Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (20 Feb 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore; availability of VLSFO and LSMGO tight across several Indian ports; several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions.

Published

8 months ago

February 21, 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 availability tight in Singapore
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO tight across several Indian ports
Several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions

Singapore and Malaysia

Prompt VLSFO availability is tight in Singapore. Four suppliers are struggling to meet delivery schedules, a source says. Lead times of 5-9 days are recommended for VLSFO. HSFO supply is also under pressure, with lead times ranging between 5-10 days. In contrast, LSMGO remains readily available, with shorter lead times of 2-6 days.

According to Enterprise Singapore's latest data, Singapore's residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 7% lower so far in February compared to January. The month also witnessed a notable 20% drop in net fuel oil imports, down by 929,000 bbls, while fuel oil exports increased by 109,000 bbls, leading to the stock drawdown. Conversely, the Southeast Asian bunkering hub's middle distillate stocks have risen, averaging 18% higher this month.

In Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good, with several suppliers offering stems for prompt delivery dates. However, HSFO supply is very tight as most suppliers are running low on stocks.

China and East Asia

In Zhoushan, bunker suppliers are back in action post the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays. Most suppliers can now deliver all grades with lead times of 5-7 days.

In China's Dalian, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight, while Tianjin faces tightness across all grades. Qingdao has limited prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, and HSFO supply is subject to enquiry. Southern Chinese ports like Shanghai, Yangpu, and Guangzhou are encountering tight availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO also tight in Shanghai. However, Fuzhou and Xiamen have good availability of both low-sulphur fuel grades.

In Hong Kong, all bunker fuel grades remain readily available, with lead times of around seven days, similar to last week.

In South Korean ports, availability across all fuel grades has become tighter due to increased bunker demand. VLSFO lead times have extended to 7-11 days, compared to around seven days last week. Lead times for LSMGO have also changed from just three days to around seven days. HSFO lead times vary widely from 5-17 days. Adverse weather conditions are forecast between 20-25 February and may impact bunkering operations at key South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu.

In Japan, supply tightness across all bunker grades has been noted, mainly due to local refineries redirecting more fuel oil to the power and bitumen sectors, leaving less supply available for the bunker market. Lead times vary across ports, ranging from approximately five days in Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka, and Kobe, to eight days in Nagoya and Yokkaichi, and even longer periods of 12-13 days in Mizushima and Oita. This supply tightness has led to higher VLSFO prices in Japanese ports. Tokyo's VLSFO was priced about $61/mt higher than Singapore's on Tuesday and $54/mt higher than Zhoushan's.

Suppliers in Subic Bay in the Philippines and Ho Chi Minh Port in Vietnam anticipate difficult bunkering conditions intermittently throughout the week due to adverse weather.

South Asia

Several Indian ports, such as Kandla, Cochin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Haldia, are facing challenges with supply shortages for VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Mumbai, some suppliers have almost run out of VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, a source says.

Adverse weather is forecast at the Indian ports of Kandla, Sikka, and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, which could potentially disrupt bunkering operations.

On the flipside, the Sri Lankan ports of Trincomalee and Colombo have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supply, along with good availability of HSFO in Trincomalee.

Middle East

The ongoing attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have prompted shipping companies to opt for the alternative route around Africa instead of the shorter Suez Canal route. The shift in shipping routes is gradually affecting bunker demand in Fujairah. Despite this impact, Fujairah's bunker demand rose marginally by 2% in January, as more HSFO was bunkered during the month.

Prompt availability of all grades remains under pressure in Fujairah due to recent weather-related disruptions, which have resulted in severe bunker backlogs and delivery delays. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of 7-10 days. Additionally, strong winds were reported in the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan on Tuesday, with adverse weather conditions forecasted to persist on Wednesday as well.

Port operations at Jebel Ali port in the UAE resumed on Tuesday following a brief suspension the previous night, according to GAC Hot Port News. On the other hand, Omani ports including Sohar, Salalah, Duqm and Muscat have a prompt LSMGO supply available, offering a potential alternative location for bunker requirements.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 February, 2024

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Brazil: Raízen launches new bunkering operation in Itaqui

Operation will support both coastal and oceangoing vessels at Off Port Limits, allowing the firm’s customers to avoid full port call fees and unnecessary deviations, says Paula Georgopoulos Tinoco.

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2024

Admin

Brazil: Raízen launches new bunkering operation in Itaqui

Brazilian energy firm Raízen has launched its new bunkering operation in Itaqui at the Outer Anchorage Area, according to Paula Georgopoulos Tinoco, Bunker Sales Coordinator at Raízen on Wednesday (3 October).

The firm is providing local supplies for the grades VLSFO380 (max. 0.5%S) and LSMGO DMA (max. 0.1%S).

“The new bunkering operation will support both coastal and oceangoing vessels with different sizes and class at the Off Port Limits, allowing our customers to avoid full port call fees and unnecessary deviations at different bunkering ports,” she said in a social media post.

In September last year, Bunker Holding subsidiary Bunker One announced that it partnered with Acelen, the largest bunker producer in the Brazilian state of Bahia, to offer the only outer anchorage bunkering operation in Brazil at the time.

Starting September 2023, vessels such as large cargo ships and tankers can be supplied in the anchorage area of the Port of Itaqui in São Marcos Bay (MA).

Photo credit: Raízen
Published: 4 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (3 Oct 2024)

Dockworkers’ strike at East and Gulf Coast ports; low demand in Houston; Raizen starts bunker operations off Itaqui.

