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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (11 Dec 2024)

Prompt HSFO supply tight in the ARA; VLSFO tight in Las Palmas; strong VLSFO demand in Walvis Bay.

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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 HSFO supply tight in the ARA
  • VLSFO tight in Las Palmas
  • Strong VLSFO demand in Walvis Bay 

Northwest Europe

HSFO supply is a bit tight for prompt delivery in Rotterdam and in the rest of the ARA, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability continues to be normal with lead times of 3-5 days. 

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks dipped by 2% in November compared to October, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 301,000 b/d of fuel oil in November, an increase from 262,000 b/d imported in October, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 51/49 ratio in November, unlike October’s 45/55 ratio which was tilted towards HSFO.

The UK (16% of the total) was the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in November. The US (12%) ranked second and France (11%) at third. Other import sources were Sweden (10%) and India (9%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – registered a 3% dip in November. The region imported 359,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel in November, a moderate decline from 411,000 b/d imported in October, according to Vortexa data.

In the German port of Hamburg, prompt supply is good across all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised. 

Mediterranean

HSFO and LSMGO tightness has eased in Gibraltar, a trader said. As a result, lead times have come down to 3-5 days for both grades. VLSFO lead time has remained consistent since last week with suppliers able to offer prompt delivery dates of 3-5 days across all three grades. 

The port is forecast with calm weather for the rest of this week, before strong wind gusts of 20-25 knots are set to hit on Sunday and Monday. This may trigger bunkering disruptions in the port area. 

In the Canary Islands’ Port of Las Palmas, VLSFO availability has tightened and a trader advises 5-7 days of lead time for the grade. Recent weather issues have caused some backlog, a trader said adding that VLSFO availability was tight for a couple of suppliers last week.

HSFO and VLSFO availability has been consistent in Las Palmas since last week, with suppliers unable to offer for very prompt delivery dates. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for both grades in Las Palmas. Rough weather may disrupt bunkering in the port on Wednesday and Thursday, a source said. 

Bunker availability is normal in the Spanish port of Barcelona with suppliers offering on a case-to-case basis, a trader said. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.

Availability is normal in the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines, a source said. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for all three grades. 

Demand has been low in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader told ENGINE. Despite low demand, prompt availability is tight and lead times of 7-10 days are advised for all three grades. This tightness could be exacerbated by a three-day refinery strike announced for Saturday in Piraeus, the trader said. Availability is expected to stabilise from Tuesday onwards.

Other Mediterranean bunkering locations such as off Malta and Istanbul have witnessed a spike in demand. Availability is tight in both locations. Rough weather is forecast off Malta and in Istanbul on Friday, which may disrupt bunkering, a source said.

Africa

In South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, VLSFO availability is still tight for prompt delivery dates, according to a trader. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised by traders for full coverage. 

Prompt availability of LSMGO is still very tight in Durban. A trader advised lead times of 7-10 days for the grade. Rough weather is forecast in Durban on Friday, when strong wind gusts of 26 knots are forecast. After a brief window of calm weather on Saturday, wind gusts will escalate to 36 knots on Sunday and may impact bunkering in the area. 

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, prompt bunker availability is good for all three grades, a trader said. Bad weather may impact bunkering in Port Louis on Friday and Saturday.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay has good bunker availability with around five days recommended for all three grades, according to a trader. VLSFO and LSMGO have witnessed strong bunker demand, the source added. Adverse weather is forecast off Walvis Bay from Wednesday. It could last well into next week and may impact bunkering in the area. 

Meanwhile, civil unrest in Mozambique could trigger bunkering disruptions. Vessel operators and shipping companies should prepare for possible delays and interruptions, shipping agent Inchcape Shipping Services said. The country is facing civil unrest following the announcement of its national election results in October.

Ports in Mozambique are currently operational, but disruptions could be triggered by the civil unrest, the shipping agent added. 

By Manjula Nair 

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 December, 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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