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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (24 Sep 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO supply is tight in Singapore; VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in several Chinese ports; bunker demand is low in Fujairah.

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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 HSFO supply is tight in Singapore
  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in several Chinese ports
  • Bunker demand is low in Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains limited, with lead times stretching up to 13 days. While some suppliers can still accommodate stems within as little as four days, this usually comes at a higher price compared to stems with longer lead times.

HSFO supply is also under pressure, with recommended lead times now exceeding two weeks. In contrast, LSMGO availability is relatively better, with lead times ranging between 2-8 days.

According to data from Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 4% lower this month compared to August. The port’s fuel oil stocks have now fallen for the third consecutive month, down from the peak of 22.49 million bbls recorded in January. Meanwhile, Singapore's middle distillate stocks have averaged 6% lower this month compared to August, though they have remained above 10 million bbls for the third month in a row.

At Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are strong, with some suppliers able to provide prompt deliveries for smaller quantities. However, HSFO availability continues to be limited.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO and HSFO supplies have tightened, with several suppliers advising lead times of 7-10 days due to low stock levels. In contrast, LSMGO remains abundant, with shorter lead times of 3-5 days.

Bunker operations at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages resumed on Tuesday after a five-day suspension caused by Typhoon Pulasan-related bad weather, according to a source. All anchorages in the Chinese bunkering hub were fully operational on Tuesday.

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, but HSFO is in short supply. Fuzhou maintains good supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while prompt deliveries for these fuels are under pressure in Guangzhou and Yangpu. In Xiamen, VLSFO availability is solid, while LSMGO availability is subject to enquiry.

In Hong Kong, lead times of approximately seven days are advised for all fuel grades, almost unchanged from last week.

In the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain stable, with prompt lead times of approximately 2-3 days, consistent with the previous week.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains strong, with several suppliers recommending lead times of about three days. However, HSFO availability has tightened significantly, with lead times increasing from approximately 2-5 days last week to 15-22 days now.

In western South Korean ports, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO have risen to 7-11 days, up from around 2-5 days last week, while HSFO now requires shorter lead times of four days.

Additionally, rough weather is expected to intermittently affect the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu throughout the week, which could impact bunker operations.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong at the major ports of Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. HSFO availability is generally good, although prompt supply is limited in Oita. VLSFO is available at most Japanese ports, but prompt supply is tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Oita.

Oceania

A bunker barge serving Fremantle and Kwinana ports is currently in dry dock until mid-November, rendering VLSFO unavailable by barge during this time. However, LSMGO can still be supplied while at berth. The Western Australian port of Kembla will remain unaffected by the barge dry dock, as bunker deliveries there are exclusively made by truck and ex-pipe.

Melbourne and Geelong in Victoria have ample supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, although prompt HSFO deliveries may be challenging to secure.

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone ports provide sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of about 7-8 days, but HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited. However, bunker deliveries at Gladstone are subject to weather conditions, according to a source.

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

South Asia

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

Adverse weather conditions are forecasted at the Kandla and Mumbai ports in India on Thursday, which may potentially disrupt bunker operations at both ports.

In contrast, the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Hambantota have good availability of all fuel grades.

Middle East

Despite weak bunker demand, the availability of all fuel grades remains “super tight” in Fujairah, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 7-10 days for all grades, consistent with last week. However, some suppliers are still offering prompt deliveries, according to a source.

Khor Fakkan is experiencing similar conditions, with suggested lead times of 7-10 days.

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

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

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 24 September, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Nov 2024)

Low demand in Houston; bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering; Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba.

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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:

  • Low demand in Houston
  • Bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering
  • Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba

North America

Bunker fuel demand has slowed considerably in Houston this week amid the US presidential election. Fuel grade availability, however, remains strong, with most suppliers offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates with a 5-7 day lead time.

In Bolivar Roads, VLSFO and LSMGO are also readily available for prompt dates, although deliveries depend on weather conditions and anchorage schedules, according to a source.

Bunker operations resumed on Wednesday in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) following nearly a week-long suspension due to strong winds. Since then, a period of calmer weather has allowed suppliers to address the backlog, but conditions are expected to deteriorate again from Friday, potentially causing further delays.

