Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO remains tight in Singapore; Zhoushan faces weather disruptions; good availability in several Indian ports.

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 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:

4 April 2023

VLSFO remains tight in Singapore
Zhoushan faces weather disruptions
Good availability in several Indian ports

Singapore

Availability of VLSFO is still tight in Singapore, with recommended lead times of 9-11 days - almost same as last week. LSMGO and HSFO availability, meanwhile, has improved slightly over the same time period.

Lead times for LSMGO in Singapore have shortened to 3-6 days now, from 4-7 days previously. HSFO stems now need 6-9 days of lead time - down from 8-11 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% higher in March than in February, according to Enterprise Singapore. Stocks are up amid a 9% rise in net fuel oil imports. Both imports and exports are up this month.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have surged 23% higher in March.

East Asia

Bunker deliveries have been suspended by rough weather in Zhoushan for the most part since Sunday, a source says.

The Chinese bunkering hub is currently experiencing strong wind gusts of 23-49 knots and swells of more than a metre. Adverse weather conditions are forecast to persist, and bunker operations are likely to resume fully on Thursday, when calmer weather is forecast.

Prompt availability of VLSFO remains tight in Zhoushan, with recommended lead times of 5-8 days - almost the same as last week. HSFO stems need around seven days of lead time, while LSMGO is readily available.

Availability of all bunker fuel grades has been getting tighter in Hong Kong as replenishment cargoes have been delayed, a source says. Lead times of 8-9 days are recommended across grades now – slightly up from around seven days last week.

Meanwhile, all grades have also been getting tighter in southern South Korean ports, with lead times varying widely between 3-12 days. Lead times are shorter in western South Korean ports at around four days across all grades – virtually unchanged from last week.

Rough weather is forecast intermittently between today and 9 April in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu, which might hamper bunkering.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted to hamper bunker operations in the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh City on 8 April, and in the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 7-8 April.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good in India's Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Kandla, with short lead times of 2-3 days.

Cochin and Chennai on the southern coast of India also have good availability, while VLSFO and LSMGO remain subject to enquiry in Tuticorin and Haldia. A supplier in Paradip is almost out of VLSFO.

However, the Indian port of Kandla is struggling with congestion and backlogs, which is only expected to ease by 7-8 April, and adverse weather conditions are forecast to hit the west coast port of Sikka and southwestern port of Visakhapatnam between 8-12 April and 12-13 April, respectively.

Middle East

Bunker schedules are under pressure for all three bunker fuel grades in Fujairah as several suppliers are working to clear backlogs caused by bad weather last week.

However, recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO have shortened from 10-11 days last week to nine days now. HSFO requires almost 12 days – almost unchanged from last week. Some suppliers can offer prompt stems of all grades depending on the quantity, a source says.

Meanwhile, the UAE port of Khorfakkan has good availability across all grades, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 5 April, 2023

Alternative Fuels

Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia eBook released ahead of February bunker conference

eBook features interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Argus Media organises Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference in Singapore

Independent global energy and commodity market intelligence provider Argus Media recently published an eBook as part of a prelude leading towards the Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

The Pre-conference content: Argus marine fuels Asia eBook features exclusive industry interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

It offers a peek into their thoughts on infrastructure readiness, the marine fuels shipowners are gravitating towards, LNG decarbonisation pathways, collaboration across the marine fuels value chain, and more.

The eBook is available for download through the image below:

The Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference will be held at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594 on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

Key speakers for the event include Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer - Energy & Fuels, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center; Jerid Soo, Assistant General Manager (Global Sustainability and ESG), Pacific International Lines; Kazuki Yamaguchi, General Manager and Head, Maritime Energy Solution, Energy Transformation Business Group, Sumitomo Corporation; and Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Marine Fuels (Asia), Argus.

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 17 January, 2024

Bunker Fuel

TFG Marine, OOMCO form bunker fuel joint venture to supply in Oman ports

TFG-OOMCO will deliver bunker fuels to vessels visiting Oman’s ports of Duqm, Muscat and Sohar and offer customers a reliable and transparent bunkering provider in the Arabian Gulf.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine, OOMCO form bunker fuel joint venture to supply in Oman ports

TFG Marine, the international marine fuel joint venture founded by Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean on Thursday (16 January) said it has established a bunker fuel joint venture with Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) to supply vessels visiting Oman’s ports of Duqm, Muscat and Sohar.

TFG-OOMCO LLC, incorporated in Oman, will combine the local knowledge of OOMCO with the international footprint, sourcing of all grades of marine fuels, infrastructure and logistics capability of TFG Marine, to offer customers a reliable and transparent bunkering provider in the Arabian Gulf.

Tarik Al Junaidi, CEO of Oman Oil Marketing Company, said: “This partnership aligns with Oman Oil Marketing Company’s efforts to develop the maritime transport and shipping infrastructure in Oman, which is in alignment with the objectives Oman Vision 2040.”

“It underscores our commitment to meeting the increasing demand of compliant, high-quality marine grades of fuel while adhering to the highest international health, safety, and environmental standards.”

“Through our partnership with TFG Marine, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the implementation of global best practices in fuel bunkering, we strive to lead towards excellence and sustainability in the bunker fuel business in the Sultanate’s ports.”

Mark Russell, Chief Commercial Officer, TFG Marine, said: “This is TFG Marine’s first venture in the Middle East and we look forward to serving our customers in this region. Oman has a rich history as a maritime nation and is well located close to the main shipping routes connecting the Arabian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent with the rest of the world.”

The announcement follows the signing of an MOU agreement between SOHAR Port and Freezone and TFG Marine, to establish an international bunker fuel supply operation.

TFG Marine has already deployed bunker vessel Margherita Cosulich to the region to supply vessels at SOHAR’s deep-sea port. The vessel is fitted with a Mass Flow Meter (MFM), calibrated to the ISO 22192 international standard as required by SOHAR Port. SOHAR Port in February 2024 announced a mandate on the alignment of ISO 22192 standards ‘Bunkering of marine fuel using the Coriolis MFM system’ for all marine fuel supply operations within the port.

TFG Marine added it has long been an advocate of the global adoption of calibrated MFMs to bring much-needed transparency to bunkering and encouraging digitalisation in the long-term interests of the bunker industry and helping to further the decarbonisation goals of the shipping industry.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 17 January, 2025

Biofuel

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Firm said it successfully delivered ISCC-certified B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug “MV Bylgia” at Port of Rotterdam.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Burando Energies on Thursday (16 January) announced it successfully delivered ISCC-certified biofuel to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug MV Bylgia at the Port of Rotterdam.

The delivered B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, will help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 25% (well-to-wake)—an impactful move in Heerema’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“This delivery not only reflects our commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions but also strengthens our partnership with Heerema in their green ambitions,” said Duncan Huisman, Sustainable Bunker Trader at Burando Energies.

“We are proud to contribute to initiatives that prioritise the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

Burando Energies said it will continue to focus on innovation and sustainability, striving to provide energy solutions that drive both environmental progress and business success.

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 17 January, 2025