Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Demand weak in Fujairah; weather disruptions might hit several East Asian ports; LSMGO availability good in Omani ports.

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

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:

10 January 2023

Demand weak in Fujairah
Weather disruptions might hit several East Asian ports
LSMGO availability good in Omani ports

Singapore

Singapore has been witnessing steady demand so far this week. The lead-up to the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year holiday might lend further support to demand, a source says. Recommended lead times for VLSFO remain almost unchanged from last week at 11-13 days.

Lead times of 12-14 days are recommended for HSFO in Singapore - also similar to last week. LSMGO availability is good in Singapore, with lead times of 3-5 days, which is slightly up from 2-4 days previously.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in January than in December, despite a 2% decline in imports, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore’s fuel oil exports have plunged by 60%, resulting in a bigger net import surplus.

The port’s middle distillate stocks, meanwhile, have averaged 15% higher in the first few days of this month than in December.

East Asia

Zhoushan has been seeing improved demand so far this week, following a period of prolonged weakness, a source says. The port continues to price its VLSFO at competitive levels to attract demand. However, bad weather forecast for next weekend might play spoilsport, as it might hamper bunker operations at anchorage.

Replenishment cargo volumes have arrived in Zhoushan to ease VLSFO tightness, bringing down lead times to 3-5 days from almost seven days previously. Another VLSFO cargo is due to arrive around the weekend, which is likely to improve supply further.

LSMGO remains readily available with lead times of 2-3 days. HSFO availability is getting tighter in Zhoushan as some suppliers are sold out. Lead times of 5-7 days have been recommended for HSFO in the port. One supplier is likely to receive an HSFO cargo around 18 January, which might alleviate the recent tightness, a source says.

Availability of all grades remains good in Hong Kong with lead times of around seven days required. A source says suppliers in Hong Kong have been witnessing declining demand so far this week.

Southern South Korean ports have lead times of 5-7 days for all grades, while western South Korean ports require slightly shorter lead times of 3-4 days.

South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu may witness weather-related disruptions from Friday onwards.

HSFO availability remains tight across the Indonesian ports of Balikpapan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Benoa and Batam.

Bad weather might impact bunkering in the Thai ports of Koi Sichang and Leam Chabang from today onwards and likely to persist through the week.

The Vietnamese ports of Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong might see delivery disruptions throughout the week, with unfavourable weather conditions forecast to hit the ports today and tomorrow, respectively.

South Asia

India’s Mumbai has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 2-3 days recommended.

Prompt dates for VLSFO are available in Mundra and Kandla on India’s northwest coast. LSMGO remains readily available in Kandla, while a supplier in Mundra has almost run out of stock.

Bad weather is likely to disrupt bunkering in Sikka, another port on India’s northwest coast, between Wednesday and Thursday, a source says.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains good in the southern Indian ports of Cochin and Chennai, while Tuticorin’s availability across both the grades remain subject to enquiry.

Visakhapatnam on India’s southwestern coast can offer VLSFO and LSMGO at prompt dates. Lead times of 2-3 days are recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO in Haldia on the eastern coast of India.

The Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Trincomalee can offer LSMGO for prompt dates.

Middle East

Demand has reportedly been weak in Fujairah so far this week. Sources attributed lower demand to a lack of movement in bulk carriers and container vessels. Recommended lead times for VLSFO have decreased to around seven days, from 8-10 days last week.

Lead times of five days have been advised for LSMGO, down from nine days previously. Lead times for HSFO have gone up slightly in the UAE port, to eight days now, from seven days last week.

The Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat have very good availability of LSMGO.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 January, 2023

Safety

Singapore: MPA urges port users to stay vigilant during monsoon surge

Moderate to heavy showers and strong winds are expected from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge and as such, vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times, says MPA.

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (19 March) has reminded owners, agents and masters of vessels to stay vigilant from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge.

“Moderate to heavy showers, and strong winds are expected during this period. Vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times,” MPA said in a port marine notice.

“The life-saving and firefighting equipment onboard must also be in good working condition and in accordance with the International Code for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations,” it said.

“Crew members shall be familiar with all emergency procedures, especially when embarking and disembarking passengers during adverse weather conditions. Vessels should maintain safe speeds, observe International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).”

Masters of vessels are reminded to keep a safe anchor watch.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 20 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

New vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong.

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther on Wednesday (19 March) said Hong Kong-based ferry operator Sun Ferry has taken delivery of Xin Ming Zhu 30, a new, 35-metre diesel-electric ferry.

The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, is the third vessel to join a fleet of seven new vessels designed by Incat Crowther for the mass transit operator.

The vessel will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong, connecting Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau.

The 300-seat passenger ferry boasts Veth azimuth thrusters that provide high manoeuvrability at operating speeds of 14 knots. The adoption of this technology makes the vessel suitable for berthing at piers on inter island routes.

The vessel is also fitted with 72 solar panels providing 7.5 kilowatts of on-board power.

Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, said: "This vessel reflects Sun Ferry’s commitment to future focused design solutions that not only meet operational needs, but that exceed customer expectations.”

“With diesel-electric propulsion, solar technology, and passenger-centric design, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient ferry services in Hong Kong.”

The delivery of the 35-metre hybrid vessel follows the delivery of two 45-metre conventional diesel-powered vessels to Sun Ferry. The final three vessels, all 45-metre vessels, will be delivered by the end of 2025. All vessels in the fleet have been designed by Incat Crowther and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard.

Photo credit: Incat Crowther
Published: 20 March, 2025

Biofuel

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Company supplied the bio bunker fuel, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, to “BBC Lisbon” at Port of Aveiro on 3 March and to “ANNA” at Port of Leixões on 18 March.

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Biofuels producer PRIO on Wednesday (19 March) said it carried out Eco Bunkers B30 fuel deliveries to shipping company Briese Chartering in collaboration with its partner UFS Unites Fuel Services this month.

On 3 March, PRIO supplied the biofuel to cargo vessel BBC Lisbon at the Port of Aveiro and to another cargo vessel, ANNA, at the Port of Leixões on 18 March.

“With these two Eco Bunkers B30 deliveries, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, PRIO enabled Briese Chartering to reduce around 60 tons of CO2 in just two port calls in Portugal,” it said in a social media post.

“Produced at PRIO’s Aveiro plant, biodiesel has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 88% compared to fossil fuels.”

“PRIO has been demonstrating its commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector by supplying more sustainable products, ranging from 1% to 100% renewable content.”

Manifold Times previously reported PRIO launching its ECO Bunkers B30 biofuel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and World Fuel Services.

PRIO previously launched ECO Bunkers B15, a green fuel for ships with 15% biodiesel and the company then launched a 20% biofuel blend, ECO Bunkers E20.

Photo credit: PRIO
Published: 20 March, 2025