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2024

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:

Dockworkers' strike at East and Gulf Coast ports
Low demand in Houston
Raizen starts bunker operations off Itaqui

North America

Dockworkers across the US East and Gulf Coasts ports launched their first major strike in nearly 50 years on Tuesday, raising concerns about potential supply chain disruptions.

While the strike action directly affects container and cargo operations, sources warned that bunkering services may also face indirect delays if barge movements are hindered.

“We haven’t seen an impact on port [fuel] reserves yet, but we’re anticipating disruption,” Stone Oil’s chief operating officer Anthony Odak told ENGINE. The company supplies bunker fuels at ports along the US Gulf Coast.

Prolonged congestion at the ports could also affect the availability of bunker fuel. Although oil and gas shipments are handled through separate operational facilities, disruptions in containerized cargo movements could tighten fuel oil supply chains.

Bunker demand has been very low in Houston for prompt dates. However, the availability of all fuel grades has remained good so far this week. Most suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 5-7 days in Houston.

Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday amid pleasant weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain calm through the weekend and most of next week. Despite this, bunker demand in GOLA has been very low this week.

The Port of New Orleans, a key Gulf Coast hub for dry bulk commodities like grains, is also experiencing severe delays in loading and unloading ships. These delays are raising shipping costs and risking supply chain disruptions. Prolonged strikes could worsen congestion and further impact industries relying on these trade routes, shipping technology company Signal Ocean stated.

All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in both ports.

Bunker fuel availability has not been affected by the ongoing strike action in the East Coast port of New York. Most suppliers are still able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems within five days of lead time.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker demand has been good in Panamanian ports amid more daily transits through the Panama Canal. Availability has also remained good for prompt dates in both Balboa and Cristobal.

Denmark's The Bunker Firm has launched new bunker operations in Cartagena, Columbia, supplying VLSFO and LSMGO.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Demand has picked up this week for both the fuel grades.

Bunker fuel demand has been good in most Brazilian ports this week. VLSFO availability is good in most of the ports, according to most suppliers.

Brazilian energy company Raízen has also launched new bunker operations at Itaqui Outer Anchorage, supplying VLSFO and LSMGO.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Oct 2024)

Prompt LSMGO remains tight in the ARA hub; HSFO availability good in Gibraltar; prompt bunker supply tight in Port Louis.

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

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 LSMGO remains tight in the ARA hub
HSFO availability good in Gibraltar
Prompt bunker supply tight in Port Louis

Northwest Europe

Prompt availability of LSMGO remains very tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, a trader told ENGINE. Some suppliers in Rotterdam are experiencing barge loading delays. This has stretched lead times for the grade from 3–5 days last week, to 7–10 days now.

Most suppliers are unable to offer LSMGO for prompt deliveries in Rotterdam, as their barges have been held up for days waiting to load product at oil terminals, the trader said.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and HSFO is good in the ARA hub, with lead times of 3–4 days recommended for both grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% lower so far this month than across August, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 269,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, up from 223,000 b/d imported in August, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 55/45 ratio so far this month.

The US has emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source so far this month, accounting for 15% of the total imports. The UK has come in second place, accounting for 13% of the ARA’s total imports, followed by the Bahamas (11%), Brazil (10%) and Poland (8%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased by 13% so far this month. The region has imported 293,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, down from 355,000 b/d of gasoil imported in August, according to Vortexa data.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader said. Lead times have remained steady in the past few months, with suppliers offering all three grades within 3–5 days.

Mediterranean

Prompt supply of all bunker fuel grades is good in Gibraltar. Lead times of 3–5 days are advised for optimal coverage from suppliers. Gibraltar is forecast to experience rough weather conditions in periods between today and Friday, which could impact bunkering. Wind gusts of up to 21 knots are forecast to hit the port.

Securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be difficult in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, a trader said. Lead times remain unchanged since last week, with 5–7 days advised for the grade's delivery in the port.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Las Palmas and suppliers are able to offer prompt deliveries, with lead times of 3–5 days for both grades.

Bunker demand is moderate in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in the Greek port of Piraeus, the trader said. Suppliers are able to offer prompt delivery dates for the two grades in the port. Prompt HSFO supply is subject to enquiry, the trader added. Calm weather is forecast in Piraeus for the rest of the week, making it conducive to bunker there, a source said.

Prompt availability of all grades is good off Malta, a trader said. Lead times of 3–4 days are generally recommended. Adverse weather is forecast intermittently off Malta from Wednesday till Friday, which could complicate deliveries, according to a source.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, all bunker fuel grades are readily available. Lead times of 3–4 days are advised for optimal coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Africa

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight in South Africa’s Durban port. Recommended lead times for LSMGO stretch up to two weeks, while lead times of 7–10 days are advised for VLSFO deliveries, according to a trader.

Durban is forecast to experience adverse weather conditions between Friday and Sunday, which could impact bunkering. Strong wind gusts in the range of 19-31 knots are forecast to hit Durban during this period.

VLSFO supply is tight in Richards Bay, where lead times of 7–10 days are advised for the grade, a trader said.

Securing prompt bunker deliveries can be challenging in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times of over ten days are recommended for all three grades there, a trader said. Port Louis could face bunkering disruptions between Saturday and Monday, when rough weather is forecast in the port, a source said.

In Angola’s Luanda port, a state-run bunker supplier halted VLSFO supply in August. It is yet to provide an update on when the supply will resume in the port. LSMGO availability is currently good in Luanda, with supply available by barge, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 October, 2024