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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunkering resumes in Gibraltar; ARA fuel oil inventories slip to six-week lows; no bunker backlog in Algoa Bay.

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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:

14 September 2022

  • Bunkering resumes in Gibraltar
  • ARA fuel oil inventories slip to six-week lows
  • No bunker backlog in Algoa Bay

 

Northwest Europe

LSMGO has become more readily available in the ARA hub with several suppliers now offering prompt deliveries, sources say. The recommended lead time for LSMGO delivery in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA is three days.

Securing VLSFO and HSFO stems for prompt dates can be more difficult, especially for HSFO. Some suppliers are running low on fuel oil in storage and await resupply, sources say. While VLSFO requires a lead time of around 5-7 days, HSFO now needs seven days at the very least.

Independently held fuel oil inventories in the ARA fell by 60,000 bbls to 7.13 million bbls in the week ending 8 September, according to Global Insights. Signs of dwindling Russian inflows seem to have contributed to draw down stocks.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, Russian fuel oil imports accounted for about a quarter of ARA’s fuel oil imports in July, but nothing was imported throughout August or so far this month.

The cargo tracker has instead picked up fuel oil cargoes flowing into the ARA from the UK, Greece, Germany, Saudi Arabia and other sources. The UK has been the biggest exporter to the ARA in since last month.

With European Union countries preparing to phase out imports of Russian oil products within eight months after an embargo was approved in June, refineries and oil traders in northwest Europe will eventually switch to non-Russian oil.

The region’s gasoil stocks have decreased by 480,000 bbls, to 12.39 million bbls last week.

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.

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, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker operations resumed in Gibraltar from last Friday evening, after being suspended for 10 days. Two vessels collided in Gibraltar on 31 August, which caused an oil spill and forced the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) to suspend bunkering along with other port operations.

Availability of LSMGO and VLSFO has normalised in Gibraltar and Algeciras, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries. Recommended lead times are about 4-6 days.

Securing HSFO stems for prompt dates can be slightly difficult in Gibraltar Strait ports, sources say.

With bunkering mostly resumed in Gibraltar, congestion has eased in the nearby ports of Algeciras, Ceuta and Las Palmas. Bunker calls were diverted from Gibraltar to these ports while bunkering was suspended.

Nine vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Ceuta on Wednesday, down from a peak of 12 last week, shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia says.

In Malta, nine vessels were due to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, down from a high of 15 last week, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. Bunker supply is said to be normal in Malta, where suppliers can delivery for prompt dates, a source says.

LSMGO availability is said to be normal in Las Palmas, while VLSFO is tight for prompt delivery, sources say.

 

Africa

Bunker supply is said to be normal in South Africa’s Algoa Bay, a source says. No backlog was reported in the region on Wednesday amid conducive weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Five vessels are scheduled to arrive for bunkers this week, it 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: 15 September, 2022

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Alternative Fuels

TMD Energy and Double Corporate to negotiate on bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions deal

TMD Energy and bioenergy firm Double Corporate entered into a MoA to explore a strategic collaboration in the business of bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions for Malaysia and global markets.

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Malaysia- and Singapore-based marine fuel bunkering services provider TMD Energy Limited (TMDEL) on Wednesday (18 June) announced the company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd to explore a strategic collaboration in the business of bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions for Malaysia and global markets. 

The company said this collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive negotiations to formalise partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

On 21 April, TMDEL, a 65.08%-owned subsidiary of Straits Energy Resources, was listed on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSE American).

TMDEL and its subsidiaries (TMDEL Group) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulphur fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil and very low sulphur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. 

TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering services.

Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specialising in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. 

Double Corporate has a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sustainable marine fuel (SMF) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the company, said: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritise finalising definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

 

Photo credit: TMD Energy
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based Proteus Energy introduces hydrogen fuel cell system for maritime sector

Company has partnered with hydrogen fuel cell company Symbio France to develop the Proteus Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels.

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Singapore-headquartered clean energy provider Proteus Energy on Wednesday (18 June) has developed the Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels. 

The first offering is the Proteus®75. Each fuel cell stack is 75 kW output, and these can be combined for larger power requirements. The vessel types being targeted are harbour craft, and vessels in the coastal, offshore support, and in-land waterway segments.

The technology has been developed in partnership with Symbio France, a world leading hydrogen fuel cell company with over 30 years track record. Symbio is jointly owned by global industrial groups Michelin, Stellantis, and Forvia.

“The maritime industry needs viable clean energy solutions today,” said Dr Lars Gruenitz, CEO of Proteus Energy. “We are providing a high energy density solution that is compact and lightweight, which is critical for vessels where space and weight considerations are imperative. This best-in-class system is the logical and most cost-effective choice to help operators make a quantum leap in their decarbonisation efforts”.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution can be delivered as a modular powerpack or customised and fitted into vessels.

Proteus’ fuel cell technology also complements electric propulsion and offers a powerful solution for hybrid vessels by extending their range and easing the load on batteries, thus improving space efficiency and vessel performance.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution will be backed by a two-year performance guarantee from Symbio France.

Symbio’s systems have already logged millions of kilometers powering cars, buses and commercial trucks across Europe. Now, that same rigorous, road-tested performance is being deployed at sea with added protections for marine operating conditions.

The fuel cell stacks are produced at Symbio’s gigafactory in Lyon, France, using robotic assembly systems capable of producing thousands of units annually.

This high-throughput capability ensures that Proteus can meet rising demand without sacrificing quality – something only established and proven hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers can claim.

What also sets Proteus apart is its ability to bring economies of scale, continuous R&D, and tried and tested reliability from land transport into the marine environment. 

To provide a convenient fuel storage option, Proteus also offers high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks developed with its partner Forvia, a major global components and technology company. The DNV type-approved tanks, which are already available for delivery, offer a safe and easy way to store hydrogen onboard vessels and will be produced on an industrial scale.

In addition, Proteus works with port operators to provide them with customised refueling solutions and infrastructure.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution is expected to be available for delivery beginning January 2026, with type approval from DNV anticipated before the end of this year. Proteus is ready to work with customers now.

 

Photo credit: Proteus Energy
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Sanctions

UK slaps sanctions on bunker company and Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers

Government has imposed sanctions on 20 oil tankers and Rosneft’s bunker fuel trading subsidiary Rosneft Marine (UK) Limited, in its latest action targeting Russia’s financial, military and energy sectors.

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The UK government on Tuesday (17 June) has imposed sanctions on 20 oil tankers and Rosneft’s bunker fuel trading subsidiary Rosneft Marine (UK) Limited, in its latest action targeting Russia’s financial, military and energy sectors.

The new sanctions crack down further on Russia’s shadow fleet, targeting 20 of oil tankers. The UK is also tightening the net around those who enable Putin’s illicit oil trade, sanctioning Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ, for their role in crewing and managing shadow fleet vessels. 
The action also targets Russia’s military capabilities, hitting the military agency leading the development of Russia’s underwater intelligence gathering operations (GUGI), protecting the UK from attacks on subsea infrastructure, restricting Putin’s war machine and increasing our security at home. 

“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

“We know that our sanctions are hitting hard, so while Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws.

“The threat posed by Russia cannot be underestimated, so I’m determined to take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure.”

According to Rosneft’s website, Rosneft Marine UK, a Rosneft trading division, was established in 2010 to carry out bunker fuel trading for international cargo shipping.

In 2010, an office was opened in London, then in Beijing in 2012.

 

Photo credit: balesstudio on Unsplash
Published: 19 June, 2025

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