Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Singapore; demand still weak in Zhoushan; LSMGO availability good across Oman.

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2022

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:

6 December 2022

VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Singapore
Demand still weak in Zhoushan
LSMGO availability good across Oman

Singapore

Steady demand in Singapore has contributed to tighten the port’s bunker market. Recommended lead times in Singapore for VLSFO now stretch to 11-13 days as most suppliers are fully booked for prompt dates. But some suppliers can still offer prompt dates at a price premium, a source says.

Availability of LSMGO has become tighter in the port, with lead times now stretching to 10-12 days. Lead times for HSFO vary between suppliers and are in a wide range of 6-10 days.

Singapore's inventories of both middle distillates and residual fuel oil have been draw, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore’s middle distillate stocks averaged 3% lower in November than in October. Residual fuel oil stocks averaged 5% lower despite an increase in imports.

East Asia

Zhoushan has been grappling with weather-related disruptions since last week. Bad weather is likely to impact bunker operations persistently throughout the winter, a source says.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO in Zhoushan are 3-5 days. Notably, the Chinese bunkering hub has been plagued with very weak demand for a while now.

Availability of HSFO is getting tighter in Zhoushan, as most suppliers are running low on stocks. Recommended lead times for HSFO in the port vary as availability is currently subject to enquiry.

Meanwhile, LSMGO has the shortest lead times in Zhoushan at 2-3 days.

Meanwhile, VLSFO supply remains steady in Hong Kong, with lead times of around five days. But prompt dates for the grade are a little difficult to lock in as barge availability remains tight, a source says.

Weather disruptions might hamper bunker operations in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu across the week, sources say. VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available on prompt dates across South Korean ports, with short lead times of three days advised. Recommended lead times for HSFO are longer and vary between 5-9 days in South Korean ports.

LSMGO availability is normal in the Philippines' Manila, with lead times of three days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Indonesian ports. One supplier can supply prompt stems.

South Asia

Availability of VLSFO remains steady in India’s Mumbai, with lead times of around five days.

VLSFO availability remains good across Mundra and Kandla on the northwest coast, with lead times of three days.

Cochin and Chennai on India's southern coast both have VLSFO readily available. Prompt dates for both VLSFO and LSMGO remain available in Visakhapatnam on India’s southwestern coast.

Meanwhile, lead times for VLSFO in Paradip on India’s east coast are subject to enquiry. Haldia has good availability of VLSFO.

Availability across VLSFO and LSMGO remains normal in the Sri Lankan port of Colombo with short lead times of three days. Only one supplier can offer HSFO in the port, and with lead times of only three days, a source says.

VLSFO availability remains good in Trincomalee.

Middle East

Recommended lead times for VLSFO in Fujairah have increased to 10 days, from seven previously, as availability has been getting tighter due to delays at loading terminals.

Fujairah’s LSMGO requires lead times of around nine days, while shorter lead times of six days are advised for HSFO in the UAE port.

Availability of prompt dates for VLSFO remains good in Oman’s Sohar, where it is delivered via barge. Lead times of around three days are recommended.

Suppliers can offer LSMGO in the Omani ports of Muscat, Duqm, Salalah and Sohar via truck, with prompt deliveries in 1-2 days possible.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published:7 December, 2022

FuelEU

FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025