Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt VLSFO, LSMGO supply normal in Gibraltar Strait; ARA fuel oil stocks plunge to multi-month lows;
bunkering suspended in Algoa Bay amid bad weather.

Published

4 years ago

November 3, 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:

2 November 2022

Prompt VLSFO, LSMGO supply normal in Gibraltar Strait
ARA fuel oil stocks plunge to multi-month lows
Bunkering suspended in Algoa Bay amid bad weather

Northwest Europe

Bunker supply across all grades is said to be normal in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA hub, sources say. Several suppliers can offer prompt deliveries of LSMGO in the region. Recommended lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO may require 5-6 days, sources say.

Meanwhile, independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA have dropped to their lowest level since May, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil stocks decreased by 270,000 bbls to 6.22 million bbls in the week to 27 October and remained below their five-year average position.

According to Vortexa data, the ARA’s fuel oil imports have decreased in October and exports have risen, which could have contributed towards the recent stock draws.

Imports to the region have decreased by 18,000 b/d from September to 302,000 b/d in October. Most of these import volumes have come from Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Germany and the UAE.

The region’s gasoil stocks decreased by 730,000 bbls to 13.08 million bbls. But 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.

Mediterranean

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Gibraltar Strait ports, while HSFO deliveries remain subject to enquiries. The recommended lead time for HSFO in Gibraltar is around seven days.

Meanwhile, the port’s HSFO benchmark is at discounts to several other regional ports including Algeciras, Las Palmas and Malta. But it is at a premium over Ceuta.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Algeciras, Ceuta and Malta, sources say. But securing prompt delivery of VLSFO can be slightly difficult in Las Palmas, a source says.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, VLSFO supply is tight for prompt dates, a source says. Availability of LSMGO is said to be good there.

Minimal congestion has been reported in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta this week, while bunker operations are progressing normally in Las Palmas, port agent MH Bland says. Six vessels were scheduled to arrive on Wednesday for bunkers in Ceuta, down from 11 on Tuesday, shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia says.

Strong waves are forecast to hit Las Palmas over the weekend, which could disrupt deliveries in the port’s weather-exposed outer anchorage area.

All bunkering areas are open for supply off Malta. Seven vessels were due to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. Bad weather conditions are forecast over the weekend, which could cause some delays off Malta, a source says.

Africa

Bunker operations have been suspended in Algoa Bay due to bad weather, according Rennies Ships Agency. Strong winds and waves of more than 3 meters hit Algoa Bay on Wednesday, disrupting bunker deliveries there. Four vessels were waiting to bunker at anchorage on Wednesday, and 11 more vessels are due to arrive this week, Rennies says.

Bunker supply across all grades is good in Mozambique’s Maputo and Nacala ports, a source says. Bunkering is progressing normally in both of the ports. Four vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Nacala this week, and one in Maputo, the source says.

In South Africa’s Durban port, supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal. Recommended lead times for both the grades is around seven days, a source says.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 November, 2022

Legal

Shell Singapore charged over Pulau Bukom oil leaks, reporting delays

Shell faces four charges under Singapore’s Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act over two 2024 oil discharge incidents at its Pulau Bukom facility.

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

2 MPA craft (left) supporting Shell craft in the clean up operations of the oil sheens taken on 28 Dec 9am

Shell Singapore has been charged over two incidents in 2024 involving oily mixtures discharged into Singapore waters from its facilities at Pulau Bukom, according to media reports on Tuesday (22 September).

The company faces four charges under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, including allegations that it failed to report the discharges to the port master immediately.

The first incident occurred on 20 October 2024, when approximately 40 metric tonnes (mt) of oily mixture was discharged through a hole in a pipeline at the Shell Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park at about 8am.

Shell is accused of reporting the incident to the port master at about 12.55pm, several hours after the discharge occurred.

The second incident took place between 26 and 28 December 2024. An estimated 485kg to 956kg of oil mixture was discharged into Singapore waters from the same facility.

Shell is accused of failing to report the incident immediately, with notification to the port master made at about 11.50am on 26 December 2024, according to the charges.

Singapore’s pollution-prevention regulations require occupiers of such facilities to report oil or oily-mixture discharges into Singapore waters “without delay and to the fullest extent possible”.

Shell’s representative requested an eight-week adjournment at the 22 September hearing, citing the need to obtain internal instructions, appoint counsel and locate historical records. The company said the business associated with the incidents had been divested in 2025.

The case was adjourned to October. Shell is also facing prosecution by Singapore’s National Environment Agency over the same incidents.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 September, 2026

Incident

MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said.

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment.

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Mass Flowmeter

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Bunker barge “Kingston Trader” is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Thursday (24 September) said its bunker barge Kingston Trader is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

The company said the latest installation brings the proportion of TFG Marine’s fleet equipped with MFMs to approximately 88%, marking another step in the continued rollout of this technology across its global bunkering operations.

“The barge will operate in Jamaica through our local partnership with Scott Petroleum, becoming the first bunkering vessel in the region equipped with this technology and bringing greater accuracy, transparency and assurance to fuel measurement for customers across the Caribbean,” TFG Marine said in a social media post.

“Together with Scott Petroleum, we look forward to working collaboratively with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, the The Port Authority of Jamaica, Petrojam Limited and other stakeholders to share our experience of MFM technology, explore its wider benefits and support the continued development of bunkering standards across the region.”

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine continuing to expand MFM technology across its US Gulf Coast bunker fleet with Buffalo B414 and Buffalo B304 being fitted with the equipment.

Last year, TFG Marine announced it reached a key milestone in its global digitalisation programme with the installation of an ISO 22192-compliant MFM on the Buffalo 404, a barge on time charter from American bunker barge company Buffalo Marine Service Inc.

The installation was part of TFG Marine’s wider strategy to equip close to 90% of its global bunkering fleet with MFMs by 2026 as a commitment towards improving data integrity, streamlining operations and strengthening trust in marine fuel transactions.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 25 September, 2026