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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (5 March 2024)

Very prompt VLSFO availability remains tight in Singapore; bunker demand low in weather-exposed Zhoushan; VLSFO and LSMGO supply tight in several Indian ports.

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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:

  • Very prompt VLSFO availability remains tight in Singapore
  • Bunker demand low in weather-exposed Zhoushan
  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply tight in several Indian ports

Singapore and Southeast Asia

Despite relatively low bunker demand in Singapore, the availability of VLSFO for very prompt dates (0-2 days) remains limited, with certain suppliers recommending lead times of 6-8 days. Some suppliers can accommodate stems for very prompt dates, but these are typically priced about $20-25/mt higher than for dates further out, according to a trader. Similarly, prompt supply of HSFO is under pressure, with lead times ranging from 6-12 days, slightly up from the previous week. Lead times for LSMGO vary between 2-9 days, maintaining consistency with the previous week’s figures.

Enterprise Singapore’s latest data indicates that residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 5% lower in February compared to January. Despite a 16% decline in net fuel oil imports, the port’s fuel oil stocks remained above 21 million bbls for the second consecutive month. Fuel oil exports surged by 571,000 bbls, offsetting the 244,000 bbls decline in imports and contributing to the stock draw. Conversely, middle distillate stocks in Singapore rose and averaged 27% higher in February.

In Port Klang, Malaysia, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains steady, but HSFO supply is limited. On the contrary, VLSFO availability is tight in the Indonesian ports of Jakarta and Surabaya, while Balikpapan boasts a good supply of the grade.

China, East Asia and Oceania

In China’s Zhoushan, availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good, with suppliers recommending lead times of 3-5 days, similar to the previous week. However, bunkering was suspended in Zhoushan on Tuesday due to rough weather conditions. Bunker deliveries are likely to resume fully on Thursday, when calmer weather is forecast.

Conversely, Dalian is experiencing constrained availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, while Tianjin is facing tightness across all fuel grades. Qingdao is encountering limited availability for prompt delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO supply being subject to inquiry. In southern ports like Shanghai and Guangzhou, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight, with HSFO also encountering constraints in Shanghai. However, Fuzhou, Yangpu, and Xiamen are reporting ample availability of both low-sulfur fuel grades.

In Hong Kong, bunker fuel supply remains good amid average demand. Most suppliers recommend lead times of approximately seven days, consistent with the previous week. However, high winds and waves are forecast in the port over the weekend, which might impact bunker operations at the port.

LSMGO demand has climbed in several South Korean ports, partly because the grade’s prices in South Korea have been lower compared to nearby Chinese ports. Busan’s LSMGO price was at a discount of $28/mt to Zhoushan’s on Tuesday. Increased LSMGO demand has caused availability constraints and pushed lead times to nearly nine days in South Korean ports. Some suppliers can still offer stems for prompt delivery, but these are typically priced higher, a source says.

On the other hand, VLSFO and HSFO availability have improved in South Korean ports. Lead times for VLSFO and HSFO have decreased to 4-8 days and around two days, respectively, from 8-14 days last week. However, rough weather is forecast throughout this week and may impact bunkering in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu.

In Japan, sluggish bunker demand persists due to high prices and limited cargo availability, which has been further exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. Tokyo’s VLSFO was priced about $68/mt higher than Zhoushan’s on Tuesday and $66/mt higher than Singapore’s. Lead times vary across key Japanese ports, ranging from 5-8 days in Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka, and Kobe, to longer periods of 11-15 days in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita.

Furthermore, adverse weather forecasts for Subic Bay in the Philippines, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, and Tauranga in New Zealand towards the end of the week have raised concerns about potential disruptions to bunkering operations in these ports.

South Asia

Several ports across India, including Kandla, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Haldia, are facing challenges due to shortages of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Mumbai, Cochin, and Paradip are particularly affected, with some suppliers on the verge of depleting their stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO. A supplier in Tuticorin, situated on the southeast coast of India, is also running low on VLSFO.

In contrast, the supply situation in the Sri Lankan port of Trincomalee appears stable, with normal availability of all grades of fuel and lead times of seven days recommended.

Middle East

Numerous shipping companies persist in avoiding transits through the Red Sea due to escalating attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the area. Instead, many of these ships have been opting for the longer route around Africa, bypassing the shorter Suez Canal route. This alteration in shipping routes is gradually affecting the demand for bunker fuel in Fujairah.

Despite a slight decrease in demand, prompt availability remains tight in Fujairah due to ongoing weather-related disruptions, which have caused bunker backlogs. Suppliers suggest lead times of 7-10 days, though some can still provide quick deliveries. Similar supply constraints are noticed in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 7-10 days.

However, in the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available. Conversely, some suppliers in Djibouti are running out of VLSFO supply, while can still supply LSMGO.

Meanwhile, Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm have sufficient supply of LSMGO, with prompt delivery dates available.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 6 March 2024

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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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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.

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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:

  • 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.

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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 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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