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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (24 June 2025)

VLSFO and LSMGO availability improves in Zhoushan; VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in several Indian ports; several Middle Eastern ports remain mostly unaffected by the Iran-Israel conflict.
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1 year ago

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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 availability improves in Zhoushan
  • VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in several Indian ports
  • Several Middle Eastern ports remain mostly unaffected by the Iran-Israel conflict

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO lead times remain highly variable. Some suppliers are advising as little as five days, while others recommend booking up to three weeks in advance due to tight delivery schedules. Last week, typical lead times ranged from 6–10 days.

LSMGO supply remains good, with most suppliers now recommending 4–6 days of lead time—slightly up from 2–5 days the week before. Meanwhile, HSFO lead times have also increased, now standing at 7–12 days compared to 6–10 days last week.

According to Enterprise Singapore, Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% higher so far this month than in May. Total fuel oil stocks have surpassed 22 million bbls, supported by a 6% increase in net fuel oil imports in June. Exports have risen by 514,000 bbls, exceeding the 370,000-bbl drop in imports.

Middle distillate inventories in Singapore have also grown, averaging 14% higher this month.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt delivery possible for smaller quantities. However, HSFO supply continues to be limited.

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability has improved in Zhoushan due to subdued demand, bringing lead times down sharply from around 10 days last week to just five days now. HSFO lead times in the port remain stable at approximately five days, showing little change from the previous week.

In northern China, ports like Dalian and Qingdao continue to have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. However, HSFO remains in short supply in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing tight supply for both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO remains readily available.

In Shanghai, supply pressure persists for both VLSFO and HSFO, but LSMGO inventories are good. Further south, Fuzhou holds strong VLSFO stocks, though LSMGO availability is limited. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO supply, while LSMGO remains constrained.

Meanwhile, prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO are still challenging in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain consistent at seven days. However, bunker operations could face delays due to adverse weather conditions forecast for 25–26 June.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times are holding steady. In Kaohsiung, suppliers are recommending around three days, while lead times remain shorter—at approximately two days—in Hualien, Taichung, and Keelung.

In South Korea, suppliers in southern ports like Busan have been pricing their VLSFO at a premium of $47/mt to western ports like Daesan now, significantly up from around $4/mt at the beginning of June. According to a source, this increase stems partly from supplier efforts to lift prices ahead of July, following weaker levels earlier in the month. However, the price spike has dampened demand, prompting many bunker buyers to shift to nearby Chinese ports such as Zhoushan.

Lead times for all fuel grades across multiple South Korean ports have improved, now averaging 5–6 days, compared to the 5–10 days recommended last week.

Weather-related disruptions are expected to affect bunker operations – Ulsan, Onsan, and Yeosu may face interruptions due to high waves from 28–30 June, while Daesan, Busan, and Taean are also likely to see delays from high swells on 25 June and again between 28–30 June.

VLSFO supply remains robust in major Japanese ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. In contrast, prompt availability is limited in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, and Mizushima, and remains especially tight in Nagoya and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally well-stocked across the country, but securing prompt deliveries is difficult in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is stable overall, yet prompt delivery remains constrained in the same set of ports.

Meanwhile, in Oita, availability across all fuel grades continues to be tight.

Adverse weather is expected to disrupt bunker deliveries at Thailand’s Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports on 29–30 June. In Vietnam, rough sea conditions are also forecast to impact bunker operations in Ho Chi Minh during the same period.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with suppliers recommending lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, LSMGO supply remains steady in Sydney, though prompt HSFO deliveries continue to face challenges.

Victoria’s ports, Melbourne and Geelong, have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. However, HSFO supply remains limited, especially for prompt delivery.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO are well-stocked in Brisbane and Gladstone, with lead times of about seven days. HSFO, however, remains tight in Brisbane.

Over in New Zealand, VLSFO is sufficiently available in both Tauranga and Auckland. Still, bunker operations at Tauranga could be affected by adverse weather forecast between 26–30 June.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight at several Indian ports, including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Haldia, extending the trend seen in recent weeks. In Paradip, one supplier is reportedly close to running out of stock.

LSMGO availability across most Indian ports continues to be subject to enquiry, with no guaranteed prompt supply.

Adverse weather is likely to disrupt bunker operations at multiple locations: Sikka between 27–28 June, Kandla from 26–28 June, and Mumbai on both 25 and 28 June.

In Sri Lanka, lead times for all fuel grades at Colombo and Hambantota have risen sharply to around eight days, up from approximately two days the previous week.

Middle East

VLSFO availability has tightened in Fujairah, with recommended lead times increasing to around nine days, up from 5–7 days last week. Most suppliers are hesitant to commit to larger stems due to ongoing market volatility driven by the Middle East conflict and cargo shortages. Premiums are being charged for larger stems, according to a trader.

LSMGO and HSFO still require lead times of about seven days, which is roughly unchanged from last week. While some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries, these are typically priced at a premium.

Despite current instability, the Port of Fujairah—recognized as the Middle East’s leading bunkering hub—had demonstrated resilience earlier in the year. Bunker sales in March 2025 rose by 15% month-on-month after a decline in February. However, the renewed conflict has driven up insurance and security costs, likely hindering further recovery, as risk-averse shipowners reconsider bunkering in the region.

Some vessels have reportedly begun rerouting to avoid the area amid ongoing concerns over escalation and a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Jebel Ali, another key UAE port, is also vulnerable to regional disruptions due to its strategic location and heavy traffic, making it subject to increased risk premiums.

Elsewhere in the region, another source noted there has been “no major impact so far” on bunkering across Middle Eastern ports, apart from “a slight drop in demand.” The source added that while “some ports are being more cautious, and ship movements in certain areas have slightly shifted,” the “overall operations remain stable.” Most suppliers are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, though HSFO supply is limited. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, both VLSFO and LSMGO availability continues to be constrained.

At Egypt’s Suez port, stocks of all three conventional bunker grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO—are nearly depleted.

In Qatar, concerns are mounting over port security after Iranian missile strikes targeted the Al-Udeid base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. This has raised alarms over the potential for operational disruptions at Qatari ports such as Ras Laffan, where supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO is currently tight.

Bunker availability in Djibouti is under significant pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO nearly out of stock and LSMGO also limited.

In contrast, Omani ports—including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm—continue to maintain stable LSMGO supply.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 25 June, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

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

3 days ago

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September 4, 2026

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Baltic Exchange logo

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

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026) Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

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

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.
Admin

Published

3 days ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

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:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

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

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.
Admin

Published

4 days ago

on

September 3, 2026

By

RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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 fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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