Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (22 Oct 2024)

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in Port Klang; several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions; LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports.

Published

1 month ago

October 23, 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 LSMGO supply is good in Port Klang
Several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions
LSMGO supply is good across several Japanese ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains tight, with recommended lead times of around 13 days. Some suppliers can accommodate stems with shorter lead times of about four days, but these are usually priced higher.

Similarly, HSFO supply is limited, with lead times of 10-13 days, nearly unchanged from last week. In contrast, LSMGO is more readily available, with stable lead times of 4-8 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher this month compared to September, according to Enterprise Singapore. The port has seen a significant 22% rise in net fuel oil imports in October, increasing by 1.70 million bbls, while fuel exports have risen by 980,000 bbls. This has contributed to the stock buildup. Meanwhile, Singapore's middle distillate stocks have declined, averaging 6% lower on the month.

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

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability in Zhoushan has tightened, with several suppliers running low on stocks. Recommended lead times have increased from 4-7 days last week, to 7-10 days now. HSFO supply remains constrained, with lead times unchanged at 7-10 days.

Recommended lead times remain steady at seven days for all bunker fuel grades in Hong Kong. However, wind gusts of 22-28 knots and swells over two meters are forecast throughout the week, which could affect bunker deliveries at the port.

In the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Keelung, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains stable, with lead times holding steady at around two days.

In southern South Korean ports, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain steady at around 3-9 days, unchanged from last week. HSFO lead times, however, have improved from 11 days last week to about five days now.

In the western ports, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times have slightly increased from four days to 5-7 days now. HSFO supply has tightened, and the supply of the grade is subject to availability.

Adverse weather is expected to intermittently disrupt bunker operations at the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, and Taean on 23 and 27 October, and at Busan and Yeosu on 23 October, as well as between 25-27 October.

VLSFO supply is generally good across Japanese ports, but limited for prompt deliveries in Oita. HSFO supply remains tight at most Japanese ports. LSMGO availability is strong at key ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. However, supply in Oita is still constrained due to the closure of Idemitsu Kosan’s Yamaguchi refinery in March.

The Philippine port of Subic Bay is preparing for inclement weather this week, which may disrupt bunkering operations. Similarly, the Vietnamese port of Hai Phong expects adverse weather over the weekend, which could affect bunkering.

A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into Tropical Storm Trami on Tuesday and is projected to move west-northwest toward the waters east of Luzon Island, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA). The CWA has advised ships in the Bashi Channel and east of the Philippines to closely monitor Trami's movements.

Oceania

A bunker barge serving Fremantle and Kwinana ports is in dry dock from early September until mid-November, making VLSFO unavailable by barge during this time, though LSMGO will still be available at berth. The port of Kembla in Western Australia is unaffected, as bunker deliveries are made by truck and ex-pipe.

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

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have good VLSFO supplies, with Auckland also well-stocked on LSMGO. However, rough weather in Tauranga on Saturday may disrupt bunker operations.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight at several Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, and Cochin, similar to recent weeks. In Visakhapatnam and Haldia, both grades are subject to availability, while a supplier in Paradip is nearly out of stock.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Hambantota have ample supplies of VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, with recommended lead times of around three days.

Middle East

Availability across all grades in Fujairah remains tight, but lead times have improved from 7-10 days last week to 5-7 days. Khor Fakkan faces similar constraints, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days for all grades.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while both grades are nearly depleted in Qatar’s Ras Laffan. Jeddah has a good supply of LSMGO, but VLSFO is limited. Djibouti is experiencing tight supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO.

Meanwhile, Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, have ample LSMGO with prompt availability.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 October, 2024

Up Next

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (22 October 2024)

Don't Miss

Singapore-based SeaTech and IRS partner on green tugs and harbour craft

Bunker Fuel Availability

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (5 December 2024)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S and KPI OceanConnect.

Published

21 hours ago

December 6, 2024

Admin

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (5 December 2024)

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

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

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 6 December, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (5 Dec 2024)

Low demand in Houston; bad weather disrupts bunkering in GOLA; Vibra halts VLSFO supply in Brazilian ports.

Published

21 hours ago

December 6, 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:

Low demand in Houston
Bad weather disrupts bunkering in GOLA
Vibra halts VLSFO supply in Brazilian ports

North America

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Houston. Lead times of five days are recommended for both grades in the port. Prompt HSFO availability is tight, with lead times of up to 7-8 days recommended for the grade, a trader said.

Demand has slowed down in Houston this week, a source said.

Bunkering has been suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) since Wednesday due to rough weather conditions. The area was experiencing strong gale-force wind gusts of up to 32 knots on Thursday morning, making barge deliveries difficult there. A window of calm weather from Thursday evening could enable bunker operations to resume in GOLA before conditions worsen again from Friday evening.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in New York. Lead times of 2-4 days are recommended for both grades. HSFO availability has tightened in New York. Most suppliers are unable to offer HSFO for both prompt dates and dates further out.

