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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar; ARA fuel oil stocks fall 10% amid dwindling Russian inflows; Algoa Bay bunkering resumes after five-day suspension.

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ENGINE Europe

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:

7 September 2022

  • Bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar
  • ARA fuel oil stocks fall 10% amid dwindling Russian inflows
  • Algoa Bay bunkering resumes after five-day suspension

 

Northwest Europe

Several suppliers can offer prompt LSMGO deliveries in the ARA hub, sources say. VLSFO and HSFO supplies are in tight availability for prompt dates and require lead times of 5-7 days. The recommended lead time for LSMGO delivery in Rotterdam and other ports in the region is three days.

Independently held fuel oil inventories in the ARA fell by nearly 10% last week after consistently growing for four straight weeks, according to Insights Global data.

The region’s fuel oil stocks decreased by 790,000 bbls to 7.19 million bbls in the week ending 1 September. The region’s fuel oil stocks maintained steady growth through most of August amid lower exports. But signs of dwindling Russian inflows seem to have contributed to draw stocks in the latest week.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, Russian fuel oil imports accounted for about a quarter of ARA’s fuel oil imports in July, but nothing flowed in from Russia in August or so far in September.

Meanwhile, the region’s gasoil stocks have increased by a slight 50,000 bbls to 12.77 million bbls last week, Insights Global data shows. These inventories have grown steadily since they hit a multi-year low in June this year.

Some suppliers can offer limited quantities of LSMGO and HSFO off Skaw. Recommended lead times for the two grades are around seven days, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Italy’s Ravenna and Marghera, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker operations have been suspended in Gibraltar since Thursday as local authorities continue to oversee work to pump out fuel from the damaged dry bulk carrier OS 35.

Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) has confirmed that most of the fuel has been extracted from the vessel and the situation is stable now. The port authority might decide to resume normal port operations on Wednesday after reviewing the overall situation, GPA says.

On Tuesday last week, dry bulk carrier OS 35 collided with LNG carrier Adam LNG while it was trying to manoeuvre out of the Bay of Gibraltar. The OS 35 started leaking fuel oil on Thursday last week, and since then work has been underway to clean up the oil spill.

All inbound vessel traffic to Gibraltar’s western anchorage and outside the port limit (OPL) has been halted since last week. Meanwhile, suppliers in Gibraltar have fuel volumes to supply, but deliveries have been held back due to the port closure.

While bunkering remains suspended in Gibraltar, bunker calls have been diverted to nearby ports such as Algeciras, Ceuta and Las Palmas, sources say.

There has been good bunker demand in Algeciras, Las Palmas and Malta this week, sources say.

Heavy congestion has been reported at Algeciras’ inner and outer anchorages, port agent MH Bland says. Bunker calls have also increased in Ceuta, where 12 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers Wednesday, up from seven on Tuesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia.

Suppliers in and off Malta are said to be busy for the next two-three days to meet higher bunker demand in the region, a source says. All bunkering areas are open for supply in and off Malta, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. 15 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, up from 12 on Tuesday.

 

Africa

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday amid calmer weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Strong winds and heavy swells have kept Algoa Bay bunkering suspended since Friday, while it resumed in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Waves have come down to a level of 2 metres on Wednesday from above 6 metres on Monday.

10 vessels are scheduled to arrive to bunker in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, Rennies says.

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay, where suppliers are working to clear bunker backlogs, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Durban, and some suppliers can offer delivery for prompt dates, a source says. Recommended lead times for the two grades in Durban are around seven days.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 September 2022

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Digital platform

Ofiniti eBDN solution chosen by FincoEnergies for marine biofuel ops in ARA region

Development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

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FincoEnergies MT

Rotterdam-based FincoEnergies, an independent, leading supplier of (bio)fuels and decarbonisation services for the transport sector, will be adopting Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN technology, with operational support from VT Group.

The development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

“Schedules are becoming increasingly tighter as demand for sustainable biofuels grows,” explains Leon Arets, Trading & Operations Director at FincoEnergies.

“We’re adopting a platform that enhances structure and responsiveness. This digital leap allows us to not only scale efficiently but also deliver greater transparency and operational excellence to our clients.”

A spin-off from global assurance and risk management leader DNV, Ofiniti brings together deep industry know-how with cutting-edge technology. Its flagship platform, FuelBoss, is designed to replace cumbersome manual processes with streamlined digital workflows that boost efficiency and data reliability.

“Our work with LNG suppliers laid the groundwork,” notes Oliver Brix Sparsø, Global Director of Sales at Ofiniti. “But this collaboration with FincoEnergies and VT Group marks the first large-scale commitment to digital delivery workflows for biofuels. It’s a turning point for the region.”

FincoEnergies’ mission, Decarbonising the transport industry together, is grounded in collaboration and innovation. The partnership with Ofiniti and VT Group exemplifies this spirit, combining technological leadership with operational expertise.

“As operators, we continuously look for ways to improve life on board and support our partners,” adds Wouter van Reenen, Business Development Manager at VT Group. “FuelBoss is a strong fit for our operations and those of our chartering clients.”

Related: Ofiniti to digitalise Azane ammonia bunkering operations across Scandinavia
Related: Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore
Related: Global Fuel Supply to adopt FuelBoss by Ofiniti for e-BDN in West Africa
Related: Ofiniti appoints Oliver Brix Sparsø as new Global Director of Sales
Related: Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
Related: Singapore: FuelBoss by Ofiniti becomes sixth whitelisted e-BDN solution
Related: Digital bunkering platform Ofiniti successfully spun out from DNV
Related: FuelBoss to continue under new DNV company Ofiniti

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 17 June 2025

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Business

China: Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port to promote bunker fuel blending business

Development will help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry, noted the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office.

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Shanghai Zhongran and PetroChina Shanghai Port meeting

A meeting between representatives of Shanghai Zhongran, Shanghai Port Energy, PetroChina Shanghai Port, and Hongkou Customs took place at the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office on Thursday (12 June).

According to Shanghai Zhongran, the meeting’s objective was to discuss the implementation of a high-sulfur and low-sulfur fuel blending business at Shanghai.

During the meeting, a member of the Shanghai Customs Inspection Office stated it will take the opportunity of PetroChina Shanghai Port to carry out this business to promote the development of enterprises in Hongkou District.

The development will improve the utilisation rate of Shanghai Zhongran bonded storage tanks, improve storage functions, and help improve Shanghai Port’s bonded ship fuel supply industry.

After the meeting, PetroChina Shanghai Port submitted a formal application to Hongkou Customs.

Moving forward, Hongkou Customs will formulate a reconciliation plan, open a special account book, and promote the implementation of this business.

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Zhongran
Published: 17 June 2025

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Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

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Green Future MT

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

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