Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO availability good in Zhoushan; VLSFO and LSMGO normal across Indonesian ports; weather to hit bunkering in Colombo.

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2022

Admin

ENGINE East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

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 availability good in Zhoushan
VLSFO and LSMGO normal across Indonesian ports
Weather to hit bunkering in Colombo

Singapore

Availability of VLSFO remains tight in Singapore with lead times remaining almost steady on the week, at 11-13 days. Demand for the grade remains okay at the port, a source says.

Lead times of 9-12 days are recommended for HSFO in Singapore, compared to much shorter lead times of 5-6 days for LSMGO.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have remained steady with November levels so far this month, despite a 21% decline in net fuel oil imports, according to Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil imports have fallen by 25% in Singapore so far in December. The port’s fuel oil exports have slumped 32% lower, but from a smaller base.

Singapore’s middle distillate stocks, meanwhile, have averaged 3% lower so far this month than in November.

East Asia

VLSFO availability remains good in Zhoushan with lead times 2-3 days advised. However, weather disruptions can delay deliveries in the port during the winter, and rough weather conditions are forecast until 25 December, a source says.

LSMGO cane be delivered prompt and requires around four days of lead time in Zhoushan. The arrival of replenishment cargoes has eased the tightness for the grade.

Availability of HSFO remains tight in the Chinese bunkering hub, with recommended lead times subject to enquiry. Replenishment cargo volumes are only expected to arrive in early January, which might alleviate the situation, a source says.

Availability across all grades remain fairly good in Hong Kong, with lead times of around seven days.

Meanwhile, recommended lead times for VLSFO across South Korean ports have halved from last week, to seven days now. Availability, however, remains tight for the grade despite low demand, a source says.

Lead times for LSMGO and HSFO are around a week out in South Korea's southern ports. Deliveries of the grades remain subject to barge availability.

Bunkering in South Korean ports of Busan, Onsan and Incheon might be impacted by weather-related disruptions in the later part of the week, a source says.

LSMGO availability is normal in the Philippines' Manila, with lead times of three days, as suppliers require approval from customs.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Indonesian ports. One supplier can deliver prompt stems.

South Asia

Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO remains good in India’s Mumbai. Recommended lead times for the grade are prompt at around two days.

Mundra on India’s northwest coast has good availability of VLSFO and HSFO, with lead times of five days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal in Visakhapatnam on India’s southwestern coast. One supplier can also accommodate HSFO stems for prompt delivery, but these are typically subject to enquiry.

One supplier in Sri Lanka’s Colombo can offer all the grades, with short lead times of around four days. However, potential bunker disruptions are anticipated at the port from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday, when strong winds are forecast.

Middle East

Recommended lead times are 8-9 days ahead for all fuel grades in Fujairah. Some suppliers can offer prompt stems for all the grades. The UAE port has been witnessing high demand for the past weeks, a source says.

Prompt delivery dates for LSMGO are available across the Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 December, 2022

LNG Bunkering

Japan: MOL’s third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

“Sunflower Kamuy” will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu, says MOL.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

Japan: MOL third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Thursday (23 January) announced that the LNG-fuelled ferry Sunflower Kamuy, owned by MOL and operated by its group company MOL Sunflower, entered service in Oarai.

The vessel will be the third LNG-fuelled ferry operated by MOL Sunflower, following the Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which have been in service on the Osaka-Beppu route from 2023.

Sunflower Kamuy will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu.

Along with the sister vessel Sunflower Pirka, scheduled to enter service in early summer 2025, MOL Sunflower will operate a fleet of four LNG-fuelled ferries on the Oarai-Tomakomai route and the Osaka-Beppu route within 2025.

MOL Sunflower operates 10 ferries and 4 RoRo vessels on six routes throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, providing service for both logistics and passengers in Japan.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 24 January, 2025

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of preferential dividend issued for Asia-Pacific Shipyard

Creditors will need to submit proofs to liquidators of Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd by 6 February, according to a Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

A notice of preferential dividend for Otto Marine Limited, which is in liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (9 September).

The following are details of the notice:

Name of Company : Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./Registration No. : 197300183MAddress of Registered Office : 8 Wilkie Road, #03-08 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 6 February 2025

Name of Liquidators : Ng Kian Kiat and Yap Hui Li

Address of Liquidators : c/o RSM SG Corporate Advisory Pte. Ltd., 8 Wilkie Road #03-08, Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 24 January, 2024

LNG Bunkering

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Based on its latest ‘View from the Bridge’ report, SEA-LNG reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (24 January) reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

This was one of the findings of SEA-LNG’s annual ‘View from the Bridge’ report, highlighting 2024 as another year of growth for the LNG pathway.

Analysing data from SEA-LNG members, the report found that global market adoption and growth reached record heights in 2024.

Looking forward, over 1,200 vessels are expected to be operating by the end of 2028. In 2024, LNG dual-fuelled vessels accounted for 70% of alternative fuelled tonnage ordered, excluding LNG Carriers, up from 43% in 2023.

This record expansion follows the growing availability of LNG bunker fuel beyond the traditional bunkering hubs. Currently, LNG bunkers are accessible in approximately 198 ports worldwide, and plans are underway for bunkering facilities in an additional 78 ports. This comes as over 60 LNG bunkering vessels are operating today, marking a 22% increase from 2023.

The ‘View from the Bridge’ report also highlights how the LNG pathway took a significant step in 2024, with liquified biomethane delivering on decarbonisation and regular renewable e-methane supplies expected in 2026.

SEA-LNG members are prepared to offer biomethane bunkers in some 70 ports globally, with multiple bunkering operations already taking place.

A highlight was the successful biomethane bunkering pilot as part of the Methane Track within the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). This was the first practical delivery of any international Green Corridor since they were announced as part of the Clydebank Declaration at COP 26 in Glasgow.

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “Our latest View from the Bridge reaffirms the importance of the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic route to shipping’s decarbonisation now. We continue to believe that the shipping industry is heading towards a successful multi-fuel future where LNG will always play a critical role.”

“To deliver net zero by 2050 across the global shipping fleet, a basket of fuels is required and the LNG pathway will continue to lead the way. This is not a case of my fuel versus your fuel but rather which fuel best allows the industry to reach its stated goals. The LNG pathway provides the path to net zero.”

SEA-LNG’s latest report also highlights that 2024 has seen considerable progress in addressing methane slip. “Advances in eliminating methane slip, in combination with biomethane and e-methane, provide a clear, effective, and viable long-term pathway towards net zero emissions. Shipowners and operators can be confident that the vessels ordered today are future-proofed for their lifespan.”

“With a proven track record of technical improvements to reduce methane slip and upstream emissions, coupled with tighter regulations from global and regional authorities, we continue to believe methane slip will be a non-issue by the end of this decade,” Keller continued.

FuelEU Maritime will be a key regulation in advancing shipping industry decarbonisation, heading into 2025. According to analysis from SEA-LNG, FuelEU Maritime creates a favourable environment for the LNG pathway.

With the ability to achieve GHG emissions reductions of up to 23%, LNG-fuelled vessels are compliant until 2039. The use of liquefied biomethane and e-methane can extend compliance through to 2050 and beyond.

Note: The full report is available for download here.

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 24 January, 2025