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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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Ofiniti eBDN solution chosen by FincoEnergies for marine biofuel ops in ARA region

Development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.
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Rotterdam-based FincoEnergies, an independent, leading supplier of (bio)fuels and decarbonisation services for the transport sector, will be adopting Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN technology, with operational support from VT Group.

The development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

“Schedules are becoming increasingly tighter as demand for sustainable biofuels grows,” explains Leon Arets, Trading & Operations Director at FincoEnergies.

“We’re adopting a platform that enhances structure and responsiveness. This digital leap allows us to not only scale efficiently but also deliver greater transparency and operational excellence to our clients.”

A spin-off from global assurance and risk management leader DNV, Ofiniti brings together deep industry know-how with cutting-edge technology. Its flagship platform, FuelBoss, is designed to replace cumbersome manual processes with streamlined digital workflows that boost efficiency and data reliability.

“Our work with LNG suppliers laid the groundwork,” notes Oliver Brix Sparsø, Global Director of Sales at Ofiniti. “But this collaboration with FincoEnergies and VT Group marks the first large-scale commitment to digital delivery workflows for biofuels. It’s a turning point for the region.”

FincoEnergies’ mission, Decarbonising the transport industry together, is grounded in collaboration and innovation. The partnership with Ofiniti and VT Group exemplifies this spirit, combining technological leadership with operational expertise.

“As operators, we continuously look for ways to improve life on board and support our partners,” adds Wouter van Reenen, Business Development Manager at VT Group. “FuelBoss is a strong fit for our operations and those of our chartering clients.”

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Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 17 June 2025

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China: Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port to promote bunker fuel blending business

Development will help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry, noted the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office.
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Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port meeting

A meeting between representatives of Shanghai Zhongran, Shanghai Port Energy, PetroChina Shanghai Port, and Hongkou Customs took place at the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office on Thursday (12 June).

According to Shanghai Zhongran, the meeting’s objective was to discuss the implementation of a high-sulfur and low-sulfur fuel blending business at Shanghai.

During the meeting, a member of the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office stated it will take the opportunity of PetroChina Shanghai Port to carry out this business to promote the development of enterprises in Hongkou District.

The development will improve the utilisation rate of Shanghai Zhongran bonded storage tanks, improve storage functions, and help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry.

After the meeting, PetroChina Shanghai Port submitted a formal application to Hongkou Customs.

Moving forward, Hongkou Customs will formulate a reconciliation plan, open a special account book, and promote the implementation of this business.

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Zhongran
Published: 17 June 2025

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NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.
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June 17, 2025

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Green Future MT

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

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