Business

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore; bad weather hinders bunkering in Zhoushan; LSMGO availability good in Omani ports.

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 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:

18 April 2023

Prompt VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in Singapore
Bad weather hinders bunkering in Zhoushan
LSMGO availability good in Omani ports

Singapore

Demand has been slow in Singapore so far this week. All bunker grades remain tight in the port. Lead times of 10-12 days are recommended for VLSFO deliveries – slightly lower than last week's 11-13 days, while HSFO requires 4-11 days – marginally up from 3-10 days last week.

LSMGO supply is said to be normal there, requiring lead times of 3-7 days – almost unchanged from last week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% higher so far this month than in March, according to Enterprise Singapore. Stocks are higher despite a 51% drop in net imports. Exports are up by a massive 55%, while imports are down by 18% to a nine-month low. This has pushed the port’s trade balance further into net exports this month.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have declined by 6% so far this month over March levels.

East Asia

Bunker deliveries have resumed at Zhoushan's slightly more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and at the port's inner anchorage of Mazhi on Tuesday after being suspended by rough weather since Sunday, a source says.

Meanwhile, bunkering is still suspended at the port’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages. Calmer weather conditions from Friday could allow bunkering to fully resume across anchorages.

Lead times of 5-7 days are generally recommended for VLSFO and HSFO deliveries in the Chinese bunkering hub – unchanged from last week. LSMGO availability is good, with lead times of 3-5 days.

In Hong Kong, HSFO availability has become more limited and subject to enquiry. But availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has improved in the port. Lead times have halved from past week's 8-9 days to around four days now.

Meanwhile, availability across all bunker fuel grades have improved in South Korean ports. While lead times for all grades have shortened in southern South Korean ports from 3-10 days last week to 3-7 days now, lead times across all fuel grades are even shorter in western South Korean at 4-5 days.

South Korean ports have been pricing VLSFO very competitively recently, which might spur further demand in the days to come, a source says.

Rough weather conditions are forecast between 21-24 April and could trigger intermittent suspensions or disrupt deliveries in the ports in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted to hamper bunker deliveries in the Thai port of Koh Sichang between 21-22 April, the Vietnamese port of Hai Phong between 21-23 April, and the Kiwi port of Tauranga on 22 April.

South Asia

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

Cochin and Chennai on the southern coast of India also have good availability, while VLSFO and LSMGO remain subject to availability in Mumbai. Both grades remain subject to enquiry in Tuticorin and Haldia ports. One supplier in Paradip is running low on VLSFO stocks.

However, bad weather may disrupt bunkering in India’s west coast ports of Sikka and Kandla between 20-22 April and 19-22 April, respectively, and in the southwestern port of Visakhapatnam on 19-22 April, a source says.

The Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Trincomalee have good availability of LSMGO, with prompt dates available.

Middle East

Prompt availability of all bunker fuel grades is tight in Fujairah as several suppliers are still grappling with loading delays caused by bad weather last week. Demand has been good in the port, a source says. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended across all grades – similar to last week. However, some suppliers can offer prompt stems for all grades depending on the quantity, a source says.

Lead times of 5-7 days are also advised across all fuel grades in another UAE port of Khorfakkan - unchanged over the last couple of weeks.

The Omani ports of Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm have LSMGO readily available.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 April, 2023

Business

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Ang will relinquish his IMDA appointment as Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications and will officially take over from Teo Eng Dih from 16 June.

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport on Tuesday (29 April) said Mr Ang Wee Keong, currently the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), will concurrently be appointed as Chief Executive (Designate) of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) from 1 May to 15 June 2025.

He will relinquish his IMDA appointment and be appointed Chief Executive of MPA from 16 June 2025. He will succeed Mr Teo Eng Dih, who will be appointed Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) at the Ministry of Transport with effect from 16 June.

Mr Teo will remain as a member of the MPA Board until he steps down as CE MPA. Mr Ang will be appointed as a board member with effect from 16 June 2025.

“The Ministry of Transport thanks Mr Teo Eng Dih for his leadership and contributions as Chief Executive of MPA, and welcomes Mr Ang Wee Keong,” the ministry added.

Mr Teo Eng Dih (张英智)

As the Chief Executive of the MPA, Mr Teo made significant contributions to grow Singapore’s International Maritime Centre and the PIER71TM startup ecosystem. During his tenure, the Port of Singapore attained new records in vessel arrivals, container throughput, bunker sales and registrations under the Singapore Registry of Ships. MPA was also recognised as one of the key global regulators by Lloyd’s List. These milestones were reached amidst a complex global operating environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and technological shifts affecting the flow of goods and supplies worldwide.

Mr Ang Wee Keong (洪伟强)

As the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of IMDA, Mr Ang made significant contributions in advancing Singapore’s digital interests and thought leadership in the international arena. He strengthened Singapore’s network of digital economy partnerships, and expanded collaboration through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, Forum of Small States and Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG). He also oversaw the formulation of forward-thinking policies and regulations in digital technology and services to advance the growth of Singapore’s digital economy, including the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act to enhance the resilience and security of systemically important digital infrastructure.

Photo credit: Singapore Polytechnic
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025