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ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO supply improves in Singapore; several South Korean ports face possible weather disruptions; demand good in Fujairah.

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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 July 2023

  • VLSFO supply improves in Singapore
  • Several South Korean ports face possible weather disruptions
  • Demand good in Fujairah

 

Singapore

Overall demand has been “slow” in Singapore so far this week, however, buying interest for HSFO grade remains strong, a source says. Stronger demand for the grade has contributed to keep HSFO supply tight in the port. Lead times remain almost unchanged from last week at 10-12 days.

Meanwhile, VLSFO availability has improved in the East Asian bunker hub, with lead times dropping from 9-12 days last week to 6-8 days now. LSMGO also remains readily available, with short lead times of 3-5 days advised, down from 5-7 days last week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks averaged 4% higher in June than in May, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore’s net fuel imports swelled massively by 51% to their highest level since last June. While the port’s fuel imports surged by 24%, the fuel oil exports slumped by 19% and to their lowest level since last October.

The port’s middle distillate stocks also averaged 6% higher in June than in May.

 

East Asia and Oceania

Sluggish demand and weather-related disruptions have kept a lid on tightness across all grades in Zhoushan, a source says.

Bunker availability is good across all grades in Zhoushan. Some suppliers, that were unable to supply large prompt VLSFO stems last week, can now supply the grade with a short lead time of 2-5 days.

LSMGO and HSFO demand also remains good, with prompt supply available in the port.

Bunkering resumed at Zhoushan’s OPL area on Tuesday evening after remaining suspended by bad weather conditions since Sunday. All four anchorages in the Chinese bunkering hub were operational on Tuesday.

Demand for VLSFO has been robust in Hong Kong, a source says. Buying interest for LSMGO of small stem sizes has been good so far this week, while HSFO demand is slow. Lead times of around seven days are recommended in the port – slightly down from 7-10 days last week.

Meanwhile, VLSFO availability has tightened in South Korean ports, with delivery dates mostly subject to enquiry now. Last week, some suppliers were offering the grade at lead times of 3-6 days.

Prompt availability for HSFO and LSMGO has also tightened across South Korean ports, with lead times varying between 4-11 days. Both grades were offered with lead times of 2-4 days and about six days across southern and western South Korean ports, respectively, last week.

The South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu are forecast to experience adverse weather conditions intermittently between 5-9 July, which might disrupt bunker operations.

Bad weather conditions are also predicted intermittently between 6-11 July in the Vietnamese port of Hai Phong, and 4-10 July in the Kiwi port of Tauranga.

 

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time across several Indian ports, including Kandla on the northwest coast, and Cochin and Chennai on the southern coast.

Meanwhile, both grades remain subject to availability in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Paradip as it has been in recent weeks. On the other hand, supply in Tuticorin port on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast remains subject to enquiry.

Rough weather is forecast at Kandla on Wednesday and Thursday, which could impact bunker deliveries.

Strong wind gusts of 21-29 knots and waves of more than two metres are forecast to hit the Sri Lankan port of Colombo on Wednesday, which may disrupt bunker operations.

 

Middle East

All grades remain in tight availability in Fujairah amid good demand. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised across all bunker fuel grades in the port – virtually unchanged from last week. But some suppliers can offer all bunker fuel grades for prompt delivery dates, but these deliveries depend on stem sizes, a source says.

Availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with unchanged lead times of 5-7 days from last week.

LSMGO is readily available across the Omani ports of Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm.

By Tuhin Roy

 

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

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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