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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Singapore grapples with HSFO380 chloride contamination; demand picks up with quarantine easing in Hong Kong; state emergency and curfews in Sri Lanka hits bunker deliveries.

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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:

5 April 2022

  • Singapore grapples with HSFO380 chloride contamination
  • Demand picks up with quarantine easing in Hong Kong
  • State emergency and curfews in Sri Lanka hits bunker deliveries

Shipowners are struggling with ongoing claims over organic chloride contamination of HSFO380 that was bunkered in Singapore. Fuel testing firm Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) says that between February and March it identified 34 vessels that received contaminated HSFO380 from two bunker suppliers in Singapore.

Shipowners and traders are seen avoiding HSFO380 bunker purchases from one of the suppliers, while some traders are reluctant to offer HSFO380 for the time being, sources say. Buyers are requesting GC-MC HS tests of the fuel to rule out contamination before committing to purchases. One supplier is willing to issue these non-standard tests and share results upfront.

Prompt fuel availability remains tight across all grades in Singapore. HSFO380 is “super tight” as only certain suppliers can offer the grade and require 14-17 days of lead time,

VLSFO supply has also tightened in Singapore, with around 10-13 days of lead time required, compared to a shorter 3-5 days for LSMGO.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil and middle distillate stockpiles have been drawn to their lowest levels this year, according to Enterprise Singapore.

In Fujairah, HSFO380 availability remains tight and requires bookings 8-9 days ahead, against 5-6 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. Availability in Fujairah is expected to improve from the second half of April, a source says.

Covid-19 lockdown restrictions has disrupted barge loadings at the Yangshan tanker terminal near Shanghai, curbing fuel resupply, sources say. Container and bulk carrier terminals continue to operate normally in Shanghai, while tanker vessels are struggling with berth availability, the source adds.

In Zhoushan, maintenance work at the Xiazhimen anchorage has delayed bunker operations, sources said. Bunkering at Zhoushan’s other two anchorages – Xiushandong and Tiaozhoumen – continues to operate normally.

Demand in Zhoushan has been slow in past weeks. Prompt deliveries for LSMGO and VLSFO is possible while HSFO380 availability is tight as only some suppliers can offer the grade, sources say.

In Hong Kong, bunker demand has picked up after authorities lifted quarantine rules for cargo and bunker only calls late last week, source say. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal and requires around 4-5 days of lead time. HSFO380 continues to be tighter.

South Korea’s southern ports of Busan, Ulsan and Yeosu continue to see tight prompt availability. Suggested lead times for VLSFO in these ports range from 6-10 days, depending on the supplier. Prompt LSMGO supply has also tightened because of pressure on overall barge availability.

Bunker demand in India’s Mumbai is mostly unchanged, availability of LSGMO and VLSFO has improved and requires 2-4 days ahead, sources say. While in Mundra, availability is tight across all grades and VLSFO requires 7-8 days of lead time.

The Sri Lankan government declared state of emergency and curfews late last week amid protest over the county’s worsening economic crisis.

The curfews have restricted people moving across the country and could impact bunker deliveries of any bunker stems booked, sources say. Availability of LSMGO and VLSFO is tight. Suppliers are struggling to secure replenishment cargoes due to high prices.

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 6 April, 2022

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China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

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The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展(海南)有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

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Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

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Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.

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LNG London MT

The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

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