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:

• Tight prompt availability in the ARA hub
• Hamburg has good prompt availability
• Prompt deliveries on offer in Barcelona

 Northwest Europe

Fuel availability at the ARA hub is strained, with lead times ranging from 7-10 days, according to a trader.

As for biofuels, 5-10 days of lead times are recommended by a supplier. However, lead time advise varies from supplier to supplier, as these deliveries are custom and not all suppliers store biofuels on barges continuously.

Another supplier advises 2-3 days for B100 bunker deliveries, and yet another more than a week of lead time.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have been reduced by 7% in June so far, according to Insights Global data. At 6.69 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks are at their lowest average this year and about 31% lower than the same period last year.

The region has imported 82,000 b/d of fuel oil in June so far, a significant decline compared from May’s 176,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported just under half of its fuel oil from the US and UK, followed by Germany (19%) and Sweden (13%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have sunk by 4% in June compared to May. The ARA hub has imported a total of 147,000 b/d of gasoil and diesel in June, recording a considerable decrease from May’s 315,000 b/d, Vortexa data shows.

Consistent with the last few weeks, availability of all grades is good in Hamburg with lead times of 3-5 days advised, another trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Availability of all fuel grades is tight in the Gibraltar Strait ports, according to a trader. Lead times of 8-9 days for HSFO and LSMGO and of 10-12 days for VLSFO are recommended.

Gibraltar had two vessels awaiting bunkers on Wednesday due to limited bunker barge availability, according to port agent MH Bland. Two suppliers are running up to six hours behind schedule.

In Algeciras, suppliers are running anywhere between 2-24 hours behind schedule, the port agent said.

One supplier at Ceuta is delayed by 20 hours at the anchorage. The port is expected to face wind gusts of up to 19 knots on Wednesday.

Bunker availability is good at Las Palmas, with 5-7 days of lead times advised.

All grades are readily available in Barcelona, according to a trader, with recommended lead times unchanged at 5-7 days.

Off Malta, all grades are readily available with lead times of 1-2 days advised.

Availability for all grades is good at the Greek port of Piraeus, according to a trader. Possible weather-related disruptions are forecast on 29 July and 1-2 July, according to a trader.

In Istanbul, prompt supplies of fuel grades are readily available with lead times of 2-3 advised, according to a trader. Weather-related disruptions at the port are possible from 28 June to 3 July, according to a trader.

Two suppliers that have launched biofuel bunker supply in Istanbul are unable to offer because they lack supply, a trader says. There are no suppliers offering biofuels in Türkiye at the moment.

Africa

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, demand for VLSFO is steady and is strong for LSMGO. However, prompt VLSFO prompt availability is tight at both ports, according to a supplier. Consistent with last week, HSFO and LSMGO is readily available in Nacala while prompt LSMGO remains very tight in Maputo.

VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Port Louis, whereas HSFO availability is strained, according to a trader.

Durban has good bunker supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

At Luanda, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good, according to a trader.

Good prompt bunker availability off Walvis Bay, with lead times of 3-6 days, remains consistent with last week.

Availability of all grades is good in Lome, according to a trader.

By Samantha Shaji

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 26 June, 2025