ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (16 Sep 2026)

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 availability remains tight in ARA
• High demand tightens LSMGO availability in Piraeus
• VLSFO and LSMGO require 7-10 days in Luanda

Northwest Europe

Prompt fuel availability in the ARA is tight, and buyers have been advised to allow 5-7 days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 17% higher in September so far, compared to August’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 256,000 b/d of fuel oil this month, down from around 342,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments have come from Mexico (32%), Colombia (28%) and the US (14%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have gained 2% this month compared to August, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 157,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, inching up from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (41%), the UK (17%) and Denmark (14%).

Fuel availability in Hamburg is normal, with five days’ notice recommended for delivery of any grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunker availability remains tight off Skaw and in Gothenburg, where buyers have been told to allow 10-14 days for all grades, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Prompt availability at Gibraltar Strait ports is tight, with lead times of 10-12 days recommended for reliable coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Last week’s Gibraltar congestion has now mostly been cleared, but some suppliers in the port have been delayed by 12-16 hours on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. Some suppliers in Algeciras are running 8-12 hours behind schedule, the port agent added.

In the Spanish port of Ceuta, barge deliveries have been running 4-6 hours late, while ex-pipe deliveries have been running around 8-10 hours behind schedule.

Buyers in Barcelona should place orders at least seven days ahead of delivery for any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Las Palmas’ bunker availability is tight for prompt deliveries, and buyers have been advised to allow around 10-12 days if they want to avoid steep premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability off Malta is also tight for prompt supplies, with 5-7 days’ notice recommended to secure competitively priced fuel, a trader told ENGINE.

LSMGO availability in Piraeus can be a bit tight due to high demand and low barge availability, a local supplier told ENGINE. HSFO is also suffering from low availability, a trader added.

Istanbul fuel availability is normal, with every grade obtainable on 1-3 days’ notice, a trader said.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in Togo’s Lome, where buyers have been told to allow a week for either grade, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Angola’s Luanda, with buyers requested to give around 7-10 days of lead times for deliveries of both fuel grades, a supplier told ENGINE.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, prompt supply is tight and buyers have been advised to allow 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are tight for prompt delivery in South Africa’s Durban, a trader said, with a week’s notice advised for any grade.

Port Louis in Mauritius is very tight, and buyers have been told to allow 10-14 days to secure VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

VLSFO remains tight for prompt delivery at the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, where a week’s notice is needed, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 September, 2026