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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (23 Sep 2025)

Bunker demand low in Zhoushan; several East Asian ports brace for Typhoon Ragasa; VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports.

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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:

  • Bunker demand low in Zhoushan
  • Several East Asian ports brace for Typhoon Ragasa
  • VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability in Singapore remains steady with lead times of 7–10 days. HSFO supply is stable with 8–10 days lead time, slightly shorter than last week’s 8–12 days. LSMGO availability has improved, with lead times narrowing to 3–6 days from 4–8 days last week.

Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 3% higher month-on-month, with inventories now above 25 million bbls, despite a 19% decline in net fuel oil imports, according to data from Enterprise Singapore. Imports fell by 1.85 million bbls, while exports dropped by 1.16 million bbls. Middle distillate stocks have also risen, averaging 4% above last month.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt supply possible for smaller parcels, while HSFO remains tight.

East Asia

Bunker demand in Zhoushan remains weak, with lead times unchanged at 4–7 days for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO.

Operations across China are expected to stay subdued during the Golden Week holidays (1–8 October), as most suppliers will only fulfill pre-booked stems. New bookings will not be accepted after 26 September, according to a source.

Fuel availability varies across northern China. Dalian and Qingdao have ample VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is tight in Qingdao. Tianjin faces shortages across all grades. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO supply is strained, while LSMGO remains more stable.

Further south, conditions are mixed: VLSFO and LSMGO are constrained in Fuzhou; Xiamen has enough VLSFO but limited LSMGO; and both grades face limited delivery options in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

Typhoon Ragasa, which strengthened into a super typhoon on Sunday and hit northern Philippines, is forecast to make landfall along Guangdong’s central or western coast on Wednesday.

From Tuesday through Friday, strong winds and heavy rains are expected across the northern South China Sea and southern China’s coastal areas. Eastern Jiangsu and Anhui provinces may also see heavy rainfall, China’s National Meteorological Center warns.

This could disrupt bunkering at ports, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Beihai.

In Hong Kong, lead times remain about seven days for all fuel grades, but the typhoon may cause delays. Ragasa was located around 460 km east-southeast of Hong Kong this afternoon, moving across the northern South China Sea. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued a warning signal, with bunker deliveries likely to be affected.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration lifted its land warning for Ragasa today, but forecast continued heavy rain, especially in the east. Taichung, Keelung, and Hualien ports remain unaffected, while Kaohsiung has seen minor impact, a trader says.

Lead times at Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hualien are currently 4–5 days, while Keelung requires around three days—longer than last week’s 2–3 days across these ports. 

In South Korea, all fuel grades currently require about nine days of lead time at western ports, compared to just three days at southern ports. Last week, suppliers had recommended lead times of 4–9 days across the country.

Weather conditions are favourable, and no disruptions are expected in the coming days, a source says.

VLSFO supply remains tight across Japan’s key ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi. LSMGO is generally well supplied nationwide, though prompt deliveries in Mizushima may still face delays.

B24-VLSFO remains available only on an enquiry basis at Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama. HSFO supply is stable at most ports, but Oita is experiencing shortages of all three grades — VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO.

In Thailand, Ragasa is forecast to bring heavy rain and flooding to northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions this week, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. These conditions could disrupt bunkering operations at Thai ports.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle, with most suppliers quoting around seven days of lead time. Deliveries are typically made by barge from a single supplier, while LSMGO can also be supplied by truck. Afternoon strong winds can occasionally disrupt operations, a source notes.

In New South Wales, Port Kembla offers VLSFO via truck and pipeline at several berths, with a minimum pipeline delivery of 70 mt. Smaller volumes can be supplied by truck.

In Sydney, one barge operates alongside pipe and truck options at some berths. The barge schedule is sometimes affected by naval activity and cruise liner traffic. LSMGO and VLSFO are generally well stocked, but HSFO can be limited. A lead time of about seven days is preferred across all grades.

In Queensland, both Brisbane and Gladstone maintain adequate VLSFO and LSMGO availability with lead times of around seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is only available on request, while Gladstone can face occasional weather disruptions. Securing a berth at Brisbane’s AAT terminal can also be difficult. The port now has two barges operated by separate suppliers, both supplying VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO available on enquiry.

In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong have good supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO availability is tighter, particularly for prompt demand. At present, HSFO is well stocked in Melbourne. A single barge serves these ports, with Bass Strait weather often posing challenges. A seven-day lead time is recommended.

LSMGO is also available by truck at smaller ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool, where lead times of 2–3 days are typical.

Overall in Australia, a seven-day lead time is recommended, though most ports can usually supply within 3–4 days given generally good availability. Ports with pipeline infrastructure, such as Darwin and Dampier, often rely on truck support, which can affect supply reliability.

In New Zealand, VLSFO deliveries are stable at Tauranga and Auckland. Tauranga also offers pipeline access at certain berths, while Marsden Point can supply VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline at some jetties, if vessels are working cargo.

Cyclone season in northern Australia runs from 1 November to 30 April, and bunkering operations are expected to face interruptions during this period, the source added.

South Asia

Bunker supply in Sri Lanka has improved, with one supplier now offering prompt delivery across all grades, compared to lead times of about seven days last week.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight in Fujairah across all grades, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days, a situation also seen at nearby Khor Fakkan.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, though HSFO remains limited. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah continues to face restricted availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Egypt’s Port Suez, conditions are severe, with stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO nearly depleted. Qatar’s Ras Laffan is also struggling with tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply. Djibouti faces acute shortages, with VLSFO and HSFO almost exhausted and LSMGO in short supply.

