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:
12 April 2022
Singapore
HSFO380 and VLSFO availability is “super tight” in Singapore and requires 12-15 days of lead time, while LSMGO is shorter at 5-6 days.
Some suppliers are avoiding HSFO380 offers due to increased testing requirements, sources say. VLSFO availability is tight amid low availability of blend stocks.
Fuel testing firm Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) latest findings suggest that a total of 140,000 mt of chloride-contaminated HSFO380 was delivered by two bunker suppliers via 12 barges in Singapore between February and March.
VPS strongly suggests GC−MS HS test to detect chloride contamination and warns the fuel remains in supply chain and could possibly be reused or re-blended for further use.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s residual fuel oil and middle distillate stockpiles have been drawn to yet new lows this year, according to Enterprise Singapore.
East Asia
In Hong Kong, bunker demand remains robust after authorities lifted quarantine rules for cargo and bunker-only calls last month, sources say. HSFO380 availability is tighter compared to VLSFO and LSMGO, which require 4-5 days of lead time.
Low sulphur fuel availability in Zhoushan is normal. Some suppliers can offer limited prompt deliveries for LSMGO and VLSFO grades. HSFO380 remains tight as only some supplier can offer the grade, sources say.
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 5-7 days, depending on the supplier. Prompt LSMGO supply has also tightened because of pressure on overall barge availability.
In Port Klang, some suppliers can offer limited volumes of VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, sources say.
In Manila, LSMGO availability is normal. The earliest delivery date is on 19 April with one supplier as bunker schedules are already filling up beyond the Easter holiday.
South Asia
Colombo’s bunker operations continue to be affected by the state of emergency and curfews imposed by the Sri Lankan government amid protest over the county’s worsening economic crisis at the beginning of this month.
The Sri Lanka Port Authority has said that Colombo port operates normally despite the curfews, while acknowledging they have encountered unprecedented challenges.
VLSFO and LSMGO supply has tightened in Colombo, but some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries depending on barge schedules. A supplier expects LSMGO replenishment stocks to arrive by next week.
Suppliers in Colombo are planning and coordinating their deliveries way in advance to raise awareness of potential supply disruptions from external factors outside of their control.
In India, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, and requires 2-4 days of lead time. In Mundra, LSMGO and VLSFO requires 5-6 days ahead, while HSFO380 is tighter and requires longer lead time.
Middle East
Availability is tight for all fuel grades in Fujairah. Lead times of around six days are recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO, and a longer eight days for HSFO380.
In Basra, bunker fuel availability is normal across all grades. A supplier can offer prompt deliveries for VLSFO and LSMGO, a source said.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Duqm and Sohar port and requires 2-4 days of lead time, sources say.
Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 13 April, 2022
Crew of the ship could not produce sufficient documents to support the origin of the cargo, according to the Vietnamese authority.
‘More research is required to understand the best options (fuel or energy carrier) for individual industrial applications’, says Executive Vice President in SINTEF.
Experiences growth in other sectors including liquid bulk and general cargoes in first half of 2018.
LNG bunker sales saw jump by approximately 250% when compared to the similar quarter last year, show data.
Recognition the shipping firm is often not the commercial entity controlling the ship operation, and thus not responsible for the resulting GHG emissions, is long overdue.
Los Angeles price assessment is for ex-wharf deliveries ranging between 500 to 3,000 mt; published daily in $/t; with delivery timing 2 to 7 days ahead.
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.