Securing both prompt and non-prompt stems for all fuel grades is tight at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Some suppliers are unable to provide an exact date for when they will have the supply available.

Prompt availability is tight in the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. More than seven days of lead times are generally recommended to secure VLSFO and LSMGO in both locations.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is also tight in Vancouver, further up the West Coast of North America.

Caribbean and Latin America

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

Bunkering is expected to be suspended in the Bahamas’ Freeport from Friday onwards because of the rough weather. The area is forecast to experience strong wind gusts of up to 26 knots on Saturday, making bunkering difficult there.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Jamaica’s Kingston. A supplier is not able to offer stems for delivery dates before the end of December, a source says.

Bunker operations were suspended in Zona Comun on Thursday after being suspended for a day due to bad weather conditions. However, bad weather conditions are forecast intermittently over the weekend and most of next week, which could trigger more suspensions.

Bunker fuel availability has remained normal in the Brazilian ports of Santos, Salvador and Paranaguá. Several suppliers are able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 4-6 days.

In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO can be secured within 5-7 days of lead time. There is no availability of LSMGO in the port at the moment.

Brazilian fuel supplier Vibra has halted VLSFO offering at Vila do Conde and Belém. The company said it faced several challenges since starting bunkering operations in the region and decided to end the project to focus on other opportunities.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 6 December, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (4 Dec 2024)

Supply improves in the ARA; HSFO tightness has eased in Las Palmas; prompt VLSFO supply is tight in Richards Bay.

Published

2 days ago

December 5, 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:

Supply improves in the ARA
HSFO tightness has eased in Las Palmas
Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in Richards Bay

Northwestern Europe

Supply pressures have eased across all three grades in the ARA this week, a trader told ENGINE. Bunker availability is back to normal and lead times of 3-5 days are advised for all three grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks dipped by 3% in November compared to October, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 333,000 b/d of fuel oil in November, up from 262,000 b/d imported in October, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 31/69 ratio in November, compared to a 45/55 ratio in October.

Kuwait (14% of the total) emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source last month. The UK, Iraq and France (11% each) ranked second, while Sweden (10%) ranked third. Other import sources include the US (9%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - decreased by 2% last month. The region imported 405,000 b/d of gasoil in November, a slight decline from 411,000 b/d of gasoil imported in October, according to Vortexa data.

Prompt bunker availability remains good in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times remain consistent with suppliers able to offer all three grades within 3-5 days.

Mediterranean

Bunker demand has spiked in the port in Gibraltar, according to a source. HSFO and LSMGO supply remains tight for prompt delivery. One trader recommends 5-7 days of lead time for HSFO, while another trader recommends lead times of up to 11 days for the grade. Lead times for LSMGO remain unchanged from last week with traders recommending around 7 days for the grade. VLSFO availability is normal with lead times of 3-5 days advised.

Gibraltar was witnessing adverse weather on Wednesday, with wind gusts of 23 knots in the port area. Five vessels were waiting to receive bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, up from two on Tuesday, a source said. Wind gusts of 22 knots are forecast on Saturday and may complicate deliveries there.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, HSFO supply tightness has eased slightly, but the grade remains tight for prompt supply. Lead times for the grade have come down from last week's 7-10 days to 5-7 days. LSMGO availability remains tight for very prompt delivery dates, with lead times of 5-7 days advised. VLSFO availability is normal, with lead times unchanged at 3-5 days from last week.

Rough weather may trigger bunkering delays in Las Palmas on Wednesday and Thursday, a source said.

All grades remain tight for prompt supply in the Spanish port of Barcelona, a source said. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for all grades in the port.

Portugal’s Lisbon has good availability across all grades, a trader said.

Bunker demand remains muted in Mediterranean bunker hubs like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader told ENGINE. Availability has tightened in these ports as the year-end approaches.

In Greece’s Piraeus port, availability has tightened across all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for all three grades, a source said. Calm weather is forecast in Piraeus for the rest of this week, making it conducive to bunkering.

Off Malta, supply tightness has persisted since last week, a trader said. Lead times of around 7-10 days are advised for all grades, one trader said. Another trader said HSFO and VLSFO require around five days of lead time, while LSMGO is plentiful, with 2-5 days recommended. Bad weather may impact bunkering intermittently from Wednesday and will likely continue into next week, a source said.

Turkey’s Istanbul port is also experiencing tightness across all grades with traders advising lead times of around 7-10 days for full coverage from suppliers.

Africa

VLSFO availability is still tight for prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, a trader said. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised by traders for full coverage.

Securing LSMGO stems for prompt deliveries remains a challenge in Durban. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade. While demand for LSMGO in Durban remains muted, demand for VLSFO is higher in the port.

Prompt availability is good for all three grades in Mauritius’ Port Louis, a trader said.

Namibia's Walvis Bay has ample bunker supply, according to a source. Lead times of around five days are advised for all three grades. Bunker demand has been strong, particularly for VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO demand has been relatively less there. Bad weather may trigger bunkering disruptions from Wednesday to Friday, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 5 December, 2024