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:

• HSFO availability is tight in Zhoushan
• Bunker demand is low in South Korean ports
• Availability improves in Sri Lankan ports

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO lead times currently vary significantly, ranging from 6-18 days. This is a notable shift from last week, when most suppliers recommended lead times of 8-12 days. HSFO lead times have also widened, now at 7-11 days compared to the previous 5-9 days. LSMGO availability remains stable, with recommended lead times holding steady at 6-8 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have averaged 17% higher so far in April compared to March, according to Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil stocks have risen above 22 million bbls—marking the highest level recorded this year. The increase is supported by a 12% rise in net fuel oil imports this month, with imports growing by 680,000 bbls, far surpassing the 171,000-bbl increase in exports. In contrast, middle distillate inventories in Singapore have averaged 7% lower in April than in March.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt delivery possible for smaller volumes. However, HSFO continues to face limited availability.

East Asia

Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO in Zhoushan have increased from last week’s 4–6 days to 5–7 days currently. HSFO supply has tightened considerably despite weak demand, as several suppliers face low stock levels. As a result, HSFO lead times have been pushed back to the end of April, compared to the previous 4–6 days.

Adverse weather has led to a suspension of bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages since Saturday. However, operations resumed on Monday at the more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and Mazhi’s inner anchorage. Several suppliers expect full resumption of bunkering in the OPL area by Wednesday.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao have healthy stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to face tight supply for both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO availability is stable.

Shanghai is also experiencing pressure on VLSFO and HSFO availability, but LSMGO remains readily accessible. Further south, Fuzhou maintains strong supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has good VLSFO availability, though LSMGO supply is limited. Prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO remain challenging in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain steady at around seven days, consistent with recent weeks. However, rough weather forecasted for 25–26 April may disrupt bunkering operations.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain steady at Hualien, Keelung, Kaohsiung and Taichung, with lead times unchanged from last week at around two days.

Fuel availability across all grades remains stable at several South Korean ports amid “slow” demand. Lead times are largely unchanged, ranging from 3-7 days.

However, bunker operations are likely to be disrupted by high waves and strong winds in Ulsan and Onsan between 22–27 April, and in Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu from 22–28 April.

Prompt VLSFO supply remains tight across multiple Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima.

LSMGO availability is generally stable, though securing prompt deliveries can be challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is similarly constrained at many ports. In Oita, availability for all fuel grades is offered only upon enquiry.

Rough weather may disrupt bunker deliveries in Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang, Thailand, on 24 April.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain strong in Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, with recommended lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has ample LSMGO availability, but prompt HSFO deliveries continue to be challenging.

Victoria’s ports - Melbourne and Geelong - report robust stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO remains hard to secure. Similarly, Queensland’s Brisbane and Gladstone maintain sufficient supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO with 7–8 day lead times, while HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have adequate VLSFO stocks. However, bunker operations in Tauranga may face intermittent disruptions on 23 and 28 April due to adverse weather conditions.

South Asia

Adverse weather is forecast to disrupt bunker deliveries in Kandla between 23–26 April, in Sikka on 24 and 26 April, and in Visakhapatnam from 23–26 April.

Meanwhile, fuel availability has improved across all grades in Sri Lanka, with recommended lead times reduced to around four days - down from approximately eight days last week.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt availability remains tight despite subdued demand, with lead times for all fuel grades holding steady at 5–7 days, unchanged from last week. Suppliers in Khor Fakkan report similar lead times.

In Jeddah, VLSFO supply remains limited, while LSMGO is readily available. Bunker supply in Djibouti is under strain, with both VLSFO and LSMGO in short supply.

Bunker deliveries at Egypt’s Port Said could be impacted by bad weather on 23 April.

At Omani ports—Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm—LSMGO availability remains robust.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 April, 2025

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 and VLSFO supply normal in the ARA
• Bunker supply improves in Gibraltar
• VLSFO supply remains tight in Durban

Northwestern Europe

HSFO and LSMGO supplies in the ARA are normal, while VLSFO supply remains tight, a trader told ENGINE. However, securing very prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult in the hub, with recommended lead times of 8-10 days. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for LSMGO and VLSFO requires up to seven days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks are down by 9% so far this month compared to March, according to Insights Global data. At 6.63 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks are at their lowest so far this year.

The region has imported 269,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, an increase from 198,000 b/d of fuel oil imported in March, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

Mexico (30% of the total) has emerged as the region’s topmost import source, followed by Estonia (23%), the US (15%), the UK (12%), France and Poland (8% each), Denmark (4%) and Finland (1%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 5% lower in April thus far. The ARA hub has imported 172,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel so far this month, marking a steep decline from 346,000 b/d imported in March, according to Vortexa data.

Prompt bunker supply is good in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader said. All bunker grades require lead times of 3-5 days, consistent with the past last few months.

Mediterranean

Bunker supply in the Gibraltar Strait has improved now, after remaining tight for prompt deliveries last week. Lead times of 4-8 days are recommended for all three grades.

After multiple days of adverse weather conditions, Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta are now fully operational. Conducive weather is forecast in Gibraltar until Friday. However, strong winds are expected to hit the port on Saturday and Sunday, which could complicate deliveries.

Similar to last week, prompt supply is tight in the port of Las Palmas, a trader said. Lead times of 12-14 days are advised for all three grades. 

Bunker supply is stable in other Mediterranean ports, including Istanbul, Piraeus and Malta Offshore, a trader told ENGINE.

In Turkey's Istanbul, prompt availability is good for all three grades. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for deliveries there.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, securing bunker deliveries during the Easter weekend can be difficult, as barge operations will be suspended between 19-20 April, a source said.

Malta Offshore has good bunker supply with prompt delivery dates available, a trader said.

Africa

VLSFO supply remains tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, with lead times of 7-10 days advised for the grade in both ports, according to a trader.

Durban's LSMGO supply still remains dry, a trader said. The grade has been dry since the last week of January, when suppliers ran out of LSMGO stock.

Port Louis continues to have normal bunker availability. Prompt deliveries with lead times of 5-7 days are possible for VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO requires 7-10 days .

By Samantha Shaji

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 April, 2025

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 27.7% in March 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 498,814 metric tonnes (mt) in March 2025, compared to sales of 390,678 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In March 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 422,034 mt; 250,364 mt of VLSFO, 129,968 mt of RMG 380, 5,410 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 36,292 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 329,076 mt a year before in March; with VLSFO sales at 191,038 mt, RMG 380 sales at 106,059 mt, MGO sales at 10,270 mt, and 21,709 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 76,780 during March 2025; the figure comprised 56,388 mt of VLSFO, 6,604 mt of RMG 380, 2,582 mt of MGO, and 11,206 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 61,602 mt in March a year before; with VLSFO sales of 43,294 mt, RMG 380 sales of 8,170 mt, 3,972 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 6,166 mt.

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 16 April, 2025