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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (1 May 2024)

Bunker supply normal in the ARA hub; prompt availability good in Las Palmas; VLSFO supply normal in Durban.
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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:

  • Bunker supply normal in the ARA hub
  • Prompt availability good in Las Palmas
  • VLSFO supply normal in Durban

Northwest Europe

Availability of all bunker fuel grades is said to be normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. LSMGO is readily available for prompt delivery dates, with recommended lead times of 3-5 days. VLSFO and HSFO grades require slightly longer lead times to ensure full coverage from all suppliers. Lead times of 4-5 days are advised for VLSFO deliveries in the ARA hub, while HSFO requires 4-6 days, according to a trader.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower in the first four weeks of April than across March, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 226,000 b/d of fuel oil in April, down from 254,000 b/d in March, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. 

The US replaced Mexico as the ARA’s biggest fuel oil import source in April and accounted for 18% of the region’s total imports. The UK ranked second with 15% of the region’s total imports, followed by Mexico (12%), France and Lithuania (11% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — increased by 4% in April. Gasoil stocks rose to their highest levels since June last year. 

Availability is normal in the German port of Hamburg with suppliers offering prompt delivery dates for all bunker fuel grades. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for all grades, according to a trader.

Off Skaw, all bunker fuel grades remain in tight supply for the third consecutive week, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times range between 10-14 days there, the trader said. Adverse weather conditions are forecast off Skaw in periods between Wednesday morning and Sunday, which could disrupt bunkering.

Mediterranean

Supply of all bunker fuel grades is good in Gibraltar, with recommended lead times coming down to 3-5 days this week, a trader said. Lead times for all three grades were 4-6 days last week. Congestion has also eased in Gibraltar, a trader said. The port witnessed strong congestion over the last few days due to bad weather conditions. Favourable weather is forecast in Gibraltar over the next few days, which would allow bunker operations to proceed smoothly.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, availability is said to be good with suppliers able to offer all three bunker grades for prompt delivery dates. Bunkering disruptions could arise intermittently in Las Palmas this week as weather is forecast to remain rough until Friday.

Bunker demand in other Mediterranean ports such as Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul is said to be usual.

Bunkering activity in the Greek port of Piraeus is expected to be minimal during the upcoming Orthodox Easter Holidays from Saturday till Monday, a trader told ENGINE. Availability across all grades in the port is currently subject to enquiry, the trader said. Piraeus has been experiencing rough weather since Tuesday. Bad weather conditions, which are expected to last until Friday, could hamper bunkering there.

Bunker fuel supply is normal across all grades off Malta. VLSFO availability is good, with suppliers offering earliest delivery dates from Thursday onwards, according to a trader. Smooth bunker operations, however, remain subject to weather conditions there, the trader added. Rough weather is forecast off Malta in periods between Wednesday and Friday, which could hamper bunkering.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, prompt availability of all bunker fuel grades is normal, a trader said.

Africa

Availability of VLSFO is normal in the South African ports of Richards Bay and Durban, a trader said. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for the grade.

LSMGO availability is also good in Durban, with suppliers offering non-prompt delivery dates there. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers. Strong wind gusts of up to 22 knots are forecast to hit Durban on Friday. This could impact bunkering there.

Offshore bunker operations have been suspended in Algoa Bay since last September when South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges due to import duty disputes. Bunker supply has since then been limited to in-port deliveries by a supplier in Port Elizabeth, where supply is only available by truck.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 May 2024

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