By contrast, Oman’s ports — Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm — continue to maintain stable LSMGO availability.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 24 September, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

  • B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
  • Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
  • Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (16 July 2026)

Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf; Panama bunker supply steady; tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Moderate sea fog to affect parts of US Gulf
  • Panama bunker supply steady
  • Tight VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Rio Grande

North America

In Houston, bunker availability is normal across all three conventional fuel grades. Recommended lead times are about 5-7 days for VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO has typically taken 4-5 days over the past week, a trader tells ENGINE.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), deliveries are continuing on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

Currently, no major operational disruptions have been reported at the anchorage.

Sea fog is not expected to cause widespread bunker disruptions across the US Gulf Coast, with most major ports forecast to maintain good visibility.

Moderate sea fog could affect Pascagoula and Mobile early next week, while Tampa faces the highest risk of reduced visibility between 20-22 July.

Brief visibility restrictions are also forecast at Venice, Louisiana, while conditions are expected to remain favourable at Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Port Fourchon and New Orleans.

The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Elida in the Eastern Pacific. Marine warnings are also in effect across parts of the Caribbean, southwest Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

Bunker demand on the US East Coast at the port of New York is good, with healthy availability of HSFO and VLSFO.

Most suppliers can deliver both grades within 5 days, and LSMGO requires 2-4 days.

In New York, periods of high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July.

While no backlog congestion has been reported, suppliers may require standby tugs under poor weather conditions, which could slow bunker barge movements, a source said.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has remained normal in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where suppliers recommend lead times between 8-10 days across all conventional grades.

In Vancouver, recommended lead times are 5-7 days for HSFO and 6-8 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is stable in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal ports. Recommended lead times are 3-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, and HSFO requires around 7 days, a source said.

No major congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported at the ports.

At Balboa, deliveries are being made on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions, with priority given to vessels holding confirmed Panama Canal transit schedules.

Weather conditions could temporarily affect operations at several Caribbean bunkering locations.

In Freeport, Bahamas, bunker operations continue normally. Cruise vessels are given priority at the port, and no significant congestion or weather-related disruptions have been reported.

Further east, high wind gusts are forecast through 19 July and could delay bunker operations at St. Eustatius, where deliveries are conducted at anchorage.

Offshore bunkering in Trinidad may also experience delays during the same period because of high winds and rough seas.

Brazil continues to present a mixed supply of bunker fuels.

Santos this week offers normal availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, although port congestion persists, a trader tells ENGINE. Recommended lead times are 5-8 days at the port.

Rio de Janeiro also has normal VLSFO availability and requires lead times between 4 days to one week. LSMGO is available only upon prior consultation at the port.

Availability is tighter at southern Brazilian ports. Paranaguá and Rio Grande have both reported tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability, and operators are advised to plan bunker stems well in advance.

Belém and Vila do Conde continue to offer normal availability of both grades, with lead times between 4-7 days, a source said.

In Argentina’s Zona Común, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good, with suppliers typically taking between 5-7 days of lead time to deliver via barges, a source said.

Weather conditions could become less favourable between 19-20 July, when high wind gusts are forecast. Deliveries will continue on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (15 July 2026)

Notice of 5-7 days required in ARA; congestion remains high in Gibraltar and Algeciras; lead time of around 4-5 days recommended in Luanda.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Notice of 5-7 days required in ARA
  • Congestion remains high in Gibraltar and Algeciras
  • Lead time of around 4-5 days recommended in Luanda

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt supplies, with buyers advised to book stems around 5-7 days in advance to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

In Antwerp’s Deurganck Dock, hydrofluoric acid spilled from a container on a cargo ship, leading to traffic getting suspended in the affected area. Operations have resumed in all terminals, except the MPET terminal.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% higher so far in July, compared to June’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported only 175,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, down from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data.Most import cargoes have come from Colombia (33%), the Caribbean Netherlands (28%) and France (24%).

The region has imported 84,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down from 188,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data. Most of these shipments have come from Canada (24%), the US (20%) and Finland (15%).

Availability of all marine fuel types is stable in Germany’s Hamburg, and all fuel grades can be delivered within five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, fuel buyers are advised booking deliveries around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Ships calling at Gibraltar are seeing heavy congestion due to a lack of space, with around 21 vessels awaiting bunkers as of Wednesday morning, port agent MH Bland said. Some suppliers may be late by anywhere between 24-48 hours on deliveries, the port agent added.

In neighbouring Algeciras, some suppliers are delayed by 12-18 hours on supplies, port agent MH Bland said.

Consequently, fuel buyers looking to bunker in Gibraltar and Algeciras are recommended to book stems around 15 days ahead, a trader said. The congestion in Gibraltar and Algeciras is caused mostly due to overbooking by suppliers, the trader added.

In Spain’s Barcelona, buyers are advised to book with a lead time of a week, a trader said.

Fuel availability is stable in Portugal’s Lisbon, a supplier said.

In Las Palmas, buyers are requested to book with a lead time of around 7-10 days for delivery of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel buyers off Malta should enquire around 5-7 days prior to their expected time of arrival, a trader said.

Although there is a slight shortage of LSMGO, the market is expected to bounce back by next week, a supplier told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is stable in Turkey’s Istanbul, with notice of 1-3 days sufficient to get any fuel grade, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Romania’s Constanta, Mangalia and Midia, fuel availability is normal, but prices are high, a local supplier said.

Africa

HSFO availability remains limited across almost all ports in Africa, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, and buyers are recommended lead times of seven days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO supplies in the Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage come with a lead time of 5-7 days, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Angola’s Luanda, buyers are advised to book with a notice of 4-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a supplier said.

Bunker availability is tight for prompt deliveries in South Africa’s Durban and off Algoa Bay, with buyers advised at least 5-7-day notice for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

Fuel availability remains tight in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo, as suppliers are recommending lead times of around 5-7 days for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability is tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, where buyers are advised to book seven days ahead for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 July, 2026

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