Connect with us

Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker fuel availability tight in Gibraltar; ARA fuel oil stocks bulk up amid lower exports; Algoa Bay faces another bunker suspension.

Admin

Published

on

Resized Europe Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook image for Manifold Times 1

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:

31 August 2022

  • Bunker fuel availability tight in Gibraltar
  • ARA fuel oil stocks bulk up amid lower exports
  • Algoa Bay faces another bunker suspension

 

Northwest Europe

Several suppliers can offer prompt LSMGO deliveries in the ARA hub, sources say. VLSFO and HSFO supplies are tight to secure for prompt dates and require lead times of 5-6 days

Independently held fuel oil inventories in the ARA have swelled to multi-month highs last week, according to Insights Global data.

The region’s fuel oil stocks increased by 290,000 bbls to 7.98 million bbls in the week ending 25 August, Insights Global data shows. The stocks have increased despite signs of slowdown in Russian inflows, with lower exports explaining part of the growth in fuel inventories.

Fuel oil exports have slumped from 244,000 b/d on average in July to 138,000 b/d in the first four weeks of this month, Vortexa estimates. The export ratio of HSFO to low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) has flipped from 26/74 in July to 60/40 in August.

Less export volumes have departed for ports in Spain, Egypt, Norway and Morocco this month, while more to Senegal and the oil storage hub in Freeport, Bahamas.

Meanwhile, the ARA’s gasoil inventories decreased by 1.37 million bbls to 12.72 million bbls last week, Insights Global data shows. But the gasoil stocks were at their bulkiest level since mid-January.

Prompt LSMGO supply is readily available with some suppliers off Skaw, while HSFO deliveries are subject to enquiries, a source says

Bunker fuel availability remains normal in Hamburg and recommended lead times are about five days across all grades.

LSMGO availability is normal in Bremerhaven, but securing VLSFO and HSFO deliveries for prompt dates can be difficult. VLSFO availability is slight tight as a supplier awaits a resupply cargo from a Finnish refinery.

Securing prompt delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO can be difficult in Italy’s Ravenna and Monfalcone ports, while availability is said to be normal in Marghera, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker fuel availability is tight across all grades in Gibraltar. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are around seven days, while LSMGO has shorter lead time of five days.

Bunker operations were halted for a short period on Tuesday morning in Gibraltar, following a collision between a dry bulk carrier and an LNG carrier. But bunkering is said to be progressing smoothly now, a source says.

Gibraltar port authority is working to clear the situation and has directed the bulk carrier OS 35 that was involved in the collision to move Eastside of Gibraltar.

Three vessels are waiting to bunker in Gibraltar on Wednesday morning, port agent MH Bland says. One supplier is experiencing 18-24 hours of delay.

Bunker fuel availability is normal across all grades in Ceuta, sources say.

Bunker operations are running smoothly in Las Palmas, with suppliers offering deliveries at both inner and outer anchorages. VLSFO and LSMGO availability are normal in Las Palmas, and recommended lead times for LSMGO is around four days.

All ports in Malta and offshore bunkering areas are open for supply, with no backlogs reported so far, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. 11 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday.

 

Africa

Bunkering has been suspended in Algoa Bay since Monday due to adverse weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency.

Strong winds and waves ranging up to 3.4 meters have hit Algoa Bay on Tuesday, and weather is forecast to remain bad until Friday. Harsh weather conditions could lead to congestion build up over the coming days.

Last week, suppliers in Algoa Bay struggled to deliver stems due to multiple weather triggered disruptions, which has continued to this week. 10 vessels are scheduled to arrive to bunker in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, Rennies says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability are normal in Durban, and lead times are about seven days out.

A supplier can offer VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for prompt dates in Nigeria’s Lagos.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 1 September, 2022

Continue Reading

Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

Admin

Published

on

By

RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

Admin

Published

on

By

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

Admin

Published

on

By

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending