Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Low sulphur supply normal in the ARA and Gibraltar Strait; ARA fuel oil stocks recover from multi-month lows; bunker supplies normal in Durban, Algoa Bay.

Admin

Published

on

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:

9 November 2022

  • Low sulphur supply normal in the ARA and Gibraltar Strait
  • ARA fuel oil stocks recover from multi-month lows
  • Bunker supplies normal in Durban, Algoa Bay

Northwest Europe

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA hub, sources say. Several suppliers can offer very 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.

The ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have bounced back after hitting their lowest levels since May, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil stocks increased by 1.21 million bbls to 7.43 million bbls in the week to 3 November. But they are still below their five-year average position.

According to Vortexa data, the ARA’s fuel oil exports have increased coming into this month, while its imports have slowed considerably.

The region’s gasoil stocks decreased by 160,000 bbls to 12.92 million bbls last week. The inventories remain far below their five-year average position.

Meanwhile, Antwerp has been hit by strike action this week. Several workers at the port started a 24-hour strike from 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday morning. There are concerns that the strike could disrupt vessel movements and cargo handling in the port, sources say. Moreover, container shipping firm A.P. Moller – Maersk has cautioned against potential strike action from tugboat workers in Antwerp.

Supply of VLSFO is normal off Skaw, while LSMGO is slightly tight for prompt dates, a source says. Recommended lead times for the two grades are around seven days. HSFO requires a longer lead time of around 10 days.

Prompt supply of LSGMO is good in Bremerhaven, and some suppliers can offer limited quantities of VLSFO.

Prompt supply of bunker fuels across all grades is tight in French ports. Some suppliers can offer limited quantities of LSMGO, but securing deliveries for other grades is difficult, a source says. The situation is expected to improve in the coming days as striking workers are gradually returning to work at refineries in France, the source adds.

According to a Reuters report, strike action at TotalEnergies’ 117,000 b/d Feyzin oil refinery in France is continuing, while the walkout at the company’s 240,000 b/d Gonfreville oil refinery ended last week. Strike action at TotalEnergies’ 230,000 b/d Donges’ refinery in western France ended last month.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker supply is said to be normal in Gibraltar. Some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO there, while HSFO deliveries remain subject to enquiries. The port’s VLSFO price is at parity with Algeciras and Malta, and at discounts of $12-14/mt to Las Palmas and Ceuta.

Prompt supply of VLSFO is normal in Ceuta, but LSMGO delivery may require longer lead times of around 5-6 days there, a source says.

One supplier in Gibraltar and two in Algeciras are experiencing delays, according to port agent MH Bland. Strong winds are forecast to hit Gibraltar on Thursday evening, which could cause some delays. Bad weather conditions are forecast to prevail until Saturday.

Bunkering is in progress at outer anchorages in Las Palmas. Swells have been reduced to 1.8 meters on Wednesday from 2.2 meters on Tuesday, MH Bland says.

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are normal in Malta. Recommended lead times for both the grades are around four days, a source says.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal. Some suppliers can offer prompt deliveries.

 

Africa

Bunker fuel supplies are normal in South Africa’s Algoa Bay and Durban. Suppliers can offer prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO in locations. Recommended lead times are around seven days, a source says.

Strong winds are forecast to hit Algoa Bay on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, which could disrupt bunker operations there, a source says.

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

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE

Published: 10 November, 2022

Continue Reading

Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

Admin

Published

on

By

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

Admin

Published

on

By

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

on

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending