Connect with us

Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (14 August 2024)

Prompt supply is available in the ARA; high HSFO demand in Piraeus; LSMGO is still tight in Durban.
Admin

Published

2 years ago

on

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 supply is available in the ARA
  • High HSFO demand in Piraeus
  • LSMGO is still tight in Durban

Northwest Europe

Availability across all three grades is normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. Most suppliers can offer prompt delivery dates in these ports, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3–5 days are generally recommended in the ARA hub.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower coming into August than across July, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 73,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, registering a steep decline from 296,000 b/d imported in July, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 63/37 ratio so far this month, compared to July when the ratio was 50/50.

Germany has emerged as the ARA’s top fuel oil import source in August so far, accounting for 58% of the total imports, followed by Poland (37%) and Finland (5%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have dropped by 3% so far this month. The region has imported 556,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, up from 303,000 b/d of gasoil in July, according to Vortexa data.

In Germany’s Hamburg port, all grades remain good for prompt supply, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times have remained consistent over the past few months, with a trader recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all grades.

Mediterranean

Prompt bunker fuel availability has been slightly tight in Gibraltar for the second consecutive week, a source said. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended in the port for all grades, consistent with last week. Minimal congestion was reported in the port on Wednesday. Wind gusts of up to 21 knots are forecast on Wednesday and Saturday, which could hamper bunkering in the port.

Bunker fuel availability has tightened in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, with lead times stretching from last week’s 3–5 days to 4–6 days now. Some suppliers in Las Palmas have tight delivery schedules because of high demand, a trader told ENGINE.

Meanwhile, the availability of HSFO and VLSFO grades is currently tight for prompt delivery in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader said. HSFO demand is said to be strong in the port. Most coastal vessels and ocean-going container ships often bunker HSFO in Piraeus, a Greek trader told ENGINE. 

Suppliers are mostly offering VLSFO for non-prompt delivery dates in Piraeus. LSMGO availability is normal in the port, but demand for the grade has been strong, a source said. Rough weather-induced bunkering disruptions may impact Piraeus from Wednesday to Saturday.

In other Mediterranean bunker hubs of Malta Offshore and Istanbul, demand has been relatively low, a trader said.

Availability is normal for all grades off Malta, a trader said. Malta Offshore was struggling with HSFO tightness last week, but the supply of the grade has improved coming into this week. LSMGO and VLSFO grades are also available for prompt delivery dates there, a source said. Bad weather is likely to hamper bunkering off Malta between Thursday and Saturday.

Some suppliers in Turkey’s Istanbul port are now offering HSFO for prompt delivery dates, an improvement from last week when supply was very tight. VLSFO and LSMGO supply is also good in the port, with most suppliers offering the grades within lead times of 3–4 days. Bunkering may be affected between Wednesday and Saturday due to adverse weather forecast in the area.

Africa

LSMGO remains tight in the South African port of Durban, with traders recommending lead times of up to two weeks for the grade. VLSFO is also tight for prompt delivery dates in both Durban and Richards Bay, a trader said. Lead times of 7–10 days are advised for VLSFO. Wind gusts of 24 knots are forecast in Durban on Saturday, which may disrupt bunkering. 

Mauritius’ Port Louis continues to witness tightness in supply across all three bunker grades, a trader said. Lead times of over two weeks are recommended to ensure full coverage from suppliers. Adverse weather is forecast in periods between Wednesday and Saturday, which could complicate bunkering in Port Louis.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 August 2024

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
Admin

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
Admin

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending