Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (6 August 2024)

VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains tight in Singapore; several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions; availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight across several Indian ports.

Published

8 months ago

August 7, 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 supply remains tight in Singapore
Several South Korean ports could face weather disruptions
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight across several Indian ports

Singapore and Malaysia

Prompt VLSFO availability remains tight in Singapore, with several bunker suppliers running low on stocks. Barge availability is also tight, which has added to the tightness in the port. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of 9–13 days for VLSFO.

HSFO availability continues to be tight, with recommended lead times of 8–11 days. Several suppliers are recommending varied lead times for LSMGO, from as short as two days to almost 10 days.

According to data from Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 3% lower in July compared to June. The port’s fuel oil stocks have stayed below 20 million bbls for the fourth consecutive month, despite a significant 24% increase in the port’s net fuel oil imports in July. Fuel oil imports rose by 757,000 bbls in July, while fuel oil exports dipped by a modest 10,000 bbls. Conversely, the port’s middle distillate stocks rose, averaging 14% higher in July.

In Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain in good supply, with certain suppliers offering prompt deliveries for smaller quantities. HSFO availability is limited in the Malaysian port.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, the availability of all fuel grades is good, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 4-6 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, and 5-7 days for HSFO.

In Northern China, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is quite good in ports of Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin. HSFO supply is somewhat limited in Qingdao and Tianjin ports. Shanghai port boasts a robust supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, but the availability of HSFO is rather limited. Ports of Fuzhou and Xiamen have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO grades, but in Guangzhou and Yangpu ports, prompt availability is somewhat constrained.

In Taiwanese ports such as Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Keelung, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are available with lead times of 2-3 days.

In Hong Kong, bunker fuel supply remains robust amid average demand. The majority of suppliers are recommending lead times of around seven days, in line with the previous week.

In South Korean ports, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO continue to vary widely between 3-9 days, similar to last week. However, HSFO availability has improved, with lead times decreasing from 8-14 days last week to around six days now.

High waves are forecasted to hit the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu between 9-11 August, potentially impacting bunker operations at these ports.

In Japan, LSMGO supply remains strong in major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita. However, VLSFO availability has tightened across all major ports due to unknown technical issues at refineries. This supply tightness is particularly noted in Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi, with expectations that it will continue until mid-August, according to a source.

Prompt availability of HSFO is constrained across most Japanese ports.

Additionally, adverse weather conditions are forecast for Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam on Sunday, raising concerns about potential bunkering disruptions in the port.

Oceania

In Western Australia, ports such as Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla have a good supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, with the usual lead times being 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has an adequate supply of LSMGO, while the prompt availability of HSFO is subject to enquiry.

In Victoria, the ports of Melbourne and Geelong have a good supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, but prompt deliveries of HSFO can be difficult. In Queensland, the ports of Brisbane and Gladstone have sufficient stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of around 7-8 days, but the availability of HSFO is limited in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, the ports of Tauranga and Auckland have decent VLSFO supply available, and Auckland also has a good supply of LSMGO. Rough weather conditions in Tauranga on Thursday may affect bunker operations.

South Asia

In several ports across India, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, and Visakhapatnam, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO continues to be limited, as it has been in recent weeks. In Haldia, the availability of both grades is tight as a supplier is running low on stock.

The ports of Kandla and Sikka are expected to experience intermittent rough weather throughout the week, which could potentially disrupt bunker operations.

On the other hand, the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka has ample VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO available. Lead times of around six days are recommended to secure the grades at the port.

Middle East

Prompt availability of all fuel grades remains limited in Fujairah, with most suppliers advising lead times of approximately 7–10 days, almost the same as last week.

In Iraq's Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while both grades are nearly exhausted in Qatar's Ras Laffan.

The port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has an abundant supply of LSMGO, but the availability of VLSFO is limited. In Djibouti, the supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO are constrained. Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, have sufficient LSMGO available to cater to prompt demand.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 August, 2024

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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

17 hours 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

2 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

3 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