Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (27 August 2024)

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Chinese ports; several Japanese ports brace for Typhoon Shanshan impact; prompt availability is tight in Fujairah.

Published

7 months ago

August 28, 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 availability good across several Chinese ports
Several Japanese ports brace for Typhoon Shanshan impact
Prompt availability is tight in Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore has become more constrained, with several suppliers now recommending lead times of up to two weeks. Some suppliers can accommodate stems in as little as six days, but these stems are usually priced higher, a source said.

HSFO supply is also under pressure, with lead times advised at 11-14 days. Lead times for LSMGO vary considerably, ranging from 5-10 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% lower so far this month compared to July, according to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore. The port’s fuel oil stocks have dropped below 20 million bbls, driven by a notable 36% decrease in net fuel oil imports this month. Fuel oil imports have fallen by 585,000 bbls, while fuel oil exports have increased by 822,000 bbls, contributing to the stock draw. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have averaged 12% higher than last month.

In Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are robust, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries for smaller quantities, but HSFO availability remains limited.

East Asia

Suppliers in Zhoushan are recommending lead time of around 5-7 days for all grades, almost consistent with last week.

In Northern China, 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 scarce. Fuzhou and Xiamen have good VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, while Guangzhou and Yangpu face some restrictions on prompt availability of both grades.

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

In Hong Kong, all types of bunker fuel are readily available, with lead times of around seven days from several suppliers, which is consistent with last week.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has tightened, with lead times now at 7-11 days, up from 3-7 days last week. HSFO remains constrained with lead times around 11 days. In contrast, all fuel grades in western South Korean ports require slightly shorter lead times of about seven 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 across major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. While HSFO availability is generally good across most Japanese ports, prompt supply is limited in Oita.

Prompt VLSFO availability has improved in most ports but remains tight in Oita.

Additionally, bunker deliveries at several Japanese ports may be disrupted from Wednesday onwards due to Typhoon Shanshan. The typhoon was located about 130 km east of Amami City on Tuesday and was moving towards west-northwest. It is expected to affect bunker operations in Kitakyushu and Mizushima on Wednesday and Thursday, and in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo on Friday and Saturday, a source says.

Adverse weather is forecasted for the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang on August 29-30, and for the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh on August 29-31, which may pose challenges for bunker deliveries.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO can be obtained in Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla with an approximate lead time of seven days. In New South Wales, Sydney offers sufficient LSMGO, although prompt availability of HSFO may be subject to firm inquiries.

Victoria boasts ample VLSFO and LSMGO stocks in Melbourne and Geelong, but prompt HSFO deliveries might be challenging. Queensland's Brisbane and Gladstone ports have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, with lead times of around 7-8 days. However, HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland offer a decent supply of VLSFO, with Auckland also providing a good supply of LSMGO. Rough weather is expected in Tauranga throughout the week, potentially affecting bunker operations.

South Asia

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

Adverse weather is expected intermittently between Tuesday and Friday at Sikka, Kandla, and Mumbai ports, potentially affecting bunker operations.

Additionally, the All-India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation has announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Wednesday at several major ports. Negotiations between the trade union and the India Ports Association are ongoing, and it is unclear if the strike will occur.

Some sources indicate that if the strike does happen, its impact on bunkering operations might be minimal.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s ports of Colombo and Trincomalee have good availability of all grades, with lead times of about four days recommended in Colombo. The port of Hambantota has good LSMGO availability, but VLSFO supply remains tight.

Middle East

In the UAE port of Fujairah, prompt availability of all fuel grades is limited. Most suppliers require a lead time of 5-7 days, although some can still accommodate prompt stems. Overall, bunker demand in Fujairah has been relatively low.

The situation in Khor Fakkan, UAE, is similar, with suppliers advising lead times of 5-7 days.

In contrast, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has ample supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Djibouti faces constraints in VLSFO supply, while LSMGO is more readily available.

Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, offer a good supply of LSMGO.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 28 August, 2024

Up Next

GENA Solutions: Total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline rises from 35.4 to 36.1 Mt by 2030

Don't Miss

China: Seaspan Energy takes delivery of LNG bunkering vessel from CIMC SOE

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (20 Mar 2025)

New York bunker supply is steady; fog season across the US Gulf Coast; VLSFO availability in Zona Comun remains volatile.

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2025

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:

New York bunker supply is steady
Fog season across the US Gulf Coast
VLSFO availability in Zona Comun remains volatile

North America

Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Houston remains tight through 21 March, with lead times extending beyond seven days.

Weather conditions at the East Coast port are currently stable, but high wind gusts are expected to pick up by the end of the week.

The US Gulf Coast is in the midst of its fog season, leading to reduced visibility across the region. Bunkering operations at ports such as Houston, Galveston, Lake Charles, Pascagoula, Mobile, Port Arthur, Freeport and Corpus Christi could face further delays due to fog, a source said.

Bunker fuel availability in New York and across the East Coast is steady. In New York, suppliers can offer prompt deliveries with expected lead times of 3-4 days.

Strong wind gusts between 20-23 March could lead to possible delays at New York and affect the availability of bunker barges. However, there are no reported backlogs.

On the West Coast, in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, demand has been quiet so far this week, and prompt availability across all fuel grades is good. Suppliers recommend lead times of 6-7 days.

Bunker deliveries in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) are currently in progress and are expected to fully resume this afternoon.

