Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunkering resumes in Gibraltar; ARA fuel oil stocks plunge to four-month lows; bunkering suspended in Algoa Bay amid bad weather.

Published

3 years ago

September 29, 2022

Admin

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:

28 September 2022

Bunkering resumes in Gibraltar
ARA fuel oil stocks plunge to four-month lows
Bunkering suspended in Algoa Bay amid bad weather

Northwest Europe

More suppliers can now offer prompt deliveries of LSMGO in the ARA hub, while VLSFO and HSFO availability is slightly tight, sources say. Some suppliers are running low on fuel oil in storage and await resupply, sources say.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO in Rotterdam are 5-7 days, while LSMGO requires a shorter duration of three days, they say.

Independently held fuel oil inventories in the ARA slipped to their lowest level since June, according to Global Insights. The stocks decreased by 250,000 bbls to 6.91 million bbls in the week to 22 September, the data showed.

Signs of higher exports and dwindling Russian inflows could have contributed to the most recent stock draw in the ARA.

Russian fuel oil imports accounted for about a quarter of the ARA’s fuel oil imports in July, but nothing was imported throughout August or so far this month, according to Vortexa. The cargo tracker has instead picked up fuel oil cargoes flowing into the ARA from the UK, Germany, France, Greece, Saudi Arabia and other sources. The UK has been the biggest exporter to the ARA since last month.

The region’s gasoil stocks increased by 230,000 bbls, to 12.67 million bbls last week.

Three of TotalEnergies’ refineries in France are facing three-day strike action over pay disputes with workers. Currently, there is no impact on bunker fuel supplies to most ports in France, a source says. But prompt availability is said to be tight in Marseille.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal off Skaw, while HSFO is slightly tight for prompt delivery, a source says.

Mediterranean

Bunker operations resumed in Gibraltar late last week. This has eased some congestion in the nearby ports of Algeciras, Ceuta and Las Palmas. Bunker calls were diverted from Gibraltar to these ports while bunkering was suspended last week.

Bunkering was halted in Gibraltar last week as local authorities were working to clear debris and an oil sheen formed by residual fuel oil from the recently damaged OS 35 bulk carrier.

There is a forecast of strong winds in Gibraltar on Thursday, which could cause some disruptions.

Fuel availability is said to be normal across most ports in the Gibraltar Strait, but some suppliers are experiencing delays due to bunker backlogs from last week, sources say. Three suppliers in Algeciras, and one each in Gibraltar and Ceuta are running behind schedule.

Recommended lead times for all fuel grades in Gibraltar Strait are 3-5 days, a source says. Offer prices are typically valid for 10 minutes amid volatility.

No backlog has been reported in Malta this week, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. 12 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Malta on Tuesday, up from eight on Monday. Bunker supply across all grades is normal in Malta, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries, a source says.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, suppliers can offer limited quantities of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO for prompt dates.

Africa

Bunker operations have been suspended in Algoa Bay since Tuesday due to strong winds and heavy swells, according to Rennies Ships Agency.

Waves of up to 3.5 metres hit Algoa Bay on Tuesday, disrupting bunker deliveries. Waves are forecast to recede on Thursday, which could allow bunkering to resume then.

Seven vessels were waiting to bunker at anchorage in Algoa Bay on Wednesday, and 12 more are scheduled to arrive this week, Rennies says.

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay and Durban, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 29 September, 2022

FuelEU

FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025