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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (10 Jan 2024)

Prompt LSMGO supply available in the ARA hub; weather disruptions hit Malta, Piraeus and Istanbul; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in 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:

  • Prompt LSMGO supply available in the ARA hub
  • Weather disruptions hit Malta, Piraeus and Istanbul
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Maputo

Northwest Europe

LSMGO availability is good for prompt delivery in the wider ARA hub. Recommended lead times are 2-4 days for the bunker fuel grade, according to a trader.

Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for HSFO and VLSFO in the ARA hub, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 5% higher in December than in November, according to Insights Global Data.

The region imported 220,000 b/d of fuel oil in December, slightly down from 225,000 b/d imported in November, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

The UK became the ARA hub’s topmost fuel oil import source, accounting for 18% of its total fuel oil imports in December. Poland (12%) ranked second, while Germany (10%) came third. Other import sources were Lithuania (8%), and Sweden and Turkey (7% each). 

Meanwhile, the ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — increased by 1% in December. The ARA imported 373,000 b/d of gasoil in December, down from 382,000 b/d of gasoil imported in November. 

Off Skaw, HSFO availability continues to be tight, and only non-prompt deliveries with 7-10 days of lead times are available, a trader said. LSMGO and VLSFO availability is comparatively better with shorter lead times of 5-7 days. 

Bunker fuel availability is normal in the German port of Hamburg. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for all grades in the port.

Mediterranean

Prompt HSFO availability is tight across Gibraltar Strait ports. One supplier has held back offers this week as it is working on resupply cargo, adding pressure on others’ supply, a trader said. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for the grade, up from last week’s 4-5 days.

LSMGO and VLSFO availability is relatively better in the Gibraltar Strait ports. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended for LSMGO, and 5-6 days for VLSFO. Strong wind gusts of up to 27 knots are forecast to hit the region on Friday, which could impact bunkering in the ports there.

Availability is good across all grades off Malta, a trader said. Bunker operations were briefly halted on Tuesday due to adverse weather conditions. Calmer weather conditions are forecast for the remaining days of this week.

HSFO availability is tight off Malta, while the availability for VLSFO and LSMGO grades is normal, a source said.

In the Turkish port of Istanbul, currently, availability of all grades is normal, a source said. Adverse weather conditions hit Istanbul on Wednesday, which caused some bunkering delays in the port.

Strong wind gusts of 29 knots were also reported in the Greek port of Piraeus on Wednesday. Despite rough weather conditions, some suppliers can deliver all bunker grades within two days, a trader said.

Africa

Vessel diversions around the Cape of Good Hope since December have sparked high demand in most African ports.

Availability of VLSFO is good for non-prompt dates in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for the grade, according to a trader. LSMGO tightness continues at both ports with lead times stretching to over ten days.

LSMGO availability has not improved and is still very tight, the trader noted.

Mozambique ports of Nacala and Maputo have continued to witness high bunker demand since last month due to vessel diversions. Demand for HSFO and VLSFO grades has been high in Nacala, a source told ENGINE

VLSFO is currently tight in Nacala, while HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, the source added.

Furthermore, barge tightness has eased in Maputo, the source said. Barge availability has been very tight in the past two weeks due to a spike in demand from diverted vessels. Meanwhile, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades are tight in availability at Maputo.

The Red Sea diversions have sparked a surge in bunker demand across West Africa, global bunker supplier Monjasa’s senior bunker trader Simon Piredda told ENGINE earlier this week.

The highest activity levels have been seen at the Lome anchorage off Togo and bunker areas off Ivory Coast and Congo, Piredda said.

He also highlighted the increasing demand at Namibia’s Walvis Bay, particularly due to the Red Sea situation. “These are refuelling locations involving the least deviation considering the rerouting of the vessels and the least costs of bunker-only calls,” Piredda explained.

Piredda added that Monjasa can supply all bunker grades at these locations, despite the challenging circumstances. “The availability situation and supply logistics are surely being tested right now, however, at present all grades can be arranged by Monjasa with sufficient notice”, he said.

Meanwhile, availability for all grades is normal at Port Louis in Mauritius. Demand at the port is currently normal and not too high, a trader said.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 January, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

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Baltic Exchange logo

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)
Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.

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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:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required 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:

  • Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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