Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (15 May 2024)

Bunker supply is normal in the ARA hub; bunkering partially suspended in Las Palmas; LSMGO very tight in Maputo.

Published

11 months ago

May 16, 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:

Bunker supply is normal in the ARA hub
Bunkering partially suspended in Las Palmas
LSMGO very tight in Maputo

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is good in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. Lead times for VLSFO in Rotterdam have come down from 4-5 days noted last week to 3-5 days now, a trader said. Similar lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for HSFO and LSMGO in the ARA hub.

The ARA hub has imported 362,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, up from 252,000 b/d of fuel oil imported in April, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

Lithuania and Algeria have emerged as the ARA’s biggest fuel oil import sources so far this month, each accounting for 18% of the region’s total imports. Denmark holds the second spot, accounting for 17% of the region’s total imports, followed by France (13%) and Estonia (9%).

The region has imported 538,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, up from 358,000 b/d in April.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in the German port of Hamburg. Suppliers are able to offer prompt supply for all grades in the port. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised to ensure full coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Very prompt availability is tight across all bunker fuel grades off Skaw, with some suppliers able to offer stems only for non-prompt dates. A trader advises lead times of 7-10 days for all bunker fuel grades in the port.

Mediterranean

Bunkering was proceeding smoothly in Gibraltar on Wednesday, with minimal congestion reported, a trader told ENGINE. The trader advised lead times of 2-4 days across all grades, down from 4-6 days seen last week.

Bunkering has been suspended in Las Palmas' outer anchorage since Monday because of rough weather conditions. Operations are unlikely to resume at the outer anchorage until Friday afternoon due to a forecast of rough weather conditions, a trader said.

Most suppliers continue to deliver stems at Las Palmas' more sheltered inner anchorage or alongside, the trader added. Availability is normal across all grades, but adverse weather conditions have increased lead times for all grades from 3-5 days advised last week to 4-6 days now.

Bunker demand has been steady in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, according to a trader.

Availability is normal in the Greek port of Piraeus. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised across all grades in the port. Calm weather has made it conducive to bunkering in the port, a source said.

Bunker fuel availability is also good off Malta. A trader recommends lead times of 3-4 days for all grades in the port. Bad weather is forecast to hit in periods until Saturday and may complicate bunker deliveries in the region, a source said.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, securing grades for very prompt dates can be difficult. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended for all grades. Adverse weather conditions on Wednesday and Thursday could impact bunkering there.

Yacht races are scheduled to take place in the Bosphorus Strait on Sunday on the occasion of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, according to GAC Hot Port News. During this period, ship traffic will be temporarily suspended for a few hours.

Africa

Suppliers can offer VLSFO for non-prompt delivery dates in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay. A trader advises lead times of 7-10 days for the bunker fuel grade in both ports.

Durban also has normal availability of LSMGO. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended. Wind gusts of up to 24 knots are forecast on Friday, which could impact bunkering in Durban.

Mozambique’s port of Nacala has good availability of HSFO and LSMGO. Demand has been steady for both grades, a source said. VLSFO availability is extremely tight in the port amid high demand for the grade.

In contrast, VLSFO availability has been good in Maputo port in Mozambique. The grade's demand has been steady there. Meanwhile, LSMGO demand has been relatively high in Maputo, which has contributed to tighten supply in the port.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 May 2024

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FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

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GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

5 hours ago

April 21, 2025

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Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

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April 21, 2025

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UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025