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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (17 April 2024)

LSMGO tightens a bit in the ARA; several Mediterranean ports grapple with low demand; LSMGO supply improves 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:

  • LSMGO tightens a bit in the ARA
  • Several Mediterranean ports grapple with low demand
  • LSMGO supply improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

LSMGO availability in the ARA has tightened slightly as some bunker suppliers are experiencing supply delays, a trader said. Lead times for the grade have gone up from last week's 2-4 days to 3-5 days now.

Lead times for HSFO and VLSFO in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub remain unchanged from last week. HSFO requires lead times of 4-6 days, while VLSFO requires 4-5 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 7% lower so far this month than across March, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 385,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, up from 254,000 b/d in March, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.  

Mexico has emerged as the ARA’s biggest fuel oil import source this month, accounting for 25% of the region’s total imports. Lithuania has ranked second, accounting for 16% of the total imports, followed by the UK (13%), the US (10%) and France (8%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased by 3% this month. Gasoil stocks have risen to their highest levels since June last year. The region has imported 288,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, down from 373,000 b/d imported in March.

The German port of Hamburg has good availability across all bunker grades, with suppliers offering stems for prompt delivery dates. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for all grades, a trader says.

Off Skaw, availability is very tight for all grades, with supply mostly available for non-prompt delivery dates, a trader said. Lead times of up to two weeks are generally recommended for all grades. Adverse weather is forecast to hit the region this week, which could complicate deliveries not only in the current week but also extend into next week

Mediterranean

Availability is normal in Gibraltar, with lead times of 4-6 days advised for all grades, according to a trader. Wind gusts of up to 26–30 knots are forecast to hit Gibraltar and Ceuta on Friday and may trigger bunker suspensions.

The weather is forecast to remain rough over the weekend as well, which could complicate deliveries in the Gibraltar Strait.

Bunker fuel availability is also good in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, according to a trader.

Other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul continue to grapple with low demand, a trader said.

The Greek port of Piraeus has good availability across all grades. Suppliers are able to offer grades for prompt deliveries in the port, according to a trader. Piraeus has been witnessing rough weather since Tuesday and is expected to prevail till Friday. This may disrupt bunker operations at the port. 

Bunker fuel availability is good off Malta, with prompt supply offered for all grades. Bunkering may be hampered off Malta with adverse weather conditions forecast in the area until Friday.

All grades are available for prompt delivery dates in the Turkish port of Istanbul, a trader said. The weather is also bad in the region, which could impact bunkering in the area until Friday.

Africa

LSMGO supply has improved in the South African port of Durban. Suppliers are now offering the grade for non-prompt delivery dates, a trader said. Previously, supply was scarce, with most suppliers unable to offer the low-sulphur grade for prompt dates as well as for dates further out.

VLSFO supply is normal in Durban and Richards Bay. Lead times of 7–10 days are recommended for the grade, similar to previous weeks. Durban was hit with bad weather on Wednesday, and it may impact bunkering.

Seven months have passed since offshore bunkering was suspended in South Africa's Algoa Bay last September. The suspension was enforced after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges over import duty disputes. One supplier is offering in-port deliveries in Port Elizabeth, where bunkering is only available by truck.

It remains unclear when offshore bunker supply will resume in Algoa Bay, as negotiations are still ongoing between suppliers and authorities.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 18 April 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

4.46 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port decreased by 9.1% on year in January 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.46 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,461,710 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt (4,906,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 1.66 million mt (zero from 1.66 million mt), 2.43 million mt (-15% from 2.86 million mt), 900 (+100% from zero), 3,100 mt (-77% from 13,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 16,000 (+100% from zero), 92,000 mt (+103% from 45,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero).

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 6,600 mt (-36.5% from 10,400) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 5.2% on year in December 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 4.6% on year in November 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 10.8% on year in October 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 2.8% on year in September 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.2% on year in August 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 3.3% on year in July 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain 8.7% in June 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.7% in May 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 0.6% on year in April 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.4% on year in March 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 18.8% on year in February 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 12.1% on year in January 2024

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Firm is currently in advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia to produce bio-LNG.

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Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Straits Bio-LNG, a privately owned supplier of bio-LNG, is aiming to deliver 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) of bio-LNG per year in Singapore, according to SEA-LNG on Thursday (13 February).

