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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability (4 Oct 2023)

VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in the ARA; HSFO availability very tight in Gibraltar; bunker calls surge in Mozambique amid Algoa Bay bunkering crisis.

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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:

  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in the ARA
  • HSFO availability very tight in Gibraltar
  • Bunker calls surge in Mozambique amid Algoa Bay bunkering crisis

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub.

VLSFO is more readily available in the region, and some suppliers can supply the grade for prompt dates. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended to ensure full coverage from suppliers.

Lead times of 1-3 days are recommended for LSMGO in the ARA hub.

Prompt HSFO availability is said to be relatively tighter than other grades in the ARA hub. Lead times of 5-7 days are still recommended for the grade. The high-sulphur grade is also tight in Flushing, where one supplier is almost out of stock and expects replenishment in the coming days, a source says.

Rotterdam’s Hi5 spread was pegged at $78/mt on Wednesday, almost triple of what it was last week. 

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks slumped to a nine-month low in September, and averaged 14% lower on the month, according to Insights Global data. The region’s gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – declined by 7% in September. 

All three grades remain in good availability in the German port of Hamburg. Lead times of up to five days are recommended there.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal for delivery off Skaw. Recommended lead times for both grades are around 7-10 days.

Mediterranean

HSFO availability has been “super tight” in Gibraltar since last month. Lead times of 10-15 days are recommended for the grade, up from 7-12 days last week. One supplier can supply the grade from 14 October, a source says.

Meanwhile, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is relatively better in Gibraltar and Algeciras. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended there.

Gibraltar’s Hi5 spread was trading at $19/mt on Wednesday, while $24/mt in Las Palmas. Limited HSFO supply in the region has narrowed Hi5 spreads across several Mediterranean ports.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal In the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines, a source says.

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in other bunker delivery locations in the Mediterranean such as off Malta and Piraeus. HSFO is almost out of stock off Malta, where one supplier has limited supply available, a source says.

On the other hand, both low-sulphur grades are readily available for prompt dates in Istanbul, Turkey.

Africa

Both onshore and offshore bunkering remains suspended in Algoa Bay after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges over import duty disputes last month.

Some bunker buyers are still booking stems for deliveries in Algoa Bay in late October. They anticipate that bunkering could resume by that time, a port agent says.

SARS has been conducting investigations into bunker compliance, and the bunker vessel detentions are part of an investigation, it said in a statement late last month. The South African authority has called the detentions “lawful” as the investigation is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has remained steady so far in Durban and Cape Town in South Africa. Lead times of up to seven days are recommended in both ports.

But some argue that availability has become tighter than usual In South African ports due to the ongoing bunkering crisis in Algoa Bay.

Bunker demand has increased in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports because of the ongoing bunkering crisis in Algoa Bay. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in both ports. However, barge availability has become tight in Maputo because of a spike in enquiries. One bunker barge in Maputo is facing a busy delivery schedule, a source says.

By Nithin Chandran

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

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (18 June 2025)

Good prompt availability off Malta; HSFO very tight in Port Louis; VLSFO tight in Nacala and Maputo.

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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:

  • Good prompt availability off Malta
  • HSFO very tight in Port Louis
  • VLSFO tight in Nacala and Maputo

Northwest Europe

Prompt delivery remains tight in the ARA hub for all grades, a trader told ENGINE. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO have narrowed to 7-8 days, while HSFO’s remain consistent with last week, at 8-9 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 6.74 million bbls in June so far, a 6% drop from May, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 87,000 b/d of fuel oil in June so far, less than half of the 176,000 b/d imported across May, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Poland remains the region’s topmost import source, making up about 30% of the total share. Other import sources include Germany (26%), the UK (22%) and Finland (11%).

The ARA’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 5% lower this month. Some 122,000 b/d of diesel and gasoil has been imported, less than half of May’s 315,000 b/d, Vortexa data shows.

Around 10 days of lead time is recommended for bunker stems in in Gothenburg and off Skaw, according to a trader.

Hamburg has good availability of all grades with lead times of 3-5 days advised, another trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

HSFO and VLSFO are readily available in Gibraltar Strait ports, said a trader, while LSMGO is on the tighter side. Lead times of 8-9 days are advised for HSFO and LSMGO, and 10-12 days for VLSFO.

Five vessels awaited bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland. This is not unusual, and bunker capacity is limited by barge availability and a lack of space in the port. One supplier is running 6-12 hours behind schedule, the port agent added.

In Las Palmas, bunker availability remains good and lead times of 5-7 days are recommended, a trader said. Weather conditions for the port are forecast to be suitable for bunkering in the coming week, according to a trader.

In Barcelona, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available with recommended lead times at 5-7 days, according to a trader.

Bad weather is expected to affect operations off Malta on 22 June, but all grades are readily available.

Prompt supply is tight for all grades at the Greek port of Piraeus, according to a trader. The port could face weather-related disruptions over the weekend, according to a trader.

In Istanbul, prompt supplies of HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO are readily available, according to a trader. VLSFO remains tight. Periods of rough weather could disrupt some operations between 20-26 June, according to a trader.

Africa

VLSFO is tight in the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, according to a supplier. Nacala has readily available LSMGO, while that grade is very tight in Maputo. HSFO is in good supply in Nacala.

In Port Louis, HSFO availability is very tight, said a trader. VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with lead times of 7-10 days recommended.

