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains very tight, with suppliers recommending lead times of 16-20 days. LSMGO availability has improved, with lead times easing to 5-8 days from 9-11 days a week earlier.

Singapore’s B100 price has fallen by $11/mt over the past week.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have fallen by $67/mt over the past week, while LBM prices have retreated by $67-68/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have remained broadly unchanged, widening slightly by $1/mt to $290-298/mt.

In Singapore, LNG prices have eased by $15/mt over the past week.

By Konica Bhatt

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 August, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (30 July 2026)

Bunker demand is strong in Houston; fuel availability is good in Panama; tight avails in Paranagua, Rio Grande.

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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:

  • Bunker demand is strong in Houston
  • Fuel availability is good in Panama
  • Tight avails in Paranagua, Rio Grande

North America

Bunker fuel demand at the Port of Houston has been strong over the past week. Availability is decent at the port, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days for HSFO and VLSFO.

LSMGO availability is better at the port and can be delivered within 3-4 days, a trader said.

In the US Gulf, bunkering operations are currently underway at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). At the anchorage, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in around 5-7 days this week.

Weather conditions have been rough over the past week, causing a few delays at the anchorage.

Disruptions were forecast between 28-30 July due to swells, with another period of potential disruption expected between 1-2 August, as strong winds are expected, a source said.

Fog-related disruptions to remain limited across most US Gulf Coast ports through 5 August, with low visibility risks prevailing.

Moderate fog is forecast between 2-4 August across parts of the central Gulf Coast, including Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans, Venice, Pascagoula and Mobile Bay, mainly overnight and during the early morning.

Tampa faces the highest fog risk, while Texas ports are expected to see mostly low visibility risks, with only isolated periods of moderate fog.

On the US East Coast, fuel demand in New York has been steady, and HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal. Suppliers have recommended lead times of 3-7 days for the two grades this week. VLSFO availability at the port is expected to tighten and currently requires at least five days of lead time with most suppliers, a source said.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has slumped, and prompt availability of all three conventional fuel grades is tight. Recommended lead times for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are 6-8 days. A few suppliers may be able to make faster deliveries, depending on their availability, a trader said.

In Canada’s Vancouver, marine fuel demand is good, and availability is good across all three fuel grades of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.

Suppliers have recommended lead times between 5-8 days this week.

Post-Tropical Cyclone Fausto is generating large swells and dangerous surf along east-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands as it passes north of the islands.

Large waves and strong currents are expected to persist, creating hazardous coastal conditions.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Panama has good availability across all three conventional fuel grades, a source said.

At the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, HSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 3-4 days. VLSFO requires slightly longer lead times but can be delivered in under five days.

In Colombia, bunker demand has been strong for VLSFO and LSMGO at the ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO are 3-4 days.

HSFO is not regularly available at these ports but can be supplied at times, a trader said.

At Callao, availability of all three conventional bunker grades is normal. Suppliers recommend lead times of 4-5 days for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO deliveries.

In Chile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers recommending lead times of 4-5 days. HSFO is not available at the country’s ports.

In Brazil, traders said Santos is experiencing congestion, but bunker availability remains normal. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are 5-8 days.

In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO availability is normal with lead times of 4-7 days, while LSMGO is available only on a case-by-case basis, a source told ENGINE.

Paranaguá and Rio Grande continue to face tight availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times extending to a week or more. Belém and Vila do Conde continue to have good availability of both grades, with recommended lead times of 4-7 days.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunkering operations are underway through barges. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers typically making deliveries within 6-7 days, a source said.

High wind gusts could disrupt bunker operations between 30-31 July. Delays are possible when wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 31 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

BGN enters US retail bunkering market with Gulf Coast launch

To launch its bunkering operations, BGN has partnered with Houston-based Centerline Logistics Corporation, chartering two new barges, the “Jackson Eades” and “MGI 2100”.

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BGN enters US retail bunkering market with Gulf Coast launch

Energy and commodities trading company BGN on Wednesday (29 July) launched its first US-based retail marine bunkering business, marking another important milestone in the continued expansion of its global shipping platform.

To launch its bunkering operations, BGN has partnered with Houston-based Centerline Logistics Corporation, a marine petroleum transportation company, chartering two new barges, the Jackson Eades and MGI 2100. The company’s double-hulled fleet of bunker and terminal barges are designed to maximise safety and minimise environmental impact.

The new business will supply high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) to vessels calling at ports across the US Gulf Coast.

Initially, the operation will support BGN’s owned and chartered LPG fleet of around 40 vessels, helping to strengthen the integration between our trading, shipping and marine fuels businesses. The new service will also provide reliable, competitive bunkering solutions to third-party shipowners operating throughout the region.

Harry Thwaites, Head of Fuel Oil, Feedstocks and Marine Fuels, said: “We are delighted to launch BGN’s first retail bunkering business, representing an important milestone in the continued growth of our marine fuels platform. The US Gulf Coast is one of the world’s most important shipping and energy hubs, making it the ideal location to establish our first retail bunkering operation.

“Initially, the business will support our own global LPG fleet while also providing reliable, competitive marine fuel solutions to third-party shipowners operating across the region.

“We are also pleased to be working with world-class partners such as Centerline Logistics, whose advanced fleet of liquid oil barges will support our ambition to grow BGN’s bunkering operations across the Americas. Going forward, we will look to expand into other major international ports as we continue to strengthen our marine fuels trading platform globally.”

 

Photo credit: BGN
Published: 30 July, 2026

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