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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (9 July 2024)

HSFO availability improves in Zhoushan; VLSFO and LSMGO supply good in several Oceanic ports; several East Asian ports could face weather disruptions.

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RESIZED ENGINE East of Suez

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:

  • HSFO availability improves in Zhoushan
  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply good in several Oceanic ports
  • Several East Asian ports could face weather disruptions

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, the immediate availability of VLSFO (0–2 days) remains limited despite average demand. Most suppliers are now suggesting lead times ranging from 7–11 days for this grade. The supply of prompt HSFO is also tight, with lead times now extending to 8–12 days, up from 6–9 days in the previous week. LSMGO lead times remain stable at 2–5 days, similar to last week.

According to recent data from Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 10% higher in June compared to May. Fuel oil stocks averaged about 20 million bbls, despite a 19% decrease in net fuel oil imports in June. Both imports and exports declined, with fuel oil imports decreasing by 907,000 bbls, surpassing the 166,000-bbls decline in exports.

Additionally, middle distillate stocks at the port dropped by an average of 14% in June compared to May.

In Malaysia's Port Klang, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains robust, with projected lead times of approximately 3-5 days. Smaller parcel sizes can be delivered even more quickly, according to sources. However, HSFO supply in Port Klang continues to be constrained.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains robust, with most suppliers now suggesting lead times of 3-5 days, down from 5-7 days last week. HSFO availability has shown improvement, with lead times dropping from 7–10 days recommended in the week prior to 4–7 days now.

In Northern China, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin, but HSFO supply is limited in Qingdao and Tianjin. Shanghai has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains tight. In Fuzhou and Xiamen, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available, while prompt availability is constrained in Guangzhou and Yangpu.

The Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung can offer VLSFO and LSMGO with short lead times of 2-4 days, similar to last week.

In Hong Kong, all fuel grades are available with recommended lead times of approximately seven days, with some suppliers capable of quicker deliveries for smaller stem sizes.

In South Korea, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has notably improved. Lead times for these grades have reduced from 11-15 days last week to 2-6 days in southern South Korean ports. HSFO lead times have also decreased to 7-10 days from 8-18 days previously.

In western South Korean ports, availability of all grades has significantly improved with lead times of approximately three days.

Bunker operations in various South Korean ports such as Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu may face intermittent disruptions this week due to anticipated adverse weather conditions.

In Japan, bunker demand continues to be low. Lead times may differ across major Japanese ports, ranging from 5-7 days in Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka, Kobe, and Mizushima, to longer periods of 12–13 days in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Oita.

The ports of Ho Chi Minh and Hai Phong in Vietnam are bracing for inclement weather, which is expected to complicate bunkering intermittently during this week. Similarly, the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang expect adverse weather from 12-15 July, potentially impacting bunker operations in these regions.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at ports including Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, typically with lead times of 7-8 days.

In New South Wales, LSMGO is easily available in Sydney, while prompt HSFO supply depends on enquiry. Victoria's Melbourne and Geelong ports offer good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO deliveries can be challenging.

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times around 7-8 days, but HSFO availability is limited in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have plentiful VLSFO supply, with Auckland also having good LSMGO availability. However, Tauranga faces forecasted rough weather conditions over the weekend that may impact bunker operations.

South Asia

In multiple Indian ports, such as Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, and Haldia, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is currently constrained due to supply shortages. A supplier in Paradip is almost depleted of stocks for both fuel grades.

Mumbai, Kandla, Sikka, and Visakhapatnam ports are expected to face intermittent rough weather conditions this week, potentially disrupting bunker operations.

In contrast, the Sri Lankan port of Colombo has abundant supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO grades.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt availability of all grades remains limited, with most suppliers requiring lead times of 5-7 days, similar to last week. However, high winds and waves since Monday have affected bunker barge loadings at some product terminals in Fujairah. This may impact bunker supply schedules and extend lead times over the coming days. Despite the rough sea conditions, some suppliers have continued to deliver stems as per schedule, a source says.

Prompt availability of all grades is also tight in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan, where suppliers recommend lead times of 5-7 days. Meanwhile, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has ample supply of VLSFO and LSMGO. In Djibouti, VLSFO supply is under pressure, while LSMGO is more readily available.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 July, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore confirms bunker spill from damaged shore fuel hose at Brani Regional Base

Authorities said about 23 metric tonnes had leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose used to refuel patrol craft at Selat Sengkir and no oil slicks observed.

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RESIZED SG bunker tanker

Singapore authorities on Thursday (6 February) confirmed that a diesel oil leak was discovered at the Police Coast Guard (PCG) Brani Regional Base on 5 February, at around 11.40am (Singapore Time). 

The leak was eventually isolated at about 3.40pm. 

“About 23 metric tonnes had leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose used to refuel patrol craft at Selat Sengkir,” said Singapore Police Force, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and National Environment Agency (NEA) in a joint statement. 

PCG and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore have deployed patrol craft and spill response resources to clean up small patches of light oil sheens observed in our southern waters. 

Contractors have also been activated to support the operation. There are no oil slicks observed. 

Navigational traffic in the area is not affected. There is no impact to operations in the Port of Singapore.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 7 February, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

LNG bunkering at Port of Barcelona increases by 60.5% on year in 2024

Port said 229,750 cubic metre of LNG were supplied at the port in 2024, achieving an increase of 60.5% compared to 2023 and a total of 491 LNG bunkering operations were carried out at the port.

