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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Strong demand and stocks drawn in Singapore; OPL bunkering still suspended in Zhoushan; mostly good availability in Indian ports.

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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:

30 November 2022

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

  • Strong demand and stocks drawn in Singapore
  • OPL bunkering still suspended in Zhoushan
  • Mostly good availability in Indian ports

Singapore

Singapore has been witnessing robust VLSFO demand lately, which has contributed to tighten availability of the grade in the port, with lead times now stretching to almost two weeks ahead. Recommended lead times for HSFO are shorter at 7-9 days, and shortest for LSMGO at 5-7 days.

Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 5% lower so far in November than in October, according to Enterprise Singapore. This has brought the stocks further below their five-year average position for the time of the year. The stock draw has come despite a 13% increase in net imports this month, and could be a sign of strong demand for fuel oil.

East Asia

Bunker operations in Zhoushan’s outer port limits have been suspended amid bad weather since Sunday, putting a strain on the port’s supply capacity. Bunkering might resume on 2 December, when calmer weather is forecast, a source says.

The port had been pricing VLSFO at elevated levels to other major Asian hubs since the beginning of November, but its price recently flipped to a discount to Singapore. The Chinese bunkering hub has been seeing sluggish bunker demand of late, a source says.

Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO in Zhoushan are 2-3 days, and a longer seven days are advised for HSFO.

Weather-induced disruptions continue to hamper bunker operations across the southern ports of South Korea, sources say. Recommended lead times for all grades for both southern and western South Korean ports are 4-5 days, but the deliveries in the southern ports might be delayed due to bad weather.

Availability remains okay across all grades in Hong Kong with lead times of seven days. Some suppliers have been grappling with tight barge schedules, a source says.

South Asia

VLSFO availability in India’s Mumbai remains steady with lead times of 2-3 days advised.

Availability of VLSFO is good in Mundra on India’s northwest coast and requires lead times of 2-3 days. Recommended lead times for VLSFO delivery in Kandla are 2-3 days.

While VLSFO availability is good in Cochin and Chennai on India’s southern coast, VLSFO availability is subject to inquiry in nearby Tuticorin.

Lead times of 2-3 days for VLSFO are recommended in Visakhapatnam on the east coast.

Suppliers in Paradip on India’s east coast have almost run out of VLSFO. VLSFO can be delivered in Haldia with recommended lead times of 2-3 days.

Availability across all grades remains good in the Sri Lankan port of Colombo with lead times of six days recommend.

Middle East

Suppliers in Fujairah continue to grapple with weak demand so far this month. A source says that most suppliers and buyers are holding back transactions until the G7 price cap on Russian oil comes into effect to answer more questions around future supply-demand dynamics. This has contributed to weaken in the Fujairah bunker market.

Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO in Fujairah are similar at around nine days, and HSFO requires shorter lead times of seven days.

LSMGO remains readily available in the Omani ports of Duqm and Sohar, with short lead times of around two days possible.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 December, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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