On the East Coast, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in New York, though demand has been low this week.

West Coast ports, including Long Beach and Los Angeles, have seen sluggish demand. VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains steady, with a 5-day lead time recommended to avoid price premiums for faster deliveries, a trader noted.

Demand at New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) has been strong this week, with most suppliers able to meet prompt VLSFO and LSMGO requirements.

Caribbean and Latin America

In Balboa, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight, with suppliers requiring a lead time of 7-8 days for prompt dates.

Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 3 storm as it makes landfall in Cuba, raising concerns about its potential impact on US offshore energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico, a source reported.

Operations at the Buckeye Bahamas Hub terminal have been suspended since Monday due to adverse weather, halting bunkering and lightering activities. The terminal operator expects conditions to remain unfavorable until Friday, delaying service resumption.

The Buckeye Hub, a crucial terminal in the region, frequently serves large vessels for refueling and transfers, making it an essential link in the shipping chain.

In Freeport, bunker fuel is available, though bunkering has been paused since late last week due to inclement weather. Deliveries are expected to resume during calmer periods, though further delays are anticipated as weather disruptions persist.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, bunkering operations have been suspended since Monday due to wind gusts up to 29 knots, making barge deliveries challenging.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

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

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Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 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: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply is tight in the ARA; prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar; LSMGO supply improves in Durban.

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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 supply is tight in the ARA
  • Prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar
  • LSMGO supply improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

All grades remain in tight supply for prompt dates in Rotterdam. HSFO now requires lead times of 7-10 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO need 5-7 days. Refinery maintenance work in Rotterdam has triggered the supply crunch, a source told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% higher in October than across September, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 257,000 b/d of fuel oil in October, up from 229,000 b/d imported in September, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 48/52 ratio in October, unlike September's 51/49 ratio which was leaning towards LSFO.

The UK (22% of the total) emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in October. The US (12%) came in second, while Turkey ranked third at 9%. This was followed by Lithuania (8%), France and Poland (7% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - came down by 10% in October, despite higher imports. The region imported 410,000 b/d of gasoil in October, a sharp rise from September’s 291,000 b/d, according to Vortexa data.

Securing prompt supply is not a challenge in Germany’s Hamburg port. The port has ample supply for all grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are generally recommended, a trader said.

Mediterranean

HSFO is tight in Gibraltar for very prompt delivery dates, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for optimal coverage for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is relatively better with short lead times of 3-5 days advised. Bunkering may be disrupted in Gibraltar on Thursday and Friday because of wind gusts of 19-21 knots.

HSFO is tight in the Spanish ports of Las Palmas and Barcelona, according to a trader.

Las Palmas port in the Canary Islands has faced limited HSFO supply in recent weeks, with recommended lead times now around 11 days. In contrast, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is ample and most suppliers can deliver both grades for prompt dates, a trader said.

In Barcelona, all grades have been tight since the start of the week. HSFO and VLSFO supplies are particularly constrained, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days. LSMGO requires lead times of 5-7 days.

Demand has been negligible in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

Greece’s Piraeus port has normal availability across all three grades. After experiencing minor supply pressures earlier in the week, conditions eased on Wednesday, with suppliers now offering prompt delivery across all grades.

Bunkering disruptions may occur in Piraeus from Wednesday till Saturday amid rough weather, a source said.

Off Malta, bunker availability is normal for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised across all three grades. Bad weather is forecast between Wednesday and Saturday, which may impact bunkering. 

Turkey’s Istanbul also has prompt supply available for all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended in the port. Adverse weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday may disrupt bunkering.

Africa

VLSFO supply is good for non-prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay with lead times of 7-10 days advised. LSMGO supply has resumed in Durban after recent supply shortages. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade.

Rough weather may cause bunkering delays in Durban on Wednesday with wind gusts of up to 30 knots forecast in the area. Bunkering in the area is typically halted when gusts exceed 35 knots and if visibility is low due to heavy rain, a source said. 

Meanwhile, supply pressures have eased in Mauritius’ Port Louis, a trader said. Suppliers are now able to offer prompt delivery dates for all grades. The port had previously faced tight supplies with lead times extending up to ten days until last week.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 November, 2024

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