Durban continues to have good bunker supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

VLSFO and LSGMO are both readily available in Luanda, according to a trader.

Prompt bunker availability is consistently good off Walvis Bay, with lead times of 3-6 days.

In Togo’s Lome, availability of all grades is good, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended, as according to a trader.

Biofuels are not yet on offer for bunkering in African ports. A supplier on the continent said enquiries have been few and far between, and not presented any viable business case for launching biofuel supply.

By Samantha Shaji

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (17 June 2025)

VLSFO and LSMGO availability tightens in Zhoushan; prompt HSFO supply tight across several Japanese ports; LSMGO supply good across Omani 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:

  • VLSFO and LSMGO availability tightens in Zhoushan
  • Prompt HSFO supply tight across several Japanese ports
  • LSMGO supply good across Omani ports

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO lead times remain steady at 6–10 days, showing little change from last week. LSMGO is widely available, with most suppliers quoting lead times of 2–5 days—also virtually unchanged. HSFO continues to require 6–10 days of lead time, similar to last week.

According to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore, the port’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 11% higher so far in June compared to May. Fuel oil imports have risen by 4%, increasing by 173,000 bbls this month. This growth has significantly outpaced the 48,000-bbl rise in exports, leading to a net stock buildup. The port’s middle distillate stocks have also averaged 11% higher in June than in May.

At Port Klang in Malaysia, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easily available, with prompt delivery available for smaller volumes. However, HSFO supply continues to be tight.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO supply has tightened as several suppliers face low stock levels and delayed replenishment cargoes, a source said. As a result, VLSFO lead times have risen from 4–7 days last week to around 10 days now. LSMGO lead times have also increased significantly, jumping from 2–3 days to about 10 days. In contrast, HSFO lead times have improved, shortening from 4–7 days to 3–5 days.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao continue to see good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Supply remains tight for VLSFO and HSFO in Tianjin, while LSMGO is readily available. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO supplies are under pressure, but LSMGO is well-stocked.

Further south, Fuzhou has strong inventories of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO supply, though LSMGO remains tight. Prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO remain difficult in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades are steady at seven days. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are about three days in Taichung and Kaohsiung and remain stable at around two days in Hualien and Keelung.

Lead times for all fuel grades across several South Korean ports have increased to 5–10 days, up from the 5–7 days recommended last week.

Bunker operations in Ulsan, Onsan, and Busan are likely to be impacted by adverse weather between 20–23 June. Similarly, Daesan and Taean may experience disruptions from 20–22 June, while Yeosu is expected to face weather-related challenges between 21–23 June.

VLSFO supply remains strong in key Japanese ports like Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. However, prompt availability is limited in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, and Mizushima, and remains particularly tight in Nagoya and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally available, though securing prompt deliveries is challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is stable overall, but prompt deliveries remain constrained in these same ports. In Oita, availability of all fuel grades continues to be tight.

Adverse weather is forecast to disrupt bunker deliveries at Thailand’s Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports on 22–23 June. In Vietnam, rough conditions are expected to affect bunker operations in Hai Phong between 18–20 June.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with suppliers advising lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, LSMGO is steadily supplied in Sydney, but prompt HSFO deliveries remain challenging.

Victoria’s ports—Melbourne and Geelong—have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains limited, particularly for prompt supply. In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO stocks are good in Brisbane and Gladstone, with lead times of around seven days recommended. However, HSFO remains tight in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, VLSFO is adequately available in Tauranga and Auckland, but bunker operations at Tauranga may be disrupted by adverse weather forecast for 17 and 20 June.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight across several Indian ports, including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Haldia—continuing the trend observed in recent weeks. In Paradip, one supplier is nearing a stockout. LSMGO availability at most Indian ports remains subject to enquiry.

Adverse weather is expected to impact bunker operations at Sikka between 18–23 June, Kandla from 18–21 June, and Mumbai from 17–23 June.

In Sri Lanka, lead times for all fuel grades at Colombo and Hambantota have shortened to around two days, down from about four days last week.

Middle East

Prompt bunker availability remains tight in Fujairah, with lead times for all fuel grades steady at 5–7 days—similar to conditions in Khor Fakkan. In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, but HSFO supply remains limited.

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, availability of both LSMGO and VLSFO continues to be constrained. At Egypt’s Suez port, stocks of all three conventional bunker grades are nearly depleted. Qatar’s Ras Laffan is also facing tight supply of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Bunker availability in Djibouti is under significant strain, with VLSFO and HSFO nearly out of stock and limited LSMGO. In contrast, Omani ports—including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm—continue to offer stable LSMGO supply.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 18 June, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil jumped 671.7% to 40,900 mt when compared to figures seen in May 2024.

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SG bunker performance May 2025

Bunker fuel sales at Singapore port inched forward by 1.1% on year in May 2025, the highest volume seen in 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.88 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,878,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.83 million mt (4,826,800 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.89 million mt (+8.6% from 1.74 million mt), 2.45 million mt (-7.2% from 2.64 million mt), 1,200 mt (from zero), 1,700 mt (-88% from 14,300 mt) and zero (from zero).

SG bunker port performance May 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 40,900 mt (+671.7% from 5,300 mt), 95,800 mt (+97.9% from 48,400 mt), 700 mt (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from 300 mt). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,900 mt of deliveries in May.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 45,000 mt (-7.8% from 48,800) and zero (from 1,600 mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
RelatedSingapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 16 June 2025

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