Bunker Fuel

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

Prompt LSMGO supply good in ARA; prompt availability tight for all grades in Piraeus; LSMGO running dry in Durban.

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2024

Admin

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 good in ARA
Prompt availability tight for all grades in Piraeus
LSMGO running dry in Durban

Northwest Europe

In the ARA hub, recommended lead times for HSFO have come down slightly to 4-6 days, according to a trader. In the last few weeks, lead times of 5-7 days were recommended for the high sulphur grade. LSMGO availability continues to be good for prompt delivery dates with lead times of 2-4 days advised for the grade. VLSFO requires slightly longer lead times of 5-7 days, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability of bunker fuel in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp is currently normal, according to a trader. With comparatively fewer suppliers in Amsterdam, lead times may be slightly longer.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 5% lower so far this month than across January, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 117,000 b/d of fuel oil in February so far, sharply down from 222,000 b/d in January, according to cargo tracker Vortexa data. The ARA hub imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 48/52 ratio in January, but coming into February, that ratio has tilted much more towards LSFO and changed to 82/18.

Sweden has emerged as the ARA hub’s biggest fuel oil import source, accounting for 22% of the ARA’s total imports this month. Denmark (21%) has ranked second, followed by Germany and the UK (19% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased by 6% so far in February. That comes despite a decrease in imports from 399,000 b/d in January to 382,000 b/d this month.

In the German port of Hamburg, availability is good across all bunker fuel grades. Lead times have remained unchanged over the past few weeks with a trader advising 3-5 days for all three grades.

Off Skaw, suggested lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO bunker grades are 5-7 days, while HSFO remains tight and can require lead times of 7-10 days.

Mediterranean

Ports in the Gibraltar Straits have been reeling under adverse weather conditions since last week. Gibraltar port faced a temporary suspension in operations on Thursday night which continued into Friday due to a thunderstorm warning and strong gale-force winds. This has caused congestion due to a severe backlog in Gibraltar and also led to supplier delays in Algeciras.

Lead times of 6-8 days have been recommended for HSFO, according to a source. Comparatively shorter lead times of 5-6 days are advised for VLSFO. Prompt LSMGO availability is good with lead times of 2-4 days recommended for the grade.

Rough weather conditions off Malta are likely to impact bunkering at some anchorage locations on Wednesday. As a result, a bunker backlog could materialise off Malta, a source said. Availability is currently good for all grades.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, availability is tight for prompt delivery dates across all grades, a trader said. Strong wind gusts of 26 knots are forecast for Wednesday and may impact bunkering in the anchorage area.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, prompt availability for all grades is good, a trader said. Strong winds of 34 knots are forecast in the area on Thursday and may impact bunkering.

Africa

South African ports of Richards Bay and Durban are dealing with extremely tight availability, a trader said.

LSMGO availability is dry at both Richards Bay and Durban. Though VLSFO is available, the grade is running very tight, a source said. Lead times for VLSFO have ranged between 10-14 days in the past few weeks.

Demand for bunkering in South African ports has been shifting to Port Louis in Mauritius, where availability is comparatively better.

Meanwhile, demand continues to be fairly high in the ports of Nacala and Maputo in Mozambique. A supplier in these ports has been witnessing continued high demand due to vessel diversions caused by the Red Sea crisis from December.

In Nacala, HSFO and VLSFO are in high demand, while LSMGO is witnessing moderate demand, a source told ENGINE. Availability of HSFO and LSMGO bunker grades is good in the port, while VLSFO is tight for prompt delivery.

In Maputo, VLSFO is in high demand. As a result, the grade is running tight for prompt delivery dates. Availability of LSMGO is good in the port, the source said.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 February, 2024

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FOBAS: Chemical contamination and operational problems in Istanbul

FOBAS has tested fuel samples from vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps.

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Tuesday (29 April) released a bulletin regarding testing of fuel samples from different vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested fuel samples from different vessels that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps. These vessels bunkered fuel in March and April this year from Istanbul.

These fuels have been further investigated with extended chemical analysis showing a number of chemical species present with some at very high levels.

Various chemicals were found including 4-Cumyl Phenol and Cyclohexane Diol at high levels. Resin acids and Acrylates were also identified along with unusually high levels of DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene), Indene and trace levels of Tetrachloroethylene.

Not all these chemicals may be contributing to the problems, but they are in a pattern seen in some problem fuels from Antwerp and Rotterdam in 2024 and a number of problem fuels from Houston in 2023 and 2018. Some of these chemicals can polymerise and are used in the manufacture of resins and plastics and may be reacting together under the heat and pressure of the fuel injection system.

These fuels were found to be on-spec based on standard routine analysis. However, there are some particular parameters of note. Viscosity was low at around 40cSt, acid numbers were high (1.50 – 2.50mgKOH/g) and all fuels were VLSFO with sulphur content <0.50%. This low viscosity and high acid number pattern aligns with other contaminated fuels seen in Houston in 2023).

We would suggest that if you have bunkered in the last 2-3 months in Istanbul to be particularly cautious with the use of the fuel. In particular if the fuel has a low viscosity, around 50cSt or lower, high acid number >1.00mgKOH/g or high sediments, we would suggest to discuss further testing options as this problematic fuel may not be isolated to only two vessels.

It should also be noted and suppliers reminded that any fuel purchased against the ISO8217 standard must meet the general requirements of clause 5 as well as limits in the characteristics tables. Clause 5 includes the statement that the fuel should be a “homogeneous blend of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining” and be free from any substance or chemical waste that “jeopardizes the safety of the ship or adversely affects the performance of the machinery”.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025