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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO, HSFO supply slightly tight in Gibraltar Strait ports; Russia becomes the ARA’s biggest fuel oil source again; Bunker supply normal in Durban and Algoa Bay.
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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:

19 October 2022 

  • VLSFO, HSFO supply slightly tight in Gibraltar Strait ports
  • Russia becomes the ARA’s biggest fuel oil source again
  • Bunker supply normal in Durban and Algoa Bay

 

Northwest Europe

Prompt supply of LSMGO and VLSFO is said to be normal in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA hub, sources say. Recommended lead times for the two grades in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO requires longer lead times of 5-7 days, a source says.

Meanwhile, independently held fuel oil and gasoil inventories in the ARA dropped last week, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil stocks decreased by 460,000 bbls to 6.65 million bbls in the week to 13 October and remained below their five-year average position.

Russia has regained its position of top fuel oil exporter to the ARA, according to Vortexa cargo tracking data. Most of the region’s fuel oil imports have come from Russia so far in October, and some quantities have arrived from other countries including Estonia, Colombia, France, Bulgaria and Poland.

This came as a surprise as there were no Russian fuel oil volumes imported to the ARA in July, August and September, Vortexa data shows. EU countries have agreed to phase out imports of Russian crude oil and oil products towards embargo deadlines by December and February, respectively. This means that there is still scope for fuel oil and gasoil inflows until February.

The region’s gasoil stocks decreased by a significant 1.43 million bbls to 12.38 million bbls last week. And the stocks continue to be far below their five-year average position.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal off Skaw, a source says. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are around seven days. HSFO requires a longer lead time of around 10 days.

Bunker supply is said to be tight across key ports in France including Dunkirk and Le Havre as nation-wide strike over pay hike disputes has hit the supply chain. Workers at ExxonMobil’s two French refineries ended strike late last week, while workers at TotalEnergies’ three refineries are still on strike.

Workers at ExxonMobil’s 140,000 b/d Fos and 240,000 b/d Port Jerome refineries are gradually returning to work after a strike action that lasted more than three weeks. These refineries could take 2-3 weeks to fully restart operations, a company spokesperson told Reuters.

 

Mediterranean

Securing prompt delivery of VLSFO can be slightly difficult in Gibraltar, a source says. One supplier in the Gibraltar Strait expects to be low on VLSFO stocks until around 24 October.

Gibraltar’s VLSFO price is at a slight discount to Las Palmas, while at premiums over other regional ports including Algeciras, Malta and Ceuta. Prompt supply of LSMGO is said to be normal in Gibraltar, while HSFO remains subject to enquiries.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Algeciras, Malta, Ceuta and Las Palmas, sources say.

Bad weather conditions have raised concerns over smooth bunker deliveries in Las Palmas. Swells of 1.5 metres hit Las Palmas on Wednesday. Strong swells are forecast on Thursday and Friday, which could disrupt deliveries at the port’s weather-exposed anchorages.

Minimal congestion has been reported in Gibraltar and Algeciras this week, according to port agent MH Bland. Bunker operations are running normally in Ceuta. Eight vessels were due to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia said.

All bunkering areas are open for supply in Malta. 10 were due to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday, up from seven on Tuesday, according to Seatrans Shipping agency.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be tight in the Spanish port of Huelva, a source says.

 

Africa

No bunker backlogs were reported in Algoa Bay on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Sturrock Grindrod. Gale-force winds of up to 38 knots are forecast to hit the region on Thursday, which could disrupt smooth bunker deliveries. Eight vessels are scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Port Elizabeth and Algoa Bay this week, Sturrock Grindrod says.

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay. VLSFO continues to be priced considerably lower than in nearby Durban.

In Durban, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal. Recommended lead times for both the grades are around seven days.

Port and rail workers at South Africa’s logistic company Transnet ended a strike this week. Transnet reached a three-year wage deal with one of the two unions that represent the majority of its workers. A resolution to the strikes is expected to ease cargo congestion in Durban and other South African ports, and allow for exports from the country to pick up again.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 20 October, 2022

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Business

Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands ops with new Shanghai branch office

The HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist E-Marine’s head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China.
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June 4, 2026

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E Marine Shanghai office front

Hong Kong-based marine fuel and lubricant trading company Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service Corporation Limited (E-Marine) on April 15 launched a branch office in Shanghai, learned Manifold Times.

The company HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist the head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China, Managing Director Darcy Wang told the bunkering publication.

“The Shanghai office serves as our China business support and coordination centre. It enables us to stay close to our customers, suppliers and business partners, while also providing access to a deep pool of industry talent,” he shared.

“This development is in line the target to significantly increase our annual bonded bunkering portfolio in China to 1 million metric tonnes (mt) by 2030.

“As we continue to expand our presence in China, we welcome capable and motivated individuals who share our long-term vision to join our Shanghai office.”

E-Marine’s new Shanghai office address is as follows:

Shanghai Xuhui District
Chang Ning Road No.889
Shanghai Yang Guang Bin Jiang Center
Unit 22-13

Candidates interested in growing together with E-Marine are invited to send their CV or profile to [email protected].

E Marine Shanghai office tea cups

Related: E-Marine raising China bonded bunker trading portfolio to 1 million mt by 2030, seeks talents
Related: Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine obtains ISCC EU certification
Related: Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine introduces Global Sales & Procurement Manager
Related: Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands operations with Singapore branch
Related: Bunker and lube trading firm Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service to open Singapore branch by June

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June 2026

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

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June 3, 2026

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.
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June 3, 2026

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier. 

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions. 

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

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