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LNG bunkering at Port of Barcelona increases by 60.5% on year in 2024

The Port of Barcelona on Wednesday (5 February) said 229,750 cubic metre (m³) of LNG were supplied at the port in 2024, achieving an increase of 60.5% compared to 2023.

The Port said the achievement placed Barcelona as the leading port in the state - with 40% of the total m³ of LNG supplied - and one of the first in Europe in LNG bunkering. 

In 2024, a total of 491 LNG bunkering operations were carried out for ships, of which 402 were via tankers trucks, with 45,427 m³ supplied, and 89 were ship-to-ship (STS) transfers from barges, with 184,324 m³ delivered. 

Of the 8,398 ship calls at the Port of Barcelona during 2024, 822 calls were from ships using LNG, about 10% of the total calls at the port.  

The ships that have received LNG bunker fuel in Barcelona have been mainly cruises and ferries, reaching close to 23% and 19% of the calls of both types of ships and contributing to a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of 20% for cruises and 18% for ferries. 

The top cruise companies have incorporated LNG-powered ships into their fleets, a good number of which operate regularly in Barcelona. During 2024, a total of 1,664,712 cruise passengers (45.5%) passed through Barcelona on board an LNG-powered cruise ship.

The increase in bunker supply of 60.5% has been possible due to several factors: 

  • the presence of the LNG supply barge based in the Haugesund port Knutsen, from the company Knutsen-Scale Gas,
  • the commitment of the shipping company Baleària to LNG, provided by several tanker trucks at the same time,
  • and the incorporation of new types of ships that use LNG in the port, notably car carriers. The Lake Herman ship, from Japanese shipping company MOL, was the first vehicle carrier to carry out LNG bunkering at the Port of Barcelona, ​​followed by four more ships of the same service, to which two new ships have been added at the beginning of 2025. 

During 2024, the fast ferry Margarita Salas, powered by dual LNG engines, was also added. Operated by Baleària, this ship began operating last June, connecting Barcelona with Mallorca and Menorca at high speed. This new connection reinforces the commitment to integrating LNG into passenger transport and significantly reduces the emissions generated on this route.

The Port of Barcelona said it will continue to facilitate the introduction of LNG with measures such as administrative simplification to facilitate the authorisation of LNG bunkering operations; and the availability of generic risk analyses to be able to expand these operations to other types of ships. 

During 2025, new risk analyses will be carried out to allow the supply of LNG to container ships, for which the port has already received interest from supply operators.

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 7 February, 2025

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Shipping Corridor

Clear plan developed for Stockholm-Turku green shipping corridor

After a year of cooperation, Viking Line, Port of Turku and Ports of Stockholm said they have now laid a solid foundation for the green corridor project and developed a clear plan for a common way forward.

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Clear plan developed for Stockholm-Turku green shipping corridor

Viking Line, Port of Turku and Ports of Stockholm on Thursday (6 February) said they have now laid a solid foundation for a green shipping corridor project and developed a clear plan for a common way forward.

This comes after working together for a year on the project which aims to establish a green, fossil-free shipping corridor between Stockholm and Turku. 

On the anniversary on 6 February, the parties and a large number of invited stakeholders gathered for an open seminar in Turku, Finland. Results, experiences, challenges and opportunities were discussed based on the common goal of establishing a green maritime corridor between Stockholm and Turku by 2035.

Magdalena Bosson, CEO Ports of Stockholm, said: “We are very pleased with the cooperation and the work done during the first year.”

“We have been investing in onshore power supply infrastructure for ships for many years and Viking Line is one of the pioneers. Now we are further sharpening our goals together with the other parties to establish a fossil-free shipping corridor between Stockholm and Turku.”

Jan Hanses, CEO Viking Line, said: “We are proud to be part of this important co-operation project for a cleaner Baltic Sea. Our most significant investment so far is to offer all our passengers and freight customers biofuel for transport between Stockholm and Turku, reducing emissions for their journeys by 90%.”

“In addition, a possible battery installation and Elogrids, which reduces energy consumption, are important elements of our work in the coming years.”

Elogrids is a grid system installed on the ship's hull to reduce resistance and improve fuel efficiency. It optimises water flow and reduces turbulence, resulting in lower energy consumption.

Erik Söderholm, CEO Port of Turku, said: “A green shipping corridor gives us the opportunity to promote sustainable development and reduce the environmental impact of shipping.”

“During the past year, we have started more detailed planning of measures related to the green shipping corridor, such as updating our carbon footprint calculation and preparing for the development of charging stations for heavy traffic.”

During the first year, the parties have identified and prioritised the most important goals and measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in shipping. 

A clear project plan with activities has been developed, including:

Viking Line

  • Pre-study of battery installation on Viking Grace and Viking Glory
  • Installing Elogrids on the vessels
  • Increase sales of biogas supplements for transport between Stockholm and Turku

Port of Turku

  • Study and pilot project for onshore power supply at the quay
  • Zero emissions from Viking Line vessels at berth
  • Guidelines and incentives for port operators for zero emissions
  • In collaboration with external actors, develop concepts that link the green shipping corridor with sustainable transport from and to the port on land
  • Opportunity for shipping companies to bunker sustainable fuels

Ports of Stockholm

  • Zero emissions from Viking Line vessels at the quayside
  • In collaboration with external actors, develop concepts that link the green shipping corridor with sustainable transport from and to the port on land
  • Opportunity for shipping companies to bunker fossil-free fuels

 

Photo credit: Ports of Stockholm
Published: 7 February, 2025

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