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Bunker Fuel Availability

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

HSFO availability improves in the ARA; HSFO is still tight in Las Palmas; prompt LSMGO is tight 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:

  • HSFO availability improves in the ARA
  • HSFO is still tight in Las Palmas
  • Prompt LSMGO is tight in Durban

Northwest Europe

HSFO availability has improved in Rotterdam, a trader told ENGINE. HSFO supply was tight for very prompt delivery dates (0–2 days) last week, but supply has improved now. Some suppliers in the port experienced HSFO loading delays at oil terminals last week, which have now subsided, the trader added. Lead times of 3–5 days are advised for HSFO, according to a trader.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. Recommended lead times have stayed consistent over the last few weeks at 3–5 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% lower coming into September than across August, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 99,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, significantly down from 223,000 b/d imported in August, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 56/44 ratio coming into this month, a slight change from the 53/47 ratio in August.

The UK has emerged as the ARA’s biggest fuel import source coming into this month, accounting for 48% of the total imports so far. Poland has ranked second so far this month, accounting for 44% of the ARA’s total imports, followed by Germany with 7% of the region’s total imports.

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have gained by 10% coming into this month. The region has imported 459,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, up from 355,000 b/d of gasoil imported in August, according to Vortexa data.

Germany’s Hamburg port has good availability across all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Availability is good for all grades and suppliers can supply for prompt delivery dates. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended in the port, the trader added.

Mediterranean

Bunker fuel availability is good across all three grades in Gibraltar port, a trader said. Suppliers can offer all three grades for prompt delivery dates. Lead times of 3–5 days are advised across all three grades, unchanged since last week.

Gibraltar was experiencing calm weather conditions on Wednesday, making it conducive to bunkering. But, wind gusts of 20-30 knots are forecast to hit the region on Friday and over the weekend, which could hamper bunkering in the port.

HSFO availability has improved in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas. The port experienced HSFO tightness since mid-August, but supply has improved now. As a result, lead times have reduced from 5–7 days in the past few weeks to 3–5 days now. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the port, with lead times of 3–5 days recommended.

Adverse weather conditions between Wednesday and Sunday could impact bunkering in the area, a source said.

The Greek port of Piraeus continues to experience tightness for prompt HSFO and VLSFO supply, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5–7 days are advised for both grades, similar to past weeks, the trader added. LSMGO availability is normal with lead times of 3–4 days recommended. Bunkering disruptions may occur between Wednesday and Saturday when bad weather is forecast in the porta area. 

Malta Offshore also has tight availability of HSFO, with lead times of 4–6 days advised for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the port with lead times of 3–4 days recommended. Adverse weather may complicate deliveries off Malta between Wednesday and Saturday, a source said.

Bunker availability is normal across all grades in Turkey’s Istanbul port. Suppliers can offer prompt delivery dates for all three grades and lead times of 3–4 days are generally recommended, a trader said. Calm weather conditions are forecast for the rest of this week.

Africa

In South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, VLSFO continues to be tight for prompt delivery with lead times of 7–10 days recommended. In Durban, LSMGO is tight with some suppliers requiring lead times of up to two weeks for the grade, a trader said.

Weather-induced bunkering disruptions may occur in Durban on Wednesday when wind gusts of up to 22 knots are forecast.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, lead times of over ten days are recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO, according to a trader. However, some suppliers can offer both grades for prompt delivery dates. Calm weather is forecast in Port Louis for the rest of the week, making it conducive to bunkering.

Algoa Bay’s offshore bunkering impasse has completed a year this month. In September 2023, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) suspended offshore bunkering after it detained bunker barges over import duty disputes. Bunker supply has since then been limited to in-port deliveries in the adjacent Port Elizabeth by a supplier — Africa Bunkering & Shipping (ABS).

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 September, 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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