The Singapore-based company, led by SK Tan as CEO, is doing so in response to the growing demand for LNG. LNG bunkering volumes have grown significantly in key bunkering hubs as more LNG-fuelled vessels have entered into operation. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) saw a dramatic four-fold increase in 2024 to almost 340,000 mt, SEA-LNG said in a statement announcing Straits Bio-LNG joining the coalition. 

Headquartered in Singapore, the company boasts a growing team led by SK Tan as CEO.  

Yiyong He, Director at Straits Bio-LNG, said: “We’re firmly convinced in the viability of the LNG pathway to decarbonise the shipping industry. With its very low carbon intensity and improving commerciality, liquified biomethane will be a critical piece of the puzzle for decarbonising the sector.”

“By joining SEA-LNG, we’re proud to be part of a collection of first movers making real strides to make the LNG pathway a tangible reality today.”

Straits Bio-LNG aims to reach its bio-LNG supply goal by using pioneering methods. It is currently in the advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia. 

Both Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and EFB are sustainable biomass resources listed in the “List of Materials Eligible for ISCC EU Certification” and are therefore compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, added: “The Port of Singapore is the largest global bunkering hub. As seen in our View from the Bridge report, 2024 saw record growth in LNG and liquified biomethane bunkering, but we need more fuel to meet upcoming demand.”

“The use of liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel on a full well-to-wake basis. When produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste materials, such as manure, POME or EFB, methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, resulting in negative emissions of up to -190% compared with diesel."

An independent study by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore found that pure bio-LNG could cover up to 13% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels in 2050, rising to 63% for a 20% blending ratio. 

SEA-LNG added MPA has firmly established itself as a leader in the LNG pathway, with suppliers such as Straits Bio-LNG reinforcing this position. 

Recently, the port launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

“Straits Bio-LNG will play a critical role in furthering the expansion of liquified biomethane at scale to meet the demand and continuing to showcase the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic solution for shipowners to decarbonise their operations, starting today,” it said. 

Related: Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

 

Photo credit: Straits Bio-LNG
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

South Korea to invest USD 154 million into construction of environment-friendly ships

Government, local governments, and public institutions plan to invest approximately KRW 222.3 billion (USD 154 million) to support the building or conversion of 81 environment-friendly ships.

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RESIZED Lauren Seo on Unsplash

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) Tuesday (11 February) announced that it has prepared the 2025 Implementation Plan for Environment-Friendly Ship Distribution in accordance with the first Master Plan for Environment-Friendly Ship Development and Distribution (2021-2030).

The government enacted the Act on the Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Ships in December 2018 to mandate the public sector to build environment-friendly ships and provide the private sector with a legal basis to reduce acquisition taxes and provide subsidies when converting into environment-friendly ships. 

As a result, 199 ships were converted into environment-friendly ships as of last year.

This year, the government, local governments, and public institutions plan to invest approximately KRW 222.3 billion (USD 154 million) to support the building or conversion of 81 environment-friendly ships.

The public sector plans to build a total of 34 environment-friendly vessels, including electric-powered or hybrid ships, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, 15 operating ships will be equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF) to reduce fine dust emissions.

In the private sector, support will be provided for building 20 ships in keeping with the demand for transitioning to environment-friendly vessels. Financial assistance such as secondary financing will continue to be offered as well for 12 vessels for installing environment-friendly equipment.

Meanwhile, applications for the 2025 First Phase of the Certified Environment-Friendly Vessel Supply Support Project will be accepted from 31  January 31 to 27 March to support the construction of environment-friendly vessels by small and medium-sized coastal shipping companies operating in domestic ports.

Eligible applicants include coastal shipping companies that order certified environment-friendly vessels such as electric-powered or liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled ships. Selected applicants can receive subsidies of up to 30% of the ship's construction cost depending on the certification grade and vessel construction expenses.

“We will make generous investments in small and medium-sized shipping companies to convert into environment-friendly ships, drastically reduce greenhouse gases in the shipping industry, and proactively respond to strengthening international decarbonization regulations,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.

 

Photo credit: Lauren Seo on Unsplash
Published: 14 February, 2025

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