However, operations may face further disruptions until March 20 due to strong wind gusts, a source said.

In Canada’s Montreal, bunker operations could face disruptions from 20-24 March due to high wind gusts. Barge activity remains limited to daylight hours, contributing to backlog congestion. High winds may also cause delays.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker demand in Panama has been relatively slow this week, a source says.

HSFO availability in Cristobal requires a lead time of at least seven days for prompt deliveries, while in Balboa, lead times are shorter due to a higher number of barges operating on that side of the canal, allowing for quicker deliveries.

For VLSFO and LSMGO, supply is available in both Balboa and Panama within a week.

“It is best to book bunkers only after the vessel's transit slot is confirmed to ensure timely delivery, and secure the most cost-effective refueling option,” the source added.

VLSFO availability at the Zona Comun anchorage remains volatile, with lower prices indicating a drop in demand. Lead times are currently around 10-12 days.

Strong wind gusts exceeding 20 knots are forecast at the anchorage through 23 March, potentially disrupting operations until next Tuesday. These conditions may cause delays in bunker deliveries and could lead to prolonged interruptions.

In Argentina, Bahía Blanca port, a key hub for wheat exports operations, are gradually returning to normal after being severely impacted by a strong gale on 7 March.

The storm caused widespread flooding, power outages, and brought all transport to a halt in the city and port area.

The last berths to resume operations include a grain export facility at Puerto Galván, a key terminal in Bahía Blanca that handles agricultural and industrial cargo, and a urea production facility.

Both suffered significant power supply damage, leading to extended repair work.

Bunker fuel availability in the Brazilian port of Santos was very tight earlier in March, but the situation is getting better now, a source said.

Availability across all grades is good in Santa Marta, Barranquilla, and Cartagena, with recommended lead times of 2-3 days, another source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (19 Mar 2025)

HSFO supply tightens in the ARA; severe backlog in Gibraltar; LSMGO still dry in Durban.

Published

5 days ago

March 20, 2025

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:

HSFO supply tightens in the ARA
Severe backlog in Gibraltar
LSMGO still dry in Durban

Northwest Europe

Prompt HSFO availability is tight in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub. Lead times for HSFO have stretched to 8-10 days from 5-7 days last week due to barge loading delays, a trader said. VLSFO is comparatively better, but remains tight for very prompt delivery dates, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. LSMGO supply is ample, with lead times of 3-5 days as advised.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 9% so far this month compared to February, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 157,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, down from 298,000 b/d of fuel oil in February, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The United Kingdom (28% of the total) has become the region’s biggest fuel oil import source, followed by Mexico (20%), Germany (16%), Poland (15%), the Bahamas (14%) and Nigeria (7%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 9% lower so far this month. The ARA hub has imported 220,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel so far this month, registering a decline from 277,000 b/d imported in February, according to Vortexa data.

Prompt bunker supply in Germany’s Hamburg is well stocked, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-5 days for all three grades.

Mediterranean

Lead times remain consistent with last week in Gibraltar, a trader said, recommending 5-7 days for optimal coverage from suppliers. Severe congestion was reported in Gibraltar port on Tuesday due to a backlog of 24 vessels triggered by rough weather conditions in the port area, according to port agent MH Bland. Congestion has persisted on Wednesday, but the backlog has reduced slightly to 16 vessels today, MH Bland said.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, prompt supply is still tight, a trader said. Lead times have remained unchanged over the last few weeks with suppliers able to offer within 5-7 days.

Meanwhile, in the other Mediterranean bunker hubs like Istanbul, Piraeus and Malta Offshore, supply is ample, a trader said.

In Turkey’s Istanbul, bunkers are well stocked and recommended lead times are 3-5 days. Weather is forecast to remain calm for the rest of the week, conducive to smooth bunkering in the port area.

The Greek port of Piraeus has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 3-5 days. HSFO is subject to enquiry in the port.

Off Malta, supply is good, with lead times of 3-5 days advised. Rough weather may hamper bunkering off Malta this week, a source said. Strong easterly wind gusts around 19 knots are forecast off Malta today, said MH Bland. Rough weather is also forecast on Saturday with south-easterly wind gusts of around 27 knots.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for the grade in both ports. LSMGO is still dry in Durban, the trader added.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good in Angola’s Luanda, a source said. Lead times of up to five days are advised for optimal coverage.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 20 March, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Panama bunker fuel sales up by 17.5% on year in February 2025

Total bunker sales at Panama was 415,430 metric tonnes in February 2025, compared to sales of 353,629 mt during the similar period in 2024, according to latest PMA data.

Published

6 days ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 17.5% in February 2025, according to the latest data from La Autoridad Maritima de Panama, also known as the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

Total bunker sales at Panama was 415,430 metric tonnes (mt) in February 2025, compared to sales of 353,629 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In February 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 337,620 mt; 217,165 mt of VLSFO, 90,815 mt of RMG 380, 2,187 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 27,453 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 272,618 mt a year before in February; with VLSFO sales at 156,053 mt, RMG 380 sales at 86,515 mt, MGO sales at 8,639 mt, and 21,411 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 77,810 during February 2025; the figure comprised 47,835 mt of VLSFO, 17,138 mt of RMG 380, 4,744 mt of MGO, and 8,093 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 81,011 mt in February a year before; with VLSFO sales of 63,554 mt, RMG 380 sales of 7,636, 4,219 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 5,602 mt.

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 19 March, 2025